Results 2,981-3,000 of 5,906 for speaker:Thomas Gould

Post-European Council: Statements (16 Nov 2022)

Thomas Gould: The European Drug Report 2022 states that there has been a worrying increase in crack cocaine use in Belgium, Ireland, Spain, France, Italy and Portugal. This is a massive problem that is placing a major strain on services. Those addicted to crack cocaine behave differently and require different treatment from those who are addicted to heroin. We desperately need a concerted effort across...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (16 Nov 2022)

Thomas Gould: 71. To ask the Minister for Finance the reason that biofuels are subject to a carbon tax. [56818/22]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Approved Housing Bodies (17 Nov 2022)

Thomas Gould: 190. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if there is an obligation on approved housing bodies to conduct virtual property inspections at the request of a local authority in order to comply with the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019; and if so, if he will outline the legislative basis for this requirement. [57150/22]

Declaration of a Housing Emergency: Motion [Private Members] (22 Nov 2022)

Thomas Gould: The Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, said that people feel they are living in a housing emergency. If you are in emergency accommodation with your children, you do not feel you are living in a housing emergency; you are in a housing emergency. That is the fact. The Minister of State came in here and opposed our motion because we did not acknowledge what the Government is doing. This is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Planning and Development and Foreshore (Amendment Bill) 2022: Discussion (10 Nov 2022)

Thomas Gould: I thank the witnesses. It is very interesting to listen to them and, to be honest, some of their points are concerning regarding the potentially serious flaws in the legislation. We are all here to try to improve the integrity and public confidence in the planning system and An Bord Pleanála. There is a job of work for us all to get there, and especially on the Minister and the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Planning and Development and Foreshore (Amendment Bill) 2022: Discussion (10 Nov 2022)

Thomas Gould: Ms Uí Bhroin is laughing anyway.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Planning and Development and Foreshore (Amendment Bill) 2022: Discussion (10 Nov 2022)

Thomas Gould: I thank Ms Uí Bhroin for her views. My question is whether we are going to be back here again. If we are bringing in legislation, we are trying to fix a problem. What Ms Uí Bhroin is saying, and I agree with her, is that there is nothing to say we will not be back here again. There are good things in this general scheme such as the increase in the number of members to 14,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Planning and Development and Foreshore (Amendment Bill) 2022: Discussion (10 Nov 2022)

Thomas Gould: Do the witnesses believe that the current process of judicial reviews is working? What improvements could be made to make it work better?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Planning and Development and Foreshore (Amendment Bill) 2022: Discussion (10 Nov 2022)

Thomas Gould: Was that a bit controversial? Do the witnesses think the planning regulator has a role in reversing decisions or requesting the Minister to review decisions in certain situations where there may have been improper conduct and-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Planning and Development and Foreshore (Amendment Bill) 2022: Discussion (10 Nov 2022)

Thomas Gould: Okay. My final question is about transparency. Given public confidence in the planning process at An Bord Pleanála, some of the points the witnesses made about their concerns that this Bill will not address that were quite concerning. Listening to the points they were making, if it is not done properly, the Bill, if not will, has the potential actually to make this worse. It is very...

Social Welfare Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2022)

Thomas Gould: Yes, we do.

Social Welfare Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2022)

Thomas Gould: The Government closed down the community welfare officers and the Deputy is coming in here to-----

Social Welfare Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2022)

Thomas Gould: I wish to raise an issue that was raised with me by a constituent this week. His wife is on a community employment scheme but has recently gone on maternity leave. Because of this, they have lost their entitlement to the fuel allowance and the lump sums. These were payments they were waiting and depending on. I ask the Minister to consider this anomaly because I know there are a number of...

Social Welfare Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2022)

Thomas Gould: If Deputy Durkan wishes, he can come over to this side of the House after that contribution.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Management (15 Nov 2022)

Thomas Gould: 109. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update on the Glashaboy flood relief scheme. [56451/22]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Park-and-Ride Facilities (15 Nov 2022)

Thomas Gould: 172. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the expected timeline for new park-and-ride facilities in Cork; and if he will provide a commitment that one will be located on the north side of Cork city. [56130/22]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Bodies (15 Nov 2022)

Thomas Gould: 258. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if the position of chairperson of An Bord Pleanála has been advertised; and the timeline for recruitment of the position. [56127/22]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Derelict Sites (15 Nov 2022)

Thomas Gould: 259. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will publish all reports given to him by various Departments on derelict properties in their ownership. [56128/22]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Emergency Accommodation (15 Nov 2022)

Thomas Gould: 262. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if the eviction ban covers those in emergency accommodation who receive an eviction notice for refusal of alternative accommodation. [56184/22]