Results 2,541-2,560 of 4,773 for speaker:Paudie Coffey

Seanad: Water Sector Reforms: Statements (25 Nov 2014)

Paudie Coffey: The future generations will not thank this Government or any Government if we do not invest in such a vital infrastructure. I have listened to Senator David Cullinane continuously express false anger, citing his populism and playing to the gallery for local media. Sinn Féin has flip-flopped on this issue also. Only a few months ago its leader, Deputy Gerry Adams, told the media and...

Seanad: Water Sector Reforms: Statements (25 Nov 2014)

Paudie Coffey: Senator David Cullinane raised concerns about our constituency, Waterford. I am happy to report the good news that Irish Water will continue to invest in the seven villages sewerage scheme for which we have been waiting for over 15 years. It will invest in new sewage collection and treatment systems across County Waterford, which the Senator will welcome. Irish Water has been at the top...

Seanad: Water Sector Reforms: Statements (25 Nov 2014)

Paudie Coffey: When we look back, I hope Fianna Fáil will support the establishment of this very important national utility which will serve the needs of the country into the future.

Leaders' Questions (27 Nov 2014)

Paudie Coffey: What about your actions? You say one thing and do another.

Leaders' Questions (27 Nov 2014)

Paudie Coffey: That is the wrong track.

Leaders' Questions (27 Nov 2014)

Paudie Coffey: A cover up.

Leaders' Questions (27 Nov 2014)

Paudie Coffey: The record speaks for itself.

Seanad: Homelessness: Statements (3 Dec 2014)

Paudie Coffey: I thank all Senators from all sides of the House for their contributions. This has been a very poignant and important debate. It is only correct that the Houses of the Oireachtas should debate such important issues. It is important also, and I agree with Senator Wilson on this, that we would constantly evaluate progress or otherwise. That is the measure that there should be of us as...

Seanad: Homelessness: Statements (3 Dec 2014)

Paudie Coffey: We will have to join stakeholders in carefully considering the options proposed in the Private Residential Tenancies Board's report before we decide on the best policies to address the current difficulties in the market.

Seanad: Homelessness: Statements (3 Dec 2014)

Paudie Coffey: The Department is listening to the stakeholders involved in this sector. The Private Residential Tenancies Board commissioned this report. The experts who advise the Department have shown that increases in rent supplement tend to inflate the rental market. Such an approach can have casualties, unintended or otherwise. I will be addressing the question of rent supplement in a moment. The...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Tenant Purchase Scheme Administration (3 Dec 2014)

Paudie Coffey: I thank the Senator for raising this important issue and am pleased to report progress on the matters he has raised. The Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 enacted earlier this year provides for a new scheme for the purchase of existing local authority houses to replace the 1995 tenant purchase scheme. The Social Housing Strategy 2020 approved by the Government and published last...

Water Services Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (5 Dec 2014)

Paudie Coffey: And their murderers.

Water Services Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (5 Dec 2014)

Paudie Coffey: I thank all the Deputies who contributed to this debate over the past two days. The Government has listened to the legitimate public concerns about water charges, how Irish Water was established and how it will operate. With this Bill, the Government is responding to those concerns. I welcome Opposition support for some of the proposed changes. Many Deputies raised the issue of public...

Water Services Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (5 Dec 2014)

Paudie Coffey: It is a fact that the Deputy's people held these meetings. What happened when they penalties and charges for non-payment were introduced?

Water Services Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (5 Dec 2014)

Paudie Coffey: This group of public representatives abandoned the very same people. They are vulnerable and it was not the correct thing to do. I heard Deputy Halligan from my constituency say he had attended a protest march in my home town of Portlaw which had been attended by more than 800 people. The organisers said the attendance was 200. Any debate should be factual. I know the people concerned,...

Water Services Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (5 Dec 2014)

Paudie Coffey: Future generations will not thank us if we do not invest in this critical national public infrastructure. The Bill is about introducing a fair and affordable system of domestic water charges. We want to ensure we will be able to invest in water and wastewater infrastructure, as happens in every other country in the OECD and most other countries in the developed world. It is about financing...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Tenant Purchase Scheme Administration (9 Dec 2014)

Paudie Coffey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 414 and 419 together. Part 3 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 provides for a new scheme for the tenant purchase of existing local authority houses. The Social Housing Strategy 2020 approved by the Government and published last month includes a commitment to introduce the new tenant purchase scheme by the second quarter of 2015.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Foreshore Issues (9 Dec 2014)

Paudie Coffey: My Department is currently consulting with the Chief State Solicitor’s Office and the Attorney General’s Office in order to identify the most suitable approach for dealing with the issues arising at the Old Mud Dock in Galway . My Department will consider what actions are appropriate in light of final legal advice on these issues.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Planning Issues (9 Dec 2014)

Paudie Coffey: From inquiries made of Limerick County Council, it is understood that a number of pre-planning meetings took place with the person concerned before he lodged his first planning application for proposed development works ( ref 06/3641). The Council has indicated that there w ere a number of planning issues with this application and after a number of further meetings with the person concerned...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Planning Issues (9 Dec 2014)

Paudie Coffey: Under planning legislation, enforcement of planning control is a matter for the planning authority, which can take action if a development does not have the required permission, or where the terms of a permission granted have not been complied with. Planning authorities have substantial enforcement powers under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. A planning authority may...