Results 381-400 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage. (4 Jul 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: All of these amendments relate to the board's screening decision on whether a proposed development is or is not strategic. We had a long discussion on the matter on Committee Stage and I am happy that the criterion on which the board will base its decisions on whether a Seventh Schedule project is strategic infrastructure are clearly set out in the new section 37A to the 2000 Act. Issues to...

Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage. (4 Jul 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: I remind Deputies that a proposed development must fall within the Seventh Schedule and must meet one of the criteria in section 37A. Not just any development will be deemed strategic. Even if a development falls within the area of more than one local authority, it would still have to be a development of a class listed in the Seventh Schedule. That should overcome any difficulties that might...

Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage. (4 Jul 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: I am satisfied with it. Deputy Gilmore is quite happy and can see the logic of what we are doing here. It is quite logical for us to state that a development must be deemed strategic and that it must be included in the Seventh Schedule. This protects the issue, irrespective of how many local authorities it would straddle.

Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage. (4 Jul 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: In answer to Deputy Morgan, a super pub would not come under the Schedule as it cannot be defined as being of any strategic importance. The Government was generous to the Deputy regarding his amendment No. 22 as it could understand the motive for the amendment. The Government is quite happy that the term "proper planning and sustainable development" which is used in section37B(3)(a) and...

Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage. (4 Jul 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Deputy is saying that anything that comes before An Bord Pleanála will be prejudged and therefore it is a make-believe organisation. As such I disagree absolutely with the Deputy.

Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage. (4 Jul 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Deputy is trying to turn this Bill and its innovative provisions on its head——

Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage. (4 Jul 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: These provisions will provide for better quality planning applications and will provide for better quality environmental impact statements. This will ensure people and communities will have the best possible information available to them. Just because An Bord Pleanála determines that something is strategic does not automatically mean it will grant permission. Permission will be granted on...

Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (5 Jul 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 544, 546 and 547 together. There are currently proposals with my Department for the provision of new fire stations at Castlecomer, Graiguenamanagh and Urlingford. These are in addition to the new fire station at Freshford which is currently under construction. The provision of a new fire station at Castlecomer, to be advanced to construction stage by the end...

Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (5 Jul 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: On 2 July 2006, I announced details of the 2006 Fire Services Capital Programme. The provision of a new fire station at Clonakilty is included in this Programme and my Department will now be writing to Cork County Council with a view to advancing this project to design and construction as quickly as possible.

Remedial Works Grants. (6 Jul 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: I acknowledge the Deputy's interest in raising this matter, which was also raised with me by the Minister of State, Deputy Brendan Smith. The Mullaghmatt housing estate in Monaghan town has been designated for funding under my Department's remedial works scheme. I am strongly committed to regeneration and remedial works programmes. The first phase of the Mullmaghmatt redevelopment, which is...

Social and Affordable Housing. (6 Jul 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: I thank the Deputy for his good wishes for the season ahead. Policy issues on the provision of social and affordable housing may be decided at national level but the detailed implementation of those policies and the delivery of projects is a matter for the individual local authorities. It is the responsibility of local authorities to assess the need for housing in particular locations. In...

Social and Affordable Housing. (6 Jul 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: ——and a councillor close to the Deputy was to the fore in progressing the sale of that property to a private investor. I remind the Deputy that a councillor who is well known to the Minister of State, Deputy Noel Ahern, was opposed to selling that land to a private investor on the basis that the land should be available for social and affordable housing. Unfortunately, as a result of the...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (27 Sep 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: Grant allocations are made to county councils each year under the Local Improvements Scheme. Details of allocations for each of the years 2000 to 2006 and grants claimed by and paid to councils for each of the years 2000 to 2005 are set out in the following Table. I intend to announce the 2007 Local Improvements Scheme allocations early in the New Year.

Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (27 Sep 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: The provision of funding for a replacement fire station at Tallow was not included in the 2006 Fire Services Capital Programme. However, the provision of such funding will be considered in future years having regard to overall demands on the fire service capital programme, the priorities of Waterford County Council, the level of activity, the proximity of other fire stations and the standard...

Seanad: Telecommunications Services: Motion (27 Sep 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Senator will be concise as normal.

Seanad: National Development Finance Agency Annual Report 2005: Statements (3 Oct 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: I welcome this opportunity to address the House on the annual report of the National Development Finance Agency, or NDFA, for the year ended 31 December 2005. The NDFA commenced operations in 2003, with the functions of advising State authorities on the optimal means of financing the cost of public investment projects to achieve value for money and on all aspects of financing, re-financing...

Seanad: National Development Finance Agency Annual Report 2005: Statements (3 Oct 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: It is profitable, and increasingly so on an annual basis.

Local Authority Housing. (4 Oct 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: The question of installing fire doors in existing houses adapted by the installation of lifts in order to meet the needs of people with disabilities will be considered in the context of the next review of part B, fire safety, of the building regulations. Local authorities have an overall role in ensuring local authority dwellings meet the needs of tenants and safety is an important...

Local Authority Housing. (4 Oct 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: Deputy Crowe is correct that the current building regulations do not require the installation of fire doors in ordinary one and two storey houses. Most doors can contain smoke to a certain level and, when combined with a smoke alarm, will provide a degree of fire safety. However, even where fire alarms are installed, 30% are not working. We are trying to send a message to people not only...

Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (4 Oct 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Environmental Protection Agency's most recent report on Air Quality in Ireland, published in July 2006, concludes that air quality is generally good throughout the country and complies with current EU air quality standards for all pollutants, including nitrogen oxides. The EU Directive on National Emission Ceilings specifies challenging aggregate national ceilings for four transboundary...