Results 2,601-2,620 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Order of Business (9 Jul 2009)

Phil Hogan: We are going back a long time now.

Local Government (Charges) Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Second Stage (9 Jul 2009)

Phil Hogan: I wish to share my time with Deputies Bannon and Deenihan.

Local Government (Charges) Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Second Stage (9 Jul 2009)

Phil Hogan: The Bill before the House, the Local Government (Charges) Bill, is probably the most confused legislation brought before the House by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government since he took office. With no disrespect to the Minister of State, I am disappointed the Minister is not here to explain how he could have put such proposals to the Cabinet some months ago and...

Local Government (Charges) Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jul 2009)

Phil Hogan: I move amendment No. 1: In page 4, to delete lines 11 to 15. This amendment deals with the administration of the charge collection system. We are effectively creating a new administrative system for the collection of the charge. There are revenue collectors and staff in local authorities but, as Deputy Burke stated, the moratorium on recruitment in local authorities and the general...

Local Government (Charges) Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jul 2009)

Phil Hogan: I tabled the amendments because I do not believe the local authorities will be in a position to collect the money efficiently and effectively, as believed by the Minister. It is bound to take time and money for them to get their new tax collection systems up and running. I would have believed the Revenue Commissioners would have been better placed to collect the tax temporarily. The...

Local Government (Charges) Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jul 2009)

Phil Hogan: We will wait to hear what the Minister has to say.

Local Government (Charges) Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jul 2009)

Phil Hogan: And the Deputy is still around.

Local Government (Charges) Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jul 2009)

Phil Hogan: I move amendment No. 3: In page 4, subsection (1), after line 44, to insert the following: "(i) a building that is a Fáilte Ireland registered and/or listed self catering property.".

Local Government (Charges) Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jul 2009)

Phil Hogan: I move amendment No. 7: In page 5, after line 45, to insert the following subsection: "(8) The charge liable by a single owner will be limited to €600 per building in instances where the building contains in excess of three self-contained dwellings.". I tabled this amendment because the €200 levy is not unduly onerous on rented accommodation or apartments but could have a significant...

Local Government (Charges) Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jul 2009)

Phil Hogan: The Minister has completely misinterpreted the motivation behind the amendment. I explained that I was concerned about low income people, particularly single people, with social housing requirements and the case of a large dwelling that is converted into various units, each of which is subject to the €200 charge. I do not advocate the charge being exempt for the case of the multi-unit...

Local Government (Charges) Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jul 2009)

Phil Hogan: Why did not the Minister include the rental accommodation scheme?

Local Government (Charges) Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jul 2009)

Phil Hogan: In line with the scenario presented in respect of HSE assisted people, the same principle applies to those under the rental accommodation scheme but the Minister has exempted them. I am interested in the reason.

Local Government (Charges) Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jul 2009)

Phil Hogan: The Minister, Deputy Gormley, stated his amendment went further than the Fine Gael amendment, demonstrating a great hypocrisy. The Minister published legislation which allowed people in long-term care and those with granny flats attached to their homes to be subject to the charge. He accused Fine Gael and the media of being mischievous when we raised the issue, but he now praises himself...

Local Government (Charges) Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jul 2009)

Phil Hogan: In the broadest extent of the term.

Local Government (Charges) Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jul 2009)

Phil Hogan: It did, absolutely.

Local Government (Charges) Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jul 2009)

Phil Hogan: To bring forward an amendment.

Local Government (Charges) Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jul 2009)

Phil Hogan: What about the definition of "long-term"?

Written Answers — Renewable Energy: Renewable Energy (9 Jul 2009)

Phil Hogan: Question 18: To ask the Minister for Transport the steps he has taken to encourage greater use of renewable energy in public transport fleets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25187/09]

Written Answers — Transport Sector: Transport Sector (9 Jul 2009)

Phil Hogan: Question 38: To ask the Minister for Transport his views on the recent OECD report that competitiveness would be restored through stronger competition; his plans to increase business competition in the transport sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28562/09]

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (9 Jul 2009)

Phil Hogan: Question 248: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the quality criteria included in awarding the contract to provide dialysis services in Kilkenny; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29404/09]