Results 14,041-14,060 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Topical Issue Debate: Planning Issues (10 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter which is the subject of much media attention. As she may be aware, An Bord Pleanála granted planning permission for the redevelopment of Croke Park stadium on 9 March 1993. Condition No. 11 attached to the planning permission allows for the holding of three special events such as concerts in the stadium each calendar year, subject to the...

Topical Issue Debate: Planning Issues (10 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: I hope the Deputy knows that, according to planning legislation, I am the only person in the House who cannot intervene in the planning process. We would like to help if we could, but, legally, I am precluded from doing so. Politically, Deputies in this House have got into a fair amount of trouble during the years for intervening in planning matters which did not get us anywhere. I...

Topical Issue Debate: Naval Service Vessels (10 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: At the outset I would like to assure the House that the safety and well-being of the individuals involved in this incident are the primary concern of my colleague, the Minister for Defence, who has responsibility for the Naval Service. I am advised by the Naval Service that it is following all Health and Safety Authority, HSA, guidelines while dealing with the current situation. While LE...

Topical Issue Debate: Naval Service Vessels (10 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: The Deputy is a bit harsh on the Naval Service. When these matters were discovered something was done about them. Work stopped on the ships and immediately the proper procedures were followed. It is a bit early to come to conclusions on what an external contractor found or did not find arising from the work done. Assumptions were made that may not have been correct at the time when work...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Planning Issues (10 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: The establishment and operation of cemeteries and crematoria are subject, where applicable, to the provisions of legislation dealing with planning and development, environmental protection and air pollution. Any decision on whether or not to provide a separate regulatory authority for the establishment and operation of cemeteries and crematoria would have to be soundly based on the need for...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water and Sewerage Schemes Status (10 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: The Kilrush and Kilkee Sewerage Scheme was included as a scheme a t Planning in my Department’s Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2013. The Scheme provides for the construction of two new wastewater treatment plant s in the areas of Kilrush and Kilkee and the upgrade of the existing Network Collection System in each area at an estimated overall cost of over €17...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Leader Programmes Funding (10 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: Community Led Local Development ( CLLD ) is a method of involving partners at local level in EU programme delivery and decisions. It requires that funding decisions are made by a Local Action Group (LAG). There is no requirement that the funding be given directly to development companies. The LAG must be composed of representatives of public and private local socio-economic interests where...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Pyrite Remediation Programme Issues (10 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: The pyrite remediation scheme which has recently been made by the Pyrite Resolution Board is a limited scheme applicable to a restricted group of homeowners in the geographical areas identified in the report of the independent Pyrite Panel. The report provides the framework and context for the scheme and the eligibility criteria are reflective of the conclusions and recommendations of the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Leader Programmes Applications (10 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: My Department has contacted Mayo North East LEADER Partnership (MNELP) in relation to this project. I understand that MNELP has written to the promoter requesting further information to enable processing of its application for funding. The project assessment process will recommence once the required information is provided.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Meters (10 Apr 2014)

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. The Water Services Act 2013 provides for the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Animal Welfare (10 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: The Dog Breeding Establishments Act, 2010 came into force on 1 January 2012 and it requires all dog breeding establishments to register with the relevant local authority, pay a registration fee and meet a minimum set of veterinary, welfare and other standards. It is an offence under the Act to operate an unregistered dog breeding establishment. The implementation of the Dog Breeding...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Irish Water Administration (10 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: My Department asked Irish Water to put in place specific arrangements to address the queries which public representatives may have in relation to matters pertaining to the operation of water services under the new utility. I understand that Irish Water has made contact with Oireachtas members to outline the arrangements for addressing such queries in a timely manner. Irish Water has confirmed...

Seanad: Building Control (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2014: Motion (10 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: The Senator is wrong.

Seanad: Building Control (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2014: Motion (10 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: As the Leader indicated, we are discussing SI 105 of 2014 which provides for alternative but equivalent means of complying with the requirement under the building control regulations 1997 to 2014 to assign a person to inspect and certify the works in line with a plan lodged at commencement and implemented during construction. This requirement is one of a number of reforms to the regulatory...

Seanad: Building Control (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2014: Motion (10 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: Yes. I am delighted to have been in a position to change the regulations in the interests of the consumer and to rid ourselves once and for all of the shoddy development that passed for good development in the past ten or 15 years. I make no apologies to the professional bodies for doing so. The Building Control Act has not changed, but the regulations have. They are much stronger and more...

Seanad: Business of Seanad (10 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: As a former Member of this House, it would be remiss of me not to pay tribute to the great work of Ms Jody Blake, the Clerk Assistant of the House. I have known Ms Blake since 1987 and she has been an excellent administrator in Seanad Éireann for many years - I do not know how many years she has been here.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (10 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: I thank her very much for the kindness and courtesy she extended to me and to all Members of both Houses during that period. I wish her well in the future.

Seanad: Statute of Limitations (Amendment) (Home Remediation-Pyrite) Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: On a point of information, we publish a report every three months.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Charges Introduction (15 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 395, 396, 409, 411 and 426 together. The Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 provides for the transfer of water services functions from the local authorities to Irish Water. The Act provides that Irish Water can collect charges from its customers in receipt of water services provided by it. It also assigns responsibility for the independent economic regulation...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Tribunals of Inquiry Recommendations (15 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: The Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Act 2012, the 2012 Act, which became law in July 2012, significantly enhanced the openness and transparency of political funding in Ireland. These were issues that were central to the recommendations made in the Moriarty Tribunal Report which was published in March 2011. The Tribunal recommended that the income of political parties be disclosed...