Results 1,341-1,360 of 2,018 for speaker:Pat Casey

Confidence in the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government: Motion [Private Members] (3 Dec 2019)

Pat Casey: This is a political Groundhog Day. For the second time, we are engaged in Dáil time in populist political games. We do so in December, when a defeat for the Minister would plunge the country into a general election which would run through Christmas. A general election during Christmas when homelessness is at its most dangerous and homeless services are working flat out to provide food...

Confidence in the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government: Motion [Private Members] (3 Dec 2019)

Pat Casey: -----provides certainty for tenants and increases the whole-of-Government response that is needed to get on top of our housing and homelessness crisis. We could use those 40 days to work on housing solutions and get the entire apparatus of Government to realise that Rebuilding Ireland is not working. There are 40 days to increase the State's role in the provision of homes for all who need...

Microbeads (Prohibition) Bill 2019: Report and Final Stages (4 Dec 2019)

Pat Casey: I acknowledge that Deputy Sean Sherlock and the former Senator, Grace O'Sullivan, MEP, introduced a Private Member's Bill on microbeads. We have been supportive of it throughout the process. The introduction of the Private Members' Bill probably triggered Government action. As a result of the co-operation of the committee and all parties in the House, the Bill is before the House today. I...

Housing Solutions: Statements (5 Dec 2019)

Pat Casey: I am sharing time with Deputy Troy. In all fairness, the Minister of State is now asking us to come with a full housing plan. Everybody on the committee has worked with the Government on major pieces of legislation to progress through this House. We have also presented 13 Bills. It is wrong to say we are not part of the solution. We have been part of the solution. That should be...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Business of Joint Committee (5 Dec 2019)

Pat Casey: Apologies have been received from Deputy Noel Rock and Senator Victor Boyhan. I propose that we go into private session to deal with some housekeeping matters. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development (Amendment) Regulations 2019: Discussion (5 Dec 2019)

Pat Casey: At the request of the broadcasting and recording services, members and visitors in the Public Gallery are requested to ensure that for the duration of the meeting, their mobile phones are turned off completely or switched to airplane, safe or flight mode, depending on the device. It is not sufficient just to put phones on silent mode as this will maintain the level of interference with the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development (Amendment) Regulations 2019: Discussion (5 Dec 2019)

Pat Casey: I thank the Minister. As there are no members indicating, I will ask a few questions myself to clarify matters. Do the regulations relate to Dublin and Rosslare ports only? Who determines if an EIA or AA is required, and what is the process in that regard? Do the powers in the draft regulations relate only to the OPW? There are other ports around the country, some of which are controlled...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development (Amendment) Regulations 2019: Discussion (5 Dec 2019)

Pat Casey: No other ports have these same requirements.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development (Amendment) Regulations 2019: Discussion (5 Dec 2019)

Pat Casey: It is only for Dublin and Rosslare.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development (Amendment) Regulations 2019: Discussion (5 Dec 2019)

Pat Casey: That is all. I just wanted a bit of clarification on that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Messages to Dáil and Seanad (5 Dec 2019)

Pat Casey: In accordance with Standing Order 90, the following message will be sent to the Dáil: The Joint Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government has completed its consideration of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Regulations 2019. In accordance with Standing Order 75, the following message will be sent to the Seanad: The Joint Committee on Housing, Planning and Local...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Report of the Expert Group on Traveller Accommodation: Discussion (5 Dec 2019)

Pat Casey: The second session of our meeting today is on the topic of the report of the expert group on Traveller accommodation. Once again, I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy English, and the officials who have joined him to take part in this meeting.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Report of the Expert Group on Traveller Accommodation: Discussion (5 Dec 2019)

Pat Casey: We need permission from the committee to allow Ms Tobin to come in. I do not think there will be a problem but we just need to formalise it.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Report of the Expert Group on Traveller Accommodation: Discussion (5 Dec 2019)

Pat Casey: Do no other members wish to speak? I will make a few observations. Deputy Ó Broin has probably hit on most of them. I will start by trying to get a better understanding of the allocation to local authorities from a funding point of view. I assume that is based on each local authority requesting funds-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Report of the Expert Group on Traveller Accommodation: Discussion (5 Dec 2019)

Pat Casey: -----as opposed to on the basis of population. The local authorities are requesting this funding initially, and yet they are not drawing it down, so clearly there is some fault here. I am willing to try anything, and I am not here to be a stumbling block in this process, but I got the feeling that the local authority members were being blamed for a lot of the delays. A question I asked on...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Report of the Expert Group on Traveller Accommodation: Discussion (5 Dec 2019)

Pat Casey: That was my point-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Report of the Expert Group on Traveller Accommodation: Discussion (5 Dec 2019)

Pat Casey: On a point of information, would there be information on Part 8 processes that have started but that never got to the vote?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Report of the Expert Group on Traveller Accommodation: Discussion (5 Dec 2019)

Pat Casey: I call Deputy Ó Broin to be followed by Senator Kelleher.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Report of the Expert Group on Traveller Accommodation: Discussion (5 Dec 2019)

Pat Casey: The budget allocation is based on what the local authorities believe to be the level of Traveller need. How much money is needed to fix the problem? That figure is probably much higher than the amount the local authorities believe is needed to meet Traveller needs. The Minister of State spoke of the type and quality of build. We must also remember the importance of managing housing...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Report of the Expert Group on Traveller Accommodation: Discussion (5 Dec 2019)

Pat Casey: If the Minister of State engages with the secretariat, it will inform members who can then attend if they wish.