Results 12,741-12,760 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Charges Exemptions (18 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: The Programme for Government sets out a commitment to the introduction of water charges based on usage above a free allowance. The Government considers that charging based on usage is the fairest way to charge for water and it has, therefore, decided that water meters should be installed in households connected to public water supplies. In regard to the water affordability issues which...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Legislative Process (18 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: The Water Services Act 2013 provides for the establishment of Irish Water as an independent subsidiary within the Bord Gáis Éireann Group and assigns the necessary powers to allow Irish Water to undertake t he metering programme. The Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013 will provide for the transfer of responsibility for the delivery of water services from the water services authorities...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Legislative Process (18 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: Committee stage consideration of the Local Government Reform Bill 2013 is due to commence today in the Seanad. Following completion of all stages in the Seanad and approval by the Dail of any amendments agreed in the Upper House, I expect enactment to follow in early 2014.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Ministerial Advisers Remuneration (18 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: The appointment of ministerial staff in my Department was undertaken in accordance with the Instructions on ministerial Appointments for the 31 st Dáil and the Guidelines on Staffing of ministerial Offices of March 2011. Special Advisers were placed on a point on the Principal Officers’ standard scale for remuneration purposes , in accordance with the Guidelines.

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Committee Stage (18 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: These are technical amendments to section 1 of the Bill, which deals with the Short Title, the collective citations, the construction and commencement provisions. Amendments Nos. 1 to 5, inclusive, amend a number of collective citation provisions in subsection (2). This amendment is necessary because the phrase "shall be included in" the collective citation is used in five of the 2013...

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Committee Stage (18 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: Amendment No. 6 relates to section 1(21). It provides for section 51 to be commenced on enactment of the Bill. Amendment No. 99 amends section 51 and is required to provide a definitive legal basis for one local authority to carry out executive functions or back-office support services on behalf of one or more local authorities. The amendment will facilitate the implementation of...

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Committee Stage (18 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: I have looked at the matter raised by Senator Byrne to see whether there is a legal basis on which we can help out in respect of the genuine concerns that have been raised. There is only one corporate entity, however, as a result of this legislation, that is, Meath County Council. Therefore, it will be up to the Kells municipal district members to ensure that the other members of Meath...

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Committee Stage (18 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: I understand. I knew it would be close to Senator Norris's heart.

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Committee Stage (18 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: I am surprised to hear that coming from a businessman.

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Committee Stage (18 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: Obviously, Senator Jim Walsh has not read my Second Stage contribution in relation to what I indicated were new powers and responsibilities to the local government sector. This amendment reflects the shared service nature of what we will have in the future. Many Members of the House have said to me, and I am sure Senator Jim Walsh, as a businessman, would agree, that things move on and...

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Committee Stage (18 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: I am guided by the Chair.

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Committee Stage (18 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: What I say will happen, as the Senator knows.

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Committee Stage (18 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: That will be done.

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Committee Stage (18 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: I am surprised that Senator Walsh would not acknowledge that most of his business is in the planning authority in County Kilkenny, where the lowest rate in the country applies. That is the reason he is getting such a very good service and a cheap one.

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Committee Stage (18 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: What we are talking about in the Bill is more administrative functions, which is the operational side of a local authority. I do not know if Senator Walsh wants the local authority members to become involved in the day-to-day administration and operation of functions. I do not anticipate that anybody else does. There is much more oversight being given in this legislation to councillors to...

Pyrite Resolution Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: The cost of testing will be covered by the pyrite remediation board. I acknowledge that the Deputy was referring to a test that may already have been carried out, but if the test conforms with the conditions set down by the board, I am sure common sense will prevail. I am sure the chairman of the board would be satisfied that further expense would not be required. Costs in relation to...

Pyrite Resolution Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: If the building condition assessment proves that there is pyrite there, it will be covered.

Pyrite Resolution Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: Yes. The Pyrite Resolution Board is laying down the protocols and conditions attached to the building assessment.

Pyrite Resolution Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: Everybody has to do a building condition assessment and there are certain indicators laid down by the Pyrite Resolution Board which will show that they can go on to the next level of testing. If Deputy Clare Daly's suggestion is that home owners already have a test done, we can take that into account. If the Pyrite Resolution Board is satisfied that such a test shows definitively that...

Pyrite Resolution Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: I am glad Deputies Clare Daly, Wallace and Catherine Murphy understands my legal position, unlike Deputy Broughan.