Results 1,361-1,380 of 2,180 for speaker:John Cummins

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Modern Construction Methods: Discussion (Resumed) (9 May 2023)

John Cummins: That is an important point. At the end of last year I visited the CEO of Medite Smartply in Waterford Port. I raised the question of how to test that in Scandinavia. He pointed to Scotland and what they have managed. I have previously mentioned it at this committee. I know we are also going to explore the ability to go higher. They have achieved it. The CEO showed me the footage and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Modern Construction Methods: Discussion (Resumed) (9 May 2023)

John Cummins: That is a fair point and it was said to me when I visited Medite Smartply. There is capacity within our indigenous sector. They do not care where they sell it to but if the timber is better utilised within our own country, that is for the better. I would like to tease out further Deputy Duffy's comments relating to the compact design and that consultation which closed last week or the week...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Modern Construction Methods: Discussion (Resumed) (9 May 2023)

John Cummins: Yes, which is why I am asking.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Modern Construction Methods: Discussion (Resumed) (9 May 2023)

John Cummins: In the same context and vein, and I appreciate we are diverging slightly but it is all interconnected, I assume the CIF has the view that it is important when we talk about density that what we count is very important. For example, if attenuation tanks that were once there are now ponds that are visible and usable. Formerly, there would have been open space on top of them but if they are...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Modern Construction Methods: Discussion (Resumed) (9 May 2023)

John Cummins: Could I go back to the main premise? Reference was made to grant support from Enterprise Ireland. Are more grant supports needed in this area? I am conscious of what was said about changing the goalposts and trying to ensure certainty in the future, because changing the goalposts is not helpful for processes, systems and streamlining, as Mr. Searson stated. If we were to have more grant...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Modern Construction Methods: Discussion (Resumed) (9 May 2023)

John Cummins: Is there a specific request over and above the existing ones? If there were something of use that is not in the system right now and that we could introduce tomorrow morning, what would it be?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Modern Construction Methods: Discussion (Resumed) (9 May 2023)

John Cummins: I like what Mr. Browne has just said. It is something I have said many times. I agree the IDA Ireland model for advance building solutions has worked exceptionally well. This is not a space that Enterprise Ireland has been in, but that is not to say it is not one it cannot or should not be in.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Modern Construction Methods: Discussion (Resumed) (9 May 2023)

John Cummins: There is some conflict in what has been said. We are being told that when there is demand and certainty, the sector responds, and I tend to agree with that, but Mr. Parlon told us that the timber-frame side was maxed out. Why is the sector not responding to that if there is more demand for that product?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Modern Construction Methods: Discussion (Resumed) (9 May 2023)

John Cummins: I still do not see the issue. Is it that the bigger guys have soaked up the capacity and that is interfering with the ability of a medium-size builder to get in on the timber-frame side? A medium-size builder who sees that a bigger company is able to throw up timber-frame housing quickly whereas he is stuck with block construction, he will decide he wants a bit of that because it delivers...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Modern Construction Methods: Discussion (Resumed) (9 May 2023)

John Cummins: Going back to the beginning of our conversation when Mr. Parlon referred to a possible next housing Minister, I assume he would agree that were such a person to remove the help-to-buy scheme, which is an integral element of buyers getting their deposit together, it would result in the construction sector pulling back from the delivery of homes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Modern Construction Methods: Discussion (Resumed) (9 May 2023)

John Cummins: Does Mr. Parlon agree that were the help-to-buy scheme removed in the morning, it would result in fewer homes being built, modular or otherwise?

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs (10 May 2023)

John Cummins: I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Niall Collins, for taking this matter on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Norma Foley, and the Minister of State, Deputy Josepha Madigan. This topic is of the utmost importance to parents and students with additional needs in Tramore and the surrounding areas of County Waterford. The built-up area of Tramore has a population of over 10,000 and its...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs (10 May 2023)

John Cummins: I thank the Minister of State for his reply, a copy of which I have read very carefully. There is slightly contradictory information in it. One additional primary school place in Waterford has been sanctioned. I understand it is in St. Stephen's De La Salle in Waterford city. The reply later references that four primary school ASD classes will be available for September 2023 but only two...

Seanad: Electoral Reform (Amendment) and Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2023: Second Stage (10 May 2023)

John Cummins: I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House, and the Civil Engagement Group for bringing forward this Bill in its Private Members' time. Fine Gael will also be opposing the Bill for many of the reasons that have been outlined by my colleague, Senator Chambers. I think there is a conflict of interest with the returning officer of Seanad Éireann overseeing Seanad elections and...

Seanad: Electoral Reform (Amendment) and Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2023: Second Stage (10 May 2023)

John Cummins: I thank Senator McDowell. It is very important to have a second Chamber that scrutinises legislation. Everyone in this House takes his or her job exceptionally seriously. The Supreme Court ruling has been handed down. Senator Malcolm Byrne's Bill goes a way towards addressing that. As a former graduate of the University of Limerick, UL, I welcome the judgment. I do not have a vote to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Land Value Sharing and Urban Development Zones Bill 2022: Discussion (Resumed) (16 May 2023)

John Cummins: I think Mr. Jones is correct in saying that some local authorities have been better than others in using the CPO powers that are there. I agree with everything there. There is nothing wrong with the local authority making some profit or selling on the land after it is assembled in order to activate it for use now. Others view things very differently. Some would present that as the State...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Land Value Sharing and Urban Development Zones Bill 2022: Discussion (Resumed) (16 May 2023)

John Cummins: Very good.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Land Value Sharing and Urban Development Zones Bill 2022: Discussion (Resumed) (16 May 2023)

John Cummins: I agree but when we talk about minimum and maximum, how prescriptive should that be? We can have big ranges in minimum and maximum. That equates to something very different on paper. How narrow would Mr. Jones have them, in his professional opinion?