Results 8,301-8,320 of 11,114 for speaker:Damien English

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Pyrite Remediation Programme (14 Nov 2018)

Damien English: I propose to take Questions Nos. 286 and 287 together. The Pyrite Resolution Act 2013provides the statutory framework for the establishment of the Pyrite Resolution Board and for the making of a pyrite remediation scheme to be implemented by the Board with support from the Housing Agency. The pyrite remediation schemeis a scheme of “last resort” and is limited in its...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Grant Payments (14 Nov 2018)

Damien English: I propose to take Questions Nos. 290 and 291 together. In 2013, the issue of external walls of dwellings displaying significant cracking in Donegal was raised with my Department. The nature of the problem related to the crumbling of the concrete blockwork in the external walls of affected dwellings, thereby compromising their structural integrity and giving rise to considerable personal...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Building Regulations (14 Nov 2018)

Damien English: In response to the building failures that have emerged over the last decade, my Department and representatives from the local government sector reviewed the existing building control regulatory framework, in collaboration and consultation with industry stakeholders. This has led to a multi-faceted building control reform agenda, which commenced implementation in 2014 with the introduction of...

Local Government (Water Pollution) (Amendment) Bill 2018: Second Stage [Private Members] (20 Nov 2018)

Damien English: I question that. The Deputy should check that again.

Local Government (Water Pollution) (Amendment) Bill 2018: Second Stage [Private Members] (20 Nov 2018)

Damien English: I am glad the Leas-Cheann Comhairle will give me an extra ten minutes for scaring me off. I am not sure Pat Spillane will be very happy that Deputy Ferris has tried to identify him as a Fine Gaeler. The Deputy might want to discuss that with him because I would not have him on our list. It is unfair and wrong to name people in the Chamber and assume what their political persuasions are...

Local Government (Water Pollution) (Amendment) Bill 2018: Second Stage [Private Members] (20 Nov 2018)

Damien English: I know, but "in Ireland" was said and I wanted to clear that up. That is not a true statement for anyone to come out with in this House. Again, I listened to Deputy Ó Cuív and the same accusation that we are against one-off houses. In Galway all the houses built in recent years have been one-off houses, so the Deputy's statement is just not true. I am happy to debate this. I...

Local Government (Water Pollution) (Amendment) Bill 2018: Second Stage [Private Members] (20 Nov 2018)

Damien English: -----again, the Deputy should check his facts before he makes accusations in the House. Some parts of rural Ireland has been in decline for many years, although not all parts. They were let decline and there was no effort to save rural Ireland or to give certain parts of the country a function or a reason to prosper, or the opportunity to prosper. It is not because of changes to one-off...

Local Government (Water Pollution) (Amendment) Bill 2018: Second Stage [Private Members] (20 Nov 2018)

Damien English: That is correct.

Local Government (Water Pollution) (Amendment) Bill 2018: Second Stage [Private Members] (20 Nov 2018)

Damien English: That was a local policy decision on housing.

Local Government (Water Pollution) (Amendment) Bill 2018: Second Stage [Private Members] (20 Nov 2018)

Damien English: That is different from what the Deputy said a moment ago.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Traveller Accommodation (20 Nov 2018)

Damien English: I propose to take Questions Nos. 641 to 643, inclusive, together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Fire Service (20 Nov 2018)

Damien English: As Minister with policy and legislative responsibility for fire safety and the provision of fire services by local authorities, my primary concern, as set out in the Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003, is that local authority provided fire services are meeting their statutory obligations in respect of provision of fire services and fire safety. Fire services are provided in Ireland by local...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Fire Service (20 Nov 2018)

Damien English: Council Directive 93/104/EC of 23 November 1993, concerning certain aspects of the organisation of working time (the Working Time Directive), lays down minimum safety and health requirements for the organisation of working time, in respect of periods of daily rest, breaks, weekly rest, maximum weekly working time, annual leave and aspects of night work, shift work and patterns of work....

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Traveller Accommodation (20 Nov 2018)

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: Proposed Legislation (21 Nov 2018)

Damien English: Considerable work has been undertaken to advance the drafting of the Maritime Area and Foreshore (Amendment) Bill, including through engagement with the Marine Coordination Group and a number of workshops and bilateral meetings with relevant policy Departments and the Office of the Attorney General throughout 2017 and 2018.  In addition, a high level Marine Legislation Steering...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Tenant Purchase Scheme (21 Nov 2018)

Damien English: I thank the Senator for raising this issue. It is an important issue, which has been raised at council meetings around the country and by colleagues of the Senator in this House. 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...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Tenant Purchase Scheme (21 Nov 2018)

Damien English: We have committed to completing and dealing with the report in this quarter but it may be in the new year as some legal issues have to be sorted out. Once it is published, we can make decisions and we will do so early in the new year because it is an important area. I do not promise the full solution sought by the Senator but we are trying to find one that solves the issue as it relates to...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Social and Affordable Housing Provision (22 Nov 2018)

Damien English: I thank Senator Boyhan for raising the issue. It is a very important site. I got the guided tour from Councillor John Bailey and Deputy Maria Bailey over a year ago and I had a good look at it. I also met with council officials to look at various sites in the area. The Minister, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, has also visited the area. We are very conscious of the importance of this area for...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Social and Affordable Housing Provision (22 Nov 2018)

Damien English: I thank the Senator for his focus on this site, and I thank the others involved as well. To be fair, it is an issue Deputy Bailey raises on a weekly basis with both our housing delivery team, under Mary Hurley's guidance, and our planning section. The two sections of the Department are very much focused on this site and I have had engagement there as well because we want to see it happen....

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Pyrite Resolution Board Data (27 Nov 2018)

Damien English: I propose to take Questions Nos. 613, 614 and 616 together. The provides the statutory framework for the establishment of the Pyrite Resolution Board and for the making of a pyrite remediation scheme to be implemented by the Board with support from the Housing Agency. The is a scheme of “last resort” for affected homeowners who have no other practical option to obtain redress...