Results 9,321-9,340 of 9,814 for speaker:Steven Matthews

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: National Parks and Wildlife Service Strategic Review: Discussion (25 Jun 2024)

Steven Matthews: I thank Deputy Flaherty. NARGC has been in touch with the committee. It wrote to the committee so I know committee members will be aware of its concerns. Will Mr. Ó Donnchú clarify that those four species of duck which people can no longer shoot are actually close to extinction?

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (25 Jun 2024)

Steven Matthews: 130. To ask the Minister for Finance the position regarding a tax incentive to support the unscripted television production sector; his views on the merit of introducing such a measure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26756/24]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (25 Jun 2024)

Steven Matthews: 131. To ask the Minister for Finance the position regarding any draft proposals within his Department for a tax incentive for the unscripted television production sector; the measures he has taken to engage with the European Commission on this proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26757/24]

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Film Industry (25 Jun 2024)

Steven Matthews: 215. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her attention has been drawn to calls from the unscripted television production sector to ensure that inward investment is encouraged through a tax incentive in line with section 481 for the scripted sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26758/24]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Planning Issues (25 Jun 2024)

Steven Matthews: 245. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the report by the ‘Compliance Committee to the Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision Making and Access to justice in Environmental Matters (Aarhus Convention)’, in particular the first progress review of the implementation of decision VII/8i on...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Primary Care Centres (25 Jun 2024)

Steven Matthews: 385. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the building previously used as the Donard health centre, County Wicklow; if his Department proposes to bring the centre back into use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26832/24]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (26 Jun 2024)

Steven Matthews: 46. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 37 of 19 June 2024, if her attention has been drawn to concerns of school principals regarding the 30 September cut-off point for teacher allocations for the following primary school year; if moving this deadline to the calendar year end has been considered to allow for fluctuation in registration numbers;...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Coroners Service (26 Jun 2024)

Steven Matthews: 124. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 141 of 20 May 2024, the position regarding the ongoing review of the coroner’s service; the terms of reference for this review; if individual county services will be assessed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27418/24]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: National Parks and Wildlife Service Strategic Review: Discussion (25 Jun 2024)

Steven Matthews: It sounds to me like evidence-based decision making and not anything else. I will go to Senator Cummins next

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: National Parks and Wildlife Service Strategic Review: Discussion (25 Jun 2024)

Steven Matthews: I gave some extended time because it is important and interesting to hear about that community engagement. I will take the next slot. Having visited NPWS sites recently and met staff, the enthusiasm is very noticeable, as is the fact staff are there at all. I recall being on radio before the 2016 general election, battling to say we needed to address the nature and biodiversity crisis....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: National Parks and Wildlife Service Strategic Review: Discussion (25 Jun 2024)

Steven Matthews: Thank you. I will move on now because my time is up. Senator Moynihan is next.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: National Parks and Wildlife Service Strategic Review: Discussion (25 Jun 2024)

Steven Matthews: I can invite the Senator back in on the third round, if he wishes. Next is Deputy Flaherty.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: National Parks and Wildlife Service Strategic Review: Discussion (25 Jun 2024)

Steven Matthews: I do not have any more people indicating to ask questions. We have been requested to take a break for five minutes, after which we will come back and I have a couple more questions to put.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: National Parks and Wildlife Service Strategic Review: Discussion (25 Jun 2024)

Steven Matthews: I have a couple of final questions on which I wish to get the views and opinions of the witnesses. Earlier, we spoke about the planning system and the interaction it has with the protection of nature. We are doing a planning Bill at the moment. The witnesses will be aware of that. While there was not a lot of mention of biodiversity and nature protection in the planning Bill when the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: National Parks and Wildlife Service Strategic Review: Discussion (25 Jun 2024)

Steven Matthews: It is important there is consistency, from the highest level of planning right down to the local urban area plans. I was glad Ms Ní Bhriain mentioned there are several other pillars to the nature restoration law. The entire focus seems to have been about farmland, wetland and peatland but there is everything from the marine and the aquatic to our urban environments as well. It is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: National Parks and Wildlife Service Strategic Review: Discussion (25 Jun 2024)

Steven Matthews: It is very positive. The increase in the number of rangers and success rate of prosecutions can be disincentives for people to carry out those crimes in the first place. If people know they will not be caught, they will try to get away with something. There is a positive knock-on effect.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: National Parks and Wildlife Service Strategic Review: Discussion (25 Jun 2024)

Steven Matthews: We discussed farm plans. I visited a site in Magheramore, south Wicklow recently. It is an SAC area and the farmer could not have been more complimentary about the work being done with the NPWS in terms of assistance and guidance. I am not from a farming background, but it seems to be a very successful combination of nature and farming. When the NPWS works with farmers on farm plans and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: National Parks and Wildlife Service Strategic Review: Discussion (25 Jun 2024)

Steven Matthews: Thank you. I refer to LIFE sites.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: National Parks and Wildlife Service Strategic Review: Discussion (25 Jun 2024)

Steven Matthews: I believe Mr. Ó Donnchú said these are five-year plans.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: National Parks and Wildlife Service Strategic Review: Discussion (25 Jun 2024)

Steven Matthews: I know from engaging with farmers that, like any other business, they need certainty into the future. They cannot be told not to be produce milk and to then produce loads of milk. They have been led from one side of the road to the other a lot of the time. Are some of the plans short-term in duration?