Results 3,901-3,920 of 20,057 for speaker:Brian Stanley

Topical Issue Debate: Rent Increases (11 May 2017)

Brian Stanley: This week's daft.iereport highlights yet again the extreme problems in the private rental sector. It is a shark pool out there. County Laois experienced the second highest increase in rents in the past year. At 16.6% in the past 12 months, the average rent is now €769 per month. The housing assistance payment - this has been the centrepiece of the Government's social housing policy...

Topical Issue Debate: Rent Increases (11 May 2017)

Brian Stanley: The reply from the Minister of State, Deputy Catherine Byrne, does not give any comfort to people in Laois, Monasterevin or other parts of the country who have had sharp increases in rent. Rents in Laois have increased by 16.6%, the second highest increase in the State. In a reply to a recent parliamentary question the Minister, Deputy Coveney, said the increase has to be more than 7% in...

Minerals Development Bill 2015: Instruction to Committee (16 May 2017)

Brian Stanley: I welcome the Minerals Development Bill 2015 which has been many years in the making. It recognises the need for the regulation of mining in the State and modernise and consolidate the legislative framework underpinning a very important industry. Most important, the industry concerns the assets of the people. We welcome the motion on the Minamata Convention and the intentions of the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Site Acquisitions (16 May 2017)

Brian Stanley: 190. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the amount which was paid by his Department for the Bord na gCon site at Harold's Cross, Dublin; and if the property was put out to tender on the open market. [23113/17]

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Inland Fisheries (Amendment) Bill 2017: Committee Stage (16 May 2017)

Brian Stanley: Deputy Pringle's point was well made. In 2010, when the amalgamation of the eight separate boards took place, this matter was not noticed. We are where we are and the Minister of State has given an explanation. The important thing is that the legislation moves on. The existing gap is not in anyone's interest, be they angling clubs, tourism interests or environmentalists. It is not in...

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Minerals Development Bill 2015: Committee Stage (17 May 2017)

Brian Stanley: I support the amendment but I use this opportunity to highlight the following. When we change Governments, Departments are changed all over the place. The current arrangement is very fractured. There are Ministers with several different pieces in their titles after the most recent change. Departments have been chopped and changed to such an extent that it is creating administrative...

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Minerals Development Bill 2015: Committee Stage (17 May 2017)

Brian Stanley: We have some good and some bad examples of environmental protection and rehabilitation. In this legislation we must ensure that we tighten things up. Mines have to function and exploration must take place but the responsibility in that regard is greater now from environmental, agricultural and tourism points of view. We must provide a greater focus on the issue. As the Bill proceeds I...

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Minerals Development Bill 2015: Committee Stage (17 May 2017)

Brian Stanley: Yes, I may do so.

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Minerals Development Bill 2015: Committee Stage (17 May 2017)

Brian Stanley: In regard to section 34 and compensation in respect of the worth of minerals, it is important that the rights of the State and the public, who are the ultimate potential beneficiaries, are protected. I hope this legislation and further improvements that may be made to it will assist in that. I support the amendment.

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Minerals Development Bill 2015: Committee Stage (17 May 2017)

Brian Stanley: There must be protection of the public interest the economic benefit of the region in terms of the benefits that would accrue under the section. That has not always happened in the past. I hope that when this Bill is enacted, the issue of protection of the public interest can be copperfastened to ensure that there are real benefits to other local sources of employment and people in the area...

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Minerals Development Bill 2015: Committee Stage (17 May 2017)

Brian Stanley: The issue of royalties needs to be considered. In 2012, €56 million revenue from the mining industry accrued to the State. There may be other benefits which need to be considered.

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Minerals Development Bill 2015: Committee Stage (17 May 2017)

Brian Stanley: What protection is currently in place in respect of damage caused to the environment or local infrastructure by previous prospecting activities?

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Minerals Development Bill 2015: Committee Stage (17 May 2017)

Brian Stanley: To pursue the applicant or to have a condition that if damage is caused-----

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Minerals Development Bill 2015: Committee Stage (17 May 2017)

Brian Stanley: Section 76 is probably one of the most important parts of the Bill in terms of the protection of the environment. I welcome that the legislation on this aspect has been updated. I hope that we can further improve and strengthen the provision as it passes through these Houses. I support the section.

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Minerals Development Bill 2015: Committee Stage (17 May 2017)

Brian Stanley: I wish to clarify a point on the register that exists under EU legislation. The Minister of State says that there is no cut-off time for how far it can go back. It can be pre-1977, or it can be pre-1964, even before planning permission was required. Will the Minister of State clarify that?

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Minerals Development Bill 2015: Committee Stage (17 May 2017)

Brian Stanley: Section 136(2)(a) refers to the need, in preparing the rehabilitation plan, to consult "the occupiers of dwellings and business premises in the area, and of any land over which access to the area may be required, and if there is registered land within the area, or land over which access is required, the registered owners of that land". Does this include public land or land owned by a public...

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Minerals Development Bill 2015: Committee Stage (17 May 2017)

Brian Stanley: Does it include local authority lands?

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Minerals Development Bill 2015: Committee Stage (17 May 2017)

Brian Stanley: That covers damage in such cases.

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Business of Committee (17 May 2017)

Brian Stanley: Broadly speaking, the people from all sides of the House welcome this substantial Bill which consolidates the existing legislation. There has been talk that legislation is not moving. It is a credit to the officials from the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment to bring this legislation forward. We dealt with a Bill with 251 sections. There are areas that we can...

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Business of Committee (17 May 2017)

Brian Stanley: Is the Minister talking of a timeframe of three or four weeks?