Results 6,881-6,900 of 11,114 for speaker:Damien English

Prohibition of Micro-Plastics Bill 2016: Second Stage [Private Members] (4 May 2017)

Damien English: I will clarify the position for the Deputy.

Prohibition of Micro-Plastics Bill 2016: Second Stage [Private Members] (4 May 2017)

Damien English: I want to clarify some points to alleviate concerns. I thank Deputy Sean Sherlock for bringing forward the Bill. I hope it is our Department's remit because I spent time in the Seanad dealing with Senator Grace O'Sullivan's Bill. If it is not my Department, then we are all wasting our time. I am fairly confident it is within our remit. I want to clarify that marine environmental policy...

Prohibition of Micro-Plastics Bill 2016: Second Stage [Private Members] (4 May 2017)

Damien English: Marine environmental policy rests within our Department, but I will clarify this for Deputies. The Minister, Deputy Coveney, is responsible for the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and marine spatial planning.

Prohibition of Micro-Plastics Bill 2016: Second Stage [Private Members] (4 May 2017)

Damien English: Because he is. That is how I understand it.

Prohibition of Micro-Plastics Bill 2016: Second Stage [Private Members] (4 May 2017)

Damien English: Deputy Howlin has been in government, so he knows how it works. Governments decides and allocates duties to Departments. These issues were, and still are, under our Department. Functions have been delegated to all the Ministers.

Prohibition of Micro-Plastics Bill 2016: Second Stage [Private Members] (4 May 2017)

Damien English: I was not asked why but was asked who and I am saying who. I am giving the facts. I agree with Deputies that it is great Deputy Coveney is the Minister. The Minister is charged with the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, marine spatial planning and the regulation of the foreshore under the Foreshore Acts. The Minister, Deputy Coveney, also has a range of marine planning and...

Prohibition of Micro-Plastics Bill 2016: Second Stage [Private Members] (4 May 2017)

Damien English: I will now turn to all the other issues raised, including one by the Acting Chairman, Deputy Eugene Murphy. Ireland's Clean Coast groups, which are led by An Taisce and supported by the Department, do great work and are viewed as world leaders in that respect. Some issues were raised around that. We welcome and want to have an input into legislation such as this Bill but we must take a...

Prohibition of Micro-Plastics Bill 2016: Second Stage [Private Members] (4 May 2017)

Damien English: It will not be specifically on this. It is the other Bill, it will not be a bespoke Bill.

Prohibition of Micro-Plastics Bill 2016: Second Stage [Private Members] (4 May 2017)

Damien English: The Minister, Deputy Coveney is prepared to consider that. There also seems to be a demand for a bespoke Bill, however.

Prohibition of Micro-Plastics Bill 2016: Second Stage [Private Members] (4 May 2017)

Damien English: That is what I am saying. It will not be possible to have a bespoke Bill in June. As the Minister, Deputy Coveney said in his opening remarks, there is the option to add it in to the foreshore Bill or to have a bespoke Bill. That is something on which we can consult.

Prohibition of Micro-Plastics Bill 2016: Second Stage [Private Members] (4 May 2017)

Damien English: I cannot say today that there could be a June timeline for that.

Prohibition of Micro-Plastics Bill 2016: Second Stage [Private Members] (4 May 2017)

Damien English: The Minister, Deputy Coveney said he would consider it. To be clear, he is not saying he can bring forward a bespoke Bill in June.

Prohibition of Micro-Plastics Bill 2016: Second Stage [Private Members] (4 May 2017)

Damien English: Yes.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Building Regulations (4 May 2017)

Damien English: New buildings and extensions or material alterations to existing buildings must comply with the legal minimum performance standards set out in the Building Regulations 1997 - 2017.  In this context, the Building Regulations (Part M Amendment) Regulations 2010, and the accompanying Technical Guidance Document M – Access and Use (2010), which came into effect on 1 January 2012, set...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Pyrite Panel Report Recommendations (4 May 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...

Topical Issue Debate: Seaweed Harvesting Licences (9 May 2017)

Damien English: I thank Deputy Collins for raising this matter and giving me the opportunity to set out some background and context to the licence and the concerns that have recently arisen. My Department regulates seaweed harvesting in accordance with the Foreshore Act 1933. It aims to ensure that wild seaweed, which is a valuable resource, is managed appropriately to ensure that it remains sustainable...

Topical Issue Debate: Seaweed Harvesting Licences (9 May 2017)

Damien English: I am aware that living seaweed acts as an important habitat for marine and coastal species and can provide spawning and nursery grounds for various species of marine life. Deputy Michael Collins mentioned how significant it is to Bantry. However, as the Deputy stated, we cannot forget that supporting quality employment in coastal communities, in particular along the western seaboard, is of...

Topical Issue Debate: Seaweed Harvesting Licences (9 May 2017)

Damien English: The Deputy has told me that but he must understand that I cannot go backwards to something that happened nearly six years ago. All I can give the Deputy is a commitment that the Department will monitor this and work with the company involved. No doubt the locals will have a view on the monitoring arrangements. The advertising arrangements will also be reviewed for future reference. I...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: County Development Plans (9 May 2017)

Damien English: I propose to take Questions Nos. 233 to 238, inclusive, together. As part of the preparation of the new National Planning Framework (NPF), entitled Ireland 2040: Our Plan, extensive pre-draft public consultation has been conducted on the Issues and Choices paper, published on 2 February, which attracted over 3,300 submissions, including a joint submission from the five...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: VAT Rate Reductions (9 May 2017)

Damien English: It is important to note that one off housing is subject to building control regulations. However, the Building Control (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations provide the owners of such homes with an option to opt-out of statutory certification of compliance with building regulations if they wish to do so. Building Control requirements are far from the most significant element of the...