Results 2,721-2,740 of 4,773 for speaker:Paudie Coffey

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Dec 2014)

Paudie Coffey: -----and the accounts and how it is presenting them to the public, and I will tell the Senator why. It is conveniently not taking account of the commercial water rates that will be an income under the Irish Water funding model and that will be an important income under that model. It is also incorrectly bringing the conservation grant onto the books of Irish Water which, as we all know, is...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Dec 2014)

Paudie Coffey: It also not allowing for the benefit of the establishment of the modern fit for purpose asset management system that is being established for the first time in this State for water infrastructure, and that is important also. It does not take account of possible fines and pending fines from the European Union if we do not address many of the pollution issues in this country.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Dec 2014)

Paudie Coffey: The Deputy's party is not addressing the fines that can be imposed on this country if we continue to allow raw sewage to flow into our rivers and bays.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Dec 2014)

Paudie Coffey: More important, it is not taking account of the negative economic impact if we do not invest in our water infrastructure.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Dec 2014)

Paudie Coffey: We saw how Galway city was nearly shut down by the cryptosporidium outbreak a number of years ago. We saw last year how Dublin city could not supply an adequate water capacity. There will be an negative economic impact if we do not address many of these issues.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Dec 2014)

Paudie Coffey: Fianna Fáil cannot have it every way. Irish Water has already appeared before the Committee of Public Accounts earlier this year. The question was raised as to whether it could be brought before it. It has already appeared before it and I am sure it can be brought back before it committee again.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Dec 2014)

Paudie Coffey: That is correct. It has also appeared before the Oireachtas joint committee. The bottom line is that Ministers and Departments are accountable and will appear before the Committee of Public Accounts and the Oireachtas joint committee on the environment to account for any State expenditure in this regard.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Dec 2014)

Paudie Coffey: The funding models will be a matter that will be kept under constant review in consultation with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, given his particular role in regard to the oversight and accountability arrangements for the commercial semi-State sector generally, and that has always been the case. There will be a role and a continuing role there. For the information of Members,...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Dec 2014)

Paudie Coffey: It will be subject to full audit. Its audited accounts will be laid before the Oireachtas. It will be subject to appearing before any Oireachtas joint committee and the Comptroller and Auditor General will have full oversight and accountability for any State funds expended by any Department. That should reassure Senators about any concerns they have.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Tribunals of Inquiry Expenditure (14 Jan 2015)

Paudie Coffey: The Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters and Payments (the Mahon Tribunal) was established in October 1997 and published its Final Report in March 2012. The work of the Tribunal at present is largely focused on the settlement of third-party and court costs incurred during the work of the Tribunal. My Department was advised by the Chairman of the Tribunal in M ay 2014 that the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Tenant Purchase Scheme Administration (14 Jan 2015)

Paudie Coffey: The operation of the tenant purchase scheme for local authority apartments is a matter for housing authorities and my Department does not collect information regarding the implementation of the scheme by individual authorities. Drafting of the transfer and charging orders to be used under the scheme is underway in my Department and the necessary regulations will be made in due course. It...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Provision (14 Jan 2015)

Paudie Coffey: Local authorities have the statutory responsibility for the detailed provision of social housing services in their areas. Decisions in relation to the planning and delivery of these services are matters for the relevant authorities in the first instance. In this case, it is a matter for Cork County Council to identify the appropriate services to meet the housing need involved and I...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Wind Energy Guidelines (14 Jan 2015)

Paudie Coffey: It is a matter for planning authorities to ensure that decisions on planning applications are taken having regard to the policies set out in their respective development plans and local area plans. Furthermore, all planning authorities - including An Bord Pleanála - must have regard to the provisions of section 28 guidelines issued by the Minister in exercising their planning functions....

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Rented Housing Sector (14 Jan 2015)

Paudie Coffey: The Residential Tenancies Act 2004 regulates the landlord-tenant relationship in the private rented sector and sets out the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants relating to, inter alia, security of tenure, termination of tenancies, rent and rent reviews. The 2004 Act provides that rents may not be greater than the open market rate and may only be reviewed upward or downward once a...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing Provision (14 Jan 2015)

Paudie Coffey: The Social Housing Strategy 2020builds on the provisions contained in Budget 2015 and sets out clear, measureable actions and targets to increase the supply of social housing, reform delivery arrangements and meet the housing needs of all households on the housing list. The total targeted provision of over 110,000 social housing units, through the delivery of 35,000 new social housing units...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Housing Issues (14 Jan 2015)

Paudie Coffey: Social housing is a key priority for Government, as evidenced by the increased provision made for the area in Budget 2015. The overall social housing funding provision for 2015 has been increased by in excess of €200 million, with capital funding increasing by €180 million, which will allow for significant expansion in social housing provision. The Social Housing Strategy 2020:...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Building Regulations (14 Jan 2015)

Paudie Coffey: I refer to the reply given to Questions Nos. 541 and 542 of 18 December 2014 which comprehensively addresses this matter and which remains the up-to-date position .

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Planning Issues (14 Jan 2015)

Paudie Coffey: Under planning legislation, development - including change of use - require s planning permission unless it is specifically exempted from this requirement. The relevant legislative provisions are contained in sections 3, 4 and 5 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, and in Part II and Schedule 2 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended. The...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Planning Issues (14 Jan 2015)

Paudie Coffey: Sections 40 and 41 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 provide that the “appropriate period”, or duration, of a planning permission shall normally be 5 years, but may be longer than 5 years where the planning authority, or An Bord Pleanála as the case may be, considers that this is appropriate having regard to the nature and extent of the relevant development and any...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Building Regulations (15 Jan 2015)

Paudie Coffey: My Department’s Sectorial Plan, as provided for in section 31 of the Disability Act 2005, was developed in consultation with groups representing people with disabilities to assist the Department and local authorities in supporting an inclusive society with accessible buildings, facilities, services and information.In accordance with my Department’s Sectorial Plan, all local...