Results 981-1,000 of 2,052 for speaker:Maria Bailey

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Role of Chairperson of Housing Agency and Related Matters: Discussion (31 Jan 2018)

Maria Bailey: I have to ensure we remain, orderly, relevant and fair and as that alludes to somebody's job, it might be best if Mr. Skehan does not proceed with that example.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Role of Chairperson of Housing Agency and Related Matters: Discussion (31 Jan 2018)

Maria Bailey: We might remain with the report to which Deputy Ó Broin alluded. As was mentioned, it refers to the refusals, whether we have evidence for the reasons behind the refusals.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Role of Chairperson of Housing Agency and Related Matters: Discussion (31 Jan 2018)

Maria Bailey: For the benefit of those watching the proceedings, when people are offered a home, whether it is suitable or not, is it not normally in their preferred location?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Role of Chairperson of Housing Agency and Related Matters: Discussion (31 Jan 2018)

Maria Bailey: Does it not have the number of bedrooms that they applied for?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Role of Chairperson of Housing Agency and Related Matters: Discussion (31 Jan 2018)

Maria Bailey: Once it is in accordance with what they have applied for and it is in their preferred area, the Housing Agency has the statistics and we need to understand the rationale for refusing it.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Role of Chairperson of Housing Agency and Related Matters: Discussion (31 Jan 2018)

Maria Bailey: It is important that we have that information in order to inform policy, albeit it is a minority situation. Such evidence would help with future policy. Were all of Deputy Ó Broin's questions answered?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Role of Chairperson of Housing Agency and Related Matters: Discussion (31 Jan 2018)

Maria Bailey: I will bring Deputy Barry in and Mr. Skehan might respond to both. I would like to ask Mr. Skehan about what his presentation described as "recently articulated views". I had intended to focus on recently articulated views to the effect that homelessness is normal, and that people are gaming the system, both of which were comments made last year. However, I will now ask about views...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Role of Chairperson of Housing Agency and Related Matters: Discussion (31 Jan 2018)

Maria Bailey: Deputy Barry is clearly not suggesting that. I am just putting that to him.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Role of Chairperson of Housing Agency and Related Matters: Discussion (31 Jan 2018)

Maria Bailey: I am being very serious. Deputy Barry is clearly not suggesting anything.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Role of Chairperson of Housing Agency and Related Matters: Discussion (31 Jan 2018)

Maria Bailey: I remind the Deputy that witnesses are expected to be treated fairly and with respect and consideration, and at all times are protected by absolute privilege. That applies to the committee members too. I am reminding the members of this.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Role of Chairperson of Housing Agency and Related Matters: Discussion (31 Jan 2018)

Maria Bailey: No. I am not agreeing with anything Deputy Barry just said. I am being impartial. I am trying to protect the members and the witnesses. Everybody is protected by absolute privilege in here, and that is all I am reminding the Deputy of. Does the Deputy want Mr. Skehan to answer his questions?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Role of Chairperson of Housing Agency and Related Matters: Discussion (31 Jan 2018)

Maria Bailey: Mr. Skehan did not interrupt the Deputy so the Deputy should let him finish his remarks and I will then let him back. I have no problem with letting the Deputy back in.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Role of Chairperson of Housing Agency and Related Matters: Discussion (31 Jan 2018)

Maria Bailey: That is not what he said.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Role of Chairperson of Housing Agency and Related Matters: Discussion (31 Jan 2018)

Maria Bailey: I will ask Mr. Skehan to clarify but that is not what I heard.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Role of Chairperson of Housing Agency and Related Matters: Discussion (31 Jan 2018)

Maria Bailey: I will ask Mr. Skehan to clarify that but that is not what I took from his comments.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Role of Chairperson of Housing Agency and Related Matters: Discussion (31 Jan 2018)

Maria Bailey: Is that the Deputy's final question?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Role of Chairperson of Housing Agency and Related Matters: Discussion (31 Jan 2018)

Maria Bailey: We must be careful.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Role of Chairperson of Housing Agency and Related Matters: Discussion (31 Jan 2018)

Maria Bailey: That is a matter of public record.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Role of Chairperson of Housing Agency and Related Matters: Discussion (31 Jan 2018)

Maria Bailey: I have a couple of questions. Does Deputy Ó Broin wish to clarify something?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Role of Chairperson of Housing Agency and Related Matters: Discussion (31 Jan 2018)

Maria Bailey: The main discussion points have been on a couple of comments that were made before Christmas. Those have been well addressed. I wish to focus in more on the work of the Housing Agency and the role it has in delivery of housing supply services. Mr. Skehan mentioned that the social housing list has gone down from 91,000 people to 85,000 in the past year. I and members probably know that but...