Results 6,701-6,720 of 11,114 for speaker:Damien English

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Pyrite Resolution Board Data (24 Jan 2017)

Damien English: The Pyrite Resolution Act 2013 provides the statutory framework for the establishment of the Pyrite Resolution Board and for the making of a pyrite remediation scheme to be implemented by the Board with support from the Housing Agency. The pyrite remediation scheme is a scheme of “last resort” and is limited in its application and scope to dwellings which have significant...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Pyrite Resolution Board Data (24 Jan 2017)

Damien English: The Pyrite Resolution Board, with the support of the Housing Agency, is responsible for the implementation of the pyrite remediation scheme. In accordance with the provisions of the Act, the Board is independent in the performance of its functions, and as Minister, I have no role in the operational matters pertaining to the implementation of the scheme. The Board may be contacted by phone...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Pyrite Remediation Programme (24 Jan 2017)

Damien English: The (June 2012) recommended a categorisation system as a means of prioritising pyrite remediation works in recognition of the expensive and intrusive nature of pyrite remediation and the unpredictability of pyritic heave. The independent Pyrite Panel was clear in its view that only dwellings with significant damage due to pyritic heave (i.e. red category) should be remediated and that it...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Building Regulations Compliance (31 Jan 2017)

Damien English: I wish to acknowledge the anxiety and upset caused to the owners and residents of housing developments, including the development referred to, when fire safety and other building defect issues arise. Under the Building Control Acts 1990 to 2014,primary responsibility for compliance with the requirements of the Building Regulations rests with the designers, builders and owners of buildings....

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Pyrite Issues (31 Jan 2017)

Damien English: An expert panel on concrete blocks was established by my Department in April 2016 to investigate the problems that have emerged in the concrete blockwork of certain dwellings in Donegal and Mayo. The panel have the following terms of reference: - (i) To identify, insofar as it is possible, the numbers of private dwellings which appear to be affected by defects in the blockwork in the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Functions (1 Feb 2017)

Damien English: I propose to take Questions Nos. 217 to 219, inclusive, together. In relation to the Deputy’s requests for data in relation to enforcement notices, prosecutions and rejection of completion certificates by Building Control Authorities, I have no role or function in relation to these matters. These are matters for local authorities, who are independent in the use of their statutory...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Departmental Reports (2 Feb 2017)

Damien English: An expert panel on concrete blocks was established by my Department in April 2016 to investigate the problems that have emerged in the concrete blockwork of certain dwellings in Donegal and Mayo. The panel have the following terms of reference: (i) To identify, insofar as it is possible, the numbers of private dwellings which appear to be affected by defects in the blockwork in the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Housing Issues (7 Feb 2017)

Damien English: An expert panel on concrete blocks was established by my Department in April 2016 to investigate the problems that have emerged in the concrete blockwork of certain dwellings in Donegal and Mayo. The panel have the following terms of reference: - (i) To identify, insofar as it is possible, the numbers of private dwellings which appear to be affected by defects in the blockwork in the...

Topical Issue Debate: Building Regulations (8 Feb 2017)

Damien English: I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue which is understandably causing great distress for owners and residents at Beacon South Quarter. In general, building defects are matters for resolution between the contracting parties involved, namely, the home owner, the builder and the developer and-or its respective insurers, structural guarantee or warranty scheme. In this regard, it...

Topical Issue Debate: Building Regulations (8 Feb 2017)

Damien English: I again thank Deputy Madigan for raising the issue. It is certainly not a case of us washing our hands and if I could identify an area where we could help, it is something we would look at. I certainly will raise the issue with Clúid housing association, as we have responsibility for it. Deputy Madigan mentioned NAMA as well. The Department does not have any statutory role in...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Construction Industry (9 Feb 2017)

Damien English: I propose to take Questions Nos. 122 to 124, inclusive, together. Under Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, the Government is committed to a broad range of measures to tackle, among other things, some of the costs associated with the provision of housing in the interests of reducing construction overheads. This includes undertaking a detailed analysis, in conjunction...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Pyrite Remediation Programme (9 Feb 2017)

Damien English: The Pyrite Resolution Act 2013 provides the statutory framework within which the pyrite remediation scheme must operate. It is not a compensation scheme and section 14(8) of the Act specifically states that homeowners cannot seek the recoupment of costs associated with the remediation of a dwelling undertaken either prior to the commencement, or outside, of the scheme. This is in line with...

North-South Interconnector: Motion [Private Members] (14 Feb 2017)

Damien English: I will go first.

North-South Interconnector: Motion [Private Members] (14 Feb 2017)

Damien English: Is that debatable Deputy Kyne? We will have to work it out.

North-South Interconnector: Motion [Private Members] (14 Feb 2017)

Damien English: I welcome the opportunity to have this debate. The Minister, Deputy Naughten, wanted me to explain that he had to leave. It was not out of rudeness and he is watching the debate in his office, but he just could not sit here any longer. In case people are wondering, he is watching the debate because he values everyone's input. I express my thanks to the Minister for meeting all involved...

North-South Interconnector: Motion [Private Members] (14 Feb 2017)

Damien English: I spoke about the same technology in 2007.

North-South Interconnector: Motion [Private Members] (14 Feb 2017)

Damien English: I adopted exactly the same line today. The Deputy should not try to change my words.

Seanad: Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2015: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (14 Feb 2017)

Damien English: This group of amendments relates to the offences in the Bill addressing the sexual exploitation of children. Amendment No. 1 to section 10 of the Bill provides for the repeal of sections 3(2)(a) and 3(2)(b) of the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act, 1998. Section 3(2)(a) of the 1998 Act contains an offence of travelling to meet a child for the purposes of the sexual exploitation of that...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2015: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (14 Feb 2017)

Damien English: I certainly did not try to take any latitude and will try to keep to the groups the Tánaiste put here. I did not pick the grouping but I tried to stick to it as well as I could. I understand Members' frustration with the timing of the Bill but as has been referred to, this is a discussion and debate that has been going in for a long time. It started in the committee in 2012. We have...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2015: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (14 Feb 2017)

Damien English: Amendment No. 3 amends section 20 of the Bill, which provides a definition of "sexual act". The meaning of "sexual intercourse" has been added to the existing definition in the Bill. It replicates the definition of "sexual act" under the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2006. Amendments Nos. 61 and 62 have been made to allow the offences contained in sections 21 and 22 of the Bill, which...