Results 11,461-11,480 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Seanad: Electoral, Local Government and Planning and Development Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jul 2013)

Phil Hogan: Not at all, not at the age of 14.

Seanad: Electoral, Local Government and Planning and Development Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jul 2013)

Phil Hogan: I thank Senators for submitting the amendments that give us the opportunity to tease out this issue. I agree with the intent of the amendment, which is why I have put my own to the Bill, which will improve the situation significantly from what it is currently. I share the views of the Senators that an improvement should be made to the narrow, two-day, window of opportunity that exists...

Seanad: Electoral, Local Government and Planning and Development Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jul 2013)

Phil Hogan: I consulted the Attorney General also. The returning officers are people both the Senator and I respect. We must ensure we have integrity in the process and that when somebody signs up for a postal vote that person exists. The timescales suggested by the Senator would not allow that happen.

Seanad: Electoral, Local Government and Planning and Development Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jul 2013)

Phil Hogan: I am talking in regard to the people implementing this on the ground currently. We can have all the theory we like, but I must talk to people on the ground in regard to the practical implementation of the process. That is what I did. Arrangements need to be put in place very soon after the close of nominations in an election and returning officers need more time to attend to the tasks...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Direct Provision System (19 Jul 2013)

Phil Hogan: I thank Senator Ó Clochartaigh for raising this issue and apologise on behalf of the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter, who is at a European Council meeting. The Reception and Integration Agency, RIA, of the Department of Justice and Equality is responsible for the accommodation of asylum seekers in accordance with the Government policy of direct provision and dispersal....

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Direct Provision System (19 Jul 2013)

Phil Hogan: I accept, on behalf of the Minister for Justice and Equality, that there is a problem, which I acknowledged in my contribution. Pending the enactment and commencement of the legislation to which I referred, the Minister for Justice and Equality indicated to me that he proposes to introduce new arrangements for the processing of subsidiary protection applications in the light of recent...

Leaders' Questions (18 Sep 2013)

Phil Hogan: I am not laughing.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Non-Principal Private Residence Charge Exemptions (18 Sep 2013)

Phil Hogan: The Local Government (Charges) Act 2009, as amended, broadened the revenue base of local authorities by introducing a charge on non-principal private residences. The Charge is set at €200 and liability for it falls, in the main, on owners of rental, holiday and vacant properties. Under the Act, it is a function of a local authority to collect Non-Principal Private Residence...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Motor Tax Collection (18 Sep 2013)

Phil Hogan: I have no plans to change the basis for the charging of motor tax for either three or six month discs. Tax rates for these discs, set at a higher rate than the annual fee, take account of the extra workload for the National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF) and motor tax offices, and the resultant higher administrative and printing costs. In addition, reminders are issued on each renewal. ...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Commercial Rates Issues (18 Sep 2013)

Phil Hogan: Local authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes in accordance with the details entered in the valuation lists prepared by the independent Commissioner of Valuation under the Valuation Act 2001. The Commissioner for Valuation has sole responsibility for all valuation matters, including the most appropriate method of...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Motor Tax Collection (18 Sep 2013)

Phil Hogan: Various aspects of motor tax policy are kept under regular review and the basis of taxation for commercial vehicles is one such area. However, I am not currently in a position to give a timescale for the outcome of any area of review or for the subsequent implementation of changes that are subject to the approval of the legislature.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Animal Welfare Issues (18 Sep 2013)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 835, 871 and 885 together. The most recent increase in the charge for a dog licence took effect from 1 January 2012.  This was the first increase since 1998 and was in line with the increase in the consumer price index. There is no clear evidence that the increase in the cost of a dog licence has led directly to a reduction in the number of dog...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Property Taxation Exemptions (18 Sep 2013)

Phil Hogan: The Local Government (Charges) Act 2009, as amended, provides the legislative basis for the Non Principal Private Residence Charge. The Charge operates on a self-assessment basis. The 2009 Act place s the Charge under the care and management of the local authorities, and application in particular circumstances is a matter for the relevant local authority. Interpretation of the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Leader Programmes Funding (18 Sep 2013)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 837 and 956 together. My Department continues to monitor the situation with regard to the allocation and drawdown of funding under the LEADER element s of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 (RDP). I advised all Local Development Companies (LDCs) , including Kildare LEADER Partnership, of their revised Programme allocations in May 2013 and LDCs were...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Security of the Elderly (18 Sep 2013)

Phil Hogan: The Seniors Alert Scheme aims to encourage community support for vulnerable older people in our communities by providing assistance through registered community groups who can demonstrate a track record of working with or providing services to older people within their communities. Individuals may also contact my Department directly with regard to the Scheme and will be referred to the group...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Motor Tax Collection (18 Sep 2013)

Phil Hogan: I have no plans currently to introduce a direct debit payment option for motor tax. Motor tax is payable on an annual, half-yearly or quarterly basis. The quarterly and half-yearly payment options incorporate a surcharge element to cover the higher administrative costs involved in processing such applications. The estimated annual income from the increased charges for half-year and...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Animal Welfare Issues (18 Sep 2013)

Phil Hogan: The Control of Dogs Acts 1986 and 1992, places statutory responsibility for the dog control and licensing services on local authorities. The implementation of the Acts, including any promotional campaigns or educational programmes, is therefore a matter for the local authorities. The Control of Dogs Regulations, 1998 (as amended) set out the requirement that certain breeds must be muzzled,...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Motor Tax Collection (18 Sep 2013)

Phil Hogan: On 1 July 2013, new motor tax procedures set out in the Non-Use of Motor Vehicles Act 2013 were introduced whereby a vehicle must be declared off the road in advance. However, a three month transition period is in place, ending on 30 September, whereby the owners of vehicles that have not been in use in a public place may go to a Garda Station and have their declaration in respect of the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Fire Safety Issues (18 Sep 2013)

Phil Hogan: Chinese or sky lanterns present a range of issues in addition to the potential fire hazards they pose. They may affect aviation and coastal rescue services and pose a risk to animals and the environment. At present, their use requires prior permission from the Irish Aviation Authority. I am referring the issue to my colleague the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation who deals...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Dormant Accounts Fund Administration (18 Sep 2013)

Phil Hogan: I have allocated €6.385m for Dormant Accounts Measures in 2013, which includes €2.835m to cover once off costs , such as health and safety training, personal protective clothing and necessary equipment and materials , that will be incurred by local authorities providing placements in the Department of Social Protection’s (DSP’s) Local Authority Employment...