Results 6,901-6,920 of 9,814 for speaker:Steven Matthews

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Residential Tenancies (Right to Purchase) Bill: Discussion (5 Dec 2023)

Steven Matthews: The timeline here is to have a meeting with the Department. We have also had engagement with the City and County Managers Association, CCMA, and with the Housing Agency and we are expecting some correspondence from both bodies. The Housing Agency has the cost rental and tenantin situaspect as well. We will consider all submissions, so please get them to us as soon as possible. We intend...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Qualifications (6 Dec 2023)

Steven Matthews: 165. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the proposed changes (details supplied) to the qualifying criteria to become a psychotherapist put forward by CORU; if he is concerned of the impact this would have on the standard of patient care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53953/23]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Transport Authority: Chairperson Designate (6 Dec 2023)

Steven Matthews: I apologise for being late. I heard most of Deputy O'Rourke's contribution so I will not repeat his questions. I want to ask about the metropolitan area transport studies, like LSMATS or the Cork metropolitan area transport study. They are not statutory documents in the same way the greater Dublin area transport strategy is a statutory document. Would it be beneficial, or are there moves,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Transport Authority: Chairperson Designate (6 Dec 2023)

Steven Matthews: Let me rephrase the question or the direction I want to go. If it is a statutory document, people are obliged to comply with it in terms of planning and other development, whereas if a document is non-statutory, it is something that may need to be considered but not necessarily adhered to. With regard to Cork and Limerick, which are growing and are two cities with great potential, Mr....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Transport Authority: Chairperson Designate (6 Dec 2023)

Steven Matthews: Again, decision-makers have to comply with it when it is statutory but when it is not, it can be guidance that they consider and then decide not to do. In my view, putting transport strategies on a statutory footing, particularly for those major cities, is a sensible measure, and then to make sure they align with the objectives set out in the development plans. I want to ask about rail...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Transport Authority: Chairperson Designate (6 Dec 2023)

Steven Matthews: That is good to hear. To be honest, I have never heard so many people talking about investing in public transport as I have in the last three years or so many talking about improving rail services and bus services, including rural bus services, such as the Connecting Ireland services that have been incredibly successful in my constituency. I would love to see more of them but I am realistic...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Transport Authority: Chairperson Designate (6 Dec 2023)

Steven Matthews: There could be cost savings as technologies evolve. There is a suggestion that a continually free system, especially in those architecturally sensitive areas, is a winner. I will move on to the issue of freight, if I am okay for time.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Transport Authority: Chairperson Designate (6 Dec 2023)

Steven Matthews: Thank you. With regard to the delivery of freight by rail, is that just for Irish Rail?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Transport Authority: Chairperson Designate (6 Dec 2023)

Steven Matthews: I may have some follow-up questions. Thank you.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Transport Authority: Chairperson Designate (6 Dec 2023)

Steven Matthews: I will continue on from Deputy Kenny's point about the western rail corridor and the question I finished on about freight. Having a west coast line running south to Rosslare and connecting to Europe is a great opportunity, as is the Limerick to Foynes freight line. I read an article in The Irish Timeson the opportunity to include that line in the trans-European network, which could make it...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Transport Authority: Chairperson Designate (6 Dec 2023)

Steven Matthews: I agree with Mr. Strachan. Comparisons are often made with the cost at which countries such as China are able to build high-speed rail. I am not entirely sure what the public participation is in the planning process in China or if it is the same as it is in our planning process. I am sure there are different scenarios in the planning system but public engagement is needed and has to be...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Transport Authority: Chairperson Designate (6 Dec 2023)

Steven Matthews: Hopefully, we are getting better as well.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Residential Tenancies (Right to Purchase) Bill: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Dec 2023)

Steven Matthews: We resume our pre-legislative scrutiny of the general scheme of the residential tenancies (right to purchase) Bill. I have received apologies from Senator Fitzpatrick. I welcome from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Ms Catherine Comer, principal officer; and Mr. Liam Smyth, assistant principal. Their opening statement and the briefing were circulated to members. I...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Residential Tenancies (Right to Purchase) Bill: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Dec 2023)

Steven Matthews: Mr. Smyth is referring to head 8.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Residential Tenancies (Right to Purchase) Bill: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Dec 2023)

Steven Matthews: Thank you. I point out to members that the clock is not working but I am timing the contributions. Deputy Ó Broin cut himself a bit short on his last contribution. I call Deputy McAuliffe.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Residential Tenancies (Right to Purchase) Bill: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Dec 2023)

Steven Matthews: It is my slot next. I want to continue on that, and it probably comes under head 7, the invitation to bid. That invitation to bid is given to the tenant. The landlord has to submit the invitation to bid and the notice of termination to the RTB at the exact same time. That starts the plot on both of those processes. I want to ask about the tenant's ability to transfer that right to the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Residential Tenancies (Right to Purchase) Bill: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Dec 2023)

Steven Matthews: In this situation, we are setting up the legislation so that the tenant gets the first right to bid on it. They may realise that they just cannot achieve that, and that they cannot get the money together for it. I would like to see a mechanism in place where that tenant can then transfer that right, rather than telling them there is guidance out there. It is a very difficult time for a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Residential Tenancies (Right to Purchase) Bill: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Dec 2023)

Steven Matthews: It may, or it can, or it should but will the legislation contain that ability for the tenant, who was received the notice to quit and the right to bid, to then transfer that right to the local authority, the Housing Agency, or the approved housing body as it might be?