Results 4,661-4,680 of 9,814 for speaker:Steven Matthews

Water Environment (Abstractions and Associated Impoundments) Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Dec 2022)

Steven Matthews: I think this was probably the first legislation on which the committee carried out pre-legislative scrutiny, in October or November 2020. It is no coincidence that the amendments submitted by Deputies Ó Broin and O'Callaghan and me are all virtually identical. I suggest that is because we met, and carefully considered the proposal with, representatives of An Taisce and the Sustainable...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Issues Relating to Quarries and Deleterious Materials: Discussion (6 Dec 2022)

Steven Matthews: I welcome everybody. This afternoon, we will discuss issues relating to quarries and deleterious materials. We are joined by Mr. Feargal Ó Coigligh, Ms Sarah Neary and Mr. John Wickham from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. They are accompanied by Mr. Eoin McGrath of Geological Survey Ireland. We are also joined by Ms Geraldine Larkin, Mr. Enda McDonnell, Mr....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Issues Relating to Quarries and Deleterious Materials: Discussion (6 Dec 2022)

Steven Matthews: I thank Mr Ó Coigligh very much. I invite Ms Larkin to speak on behalf of the NSAI.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Issues Relating to Quarries and Deleterious Materials: Discussion (6 Dec 2022)

Steven Matthews: I thank Ms Larkin. I will now move to Ms Phelan. I note Ms Phelan's submission is a 22-page submission. The opening statement is only the first few pages. I wanted to check that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Issues Relating to Quarries and Deleterious Materials: Discussion (6 Dec 2022)

Steven Matthews: It is quite clear from the opening statements, plus the time that this committee spent on the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Bill, that this is a highly technical and complex matter. The range of standards, guidance, technical guidance, regulations and inspections that are out there seem quite comprehensive. We saw and heard from people living with...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Issues Relating to Quarries and Deleterious Materials: Discussion (6 Dec 2022)

Steven Matthews: As the next slot belongs to the Green Party I will comment. Mr. Ó Coigligh, on page 4 of his submission, said, "the Department received a notification from NSAI on 15 October last year regarding the withdrawal of a certificate of conformity". The NSAI referred the matter to the Department and I ask the NSAI delegation to please explain the process. How did the NSAI become aware of the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Issues Relating to Quarries and Deleterious Materials: Discussion (6 Dec 2022)

Steven Matthews: NSAI staff go to each of these production lines in factories across the country. Are they random or timed inspections?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Issues Relating to Quarries and Deleterious Materials: Discussion (6 Dec 2022)

Steven Matthews: Do they submit to the NSAI for auditing?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Issues Relating to Quarries and Deleterious Materials: Discussion (6 Dec 2022)

Steven Matthews: Where a supplier submits to the NSAI the paperwork on its processes and the testing it does and the auditors find the product does not conform with the standards with which it is meant to conform, does the authority then go back to the producer and say it needs to make changes, or does it immediately flag the issue to the Department? Is there a process that is followed? When compliance...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Issues Relating to Quarries and Deleterious Materials: Discussion (6 Dec 2022)

Steven Matthews: It would help people watching and listening to understand the process. It would help to give confidence in it.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Issues Relating to Quarries and Deleterious Materials: Discussion (6 Dec 2022)

Steven Matthews: I refer to the example in the Department's submission, indicating that on 15 October, there was a withdrawal of a certificate of conformity based on notification from the NSAI. I would like to talk through the NSAI process to the point where it informs the Department of an instance of non-conformity. I will then ask the departmental representatives about the steps that are taken after that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Issues Relating to Quarries and Deleterious Materials: Discussion (6 Dec 2022)

Steven Matthews: To be clear, was it the production control process with which with the NSAI had an issue?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Issues Relating to Quarries and Deleterious Materials: Discussion (6 Dec 2022)

Steven Matthews: In such instances, will the NSAI contact the Department to say it questions the conformity of the production control process of one of the producers that sends it results and, therefore, that the product coming out at the end may not meet the standard?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Issues Relating to Quarries and Deleterious Materials: Discussion (6 Dec 2022)

Steven Matthews: The issue is flagged with the Department. What steps does the Department take after receiving that notification and what is the timeframe involved?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Issues Relating to Quarries and Deleterious Materials: Discussion (6 Dec 2022)

Steven Matthews: That is understandable. Do the NSAI and the Department have concerns that the concrete blocks made by this producer are not up to standard, or is it just that the process in place at the moment is being questioned? Has the product been tested fully?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Issues Relating to Quarries and Deleterious Materials: Discussion (6 Dec 2022)

Steven Matthews: What happened then? Was the company told it must modify its control process and it would then get back its certificate of conformity? Is that how it works?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Issues Relating to Quarries and Deleterious Materials: Discussion (6 Dec 2022)

Steven Matthews: From how many entities producing concrete products does the NSAI receive control or audit documentation showing proof they are in compliance? How many such companies are in operation?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Issues Relating to Quarries and Deleterious Materials: Discussion (6 Dec 2022)

Steven Matthews: Will Mr. Balfe explain what he means by that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Issues Relating to Quarries and Deleterious Materials: Discussion (6 Dec 2022)

Steven Matthews: Mr. Balfe indicated that the NSAI certifies 168 quarries and 95 concrete product manufacturers.