Results 2,881-2,900 of 9,814 for speaker:Steven Matthews

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Monuments and Archaeological Heritage Bill: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (27 Jan 2022)

Steven Matthews: Following from Deputy O'Donoghue's question, when county development plans or local area plans are being prepared, they will always show a map identifying the structures in the area that are listed in the register of protected structures. Is it compulsory to include mapping of archaeological sites in county development or local area plans? Will these two designations of general protection...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Monuments and Archaeological Heritage Bill: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (27 Jan 2022)

Steven Matthews: This is something the committee might consider in the context of the review of the planning system that is ongoing at the moment in order to assist and add to what the National Monuments Service is trying to do in this Bill. I thank Mr. Kirwan and will move on now to Deputy Cian O'Callaghan.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Monuments and Archaeological Heritage Bill: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (27 Jan 2022)

Steven Matthews: The Deputy asked about landscapes. Does that come under sites?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Monuments and Archaeological Heritage Bill: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (27 Jan 2022)

Steven Matthews: I suggest that the Senator include her request as part of the recommendations on the PLS report. Next is the second Sinn Féin slot and Deputy Ó Broin.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Monuments and Archaeological Heritage Bill: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (27 Jan 2022)

Steven Matthews: It is a good point and it is something we could consider in our pre-legislative scrutiny report.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Monuments and Archaeological Heritage Bill: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (27 Jan 2022)

Steven Matthews: I will take the second Green Party slot. I refer to licensing. It often takes a long time to obtain a licence to carry out work. That may deter people from seeking such licences. Is there a currently a need to seek a licence to carry out work on a monument?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Monuments and Archaeological Heritage Bill: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (27 Jan 2022)

Steven Matthews: Through the Bill, we are seeking to improve that process and make it more effective across the board. Under the section relating to licensable activities, I see reference to application to the Minister for a licence. How long will it take for a licence to be issued when the Bill is enacted and there is a fully resourced heritage, monuments and archaeological department?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Monuments and Archaeological Heritage Bill: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (27 Jan 2022)

Steven Matthews: It is important for people to be aware there is a relatively short period to seek a licence to carry out the work and to do it the right way. As many of those present will be aware, heritage officers in local authorities do a significant volume work and have a massive remit across the board. They are involved in planning, heritage and archaeological and biodiversity interests. Do our...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Monuments and Archaeological Heritage Bill: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (27 Jan 2022)

Steven Matthews: I only realised when the Bill was brought forward that some local authorities have an archaeological officer. I have added that to my wish list of what all local authorities should have, along with a county architect, a biodiversity officer and a cycling officer. I now have a fourth role to add to that team. The Minister of State may be interested to know that we have invited the network...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Monuments and Archaeological Heritage Bill: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (27 Jan 2022)

Steven Matthews: It is often the case that infringements on protected structures take place at the weekend, when there is nobody available or no way of chasing it up. Irreparable damage can be done overnight. I am sure the same also applies in respect of monuments. It is important that if notice is served or the Department is notified of a suspicion that unlicensed work affecting a monument or other...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Monuments and Archaeological Heritage Bill: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (27 Jan 2022)

Steven Matthews: Currently, if it is proposed to take the site in, is there public consultation or is it just with the landowner?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Monuments and Archaeological Heritage Bill: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (27 Jan 2022)

Steven Matthews: Thank you, Mr. Kirwan. We have reached the end of our normal round of questions, so there is a third round. I call Senator Boyhan.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Monuments and Archaeological Heritage Bill: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (27 Jan 2022)

Steven Matthews: You have the floor.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Monuments and Archaeological Heritage Bill: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (27 Jan 2022)

Steven Matthews: There are no further hands raised for the third round. Perhaps the Minister of State might wish to offer some closing remarks on this. I note that Part 8 refers to research and promotion of knowledge and awareness. When one has a great interest in or passion for something or experience with it, one is sometimes unaware that other people may not have that. We can raise greater awareness of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Monuments and Archaeological Heritage Bill: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (27 Jan 2022)

Steven Matthews: I concur with the Minister of State's praise for his team, who have laboured for many years. Perhaps our archaeological and built heritage was not as appreciated as it is now, and hopefully more into the future. We will have further meetings on this and we will invite other expert witnesses with an interest and experience in archaeological and heritage matters. We will also be examining...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Broadband Plan Update: National Broadband Ireland (27 Jan 2022)

Steven Matthews: I was listening in to the Dáil debate on the same subject at the same time because I am speaking on it shortly.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Broadband Plan Update: National Broadband Ireland (27 Jan 2022)

Steven Matthews: Of course. I welcome the NBI team to the meeting and thank them for the regular updates we receive. They are really useful when we are meeting and dealing with constituents. Naturally, they all ask when they will get their high-speed broadband. Those updates are helpful in that, as was our recent visit to Kilcoole. As I am criss-crossing County Wicklow, I have learned to spot ducts up on...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Broadband Plan Update: National Broadband Ireland (27 Jan 2022)

Steven Matthews: If NBI gets a lot of pre-orders from a particular area, would that make it consider doing that particular ribbon next?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Broadband Plan Update: National Broadband Ireland (27 Jan 2022)

Steven Matthews: Fair enough.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Broadband Plan Update: National Broadband Ireland (27 Jan 2022)

Steven Matthews: When this network is finished, and it will be finished, and everybody is passed and has the potential for connection and we have this extensive fibre-optic network throughout the country, is there future planning for the maintenance staff who are going to be required to maintain and keep that network updated and running for the next 20, 30 or 50 years? I do not know what the life expectancy...