Results 2,441-2,460 of 4,773 for speaker:Paudie Coffey

Topical Issue Debate: Data Protection (1 Oct 2014)

Paudie Coffey: Given that domestic water charging commenced today, 1 October, Irish Water requires a comprehensive customer database to be in place to ensure that customers can be billed accurately, based on the tariff structure approved by the regulator yesterday. In advance of the introduction of the charges, the Government made decisions relating to the structure of water charges and agreed to provide a...

Topical Issue Debate: Data Protection (1 Oct 2014)

Paudie Coffey: -----that they would not have to pay those charges. That is folly and it is unfair to the public they were advising. We need to be straight with people and advise them correctly, in line with the law of the land. Those people were quickly deserted and left with penalties and fines. I do not want to see that happening again with regard to water charges.

Topical Issue Debate: Local Authority Housing (1 Oct 2014)

Paudie Coffey: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. Increasing both public and private housing supply is a critical issue and the Government's construction strategy, Construction 2020, published on 14 May, is a blueprint for a properly functioning and sustainable construction sector. It provides for a strategic approach to the provision of housing based on real and measured demand and addresses the...

Topical Issue Debate: Local Authority Housing (1 Oct 2014)

Paudie Coffey: Given the concerns raised by the Deputy, I will ask my officials to engage with Dublin City Council in order to examine this issue to see if any progress can be made or a resolution found. In the wider context, the key focus must be on significant intervention by the State on multiple fronts in order to ensure delivery and provide an adequate supply of secure, good quality housing in...

Topical Issues: Pensions Levy (7 Oct 2014)

Paudie Coffey: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter that is of concern to her and many others. I am taking this Topical Issue matter on behalf of the Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael Noonan. The Minister for Finance announced in his budget 2014 speech that the 0.6% pension fund levy introduced to fund the jobs initiative in 2011 would be abolished after this year. He did, however, introduce an...

Topical Issues: Pensions Levy (7 Oct 2014)

Paudie Coffey: I will bring the Deputy's concerns, which I know are very strong, directly to the Minister, Deputy Noonan. I cannot second guess at this stage what exactly he will include in his budget announcement on this day week, but I assure the Deputy her concerns will be brought to the attention of the Minister and his officials immediately.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Drugs Payment Scheme Coverage (7 Oct 2014)

Paudie Coffey: I thank the Senator for raising this issue with which I am dealing on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health, Deputy Leo Varadkar. I am happy to clarify the matter for the Senator. It is important to state decisions on which medicines should be licensed for use in Ireland and reimbursed by the taxpayer are not political or ministerial. Such decisions are made on objective,...

Leaders' Questions (8 Oct 2014)

Paudie Coffey: Fairy tales.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Waste Management (8 Oct 2014)

Paudie Coffey: I thank the Senator for raising this issue and allowing me the opportunity to reply today on behalf of Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Alan Kelly. I am happy to clarify the matter. Planning for the provision of waste management facilities forms part of a waste management plan. The preparation and adoption of a waste management plan, including decisions...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Waste Management (8 Oct 2014)

Paudie Coffey: I understand the Senator's concerns, particularly with the level of public funding that has gone into providing the infrastructure. I must also reiterate my obligation. The statutory responsibilities lie with local authorities, Cork County Council in this case. It is a statutory function of the local authority and the Government and the Department are precluded from interfering or...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Local Authority Staff (9 Oct 2014)

Paudie Coffey: I am happy to respond to this Adjournment matter on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Alan Kelly, and to clarify some of the matters raised. This tragic case has been the subject of an inquest. I am certain it has been difficult for all concerned and intend to deal with the issue as sensitively as possible and avoid going into unnecessary detail. This case concerns the repossession of a social...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Local Authority Staff (9 Oct 2014)

Paudie Coffey: While I acknowledge the concern the Senator raises, and I know he raises it with good intention, I have to reiterate the view of the Minister, Deputy Kelly, that an independent investigation in accordance with the provisions of sections 83 to 86 of the Local Government Act 1941 is not warranted in this case. As I said earlier, if matters at any level of complaint have not been resolved...

Financial Resolutions 2015 - Financial Resolution No. 3: General (Resumed) (15 Oct 2014)

Paudie Coffey: There is no doubt that the last number of years have been tough and difficult for our society. Since taking office just over three years ago, the Government has worked to stabilise our economy, restore our businesses' international reputation and, more important, restore the public finances. Due to the public's sacrifices great strides have been made in this regard. As we move now from...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Seaweed Harvesting (16 Oct 2014)

Paudie Coffey: I am happy to clarify this matter for the Senator. Ireland's foreshore is a national asset. It is essential that any activity or development on the foreshore takes account of the need to protect it. The principal legislation governing the use of foreshore is the Foreshore Act 1933. It is widely acknowledged that reform of this legislation is needed. The Government is determined to bring...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Seaweed Harvesting (16 Oct 2014)

Paudie Coffey: We all acknowledge the need to reform this particular Act. There will be an indepth opportunity for the Senator and all his colleagues, when the Bill is published, to engage in debate and put forward views and, if necessary, amendments. Those views will be welcome and we can debate them at that time. For the moment, we await the Bill. The commitment has been made to bring it to the Houses...

Leaders' Questions (22 Oct 2014)

Paudie Coffey: What about the victims?

Leaders' Questions (22 Oct 2014)

Paudie Coffey: He relocated them down here.

Leaders' Questions (22 Oct 2014)

Paudie Coffey: It is shameful. Shame on him.

Leaders' Questions (22 Oct 2014)

Paudie Coffey: The masks have slipped.

Irish Water: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (23 Oct 2014)

Paudie Coffey: The Opposition is ranting and raving with no suggestions to offer.