Results 3,001-3,020 of 4,773 for speaker:Paudie Coffey

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Building Regulations (28 Apr 2015)

Paudie Coffey: S.I. No. 9 of 2014 has strengthened the arrangements in place for the control of building activity by empowering competence and professionalism in design and construction and by requiring greater accountability in relation to compliance with Building Regulations in the form of statutory certificates of compliance for design and construction, lodgement of compliance documentation, mandatory...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Environmental Impact Statements (28 Apr 2015)

Paudie Coffey: I understand that planning applications have been made to Fingal County Council and Dublin City Council in respect of this proposed project. These applications will be considered under the Planning and Development Acts and Regulations, including the requirements for environmental impact assessment and appropriate assessment, where necessary. The decision whether to grant permission is a...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Planning Issues (28 Apr 2015)

Paudie Coffey: Statutory undertakers authorised to provide public utilities (e.g. electricity, gas, water) have powers under the relevant enabling legislation to obtain way-leaves to lay pipes and cables, and to attach such conditions as they see fit, to ensure appropriate access for the provider. Moreover, as provided for in section 34(13) of the Planning and Development Act 2000, a person is not...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Building Regulations (28 Apr 2015)

Paudie Coffey: I acknowledge the distressing and stressful situations which individuals face when they find that the home in which they have invested may not be completed to the required acceptable standard. Local authorities have extensive powers of inspection and enforcement under the Fire Safety Act 1981, the Building Control Act 1990 and the Planning and Development Acts, all of which may be...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Building Regulations (28 Apr 2015)

Paudie Coffey: Since 2006, my Department has completed reviews to a total of 10 Parts of the Building Regulations which resulted in the introduction of new regulatory requirements/technical guidance. Notwithstanding amendments to take into account revisions to relevant Irish, British and European standards, the principal changes to the Building Regulations since 2006 are set out below: - Part A –...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Planning Issues (28 Apr 2015)

Paudie Coffey: I thank Senator Brennan for raising this important matter. In view of what he has outlined, I can understand his frustration. In that context, I am happy to try to address this issue for him. The purpose of the planning system is to ensure development takes place in a planned, controlled and sustainable manner which protects the interests of the common good and the many qualities of our...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Planning Issues (28 Apr 2015)

Paudie Coffey: The enforcement notice has issued, despite the fact, as the Senator said, that there were long delays. The local authority has the power to enter the lands where enforcement is not being complied with to make sure the wall is taken down and a charge applied to the owners of the property. There is obvious concern and it is important to ensure public confidence in our planning system. I...

Spring Economic Statement (Resumed) (29 Apr 2015)

Paudie Coffey: I welcome the opportunity to speak on the spring economic statement, which represents an important opportunity for Deputies on all sides to lay before the House their views on the economic status of the country and the citizens who live here. In order to have good fiscal management and balanced budgets, it is good practice to have a transparent debate ahead of the budget in the next few...

Spring Economic Statement (Resumed) (29 Apr 2015)

Paudie Coffey: We have one.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Building Regulations Application (29 Apr 2015)

Paudie Coffey: The Construction Industry Register Ireland (CIRI) has been established by the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) as a register of builders and contractors. Participation in the register is voluntary at present. I understand that over 600 building and contracting entities are currently included on the register and that a further 900 are at various stages of the registration process. Under...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Proposed Legislation (29 Apr 2015)

Paudie Coffey: Planning legislation places no specific restrictions on the height of trees, nor does it make any particular provision for remedy from any other nuisance which may be caused by trees in an urban residential area. However there is currently a civil remedy available concerning branches or roots of neighbouring treesencroaching on a person’s property. The previous Minister of State for...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Foreshore Licence Applications (30 Apr 2015)

Paudie Coffey: Irish Water recently submitted supplementary information in respect of this application, following a request by my Department under section 13A(1) of the Foreshore Act 1933. The supplementary information received from Irish Water has been issued for public consultation, and the latest date for submissions is today, 30 April 2015. Following completion of the consultation phase, the Marine...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Pyrite Remediation Programme (30 Apr 2015)

Paudie Coffey: The pyrite remediation scheme is first and foremost a works scheme aimed at remediating dwellings affected by significant damage attributable to pyritic heave in the subfloor hardcore material. Remediation works are carried out in accordance with I.S. 398-2:2013 Reactive pyrite in sub-floor hardcore material - Part 2: Methodology for remediation works, published by the National Standards...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Private Rented Accommodation Costs and Controls (30 Apr 2015)

Paudie Coffey: Fundamentally, the main cause of rising rents is a lack of supply in the market. The implementation of the range of actions under the Government’s Construction 2020Strategywill support increased housing supply. New house completions in 2014 amounted to 11,016 units nationally, up 33% on the 2013 figure. In the third quarter of 2014, planning permissions were granted for 2,144...

Topical Issue Debate: Airport Promotion (6 May 2015)

Paudie Coffey: I am taking the matter.

Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Closures (6 May 2015)

Paudie Coffey: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Health. The overarching policy of the Government is to support older people to live in dignity and independence in their homes and communities for as long as possible. This is clearly what older people want and only those in genuine need of residential care should go down that route. Short-term...

Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Closures (6 May 2015)

Paudie Coffey: While I certainly recognise the Deputy's concerns, I can assure him that all Ministers, including myself, certainly take more than a passing interest in health. I have come to the House to relay the information given directly to me by the Minister for Health, who is unavoidably absent. I am sure he would be happy to engage with the Deputy further. I wish to reiterate that there are genuine...

Topical Issue Debate: Social and Affordable Housing Provision (6 May 2015)

Paudie Coffey: I thank the Deputies for raising the important issue. They miss the point. Yesterday's announcement is but one strand of the Government's response under the social housing strategy. The figures quoted are the direct builds by local authorities proposed by the same local authorities through the Department. They have received the green light but it is only the first phase of direct...

Topical Issue Debate: Social and Affordable Housing Provision (6 May 2015)

Paudie Coffey: For over ten years, Fianna Fáil failed. On top of that, it propagated a property bubble with Part V-----

Topical Issue Debate: Social and Affordable Housing Provision (6 May 2015)

Paudie Coffey: -----provision that delivered no houses over a five-year term. I will take no lectures in this House from Fianna Fáil regarding the provision of social housing. Likewise with Sinn Féin-----