Results 10,101-10,120 of 25,999 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Water and Sewerage Schemes (22 Oct 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: In February 2019, the previous Minister announced details of the measures being funded through my Department's Multi-annual Rural Water Programme 2019-2021. Local authorities were invited to submit their bids for the funding of projects in their functional areas. Mayo County Council made a number of bids under Measure 6 including for a proposal for Murrisk Community Water Connection...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Homeless Persons Supports (22 Oct 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at local level.  Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of accommodation and associated services for homeless persons rests with individual housing authorities. ...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies Bill 2020: Second Stage (23 Oct 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: I am grateful to this House and Dáil Éireann for facilitating the passage of this critical legislation through the Oireachtas. I am conscious that the Seanad has been given limited time to examine the Bill and table amendments for debate. As colleagues know, I am a strong supporter of the Upper House, having been leader of the Opposition here for five years - in the other Chamber,...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies Bill 2020: Second Stage (23 Oct 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: How long do I have?

Seanad: Residential Tenancies Bill 2020: Second Stage (23 Oct 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: I hope I get back those ten seconds. As I have not had an opportunity to do so in person, I congratulate the Leas-Chathaoirleach on his elevation. I thank Senators for their support and queries and I will deal with as many of them as possible in the short space of time I have. I assure Senators that I spoke with the Leader a number of weeks ago and I intend to come here for a specific...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (23 Oct 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: This issue arose previously, and there is one element that is relevant to the rent-a-room aspect. It was mentioned by Senator Seery Kearney as well. It is not for a landlord to decide if it is a rent-a-room situation or a real tenancy. The RTB can adjudicate on that point. Regarding this amendment, I cannot accept it. The Residential Tenancies Acts do not apply to licensing arrangements,...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (23 Oct 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: To answer Senator Burke's question, later this afternoon the Seanad will debate the Health (Amendment) Bill that deals with the fines aspects. In terms of a breach due to exceeding the number of people allowed in a home, the person legally responsible in that instance is the tenant if he or she is in charge of the house. That is something for later this afternoon when the health legislation...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (23 Oct 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: It is the tenants' problem. I try to do things that are realistic.

Seanad: Residential Tenancies Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (23 Oct 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: I have explained, Senator. He is here on his own. I respect this House, have come in here and asked the House for forbearance so that I can bring in this legislation that provides protections to tenants that are required in the middle of a pandemic, like I did in July. If we need additional protections into the future, as I said in July I would return to both Houses and introduce those,...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (23 Oct 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: I take the point made by the Senator but there are six amendments in this grouping.

Seanad: Residential Tenancies Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (23 Oct 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: I do not even need to speak to the amendment; I could just say that I am not accepting them.

Seanad: Residential Tenancies Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (23 Oct 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: It is important, out of respect to Senators, that I explain why that is the case. Senators, including Senator Higgins, have gone to the trouble of preparing and tabling these amendments and I will not delay much further. An issue that has arisen a number of times is the sale of property being used as a reason to terminate a tenancy. There are about 200 ongoing investigations into that at...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authority Housing (3 Nov 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 559 and 594 together. My Department has provided funding support under the Social Housing Energy Efficiency Retrofitting Programme to local authorities since 2013, for insulation and energy efficiency works to their social housing stock and this will continue within the context of the National Retrofitting Plan. Budget 2021 provided for funding support...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Issues (3 Nov 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: In Budget 2021, the total funding being made available for the delivery of housing programmes is €3.3 billion. This overall investment will see the social housing needs of over 28,500 households being met in 2021. As part of the overall capital funding available of €2.031 billion, local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) will deliver 12,750 new social homes...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authority Staff (3 Nov 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: Under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each Chief Executive is responsible for the staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authority for which he or she is responsible. This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the employing local authority.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Covid-19 Pandemic (3 Nov 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: The Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (No. 8) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 448 of 2020) came into effect on 22 October 2020 and are expected to expire on 1 December 2020. Regulation 5 provides that a person shall not leave his or her place of residence without reasonable excuse. Regulation 5(2)(p) provides for a reasonable excuse for travelling or moving in order to...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Hare Coursing (3 Nov 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 563, 606, 614 and 618 together. The control of live hare coursing, including the operation of individual coursing meetings and managing the use of hares and greyhounds for that activity, is carried out under the Greyhound Industry Act 1958, which is the responsibility of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Accordingly, I have no function in...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Electoral Process (3 Nov 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: Postal voting is provided for in electoral law in respect of a number of categories of electors, including: - Irish diplomats serving abroad and their spouses/civil partners which includes a person who is a member of a Permanent Mission of Ireland to an international organisation, - whole-time members of the Defence Forces, - members of An Garda Síochána, - electors living at home...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wildlife Control (3 Nov 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: There are three species of deer present in Ireland – red deer, fallow deer and sika deer. A fourth species, muntjac deer, has been reported from the wild on a number of occasions, but we have no evidence that this exotic and potentially invasive species is breeding in Ireland. Wild deer in the State are protected under the Wildlife Acts. There is an annual Open Season during which deer...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wildlife Conservation (3 Nov 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 566 and 568 together. My Department is responsible for the implementation of the Wildlife Acts and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011, both of which underpin the legislative and policy framework for the protection and conservation of our natural heritage. In particular, the 2011 Regulations transpose two key pieces of EU...