Results 3,121-3,140 of 4,773 for speaker:Paudie Coffey

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Planning Issues (11 Jun 2015)

Paudie Coffey: The finalisation of any outstanding planning related matters regarding the development concerned are a matter for Kildare County Council and I have no function in such matters.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Planning Issues (11 Jun 2015)

Paudie Coffey: I understand that this issue concerns the non-completion of a development by a developer, which is an enforcement matter for Kildare County Council, in relation to which I have no role. My Department has not received any reports from Kildare County Council in relation to this matter.

Topical Issue Debate: Water Quality (16 Jun 2015)

Paudie Coffey: I thank the Deputies for the opportunity to outline the position on the matter, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Kelly. With effect from 1 January 2014, Irish Water has been responsible for public water services. Under the European Union (Drinking Water) Regulation 2014, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas Library, suppliers of drinking water are required to...

Topical Issue Debate: Water Quality (16 Jun 2015)

Paudie Coffey: While not wishing to engage in political point-scoring across the House, this is another legacy issue with which this Government has had to deal. These lead pipes have been in existence for generations. Unfortunately, there has been no investigation heretofore of the level now under way, which is a great pity. The matter is now being addressed. I am sure Deputies opposite and all Deputies...

Urban Regeneration and Housing Bill 2015: Order for Second Stage (16 Jun 2015)

Paudie Coffey: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."

Urban Regeneration and Housing Bill 2015: Second Stage (16 Jun 2015)

Paudie Coffey: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." The primary background to this Bill is the housing supply shortage, which is one of the most pressing and important challenges facing society and the Government. This supply shortage is especially acute in Dublin, where demand for housing well outstrips supply and has done for a number of years, with consequential knock-on effects for...

Urban Regeneration and Housing Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) (16 Jun 2015)

Paudie Coffey: We will be announcing those shortly.

Urban Regeneration and Housing Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) (16 Jun 2015)

Paudie Coffey: The Deputy will be welcoming the announcement for Tipperary.

Urban Regeneration and Housing Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) (16 Jun 2015)

Paudie Coffey: Local authorities are included in the provision.

Urban Regeneration and Housing Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) (16 Jun 2015)

Paudie Coffey: I will clarify that matter for the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Tenant Purchase Scheme Applications (16 Jun 2015)

Paudie Coffey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 753 and 755 together. Part 3 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 provides for a new tenant purchase scheme for the purchase of existing local authority houses along incremental purchase lines. The Government’s Social Housing Strategy 2020includes a commitment to make the Regulations necessary for the scheme’s introduction, in the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Planning Issues (16 Jun 2015)

Paudie Coffey: Section 247 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended deals with pre-planning application consultation meetings between planning authorities and prospective planning applicants. Chapter 2 of the Development Management Guidelines, published in June 2007 (available at ), provides extensive guidance to both local authorities and prospective planning applicants with regard to the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Building Regulations (16 Jun 2015)

Paudie Coffey: In overall terms, I am satisfied that the new building control regime represents a reasonable and appropriate response to the many building failures that occurred in the past decade and will lead to improved quality within the construction sector. However, I am conscious that concerns have been raised in relation to the costs imposed by the (S.I . No. 9 of 2014 ), in particular in relation...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Compulsory Purchase Orders (16 Jun 2015)

Paudie Coffey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 770 and 771 together. Compulsory purchase orders are provided for in a number of statutes. My Department has been informed by Louth County Council that it acquired four sites by compulsory purchase order in the period 2011 to date. Two of these were acquired for roads related works with the other two being acquired under the Derelict Sites Act 1990....

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Derelict Sites Data (16 Jun 2015)

Paudie Coffey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 772 to 775, inclusive, together. As required under section 8(6) of the Derelict Sites Act 1990, my Department requests a copy of the derelict sites register from each local authority on an annual basis in respect of the previous calendar year. The most recent information held by my Department in this regard covers the year 2013. Under section 8(5) of the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Functions (16 Jun 2015)

Paudie Coffey: The legislative provisions relating to dangerous structures are set out in the Local Government (Sanitary Services) Act 1964. The Act sets out the powers available to local authorities in relation to dangerous structures. The definition of a “dangerous structure”for the purposes of the Act means— “(a) any building, wall or other structure of any kind, or (b)...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Functions (16 Jun 2015)

Paudie Coffey: The Derelict Sites Act 1990 requires that local authorities take all reasonable steps to ensure that any land within their functional area does not become or continue to be a derelict site. The definition of a “derelict site” for the purposes of the Act “ means any land which detracts, or is likely to detract, to a material degree from the amenity, character or...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Community Policing (16 Jun 2015)

Paudie Coffey: I thank Senator Noone for tabling this Commencement matter. The Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Fitzgerald, also wishes to thank her and regrets being unable to attend for the debate. However, I am happy to take it on her behalf. Community policing is an important part of policing. Indeed, it is a central feature of current policing policy and members of community policing are...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Community Policing (16 Jun 2015)

Paudie Coffey: I thank the Senator again. It is a very topical issue. The Minister has considered it but she said that at this time consideration is not being given to keeping on retiring gardaí on a part-time basis as community gardaí. It is important that members who are assigned to community policing units operate on a full-time basis and are fully dedicated to the very important work....

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Nursing Staff Recruitment (16 Jun 2015)

Paudie Coffey: I thank Senator Kelly for raising his concerns about a very topical issue. I am taking this debate on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health, Deputy Varadkar, who is on Government business elsewhere and who sends his apologies. However, I am happy to respond on the Minister's behalf. The nursing home public and private sectors are collaborating with the Department of Health and...