Results 1,021-1,040 of 9,814 for speaker:Steven Matthews

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Support Schemes (31 Mar 2021)

Steven Matthews: 758. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he will take to assist those on lower incomes in accessing level 9 college courses; if his attention has been drawn to the need to address existing barriers to this level of education which is the required minimum standard in some industries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17118/21]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Car Parks (31 Mar 2021)

Steven Matthews: 893. To ask the Minister for Health if a mechanism will be investigated that would allow for free parking in public hospitals and healthcare facilities for patients with specified diagnosed long-term illnesses who require frequent visits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16435/21]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: National Marine Planning Framework: Discussion (6 Apr 2021)

Steven Matthews: Everybody is very welcome this morning. I hope everybody had a nice break over Easter. The committee is meeting in public session to consider the national marine planning framework. I have received apologies from Senator Victor Boyhan. Deputy Ó Murchú will substitute for Deputy Gould. I also have apologies from Deputy Duffy. To discuss the national marine planning framework,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: National Marine Planning Framework: Discussion (6 Apr 2021)

Steven Matthews: I thank Mr. McCabe. The planning framework is a significant document, especially if one includes the Natura impact statement and the strategic environmental assessment, SEA, that accompany it. As a document that sets out to plan for the development, use and management of the maritime area, it includes all sectors. I cannot see any sector that has been left out. Every agency, user,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: National Marine Planning Framework: Discussion (6 Apr 2021)

Steven Matthews: I ask Mr. Woolley to be brief. We are running out of time in this slot, although it is an important matter.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: National Marine Planning Framework: Discussion (6 Apr 2021)

Steven Matthews: To get it clear in my mind, I keep having to refer to the terrestrial planning system in order to get a handle on what we are trying to do with the marine area. It is the first time we have taken on developing marine planning. It has not been done in the past. We know that from the previous engagements with the Department on the marine area planning Bill. The NMPF is not a delivery...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: National Marine Planning Framework: Discussion (6 Apr 2021)

Steven Matthews: Mr. O'Meara can come back to me on it. It is something I am aware of. I am sure anybody with coastal constituencies will be aware of the popularity of it. It is about having year-round testing of bathing water areas to move it along. The planning framework would support that because we try to address improvements in amenity, accessibility and overall use of the marine area for all communities.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: National Marine Planning Framework: Discussion (6 Apr 2021)

Steven Matthews: We might come back to that mapping aspect later. I need to move on to the next slot. Deputy Higgins or Senator Cummins will come in on this one.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: National Marine Planning Framework: Discussion (6 Apr 2021)

Steven Matthews: It is my turn to come back in again. To go back to the mapping tool that was discussed, could that be live updated, or updated as progress is made? I am looking at the map for the waste water treatment plants, where there is untreated disposal going on at the moment. A number of those plants are in an advanced stage of planning, funding and construction. Will those maps be updated as...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: National Marine Planning Framework: Discussion (6 Apr 2021)

Steven Matthews: That is very positive. It will be really important for swimmers and for people with a general interest in coastal water quality. I have a couple of questions on the document. Environmental targets on beach litter are mentioned in it but fishing litter is not. When one goes along any of our beaches, one often sees nets, floats, pots, ropes and all kinds of stuff. According to the Natura...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: National Marine Planning Framework: Discussion (6 Apr 2021)

Steven Matthews: I thank Mr. Woolley. In the section on underwater noise, the policy is updated. It is quite a stringent policy that takes account of the impacts of underwater noise on biodiversity and on certain mammals in the water. While it covers drilling, pile driving and various aspects that could contribute to underwater noise, there does not seem to be any mention of vessel speeds. The speed of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: National Marine Planning Framework: Discussion (6 Apr 2021)

Steven Matthews: I thank Mr. McCabe. In the Natura impact statement and the strategic environmental assessment document, in blue text are the additions or changes that have been made to the text. Those changes to the text resulted from the consultation period or the consultation period the statutory body had put into it. Where did the blue text come from?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: National Marine Planning Framework: Discussion (6 Apr 2021)

Steven Matthews: It is good to have it in the document because one can see where the consultation or the feedback has been listened to and where those changes have been made. It is very helpful for someone who is reading the document to see not just a finished document but to also see the process that has been gone through to deliver that document. On a small piece of housekeeping, the 3.5 GW is still...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: National Marine Planning Framework: Discussion (6 Apr 2021)

Steven Matthews: I thank Senator Cummins. I will move on to the third slot for Fianna Fáil, shared by Senator Mary Fitzpatrick and Deputy Paul McAuliffe.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: National Marine Planning Framework: Discussion (6 Apr 2021)

Steven Matthews: I did not catch the section of the Act to which the Deputy referred.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: National Marine Planning Framework: Discussion (6 Apr 2021)

Steven Matthews: If you could do so briefly, Mr. McCabe, as I have two more questions to get back in but we only have 14 minutes left.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: National Marine Planning Framework: Discussion (6 Apr 2021)

Steven Matthews: Mr. McCabe can see cross-party desire in this committee to ensure we meet the 30% target of marine protected areas. As Mr. McCabe has said, public consultation is under way which will lead to legislation to designate those areas. As Mr. McCabe has said, it will be a legislative process to scrutinise the legislation. I am delighted the committee has taken such a keen interest and I look...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: National Marine Planning Framework: Discussion (6 Apr 2021)

Steven Matthews: It is complex and difficult to achieve because statutory processes are already in place for how one can develop, or not, in a special area of conservation or tourist site and guidance for Ramsar sites and natural protected heritage areas, so we will have to develop what one can or cannot do in a marine protected area. I asked Dr. Tasman Crowe about that when he was here for the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: National Marine Planning Framework: Discussion (6 Apr 2021)

Steven Matthews: Does Deputy O'Callaghan have a question?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: National Marine Planning Framework: Discussion (6 Apr 2021)

Steven Matthews: That concludes all the questions. We have a private meeting now and I suggest we discuss that matter. Deputy Ó Broin referred to section 73. My planning and development Act copy is clearly out of date because the section I am looking up refers to protected structures. It is obviously not the section to which the Deputy was referring. Could he send that section on to the committee?