Results 7,281-7,300 of 11,114 for speaker:Damien English

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Review of Estimates for Public Services 2017: Vote 34 - Housing, Planning and Local Government (15 Nov 2017)

Damien English: They were the same as my comments in the past two months in the Dáil. Deputy Barry would know that if he listens to my speeches in the Dáil, but he generally walks out.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Review of Estimates for Public Services 2017: Vote 34 - Housing, Planning and Local Government (15 Nov 2017)

Damien English: I wish to clarify a point on my comments from last night. One of Deputy Barry's colleagues put in a topical issue. I was asked to explain some of the figures and reasons. I took time out to do that because I was asked to do it.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Review of Estimates for Public Services 2017: Vote 34 - Housing, Planning and Local Government (15 Nov 2017)

Damien English: Deputy Barry should not tell me that I co-ordinated it when I was asked to do it.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Review of Estimates for Public Services 2017: Vote 34 - Housing, Planning and Local Government (15 Nov 2017)

Damien English: Exactly, I am happy to do it. The point is that I was asked to do it. It is not that I asked to do it.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Review of Estimates for Public Services 2017: Vote 34 - Housing, Planning and Local Government (15 Nov 2017)

Damien English: On the Traveller accommodation programme, the increased budget for last year was to try to provide 90 new units. The figure for the period to date is 67. We still expect to be able to get to 90 before the end of the year. As members know, there are ongoing problems with planning permissions, approval, consultation at local level, and even consultation with some of the relevant families....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Review of Estimates for Public Services 2017: Vote 34 - Housing, Planning and Local Government (15 Nov 2017)

Damien English: In response to the query about the Mahon tribunal costs, the matter concerns third party legal costs and claims and we rely on the State Claims Agency for same. Every year we have set aside €4 million for the past number of years and will continue to do so. The costs will vary each year. We cannot predict the sum and will have to deal with it when it is drawn down. The overall sum...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Review of Estimates for Public Services 2017: Vote 34 - Housing, Planning and Local Government (15 Nov 2017)

Damien English: Yes. I can outline the whole history behind the figure on another day. In terms of the operational costs for An Bord Pleanála, additional staff have been allocated in order to cope with the additional workload and an extra 12 staff have been sanctioned. The work is ongoing so more people will be sanctioned if needed. Also, four new board members were appointed thus bringing the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Foreshore Licence Applications (16 Nov 2017)

Damien English: On 8 November 2017 the licence applicants concerned were asked to supply further information regarding navigational safety and other matters. This further information is  awaited. With regard to the annual charge, unless the appropriate Minister is of the opinion that a licence should, in the public interest be granted free of payment, the Foreshore Act 1933, as...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Foreshore Issues (16 Nov 2017)

Damien English: In April 2013 Drogheda Port Company was granted a licence, under Section 3 of the Foreshore Act 1933 (as amended), to carry out maintenance dredging within the River Boyne estuary and seaward approaches and to beneficially re-use up to 60,000m3of dredge spoil per annum.  This licence has a term of eight years expiring on 9 April 2021.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Foreshore Licence Applications (21 Nov 2017)

Damien English: In respect of the Marine Institute (MI) foreshore licence application for an underwater fibre optic cable at Spiddal, Co. Galway ( FS005751), the  Appropriate Assessment (AA) Screening Report and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Screening Report can be viewed on my Department's website under the Determination subfolder by selecting the following application link: . The...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Foreshore Licence Applications (21 Nov 2017)

Damien English: The cable, including the cable end equipment, constitutes the facilities under the first schedule of the licence for the Galway Bay Cable Project.  This is a stand-alone project governed by the rights and obligations under the licence. The licence application and subsequent licence granted is available on my Department's web-site at

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Area Plans (21 Nov 2017)

Damien English: The Leixlip Local Area Plan 2017-2023 is currently being finalised under the provisions of section 20 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended).  I have made submissions to Kildare County Council in relation to the Local Area Plan in my role as a statutory consultee in the Local Area Plan preparation process. The decision of Kildare County Council on the Leixlip Local...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Traveller Accommodation (21 Nov 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 supports...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Building Regulations (21 Nov 2017)

Damien English: The Building Regulations (Part J Amendment) Regulations 2014 and the accompanying , which came into effect on 1 September 2014, include requirements in relation to the detection and warning of carbon monoxide in new dwellings, and in existing dwellings where the replacement of certain heat producing appliances is proposed. These requirements are in line with best practice in other...

Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2017: Second Stage [Private Members] (22 Nov 2017)

Damien English: I am grateful for the opportunity to address the House on this matter. It is very important that we are here again, discussing housing and homelessness for possibly the seventh or eighth week in a row. That is where the focus has been for everybody in here. It is our number one priority and as I said last week, it is wrong to argue otherwise. Week in and week out, everyone in this...

Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2017: Second Stage [Private Members] (22 Nov 2017)

Damien English: The Deputy heard my whole speech. She should read that as well.

Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2017: Second Stage [Private Members] (22 Nov 2017)

Damien English: We will introduce that one.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Planning Guidelines (23 Nov 2017)

Damien English: The Government intends Ireland 2040 - Our Plan, the National Planning Framework (NPF), to provide the long-term strategic planning and investment context for Ireland over the next 20 years. Recognising that almost 40% of Ireland’s population lives in rural areas, the Government recognises that rural communities should be in a position to meet their housing...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Seaweed Harvesting Licences (23 Nov 2017)

Damien English: The application to harvest seaweed in Bantry Bay was originally received in 2009, approved in principle in 2011 and the legal papers giving effect to the decision were completed in 2014. The licence requires the submission and approval of a detailed monitoring plan prior to the commencement of harvesting. The monitoring plan is under consideration in my Department at present. The proposed...

Order of Business (28 Nov 2017)

Damien English: I should be in a position to update the House before the end of the year. The expert panel is progressing well in terms of technical issues and regulations 1 and 2. As regards those who are in an unsafe house, once they prove they are entitled to go on the social housing list, local authorities can accommodate them. A number of people made applications but did not qualify for various...