Results 1,101-1,120 of 2,386 for speaker:Michael Finneran

Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (25 Jun 2009)

Michael Finneran: I move amendment No. 2: In page 7, lines 27 to 34, to delete all words from and including "TO PROVIDE" in line 27 down to and including "INTEREST;" in line 34. These are two technical amendments to change the Long Title. The first changes the Long Title to reflect the fact the earlier amendments in the Bill as published make certain changes to the existing affordable housing schemes and the...

Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (25 Jun 2009)

Michael Finneran: While we are not dealing directly with this issue, I try to be as open as possible with Deputies and Senators in dealing with the legislation, which will be seen from the number of Government amendments. I recall that Deputy Deasy during the Second Stage debate indicated his support for a variant of the long-term lease. I am pleased we are moving in that direction and I have also accepted...

Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (25 Jun 2009)

Michael Finneran: I move amendment No. 3: In page 7, line 40, to delete "THE SOCIAL WELFARE ACTS" and substitute "THE SOCIAL WELFARE CONSOLIDATION ACT 2005".

Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (25 Jun 2009)

Michael Finneran: I move amendment No. 4: In page 8, line 5, after "Act" to insert "(other than section 100)". These amendments provide for the insertion of a small number of changes to the Residential Tenancies Act 2004. The main change is being made to put beyond doubt that the scope of the Act does not extend to owner-occupied leasehold dwellings such as apartment owner-occupiers where the relevant lease...

Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (25 Jun 2009)

Michael Finneran: The Deputy is correct. The insertion of the new section 147A into the Residential Tenancies Act gives effect to a recommendation made by the Committee of Public Accounts in regard to taxation of rental income. It provides for an improved flow of information from the PRTB to the Revenue Commissioners to enable access to the full landlord records held by the PRTB for the purpose of enabling...

Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (25 Jun 2009)

Michael Finneran: I move amendment No. 5: In page 8, between lines 7 and 8, to insert the following: (3) Section 100 and, in so far as it relates to that section, this section shall be construed as one with the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004 and 2009 and shall be included in the collective citation "Residential Tenancies Acts 2004 and 2009".".

Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (25 Jun 2009)

Michael Finneran: I move amendment No. 6: In page 8, line 8, after "Act" to insert "(other than section 100)".

Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (25 Jun 2009)

Michael Finneran: There was a lengthy and interesting discussion on issues related to the housing support needs of people with disabilities at the select committee meeting. I welcome the Deputy's keen interest in the matter, which reflects my interest in the issue, and his desire to ensure the needs of people with disability are at the heart of support offered by housing authorities. However, the specific...

Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (25 Jun 2009)

Michael Finneran: I move amendment No. 8: In page 10, line 36, after "areas," to insert the following: "apartment complexes (within the meaning of section 50),". Section 3 contains general powers in respect of the making of regulations by the Minister. Section 3(2)(b) provides that regulations may apply generally or to specific housing authorities or areas. They may also apply to any specified class of...

Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (25 Jun 2009)

Michael Finneran: Amendments Nos. 9 to 14, inclusive, were discussed on Committee Stage. As I said on that occasion I see merit in what Deputy Ciarán Lynch has proposed but I do not propose to accept the amendments at this time. However, my Department is currently progressing a review of the Residential Tenancies Act and I have asked my officials to consider Deputy Lynch's proposals in the context of that...

Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (25 Jun 2009)

Michael Finneran: I thank the Deputy for resubmitting this amendment about which we had some discussion on Committee Stage. As I indicated then I do not believe that we need to go down the road of placing a statutory requirement on housing authorities to communicate with their tenants or customers in writing and electronically. These are matters about which an authority is more than capable of deciding for...

Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (25 Jun 2009)

Michael Finneran: Amendments Nos.15 and 29 were also covered in our discussions on disability and housing related issues. I do not believe these amendments are necessary as their effect is essentially already comprehended by the Bill as it stands. I do not therefore propose to accept them. On the matter raised by Deputy McCormack, new houses are obliged to have wheelchair accessibility. I remind the Deputy...

Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (25 Jun 2009)

Michael Finneran: I did not state that it was a matter for the planning authorities, I said it was a planning matter. It is a planning matter and it has nothing to do with this Bill.

Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (25 Jun 2009)

Michael Finneran: I suggest the Deputy put down a parliamentary question on the matter.

Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (25 Jun 2009)

Michael Finneran: This legislation places considerable demands on housing authorities in terms of strategic planning through the development of housing service plans and housing action programmes. The making of rent and allocation schemes, statutory requirements on anti-social behaviour strategies and homelessness action plans and new purchase schemes in the form of incremental purchase, tenant purchase of...

Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (25 Jun 2009)

Michael Finneran: I believe this amendment is unnecessary as the intention is already accommodated within the text as it stands. Therefore, I do not propose to accept the amendment.

Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (25 Jun 2009)

Michael Finneran: These amendments to section 16 are unnecessary as the current formulation of paragraph (g) is sufficiently broad to cover the groups the Deputy's amendments would explicitly reference. In addition, the new paragraph (e) inserted on Committee Stage specifically provides that a home consultative forum will form part of the consultative process where a housing services plan is being drafted....

Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (25 Jun 2009)

Michael Finneran: It would not help the formulation of the Bill to go to unnecessary lengths to draw from the text matters which it implicitly contains. I do not propose to accept the amendments. I refer the Deputy to paragraph 16(g) where the bodies to be consulted are clearly listed.

Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (25 Jun 2009)

Michael Finneran: The addition of a statutory requirement on a housing authority to supply explanations for the reasons it might have for not fully taking on board proposals submitted during consultation on a housing services plan would not be appropriate. It would not serve any useful purpose in this instance. It is important to strike the right balance between ensuring transparency in the forward planning...

Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (25 Jun 2009)

Michael Finneran: It is the role of a housing authority to plan ahead for the provision of housing supports in its administrative area. I assume we all agree on that. While we must provide for the maximum transparency in the strategic planning process and seek an input into the wider range of important issues and voices in the housing area, we must be also careful not to erode or over complicate the ability...