Results 12,501-12,520 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Other Questions: Homeless Accommodation Provision (5 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: In response to Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan, in recent years I have never ceased to be amazed at the amount of time spent by some people in emergency accommodation. The definition of emergency accommodation is certainly very open to question. An emergency could normally be expected to be for three or four weeks but it develops into six years on the north side of Dublin in many cases, which is...

Other Questions: International Agreements (5 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: I support the primary objective of the Antarctic Treaty, which is to ensure, in the interests of all mankind, that Antarctica continues to be used for peaceful purposes and will not become the scene or subject of international discord. The Antarctic treaty system at this stage includes the original treaty, the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals, the Convention on the...

Other Questions: International Agreements (5 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: I will give the Deputy some idea of what I am speaking about in terms of administration, which includes the following: the need to review the existing corpus of environmental legislation to ensure we comply with that treaty; the need to introduce a permit or licensing scheme for Irish citizens who may engage in activities coming within the remit of the treaty; the requirement that any such...

Other Questions: International Agreements (5 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: In the absence of substantial research activity being carried out in Antarctica by the State, Ireland would not enjoy voting rights under the treaty even if it signed and ratified it. I do not know what useful purpose there would be in prioritising it, but we will work with our partners in the European Union, as we do on all issues relating to climate change, and we will make our views known...

Other Questions: Electoral Reform (5 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: The Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Act (Commencement) Order 2012, signed on 27 September 2012, commenced sections 1, 2, 27 and 40 to 44, inclusive, of the Act with effect from that date. Sections 1 and 2 contain technical provisions. Sections 27, 40 and 41 introduced requirements on registered political parties to furnish an annual statement of accounts to the Standards in Public...

Other Questions: Local Authority Housing Issues (5 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: The rental accommodation scheme is operated by the Department in conjunction with the Department of Social Protection. Approximately €50 million will be spent in 2013 on assisting local authorities in providing essential accommodation under certain criteria for particular clients on their social housing lists. The same sum will be available in 2014, in conjunction with the Department...

Other Questions: Local Authority Housing Issues (5 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: With regard to Deputy Stanley's question, I will get the figures for him on the social leasing scheme. I do not have them with me today, but I will provide the information for 2013 and 2014.

Other Questions: Local Authority Housing Issues (5 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: It is not included in my reply, and I apologise for that. I will refer back to the Deputy with the figure later today. On housing policy in general, the Department is reviewing the policy and the Minister of State, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, is very conscious that new initiatives are required. We must also get the incremental purchase scheme up and running, apart from the direct provision we...

Other Questions: Unfinished Housing Developments (5 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: A total of 40 estates are earmarked for demolition in 2014. They have been identified at this stage but, for commercially sensitive reasons, we are not able to give the Deputy their locations. We expect to proceed with that in 2014, with the co-operation of the unfinished estates resolution panel and the local authorities.

Other Questions: Unfinished Housing Developments (5 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: The Deputies correctly referred to demand for social housing and the need for new initiatives to address social housing provision. I alluded to a number of initiatives being taken by the Department. We are also reviewing housing policy to ascertain whether more can be done. The condition of the 40 housing estates to be demolished is such that it would cost a substantial amount to rectify...

Other Questions: Fire Safety Regulations (5 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: As the Deputy noted, I do not have direct responsibility for this matter, although I have responsibility for policy. While the Fire Safety Acts and their implementation are matters for each fire authority, we continue to be in touch with local authorities about this very important issue. I have taken a number of initiatives this year with regard to problems in certain developments,...

Other Questions: Fire Safety Regulations (5 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: I will not assume the role the Deputy has assumed of being an inspector for fire service provision for a particular dwelling. If she provides me with details, I will have the case investigated. I will not micro-manage the system as fire safety is a devolved function to local authorities. Perhaps the Deputy has a close relationship with the local authority in question. If she makes...

Other Questions: Fire Safety Regulations (5 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: I did not see them.

Other Questions: Fire Safety Regulations (5 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: I take what the Deputy has said at face value as she is not prone to exaggeration. If she provides details of the case, I will be glad to investigate it. I provided a great deal of information on estates during my previous appearance in the House at Question Time. Perhaps the Deputy was pleased to receive additional information of which she might not have been aware.

Other Questions: Pyrite Resolution Board Membership (5 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: I have always made it clear that I believe the parties identified in the report of the independent pyrite panel as having a responsibility to provide solutions for affected homeowners should contribute to the resolution of the pyrite issue. In the past 18 months or thereabouts I have tried to bring about a resolution of the issue involving these parties. Unfortunately, this did not prove...

Other Questions: Pyrite Resolution Board Membership (5 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: As Deputies Clare Daly and Ellis will be aware, the State has no responsibility whatsoever in this.

Other Questions: Pyrite Resolution Board Membership (5 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: That is the legal position. I know Deputy Clare Daly does not have to accept it. Notwithstanding that, like Priory Hall, I have made a considerable effort to resolve this issue. I acknowledge the significant work of our late good friend, Shane McEntee, the first anniversary of whose untimely death is approaching. Because of that, I would be looking for the co-operation of all groups in...

Other Questions: Pyrite Resolution Board Membership (5 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: These questions are in the names of Deputy Cowen and Deputy Ellis. Earlier this year, my colleague, the Minister of State for housing and planning, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, published the Government's homelessness policy statement in which the Government's aim to end long-term homelessness by the end of 2016 was outlined. I indicated already, on Question No. 7, much of the response of the...

Other Questions: Pyrite Resolution Board Membership (5 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: NAMA properties generally that were put forward were not only for the homeless but for all social housing provision. There have been a number of difficulties, not only with the financial allocations but also with the number of legal issues in relation to some of these estates. I agree with Deputy Cowen that it is not an matter of throwing money at the problem. There is far too much being...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Climate Change Negotiations (5 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: nister for the Environment, Community and Local Government (Mr. P. Hogan) The 19th Conference of the Parties (COP19) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change was held in Warsaw from 11 to 22 November, in conjunction with the 9th Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol; the 39th sessions of the Subsidiary Bodies on Implementation and Scientific and Technical Advice, and the third...