Results 3,501-3,520 of 9,814 for speaker:Steven Matthews

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Housing Schemes (5 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: Many people have come to me on this issue because they know the Green Party holds strong policies in respect of urban and rural village regeneration and all the benefits that brings - economic, social, environmental and climate. I am glad the Minister stated the fund will be launched shortly. I look forward to the detail on that. I have brought forward a Bill that considers how we can...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (5 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: Yesterday at a meeting of the transport committee, representatives of the National Transport Authority were present to discuss the greater Dublin area transport strategy. The importance of road-space allocation arose time and again regarding public transport punctuality, ensuring children have safe routes on which to walk or cycle to school, and the creation of good public spaces. What...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Energy Performance of Buildings Directive: Discussion (28 Apr 2022)

Steven Matthews: I thank Dr. Byrne. By way of background for members and those who may be watching these proceedings, regarding this recast directive, on 15 December 2021 the European Commission adopted the latest proposal to revise and recast the energy performance of buildings directive. It is part of a broader overhaul of EU climate and energy legislation, which is referred to as the Fit for 55 package....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Energy Performance of Buildings Directive: Discussion (28 Apr 2022)

Steven Matthews: Thank you. I will allow a minute.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Energy Performance of Buildings Directive: Discussion (28 Apr 2022)

Steven Matthews: There will always be people who will desperately resist actions on climate, environment and other aspects-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Energy Performance of Buildings Directive: Discussion (28 Apr 2022)

Steven Matthews: -----but they are only heading in one direction. Despite the good work that has been done in retrofitting over the past decade or longer, we are heading into an era now of very high ambition in terms of that 500,000 homes target. The energy grant scheme that has been introduced sends a very strong signal out to the industry and the supply chains that this is where we will go in the next...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Energy Performance of Buildings Directive: Discussion (28 Apr 2022)

Steven Matthews: Does Dr. Byrne wish to make a contribution?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Energy Performance of Buildings Directive: Discussion (28 Apr 2022)

Steven Matthews: I thank Dr. Byrne.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Energy Performance of Buildings Directive: Discussion (28 Apr 2022)

Steven Matthews: This is a fascinating subject and I found this meeting very interesting and informative. I thank all of our guests for their attendance. It has been very helpful to the committee. I understand we will deal with embodied carbon at our next meeting when we will continue our consideration of this subject. I also thank members for their attendance.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Derelict Sites (5 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: 73. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his views regarding the imposition of a derelict sites tax in place of the existing levy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21261/22]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (5 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: 187. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a new school site for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22488/22]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Carbon and Energy within the Construction Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (3 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: I welcome the delegations. Today is the second in a series of meetings we are having on carbon and energy in construction. At our previous meeting we heard from the Department and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. Just last week we also had a meeting on the energy performance of buildings directive that strayed into embodied carbon and carbon in construction as well, so it is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Carbon and Energy within the Construction Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (3 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: I thank Mr. Christal for that opening statement. I propose to go next to Mr. Ciarán O'Connor from the Office of Public Works, OPW. As Mr. O'Connor has a slide presentation that possibly can be shared on the screen, I will go to next to Mr. Barry of the Irish Green Building Council next and then we can work on those slides and I will come back to Mr. O'Connor.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Carbon and Energy within the Construction Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (3 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: I thank Mr. O’Connor. I note that the Select Committee on Environment and Climate Action today completed its consideration of Committee Stage of the Circular Economy, Waste Management (Amendment) and Minerals Development (Amendment) Bill 2022, which feeds into much of what we are discussing. I know that Deputy Darren O’Rourke was present for that long session today. That work...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Carbon and Energy within the Construction Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (3 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: I thank Ms Phelan. I should have mentioned she is joined by Mr. Richard Butler. I did not welcome him at the start. Ms Marion Jammet, of the Irish Green Building Council, is also welcome.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Carbon and Energy within the Construction Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (3 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: We will start with Enterprise Ireland and we can come back to some of the questions if we do not have time.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Carbon and Energy within the Construction Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (3 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: We might have time for the guests from the National Building Control Office to briefly address the question of the 10 m height restriction.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Carbon and Energy within the Construction Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (3 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: We will come back to the other questions for Mr. Barry and Mr. O'Connor. Are we all reading Supercharge Me at the moment? It seems that way. I will move to Deputy Higgins.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Carbon and Energy within the Construction Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (3 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: I am going to take the next slot, the Green Party slot. We had an interesting discussion at the end of our last meeting about the planning system and where it can play a role. A figure of 14% was given in respect of embodied carbon in construction. Where somebody wishes to build, is it too easy to demolish what is in place and construct a new building? Is there work we need to do in this...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Carbon and Energy within the Construction Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (3 May 2022)

Steven Matthews: I agree that we should be doing that but we do not at the moment. It is not a requirement. It is very easy to submit a planning application without doing so. All applicants are supposed to demonstrate how transport, infrastructure and services issues will be dealt with, but we still do not seem to have included a requirement on the carbon associated with the construction method and the...