Results 1,201-1,220 of 9,814 for speaker:Steven Matthews

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Land Development Agency Bill: Discussion (11 May 2021)

Steven Matthews: I thank Councillors Malone, Anglim, Sheahan, Colgan, Fennelly and Hoade for their attendance today. This committee deals with housing, local government, planning and heritage, which are all key areas in which local government delivers. We previously had the CCMA and the approved housing bodies before the committee with regard to the affordable housing Bill. We would welcome further...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Public Service Pay Bill: Committee Stage (13 May 2021)

Steven Matthews: I am conscious we are here to debate Committee Stage, with one amendment proposed to the Bill, but as the Vice Chairman said, it is an opportunity to discuss the national development plan and, to a greater extent, infrastructural investment over the coming years. I am glad to hear the Minister outline areas such as public transport, health and housing. The retrofitting of houses will create...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Curriculum (18 May 2021)

Steven Matthews: 459. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to a programme (details supplied); if opt out mechanisms are in place for teachers or parents who are opposed to the programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25584/21]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Pre-legislative Scrutiny of the General Scheme of the Local Government (Directly Elected Mayor with Executive Functions in Limerick City and County) Bill 2021 (18 May 2021)

Steven Matthews: We are joined by the Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage with responsibility for local government and planning, Deputy Peter Burke. The opening statement and briefing material have been circulated to members. Today we will commence pre-legislative scrutiny on the general scheme of the local government (directly elected mayor with executive functions...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Pre-legislative Scrutiny of the General Scheme of the Local Government (Directly Elected Mayor with Executive Functions in Limerick City and County) Bill 2021 (18 May 2021)

Steven Matthews: I thank the Minister of State. It is only right to acknowledge the voters of Limerick who voted in favour of having a directly elected mayor. Voting took place in a number of other places in 2019 which came quite close to that result. The reason we are here is due to a democratic vote. The people of Limerick chose to pursue this. The election of the mayor will be democratic as well, so...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Pre-legislative Scrutiny of the General Scheme of the Local Government (Directly Elected Mayor with Executive Functions in Limerick City and County) Bill 2021 (18 May 2021)

Steven Matthews: I thank Deputy McAuliffe. The Minister of State has taken note of the observations.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Pre-legislative Scrutiny of the General Scheme of the Local Government (Directly Elected Mayor with Executive Functions in Limerick City and County) Bill 2021 (18 May 2021)

Steven Matthews: I thank the Minister of State for the clarification. That is head 12.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Pre-legislative Scrutiny of the General Scheme of the Local Government (Directly Elected Mayor with Executive Functions in Limerick City and County) Bill 2021 (18 May 2021)

Steven Matthews: I thank the Minister of State.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Pre-legislative Scrutiny of the General Scheme of the Local Government (Directly Elected Mayor with Executive Functions in Limerick City and County) Bill 2021 (18 May 2021)

Steven Matthews: Unfortunately, we may have lost the link to Deputy O'Donoghue. We were just at the five-minute mark but I can let Deputy O'Donoghue back in to finish his point later, if he so wishes. It is my slot now. It is important to reiterate the point the Minister of State and Deputy O'Donoghue made. There is a cost applicable to this, but it also brings tremendous value. For somebody to be...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Pre-legislative Scrutiny of the General Scheme of the Local Government (Directly Elected Mayor with Executive Functions in Limerick City and County) Bill 2021 (18 May 2021)

Steven Matthews: Will there be specific roles for special advisers or will their selection be up to the elected mayor?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Pre-legislative Scrutiny of the General Scheme of the Local Government (Directly Elected Mayor with Executive Functions in Limerick City and County) Bill 2021 (18 May 2021)

Steven Matthews: The Minister of State made a really important point. As someone who ran in the elections at that time, I am aware that one does tend to concentrate on one's own electoral success without being able to put the time into, for example, campaigns relating to the EU elections or other matters. Limerick has a fantastic opportunity to lead the way and set the example that other local authorities...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Pre-legislative Scrutiny of the General Scheme of the Local Government (Directly Elected Mayor with Executive Functions in Limerick City and County) Bill 2021 (18 May 2021)

Steven Matthews: That is another item of legislation in respect of which we are quite far advanced in our pre-legislative scrutiny. We are looking at the compilation of the electoral register and also seeking to increase inclusivity in the voting system and to get the voter turnout numbers up. I accept the comments of Deputy Quinlivan in respect voter turnout in certain situations.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Pre-legislative Scrutiny of the General Scheme of the Local Government (Directly Elected Mayor with Executive Functions in Limerick City and County) Bill 2021 (18 May 2021)

Steven Matthews: I completely agree with the Minister of State's comments. We had representatives from the AILG and LAMA before us last week. Every member of the committee thanked local authority members and councillors for the way they stepped up over the past 15 months. The response to the Community Call was fantastic to see. It was acknowledged last week. I note Senator Fitzpatrick's suggestion, and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Pre-legislative Scrutiny of the General Scheme of the Local Government (Directly Elected Mayor with Executive Functions in Limerick City and County) Bill 2021 (18 May 2021)

Steven Matthews: I will now move to the third Fianna Fáil slot.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Pre-legislative Scrutiny of the General Scheme of the Local Government (Directly Elected Mayor with Executive Functions in Limerick City and County) Bill 2021 (18 May 2021)

Steven Matthews: We will move to the Fine Gael slot. Does anyone wish to take it? No. I do not see any other members indicating so I will thank the Minister of State and his officials for their attendance. It has been really helpful and really interesting.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Pre-legislative Scrutiny of the General Scheme of the Local Government (Directly Elected Mayor with Executive Functions in Limerick City and County) Bill 2021 (18 May 2021)

Steven Matthews: I did not see Deputy Quinlivan's hand up; I am sorry. I will give the Deputy a couple of minutes. Can he make his contribution in three or four minutes?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Pre-legislative Scrutiny of the General Scheme of the Local Government (Directly Elected Mayor with Executive Functions in Limerick City and County) Bill 2021 (18 May 2021)

Steven Matthews: I thank the Minister of State. I agree with him that it is really important that we proceed on this at pace but that we take the time to make sure we get it right. As to Deputy Quinlivan's comments, I fully encourage Oireachtas Members from County Limerick to engage with the committee in this regard. In our next private session, we will come to an agreement as to how we are going to engage...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Product Labelling (19 May 2021)

Steven Matthews: 106. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her attention has been drawn to a campaign in Wales that seeks to require both Welsh and English labelling on all products for sale in that jurisdiction; if such an initiative could be considered in Ireland to encourage the use of the Irish language; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26736/21]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network (25 May 2021)

Steven Matthews: 97. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the maintenance of the Wexford to Waterford railway line; if he plans to maintain the previous maintenance schedule that had been in place in recent years; if it will be ensured that this section is included in the strategic rail review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27573/21]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (25 May 2021)

Steven Matthews: 135. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of persons currently on the waiting list for the standard driver theory test; the mechanisms being put in place to alleviate this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27871/21]