Results 13,021-13,040 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Seanad: Multi-Unit Developments Bill 2009: Committee Stage (10 Mar 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I could be flippant and say far be from me to prevent Senator Bacik from hanging her undergarments on her balcony.

Seanad: Multi-Unit Developments Bill 2009: Committee Stage (10 Mar 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I balance it by saying I am not sure that if Senator Quinnn had an apartment, he would like to see Senator Coffey's undergarments hanging on the line. I am not sure I agree with Senator Bacik that it is good for people to have their washing hanging on the balcony of their apartment block. I have seen such apartment blocks on the Continent and sometimes the practice gives them an unsightly...

Seanad: Multi-Unit Developments Bill 2009: Committee Stage (10 Mar 2010)

Dermot Ahern: No. We could give consideration to including a provision that the "house rules should as much as possible have regard to environmental considerations".

Seanad: Multi-Unit Developments Bill 2009: Committee Stage (10 Mar 2010)

Dermot Ahern: These amendments propose changes to section 18(4). Amendment No. 62 extends dispute resolution to cases where there are separate blocks or buildings in a development, where there are units of different character, residential and commercial, in the development or where units are put to different uses in the development. Amendment No. 63 inserts three new subsections under section 18(4). The...

Seanad: Multi-Unit Developments Bill 2009: Committee Stage (10 Mar 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I am told amendment No. 64 has been integrated into amendment No. 63.

Seanad: Multi-Unit Developments Bill 2009: Committee Stage (10 Mar 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I am reluctant to accept this amendment because it could lead to some friction. Who determines if such rules interfere "unreasonably" with the rights of the owner? It could be a source of discontent among unit owners if one person digs his or her heels in on an issue. I would be somewhat reluctant to be too prescriptive in this regard. However, we will look at it between now and Report...

Seanad: Multi-Unit Developments Bill 2009: Committee Stage (10 Mar 2010)

Dermot Ahern: It could be a very pernickety issue and a cranks' charter for a difficult tenant who may go as far as the court for a determination. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Seanad: Multi-Unit Developments Bill 2009: Committee Stage (10 Mar 2010)

Dermot Ahern: Section 18(6)() relates to the making by the court of ancillary orders. Amendment No. 67 provides that the court may direct the registration of any deed required to be executed in order to comply with the order made under subsection (3). In addition, the amendment provides that the court may make an order directing compliance with the new subsection (7) which relates to the provision of...

Seanad: Multi-Unit Developments Bill 2009: Committee Stage (10 Mar 2010)

Dermot Ahern: As a general rule, to be eligible to use the small claims procedure, a consumer or business must have purchased goods or services from someone selling them in the course of business. Claims cannot be made to the Small Claims Court in respect of debts, personal injuries or breach of lease agreements. The small claims procedure has always been pro-consumer and was never intended to serve as a...

Seanad: Multi-Unit Developments Bill 2009: Committee Stage (10 Mar 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The District Court is available under the legislation and would be the first court to which persons would take a case. It is, by and large, relatively inexpensive to take a case to the District Court, albeit not as inexpensive as the Small Claims Court. The latter was designed to deal with minor, non-complex issues, whereas cases arising under the section are relatively complex and would...

Seanad: Multi-Unit Developments Bill 2009: Committee Stage (10 Mar 2010)

Dermot Ahern: This section relates to the holding of mediation conferences to resolve disputes in relation to multi-unit developments. I have decided to amend the provision to provide that a court may, of its own volition, direct that mediation be attempted to resolve the conflict. It has always been my intention to encourage the use of mediation in these circumstances and I consider that allowing the...

Seanad: Multi-Unit Developments Bill 2009: Committee Stage (10 Mar 2010)

Dermot Ahern: We examined recent provisions in the Civil Liability Act and concluded they would be reasonably applicable in this type of case. I do not propose to introduce regulations governing how the mediation should be organised, as this matter is best left to those involved who have the necessary expertise. I am aware of a significant shift, particularly among those in the legal profession, towards...

Seanad: Multi-Unit Developments Bill 2009: Committee Stage (10 Mar 2010)

Dermot Ahern: In addition to the transfer of guarantees and warranties provided for in section 25 I want to ensure that all relevant documentation be provided to the owner of a management company. To enable the smooth running of the company, the extensive list of required documentation is now specified in the new Schedule 3 of the Bill. Amendment No. 74 inserts a new Schedule 3 into the Bill. Section 25...

Seanad: Multi-Unit Developments Bill 2009: Committee Stage (10 Mar 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The "safety file" is the term used. We understand it would include the fire safety documentation but we can double check it for Report Stage.

Seanad: Multi-Unit Developments Bill 2009: Committee Stage (10 Mar 2010)

Dermot Ahern: We are going on the basis of what the Law Reform Commission recommended. A smaller number of units do not necessarily have the comprehensive common areas we are trying to address in this legislation. What the Deputy is seeking is that units which have two or more but not less than four units would have a management company which would be a fairly significant burden on a small number of unit...

Seanad: Multi-Unit Developments Bill 2009: Committee Stage (10 Mar 2010)

Dermot Ahern: ): I ask that Senator Bacik intervene with her parliamentary colleagues in the Dáil, who keep asking why this Bill is taking so long in the Seanad. Perhaps she would impress upon them that there is a need to take time for consideration.

Order of Business (11 Mar 2010)

Dermot Ahern: It is as if Deputy Reilly's profession has nothing to answer for in all of this. This is complete hypocrisy.

Written Answers — Garda Recruitment: Garda Recruitment (11 Mar 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The Intergovernmental Agreement on Police Co-operation continues in force, but a technical amendment to Article 3 of the Agreement to take account of the appointment of a Minister for Justice in Northern Ireland is currently under consideration.

Written Answers — Vetting of Personnel: Vetting of Personnel (11 Mar 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU) provides employment vetting for a large number of organisations in Ireland registered with the Gardaí for this purpose and which employ persons in a full-time, part-time, voluntary or training capacity to positions where they would have substantial, unsupervised access to children and/or vulnerable adults. I am informed by the Garda Authorities that...

Written Answers — Vetting of Personnel: Vetting of Personnel (11 Mar 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU) provides employment vetting for a large number of organisations in Ireland registered with the Gardaí for this purpose and which employ persons in a full-time, part-time, voluntary or training capacity to positions where they would have substantial, unsupervised access to children and/or vulnerable adults. I am informed by the Garda Authorities that the...