Results 24,421-24,440 of 26,185 for speaker:Kieran O'Donnell

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (14 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: It is the same role. Dare I say it, we can always look for the negative. The role was designed and put to the people. There is a similar role and relationship between a Secretary General of a Department, who is the Accounting Officer, and the Minister. It is virtually identical. This is a significant shifting of powers from the CEO, who will now be called the director general, to the...

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (14 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Senator lived there for many years. He knows the city very well. I acknowledge the Senator's bona fides in the matter. There is one key element that was not discussed. There will still be the chamber of 40 councillors who have reserve functions. The mayor will be bringing proposals to the chamber. Their role remains unaffected, but it means that the mayor can drive policy on...

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (14 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: Amendment No. 83 proposes to place a statutory obligation on the mayor to act in a manner consistent with achieving the United Nations sustainable development goals, with a particular emphasis on goal 11 on sustainable cities and communities. It is important to note that Ireland's second National Implementation Plan for the Sustainable Development Goals 2022-2024 was developed in...

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (14 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: As an important aside to Senator Boyhan, if we can assist that particular couple in any way in my Department, I ask the Senator to give me their details and we can follow it up for him. People with disabilities are a subject of great importance that falls under my remit in housing. We brought out our national strategy for housing people with disabilities and I have published an...

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (14 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: Is that Thomond College?

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (14 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: Yes.

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (14 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank the Senators very much for their contributions. I will speak to amendment No. 85 in the names of Senators Boyhan and Keogan. This amendment proposes to insert a new section into the Bill which would give the mayor responsibility for the administration and implementation of Limerick regeneration projects. It also proposes that an annual report would be submitted to the elected...

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (14 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: There is no guillotine here.

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (14 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Senator should correct the record on that point. There is no guillotine here.

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (14 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: Anyone who knows me knows that implementation and substance are hugely important to me. I note the genuineness of the amendments that have been put forward. I am trying to work in real time. I want to listen to the Members here. If I am looking through legislation it is because I am actively trying to process what Members are saying. Anyone who knows me knows that is my approach. I have...

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (14 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: Again, it is about substance for me. I will give a commitment to look at the proposal. Senator Boyhan will make his own decision on how to proceed. My role, as a Minister of State and as a TD representing Limerick city, is to make sure this legislation works. What I put forward to the Senator is based on what I believe the situation to be. However, I give a commitment to look at his...

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (14 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I have committed to look at it, but I am of the view, at this moment, that what the Senator is proposing is catered for in the Bill.

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (14 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: No.

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (14 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: Amendments Nos. 86 and 87, which relate to local community safety partnerships, have been grouped together for discussion in the names of Senators Boyhan and Keogan and are supported by Senator Craughwell. These amendments seek to create a role for the mayor as chair of his or her local safety partnership through inserting an additional section in the Bill in amendment No. 86, and by...

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (14 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: It is for technical reasons-----

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (14 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I cannot accept it because it is not the vehicle for what the Senator wants.

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (14 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I have made my views known. The amendment is not the vehicle for this. I am having further discussions with the Minister for Justice and her Department on the issue. On the basis that it is not the correct vehicle, I cannot accept the amendment.

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (14 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I will speak to amendments Nos. 96 to 105, inclusive, first.

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (14 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: These are amendments to the existing tables in Schedule 1, which list the functions of the príomh chomhairleoir and the director general. Amendment No. 96 deletes section 74(1)(b) as a function of the príomh chomhairleoir. Section 74 provides that a local authority may confer a civic honour, such as admission to honorary freedom of its area, on distinguished persons. This is a...

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (14 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I covered amendment No. 135.