Results 7,121-7,140 of 11,114 for speaker:Damien English

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Departmental Properties (28 Sep 2017)

Damien English: I thank Senator Richmond for raising this issue and apologise for the fact that the Minister of State, Deputy Jim Daly, could not be here to take it because, as the Senator knows, he is interested in this following on from the work of the previous Minister of State, Deputy McEntee. The development of all aspects of mental health, including the national forensic mental health service...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Solar Energy Guidelines (28 Sep 2017)

Damien English: I thank the Senator for raising this issue. A year goes by very quickly. I am glad that I am here in a different building but in the same office to discuss this issue. There are no specific planning guidelines in place for solar farms and, as matters stands, I have no proposal to bring forward such guidelines. We discussed the issue before and, if need be, I will not hesitate to act in...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Solar Energy Guidelines (28 Sep 2017)

Damien English: I support and encourage solar farm developments. I hope that, through the discussion and consultation process, they will be deemed to be worthwhile and merit the support of the Government. To me, that makes sense. If we can make it economically viable, it will make even more sense. One can still farm the land in most cases and put it to use. In some cases there is a lack of information....

National Planning Framework: Motion (3 Oct 2017)

Damien English: I move:That Dail Eireann: (i) notes:— the extensive stakeholder and public consultation already undertaken at national, regional and local level since the National Planning Framework preparations first began, following a Government decision in 2014, to ensure early input and buyin at community and citizen level, as well as with key policy-makers and representative organisations;...

Vacant Housing Refurbishment Bill 2017: Second Stage [Private Members] (4 Oct 2017)

Damien English: I agree with the Deputy.

Vacant Housing Refurbishment Bill 2017: Second Stage [Private Members] (4 Oct 2017)

Damien English: I will add some comments to those of my colleague in the time that is left. I welcome this opportunity to speak on the Bill as it gives us a chance to bring a focus to this area. I thank Deputy Cowen and his colleagues for bringing it forward. As most speakers have said, it addresses an important area. I reiterate what Deputy Cassells has said. Using vacant properties and...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Traveller Accommodation (10 Oct 2017)

Damien English: In accordance with the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998, housing authorities have statutory responsibility for the assessment of the accommodation needs of Travellers and the preparation, adoption and implementation of multi-annual Traveller Accommodation Programmes (TAPs) in their areas.  My Department’s role is to ensure that there are adequate structures and...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Building Energy Rating Administration (10 Oct 2017)

Damien English: The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), which comes under the auspices of my colleague the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, is the statutory agency responsible for the implementation and management of the Building Energy Rating (BER) Scheme, in accordance with Ireland’s obligations under the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Disability Services Provision (10 Oct 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...

Seanad: Eighth Report of Convention on the Constitution: Motion (11 Oct 2017)

Damien English: I will speak to the motion on the Eighth Report of the Convention on the Constitution, and I thank Members of Seanad Éireann for this opportunity to discuss the very important rights issues raised in the eighth report. As they will all be aware, the eighth report of the Convention on the Constitution considers a range of issues. It recommends specifically that the Constitution be...

Seanad: Eighth Report of Convention on the Constitution: Motion (11 Oct 2017)

Damien English: The report is being referred to the Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach. It is not being referred to the Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government. However, there is nothing to stop that committee engaging other committees in the discussions. Certainly, there is nothing preventing this House or the other House having a debate on this. The House...

Seanad: Eighth Report of Convention on the Constitution: Motion (11 Oct 2017)

Damien English: There is no reason the committee cannot do that but the Government has to make a formal decision that the report goes for formal consideration. The discussion can happen at any stage. Today's is only a short debate on a short motion. There is nothing preventing the House having a debate on this and having a greater say on it. I would disagree with Senator Ó Clochartaigh. The...

Seanad: Eighth Report of Convention on the Constitution: Motion (11 Oct 2017)

Damien English: It is an important part. I agree with Senator McDowell that a lot of our work as politicians is about the prioritisation of funding and budgetary decisions. That is key. It is not always about law. A lot of our work is around how we spend taxpayers' money and how we collect it. I agree that that is an important decision and that it should be kept with politicians. That is a personal...

Financial Resolutions 2018 - Financial Resolution No. 4: General (Resumed) (12 Oct 2017)

Damien English: Does that mean the Ceann Comhairle is giving us extra time? That would be great.

Financial Resolutions 2018 - Financial Resolution No. 4: General (Resumed) (12 Oct 2017)

Damien English: Budget 2018 provides one of the biggest funding programmes for housing in the history of the State with over €1.9 billion to be spent on housing solutions next year. This, together with additional funding provided for later years, will ensure we are well placed to continue to build on the progress already made in meeting the diverse range of the housing needs of our citizens and...

Financial Resolutions 2018 - Financial Resolution No. 4: General (Resumed) (12 Oct 2017)

Damien English: The Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy Murphy, addressed the House on the housing issue.

Financial Resolutions 2018 - Financial Resolution No. 4: General (Resumed) (12 Oct 2017)

Damien English: The Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy Murphy, dealt with that issue.

Financial Resolutions 2018 - Financial Resolution No. 4: General (Resumed) (12 Oct 2017)

Damien English: They are not there.

Financial Resolutions 2018 - Financial Resolution No. 4: General (Resumed) (12 Oct 2017)

Damien English: They are not there. The Deputy should check the real figures.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Property Tax Exemptions (12 Oct 2017)

Damien English: Local Property Tax (LPT) exemptions in respect of certain unfinished housing developments were restricted to those developments listed in the schedule to the Finance (Local Property Tax) Regulations 2013 (S.I. No. 91 of 2013). These developments were identified on the basis of a 2012 survey to identify developments that were in a seriously problematic condition. On the basis of...