Results 481-500 of 2,180 for speaker:John Cummins

Seanad: Live Industry Supports: Statements (16 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: I welcome the Minister to the House and this is a debate that many of us requested last week. I thank the Minister and the Leader for facilitating statements this evening on a critical topic. The Minister is aware the live theatre, arts and events industry has had what can only be described as a torrid 20 months.The impact of closures, curtailments, restricted audiences, social distancing...

Seanad: Maritime Area Planning Bill 2021: Report and Final Stages (17 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: I stated on Committee Stage that everyone in this House supports good environmental practices, and in this case having protected marine life, but at the same time we have to acknowledge and be honest that delays occur as a result of challenges. It was indicated on Committee Stage by the Member on my left that he was already aware this legislation which we were still in the process of...

Seanad: Maritime Area Planning Bill 2021: Report and Final Stages (17 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: That is accurate. I suggest the Senator check the record. The main point I am making is nobody is suggesting we restrict people's right to be able to take challenges. However, we need to be honest and upfront with the public as to the consequences of such challenges. We can all speak about meeting our targets in terms of wind energy, etc., but we cannot get to those targets if...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Marine Protected Areas: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (30 Nov 2021)

John Cummins: I am from a coastal county - Waterford - so all elements of this are very important to me and the people I represent. Mr. Cronin said all of the information is readily available to allow decisions to be made. Will it take 13 months to compile all of that information? What is the best-case timeline regarding the completion of this body of work? Mr. Cronin referenced actions and mitigation...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Marine Protected Areas: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (30 Nov 2021)

John Cummins: How many members of staff are working on this? How does that compare in terms of resourcing? Mr. Cronin mentioned the UK. Anyone in answer to a question like this would say, of course, we could do with more resources, but I am trying to ascertain current resources in respect of a comparable nation such as the UK, even on a pro ratabasis.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Draft Planning and Development (LRD Fees) Regulations 2021: Motion (2 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: Not to labour the point, the best-case scenario here is that we introduce a system in good faith to try to reduce the number of judicial reviews taken and to enable public participation in the planning process at the first stage. The worst-case scenario, however, is that we block up the entire planning process in local authorities. The only solution involves resourcing planning departments,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Draft Planning and Development (LRD Fees) Regulations 2021: Motion (2 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: I thank the Minister of State and officials. These regulations are welcome in order to bring clarity to the sector. It is very important that they have clear sight of these in short order. The concerns I expressed on Second, Committee and Report Stages do not necessarily relate to the fees structure but relate more so to the resourcing of local authorities to be able to fulfil their...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Draft Planning and Development (LRD Fees) Regulations 2021: Motion (2 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: I thank the Minister of State.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Business of Joint Committee
Update from Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (7 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: I have just sat down. I thank the Minister of State and I apologise that I was not present for all the committee meeting as I had a commitment in the Seanad. I would like to comment on a couple of areas of the Minister of State’s brief. The built heritage grant schemes that are in place, such as thatching grants schemes, are very valuable. I do not need to tell the Minister of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Urban Regeneration: Discussion (14 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: I thank all our witnesses contributing to the debate on this very important topic. We need to address this issue, which is why this committee is placing such an emphasis on it. I read all the opening statements with interest. I agree with Mr. Shakespeare's thesis that this issue is very complex and that there are many reasons we have vacant properties in the middle of a housing crisis....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Urban Regeneration: Discussion (14 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: I refer to the ability to develop the scheme further for potential use as cost rental units for middle income earners.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Urban Regeneration: Discussion (14 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: I ask that Dublin City Council would come back to us on that figure of 11 applications. The Government figures from gov.ieare 39, which shows there is only a 5% conversion rate between applications versus delivery of units on the ground. If that is compared with Waterford, there is a conversion rate of upwards of 40%. Something is seriously wrong there and we have not had sufficient...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Urban Regeneration: Discussion (14 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: We have heard a lot of excuses today. Anybody looking in on this meeting will be tearing their hair out. I am certainly tearing out what little hair I have left on my head. It seems to be excuse after excuse. The Government can only come up with policy interventions. We cannot do this on our own. We need local authorities to deliver under the schemes that are in place. To paraphrase...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Urban Regeneration: Discussion (14 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: I apologise to Mr. Dinnigan but that is for the buy and renew scheme. Does the council have targets for 2022, 2023 and 2024 under the repair and lease scheme?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Urban Regeneration: Discussion (14 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: Does Waterford City and County Council have targets for that scheme? That emphasises the need to have targets for local authorities because targets are the only things that are responded to.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Urban Regeneration: Discussion (14 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: Would Mr. Johnston support such a change?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Urban Regeneration: Discussion (14 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: Would Mr. O’Hara support it also, from Dublin City Council’s point of view?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Urban Regeneration: Discussion (14 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: I agree with Mr. O’Hara that it is part of the solution. That is the point. However, if we do not have targets across our local authorities, we cannot meet them. It is an issue that there are no targets specifically for one of the main pillars and schemes of the Government.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Urban Regeneration: Discussion (14 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: I will be fair to the rest of the committee members. I have spoken twice so I concede my time to Deputy Higgins.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Urban Regeneration: Discussion (14 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: It is helpful to cite the Department guidance on the building regulations. It demystifies much of the misinformation which indicates that you cannot do anything with a derelict or vacant property, when you can. I have seen perfect examples of it in my own county, Waterford. I would like this meeting to lead to workshops being held across local authorities, where best practice can hopefully...