Results 8,981-9,000 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Select Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (13 Dec 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: On a point of information, if they are on Committee Stage-----

Select Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (13 Dec 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: I just want to make a point. If they are taken on Committee Stage, there is a full debate on them, whereas on Report Stage there is less of an opportunity to debate whatever the issue is. I urge that they should come in on Committee Stage. I am in favour of the Bill, but we need a proper debate and do not want it truncated. We need transparency and accountability. If this extra document...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (13 Dec 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: Let us have it transparently. I want to support the changes. However, I do not want any allegations of not giving proper time. I sat in the Minister of State's seat not long ago with a water Bill. I argued for certain things to happen that never did. That very debate is probably one reason I am sitting here and not where the Minister of State is. We need transparency and...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (13 Dec 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: I understand that.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (13 Dec 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: I welcome fast-track planning on the basis that it is transparent and accountable. The Minister has said that the notice is transparent. It is accountable in terms of going to a statutory body with a lot expertise and must have due regard to the development plans as presented. My concerns remain in terms of planning abuses and I refer to my Dáil ceantair, particularly the portion of...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (13 Dec 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: Is the Chairman referring to me?

Select Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (13 Dec 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: If the Chairman is referring to me then I ask her to please tell me.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (13 Dec 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: What I have said is absolutely true.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (13 Dec 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: Any reference I made was to minuted meetings-----

Select Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (13 Dec 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: -----which are on the website of Meath County Council.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (13 Dec 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: All the names and actions of the councillors are available for everybody to read.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (13 Dec 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: Yes.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Business of Select Committee (13 Dec 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: I do not want to obstruct the Bill, but we must have proper debate. Is it possible to meet tomorrow morning if we do not finish by 10 p.m.?

Select Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Business of Select Committee (13 Dec 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: It is democracy to be able to discuss it. Quite honestly, it would be better to do it tomorrow as it would give us a chance to refresh and think overnight. Many points are being raised. I do not want to vote against the wishes of the Chair but I support the proposal that we would not sit until 12 midnight.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Dec 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: The only person being discriminated against is somebody who already has a permission in that area. That person may be unable to proceed for good infrastructural reasons. Perhaps the road promised by the local authority has not been delivered, the water or electricity supply cannot come through that area or for whatever reason, they could not work so it would be discriminatory to act against...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Dec 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: Of all the planning legislation that is there, what is not included? Is Deputy Ó Broin saying that the environmental impact statement is expressly excluded from this Bill? Is that the Deputy's point?

Select Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Dec 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: I see that.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Dec 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: This additionally is exclusive to 100 houses and over. Is it the hundredth house that brings it all into play or does plenty of legislation already deal with all of these issues? Would it be a significant expense? I presume it has to be an area that is zoned for housing and would have to meet additionally requirements in that zoning.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Dec 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: The logic is based on size and not on the environment. The principle of the environmental issues that apply should apply anyway, regardless of whether it is 100 houses or 50 houses.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Dec 2016)

Fergus O'Dowd: I understand that under the legislation An Bord Pleanála is legally required to have a consultation meeting with the applicant?