Results 81-100 of 2,180 for speaker:John Cummins

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Dec 2020)

John Cummins: I thank the Waterford hurling team and management. Although we were not successful in our 61-year wait and endurance, they brought great joy to every person in Waterford. Yesterday the interim report from the Central Bank on motor and home insurance was released. It found that dual pricing was widespread in the market, which will come as no surprise to anybody. When it comes to motor...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Housing Assistance Payment: Discussion (15 Dec 2020)

John Cummins: I thank the witnesses for coming before the committee. We really appreciate it. I will take it from where my colleague, Deputy McAuliffe, left off. He is right in what he said, and the witnesses' answers have probably given the response to the question he has posed in that they do not get people coming to them with issues with RAS because there is security of tenure there. That should...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Housing Assistance Payment: Discussion (15 Dec 2020)

John Cummins: May I briefly ask another question, which need not be answered now but may be answered in the context of next contributor?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Housing Assistance Payment: Discussion (15 Dec 2020)

John Cummins: In the context of this review, would Mr. McCafferty view the link to being on the social housing list and a HAP tenancy as an essential one that should remain? In my experience some people only go on the social housing list to receive HAP support and do not see themselves as a long-term social housing tenant. What would his opinion be on that? He need not answer that now.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Housing Assistance Payment: Discussion (15 Dec 2020)

John Cummins: At present, a person must go on the social housing list to receive HAP.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Housing Assistance Payment: Discussion (15 Dec 2020)

John Cummins: Should that link remain? Some might argue the social housing list is artificially high with people who might not see themselves as social housing tenants into the future in, say, five years but who might see themselves as just needing it right at this moment to get HAP support.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Housing Assistance Payment: Discussion (15 Dec 2020)

John Cummins: Not everywhere.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Housing Assistance Payment: Discussion (15 Dec 2020)

John Cummins: In Waterford, that is not the case.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Housing Assistance Payment: Discussion (15 Dec 2020)

John Cummins: I accept the majority would want that.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (17 Dec 2020)

John Cummins: I compliment Senator Keogan on her contribution on foster parents. On 10 November, the Cabinet signed off on a massive €110 million investment project on the north quays in Waterford city. This was the culmination of years of very hard work by many in Waterford as well as the previous Fine Gael-led Government's policy on strategic development zones, SDZs. There is no question that...

Seanad: Planning and Development, and Residential Tenancies, Bill 2020: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (17 Dec 2020)

John Cummins: The Minister has outlined the protections for tenants in great detail.He referred to the time sensitivity of same give that the residential protections under the Residential Tenancies and Valuation Act 2020 will expire on 10 January. I take issue with Senator Warfield's comment that the vulnerability is one-sided. It is not always the case that only tenants can be vulnerable. We also have...

Seanad: Planning and Development, and Residential Tenancies, Bill 2020: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (17 Dec 2020)

John Cummins: This is one of the areas I raised a concern about on Committee Stage in respect of the disapplication element. However, I am satisfied from what the Minister's officials told us in briefings, and what he has said just now, that the fact that it will be an offence for a landlord to make a false declaration under this is sufficient protection. Senator Moynihan will be happy to hear me say it...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Water Treatment (Abstractions) Bill 2020 and Electoral Reform Bill 2020: Discussion (22 Jan 2021)

John Cummins: I thank the Minister of State and his officials. This is very exciting, progressive and timely legislation, particularly when considering holding elections during Covid-type events. I will focus on section 3 on the franchise and register of electors. Some of the questions have already been posed but I would like to tease them out a bit. As the Chairman said at the outset, it is very...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Water Treatment (Abstractions) Bill 2020 and Electoral Reform Bill 2020: Discussion (22 Jan 2021)

John Cummins: I thank Ms Woods.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Jan 2021)

John Cummins: I would like to use my time this afternoon to talk about the construction sector and the impact the current closure of sites across the country is having not on the industry as a whole but more specifically about the impact it is going to have on housing supply this year. As the Fine Gael Seanad spokesperson, I believe that a debate is needed on what essential construction actually is....

Seanad: Covid-19 Vaccination Programme: Statements (26 Jan 2021)

John Cummins: I thank the Minister of State for coming here this afternoon for this very important debate on the Covid-19 vaccine programme. Like many other Senators, I put on record my appreciation for our front-line workers across the health system, particularly those who have taken up roles as vaccinators over the last month and who have worked many additional hours over weekends and, in many cases,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Homelessness: Discussion (29 Jan 2021)

John Cummins: My thanks for the presentations that have been made this morning and the comprehensive answers that have been given as well. I am not going to sit here and pretend. It would be silly to say that we do not have a housing and homelessness crisis, but it is important that we acknowledge the progress that has been made on the issue, not only in Dublin but also in other urban centres. We need to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Homelessness: Discussion (29 Jan 2021)

John Cummins: Can I get a response to my question on the repair and lease scheme and its effectiveness?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Homelessness: Discussion (29 Jan 2021)

John Cummins: I suggest that the committee write to the Minister in light of those figures and ask that he put those targets in place for local authorities throughout the country.

Seanad: Response to Covid-19 (Housing, Local Government and Heritage): Statements (1 Feb 2021)

John Cummins: I thank the Minister for his comprehensive statement on his Department's response to the unique challenges presented by Covid-19. I acknowledge the 100% commercial waiver he provided to local authorities across the country. The sum of €1 billion is unprecedented, but it is an acknowledgement of the challenges that businesses the length and breadth of the country are facing. The...