Results 7,101-7,120 of 11,114 for speaker:Damien English

Wind Turbine Regulation Bill 2016: Second Stage [Private Members] (21 Sep 2017)

Damien English: I thank Deputy Stanley for bringing forward the Wind Turbine At the outset of this debate, it is necessary to set out the wider context of this issue. The development of renewable energy, including wind energy, is at the centre of this Government’s energy policy. The availability of indigenous, sustainable power is a valuable national asset which is vital for achieving energy...

Wind Turbine Regulation Bill 2016: Second Stage [Private Members] (21 Sep 2017)

Damien English: I welcome the opportunity to discuss further this important issue. I acknowledge the contributions of Deputies on the Bill, as proposed by Deputy Stanley. This issue generates much interest and debate among all relevant stakeholders, interest groups and the wider community. It is certainly worthy of discussion here. That is why we are to have consultation over the coming months. ...

Wind Turbine Regulation Bill 2016: Second Stage [Private Members] (21 Sep 2017)

Damien English: I did not mention the word "populism".

Wind Turbine Regulation Bill 2016: Second Stage [Private Members] (21 Sep 2017)

Damien English: I did not mention the word "populism". I purposely avoided picking on the Deputy or mentioning populist decisions. If he wants me to go there, I will do that.

Wind Turbine Regulation Bill 2016: Second Stage [Private Members] (21 Sep 2017)

Damien English: The Deputy should please stop wagging his finger at me. I did not mention the word. If the Deputy wants me to go there, I will, on many issues.

Flooding in County Donegal: Motion [Private Members] (26 Sep 2017)

Damien English: I move amendment No. 2:To delete all words after “Dáil Éireann” and substitute the following:"notes: — that a pluvial rainfall event on the evening of 22nd August, 2017, gave rise to sudden and devastating flooding which affected the north-west, and in particular the Inishowen peninsula in County Donegal where homes, businesses, farms, community facilities and...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Expert Panel on Concrete Blocks (26 Sep 2017)

Damien English: The Expert Panel on concrete blocks was established by my Department in 2016, to investigate problems that have emerged in the concrete blockwork of certain dwellings in Counties Donegal and Mayo. The panel had 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 Counties...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Tenant Purchase Scheme Data (26 Sep 2017)

Damien English: The new Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme for existing local authority houses came into operation on 1 January 2016. The Scheme is open to eligible tenants, including joint tenants, of local authority houses that are available for sale under the Scheme. In line with the commitment given in the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, a review of the first 12 months of...

Housing: Motion [Private Members] (27 Sep 2017)

Damien English: It is better.

Housing: Motion [Private Members] (27 Sep 2017)

Damien English: The expansion worked.

Housing: Motion [Private Members] (27 Sep 2017)

Damien English: I will try to squeeze as much into eight minutes as I possibly can. I am pleased that Deputy Ó Broin is present today because we did not get a chance to finish our discussion during the Private Members' debate last week. Based on the discussion I believe we are all on the same page. We want solutions and we want to increase the supply of housing. There is no logic in us opposing...

Housing: Motion [Private Members] (27 Sep 2017)

Damien English: I agree with what he said on rural housing initiatives. We are working with him on that. The Minister, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, has met him, as have I. That is something we want to progress. We have already changed the rules so people can move their housing assistance payment between local authorities. Approximately 400 people have used the scheme this year already. I hope we can focus on...

Housing: Motion [Private Members] (27 Sep 2017)

Damien English: I am sorry, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle.

Housing: Motion [Private Members] (27 Sep 2017)

Damien English: I was not upset.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Traveller Accommodation (27 Sep 2017)

Damien English: I thank Senator Kelleher for providing me with the opportunity to update the House on the Traveller accommodation programme, TAP, review which was recently completed and provided to the national Traveller accommodation committee, NTACC. A Programme for a Partnership Government commits to establishing a special working group to audit the current delivery and implementation of local...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Traveller Accommodation (27 Sep 2017)

Damien English: I assure the Senator that it is not a delaying tactic. I only inherited this role a few months ago. There is no agreement on the best way to spend this money. I am not happy in the same way as the Senator is not happy that the money is not being spent where it should be. There are accommodation issues. The budget has increased over the past year. We made sure of that as well. My job as...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Building Regulations (27 Sep 2017)

Damien English: I thank both Senators for raising this important issue. It is one that affects many people and one that has been raised weekly by colleagues from all parties. I reiterate that it is important we all realise it is an issue on which we must all work together to resolve as best we can. I acknowledge the very difficult and distressing situation that certain home owners in Donegal and Mayo...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Building Regulations (27 Sep 2017)

Damien English: I recognise the involvement of many people across all parties and at all levels of public representation, at local level and council level. I am surprised that Senator Conway-Walsh was not at the meeting. I do not know why she was not invited. Her Sinn Féin colleague was there so there is no issue of that. She would have been very welcome there because it was cross-party, which we...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Courts Service (28 Sep 2017)

Damien English: On behalf of the Minister for Justice and Equality, I thank the Senator for raising this matter. The Minister appreciates the Senator's interest in this subject and apologises for not being able to be here due to a commitment in Dublin Castle. First, on behalf of the Minister, it is not accepted that the State is in breach of EU law in regard to the matter the Senator has raised. Council...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Courts Service (28 Sep 2017)

Damien English: It is okay, a Chathaoirligh. I can take plenty of bullets. As this is not my line Department, I do not have all the details of the case, but I would seriously doubt that the reply is factually wrong. Generally, Departments are quite good when it comes to factual information. I have no problem in consulting the Minister on this matter and I will ask him to engage with and to write to the...