Results 5,381-5,400 of 5,587 for speaker:Kevin Humphreys

Seanad: Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2018: Report and Final Stages (21 May 2019)

Kevin Humphreys: I welcome the Minister to the House. All Senators have received similar emails and telephone calls to those outlined by Senator Norris. Will the Minister lay out clearly, at the earliest possible stage, the implications of these particular provisions in the Bill? There is confusion about what he is seeking to do. I accept that his aim in this legislation is to improve the standard of...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2018: Report and Final Stages (21 May 2019)

Kevin Humphreys: I am not coming back in with regard to the debate. It is just a point of clarification. It is a one-answer question.

Seanad: Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2018: Report and Final Stages (21 May 2019)

Kevin Humphreys: I just wanted to know when the information-----

Seanad: Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2018: Report and Final Stages (21 May 2019)

Kevin Humphreys: On the ability of landlords to cite as a reason for eviction their wish to move a family member into a property, all politicians will have seen abuse of this right. We have heard on many occasions of family members moved into a property and suddenly leaving after three, four or five months. I understand where Sinn Féin is coming from in proposing these amendments. I debated this issue...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2018: Report and Final Stages (21 May 2019)

Kevin Humphreys: I move amendment No. 6:In page 17, between lines 6 and 7, to insert the following:“Private residential tenancies register: publication of certain details 22.Section 128 of the Act of 2004 is amended by substituting the following for subsection (4):“(4) The published register—(a) shall not contain any information, as respects a particular dwelling, that discloses or could...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2018: Report and Final Stages (21 May 2019)

Kevin Humphreys: I move amendment No. 8:In page 42, line 28, after “regulations” to insert the following:“(which shall include but is not limited to persons, whether established in the State or otherwise, who provide for consideration advertising, agency or management services in respect of short-term lettings)”.

Seanad: Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2018: Report and Final Stages (21 May 2019)

Kevin Humphreys: I am not going to delay proceedings. Amendments Nos. 8 and 9 are intended to allow proper enforcement of regulations on short-term lets. They will allow for desktop enforcement rather than-----

Seanad: Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2018: Report and Final Stages (21 May 2019)

Kevin Humphreys: These amendments would make it much easier for planning enforcement officers to uphold the legislation as it is proposed. I put them forward as a suggestion for the Minister. I am not inclined to press either amendment to a vote if the Minister gives some reassurance on enforcement. I am not confident that his proposals will work. I understand these two amendments would have to be dealt...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2018: Report and Final Stages (21 May 2019)

Kevin Humphreys: This is probably one of the problems in this regard. If one looks at what has happened in other jurisdictions, online platforms have set out to undermine legislation and regulations and actively advertise property on their platforms and get around the regulations. They have succeeded in getting around the regulations in London and can get around them in Dublin, purely through sponsored ads...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Science Foundation Ireland: Chairman Designate (28 May 2019)

Kevin Humphreys: I thank Professor Clinch for his very clear and comprehensive opening statement. In his response to Deputy Quinlivan, he presented a clear picture of where Science Foundation Ireland contributes to enterprise and education. How will Professor Clinch deliver that clear picture? SFI used to give comprehensive breakfast briefings in Buswells Hotel to show the work it was doing. Oftentimes...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Science Foundation Ireland: Chairman Designate (28 May 2019)

Kevin Humphreys: So how do our guests think they can present a clear picture of the work that is being done?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Science Foundation Ireland: Chairman Designate (28 May 2019)

Kevin Humphreys: The public and people like myself have a gap in their knowledge. I come from a pharmaceutical background and I know that if one can tie research to development, one can tie the industry to the country.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Science Foundation Ireland: Chairman Designate (28 May 2019)

Kevin Humphreys: That link is strong. One has a better chance of keeping the manufacturing element if one has the research and development in the same location. I know of one company that has expanded significantly because of the benefit of research and development.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Science Foundation Ireland: Chairman Designate (28 May 2019)

Kevin Humphreys: I apologise for having to leave but there is a vote in the Seanad.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Science Foundation Ireland: Chairman Designate (28 May 2019)

Kevin Humphreys: I wish Professor Clinch the very best of luck.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Defective Building Materials (29 May 2019)

Kevin Humphreys: I thank the Chair for selecting this Commencement matter, because it is very important for up to 100,000 apartment owners who are affected by structural defects caused by light-touch regulation and ineffective building controls during the 2000s. These people purchased their apartments on the understanding they were fit for purpose and, unfortunately, as we see now, they are not, and it is...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Defective Building Materials (29 May 2019)

Kevin Humphreys: Perhaps the Minister of State might arrange a meeting with me as various options could help apartment owners in the short term to access money at low interest rates, and these have not been given due consideration. There is an all-party recommendation on redress that was made in 2017 but there has been no progress in that regard. The Minister of State's response is a little hypocritical....

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Defective Building Materials (29 May 2019)

Kevin Humphreys: People will eventually be unable to live in these apartments.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 Jun 2019)

Kevin Humphreys: The Multi-Units Development Bill was enacted in 2011 but several problems have arisen for apartment owners and dwellers in the interim. The legislation should be reviewed to determine its impact on apartment owners and those living in apartments. I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government to the House to discuss the legislation and the changes needed...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Jun 2019)

Kevin Humphreys: I raise an issue of concern to apartment owners, one which I have raised many times in the context of legacy issues and faults in the building of apartments. I mention specifically international best practice and how we can avoid making the same mistakes over and over again. Clúid Housing and the Housing Agency recently published an independent report on best practice for owner...