Results 4,521-4,540 of 5,587 for speaker:Kevin Humphreys

Seanad: An Garda Síochána: Statements (28 Mar 2017)

Kevin Humphreys: Yes, it was wrong to put people in prison for not paying their television licences.

Seanad: An Garda Síochána: Statements (28 Mar 2017)

Kevin Humphreys: It was right that certain Garda stations were closed but that is not the issue today. The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Shane Ross, told a public meeting in Stepaside that it is a question of "when" and not "if" Stepaside Garda station will reopen. I am not sure the report has been issued but such a statement undermines the independence of what is going on. It takes a...

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (29 Mar 2017)

Kevin Humphreys: I move amendment No. 1x:In page 5, line 30, to delete "(1), it shall publish a notice of the proposal—" and substitute the following:"(1) and following the conduct of any screenings and assessments necessary to comply with Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora, it shall publish a notice of the proposal—".

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (29 Mar 2017)

Kevin Humphreys: Amendment No. 1x is commonsensical. If the Minister incorporated it on Report Stage, it would save quite an amount of time. Senator Ó Domhnaill's point on how to engage with users applies across the board. When we got involved in politics, we used letters and telephones. Now, we use e-mails or engage through Facebook. When users register, they must provide their e-mail addresses for...

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (29 Mar 2017)

Kevin Humphreys: I thank the Minister for arranging the meeting with her officials which I found quite helpful. The Minister did not address the review mechanism. While it is not my amendment, I would be quite flexible in that regard. I would like to see a review mechanism built into the legislation. No precedent is being set in this regard. When I brought legislation through the House in the past, I...

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (29 Mar 2017)

Kevin Humphreys: I need to come back in twice. I accept the Minister's point that by-laws are organic. We are dealing with legislation today and what I am asking to be reviewed is the legislation we are putting through the House today. The Bill is an enabler for by-laws. The purpose of the amendment is to review that mechanism.

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (29 Mar 2017)

Kevin Humphreys: I accepted the Minister's undertaking.

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (29 Mar 2017)

Kevin Humphreys: I want to press amendment No. a1x.

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (29 Mar 2017)

Kevin Humphreys: Exactly.

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (29 Mar 2017)

Kevin Humphreys: I think the Senator's suggestion is that we should all withdraw our amendments and have a conversation on the matter, but I would certainly be anxious that there would be a suitable penalty for the crime. On occasions a fixed penalty fine, or a lower one, may be correct but the penalty for major offences has to reflect the damages that could be done to Waterways Ireland and to our water...

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (29 Mar 2017)

Kevin Humphreys: As the Minister is moving through them quickly, amendment No. 1an proposes to substitute €150 with €1,000. It would future proof the Bill as the section allows for lower amounts to be specified for contravention of canal by-laws. A sum of €150 is a little low. Will the Minister reflect on the matter and consider increasing the figure? It might mean not having to amend...

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (29 Mar 2017)

Kevin Humphreys: It is quite obvious from the support expressed in the House that all of the major groupings have said "Tá". Traditionally, a question is declared lost if a Government Senator says "Níl", but it is quite obvious that there is support in the House for the amendment. In a voice vote I would say "Tá". I also think the Minister might be inclined to accept the amendment.

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (29 Mar 2017)

Kevin Humphreys: I move amendment No. 1an:In page 7, line 42, to delete “€150” and substitute “€1,000”.

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (29 Mar 2017)

Kevin Humphreys: A floating community, including families and children, is developing in Grand Canal Dock. We need to be very careful about search warrants and so on. We need to recognise that we are talking about people's homes, and people should have the same rights and protection under the law as any one else. I understand that to be the intention of the Minister. The community to which I refer has a...

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (29 Mar 2017)

Kevin Humphreys: I have a real problem with this. It might not go far enough in collecting information over a three-year baseline but we need a baseline. The Minister's officials told us that three or four counties were sensitive to this but we do not have enough information. The first thing to do is put in place a database so that we know what we have and to know what we damage and do not damage. The...

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (29 Mar 2017)

Kevin Humphreys: -----and everybody here should accept that. When Senator Alice-Mary Higgins tabled amendments which would have greatly improved the road safety aspect of dealing with hedgerows her proposals fell on deaf ears. I agree with Senator Norris that the measure must be opposed. I call on Members to support the amendment because at the very least one must support good science, which is what it is....

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (29 Mar 2017)

Kevin Humphreys: The Minister spoke about the baseline study.

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (29 Mar 2017)

Kevin Humphreys: I have to respond to the earlier remarks. I am very supportive of the Irish farming community. We would not have the landscape we have without the farmers. They have cared for the environment. We have what we have because of them. In this House, we have actually listened to each other. We may have started from different places but we have moved closer together. At a very early stage, I...

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (29 Mar 2017)

Kevin Humphreys: Let us invite BirdWatch Ireland, the tillage farmers, the livestock farmers and the small farmers in and let us have a very informed and focused debate about section 8 to see if it should be brought forward. I certainly support the previous Senator's position that we should drop section 8 completely. If we do not, I will vote for this amendment too.

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (29 Mar 2017)

Kevin Humphreys: No it is the group. We are speaking on the group.