Results 5,501-5,520 of 7,200 for speaker:Cian O'Callaghan

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Housing Provision (11 Apr 2024)

Cian O'Callaghan: 4. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if the introduction of a specific zoning for affordable housing will be considered by this Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15883/24]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Housing Provision (11 Apr 2024)

Cian O'Callaghan: First, I wish the Minister of State, Deputy Dillon, the best on his appointment. No doubt it is a proud moment for his family and community. The new Taoiseach, Deputy Harris, has conceded that the Government's housing targets are completely insufficient and that at least 50,000 new homes are needed each year. The only possible way we will get 50,000 homes every year is to make housing...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Housing Provision (11 Apr 2024)

Cian O'Callaghan: It is disappointing that the senior Minister, Deputy O'Brien, generally does not answer the smaller parties during these Oral Questions on housing. He only answers Sinn Féin and he has responsibility for these issues. It is not the responsibility of the Minister of State with responsibility for biodiversity, with respect.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Housing Provision (11 Apr 2024)

Cian O'Callaghan: It is regularly the junior Ministers who answer. The Government has missed all its targets on affordable housing. In the last election campaign, Deputy Darragh O'Brien promised 10,000 affordable homes a year. Last year, only 499 affordable purchase homes were delivered. When Social Democrats councillors on Dublin City Council proposed affordable housing zoning, it was rejected on the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Housing Provision (11 Apr 2024)

Cian O'Callaghan: He always answers Sinn Féin and rarely us.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Housing Provision (11 Apr 2024)

Cian O'Callaghan: In the previous election, the Minister of State's party, the Green Party, talked about the Vienna model of housing.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Housing Provision (11 Apr 2024)

Cian O'Callaghan: It even got a reference to the Vienna model of housing into the programme for Government.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Housing Provision (11 Apr 2024)

Cian O'Callaghan: Vienna is ranked as the most liveable city in the world. A person can rent a new-build two-bed affordable apartment in Vienna for €627 per month. In Dublin, the equivalent is €1,400 per month. How do they achieve this in Vienna? One of the ways and one of the tools they use is affordable housing zoning, which ensures that a continuous supply of land is available at...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Housing Provision (11 Apr 2024)

Cian O'Callaghan: We did so because the Government did not have these measures in it.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Apr 2024)

Cian O'Callaghan: I will come in on amendment No. 676, which is a part of this grouping. These amendments cover a similar issue. What is the Minister's justification and rationale for the changes proposed that restrict participation? Has he had advice on these specific measures in the Bill and whether they are compliant with the Aarhus Convention when they restrict participation? I know he has general...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Apr 2024)

Cian O'Callaghan: I would like to add to the comments that have been made about the former committee member, Deputy Emer Higgins, who is now a Minister of State. She certainly made a good contribution to this committee. I believe amendment No. 674 strengthens this section. It moves away from arbitrary criteria like one year or ten members to much more important criteria. For example, it includes that the...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Apr 2024)

Cian O'Callaghan: I will finish my point if we have the time. I would be particularly concerned about subsection (b)(v), which states, "that has passed a resolution, in accordance with the constitution of the company, before the bringing of the appeal authorising the company to bring the appeal." It is very reasonable. The issue with it is timing. There can be very short windows to do this.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Apr 2024)

Cian O'Callaghan: That is where I have concerns on that.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Apr 2024)

Cian O'Callaghan: Of course it sounds absolutely reasonable in terms of transparency to have a resolution passed. The practical effect of that is what concerns me. In a planning appeal, you have a limited window to get the appeal in. An environmental NGO could be dealing with a complex technical appeal involving a huge amount of work and a lot of expertise may need to be sought. In terms of complying with...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Apr 2024)

Cian O'Callaghan: I move amendment No. 676: In page 223, to delete lines 7 to 11.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Apr 2024)

Cian O'Callaghan: I move amendment No. 683: In page 230, between lines 36 and 37, to insert the following: “(3) (a) Where an appeal under this Chapter relates to development, or proposed development situated or proposed to be situated wholly or partly in a Limistéar Pleanála Teanga Gaeltachta or a Baile Seirbhíse Gaeltachta within the Gaeltacht materially contravenes any relevant...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Apr 2024)

Cian O'Callaghan: In terms of the example given by Deputy Boyd Barrett, I have had a similar example in my constituency, although not around housing development but public consultation around restricting parking outside a school. Of course most people would agree that such restrictions were very sensible measures to make things safer for the school children but what was not in the public consultation was...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Apr 2024)

Cian O'Callaghan: I will just ask a quick question on this. With regard to this amendment on section 165 on phasing plans, is the way the planning authority does this with the developer effectively entirely at the discretion of that authority or has guidance been issued on it at any stage?

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Apr 2024)

Cian O'Callaghan: Do they relate to how phasing is used or not used? That is what I am asking.