Results 1,621-1,640 of 20,758 for speaker:Alan Kelly

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (No. 4) Bill 2014: Second Stage (17 Jul 2014)

Alan Kelly: I sincerely thank everyone for his or her good wishes, which I appreciate. The Bill is very technical. I ask for support for it on the basis that whether one likes the legislation or not, the democratic process must continue. We can debate the merits and demerits of the process in place, but that is what is there at the moment and it must be initiated. I thank the Members who are...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (No. 4) Bill 2014: Second Stage (17 Jul 2014)

Alan Kelly: It is time to move on the debate to what we are going to do rather than to shout about various options. I intend to push up the ladder the agenda of Seanad reform instead of talking about doing something. There has been enough debate and commentary on it.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (No. 4) Bill 2014: Second Stage (17 Jul 2014)

Alan Kelly: I will look at everything. Colleagues will know as I have sat among them and sometimes get into trouble for it that I am a straight shooter and say things as they are and as clearly as I can. I will continue to do so. That is a commitment I make. I will not sit here and say I can change the world in relation to Seanad reform, but I say that I will look thoroughly at the matter. I was...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Irish Water Establishment (17 Sep 2014)

Alan Kelly: It is a very youthful team.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Irish Water Establishment (17 Sep 2014)

Alan Kelly: In advance of the enactment of the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013, the Commission for Energy Regulation, CER, did not have full economic regulatory powers in regard to the water sector, but did have powers to advise the Minister. In that context, on 22 October 2013, my predecessor approved a request from the Department to seek advice from CER on new costs arising in the establishment of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Irish Water Establishment (17 Sep 2014)

Alan Kelly: I want to point out to the Deputy that there are legacy issues relating to the setting up of Irish Water. The Deputy's party was in government long enough to know what they are. One of these legacy issues is the fact that the people of Roscommon do not have a water service that is appropriate. It is disgraceful that this was left the length of time that it was and that there was no...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Irish Water Establishment (17 Sep 2014)

Alan Kelly: The CER is an independent regulator.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Irish Water Establishment (17 Sep 2014)

Alan Kelly: The Deputy said people had been on boil-water notices for the past 12 months. In some cases, they have been on boil-water notices for up to 12 years, so to have the Deputy throwing that out, given his background, borders on the ridiculous. The reason this utility was set up was to have a framework whereby we can invest in water provision for the future and ensure that this ridiculous...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Appointments to State Boards (17 Sep 2014)

Alan Kelly: I thank the Deputy for his good wishes. I am sure they will always be extended. It is unclear as to which member or members of An Bord Pleanála the Deputy is referring. The process for making appointments to the board is governed by the Planning and Development Act 2000. The board operates under a code of conduct as required by section 150 of the Act. One of the purposes of the code...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Appointments to State Boards (17 Sep 2014)

Alan Kelly: Section 150 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 requires An Bord Pleanála to adopt a code of conduct for members and its employees. The code is a comprehensive document and it is intended that the board will adhere to it. Specific requirements under the code prohibit membership of political parties or organisations involved in planning, provide for a declaration of interests to be...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Appointments to State Boards (17 Sep 2014)

Alan Kelly: It is important that An Bord Pleanála be above vested interests and I have no reason to believe it is not. The Deputy's allegations are serious and I have no reason to believe them. While he has not named the individual concerned, it is clear that the person can be identified. If the Deputy has other information which he believes is necessary to be made available to prove the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Mortgage to Rent Scheme Application Numbers (17 Sep 2014)

Alan Kelly: Not until 2016.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Leader Programmes Administration (17 Sep 2014)

Alan Kelly: I thank the Deputy for the question and I welcome the opportunity to address it. As outlined in the draft rural development programme 2014-20, submitted to the European Commission in July 2014, it is intended that Ireland will use a two-step process to select local development strategies for the delivery of the Leader elements of the programme. Step one of the process, which is due to...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Leader Programmes Administration (17 Sep 2014)

Alan Kelly: I thank the Deputy.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Leader Programmes Administration (17 Sep 2014)

Alan Kelly: Yes, it is possible to have different companies administering the two areas. Whether it is likely is a different question but it is possible. There are 28 LAGs and there are no plans to change what has been announced, which includes one in Galway. The Deputy has raised the issue through various outlets. The issue is to ensure consistency of approach. There is a specific issue in respect...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Leader Programmes Administration (17 Sep 2014)

Alan Kelly: The Deputy has asked a number of questions. It is Government policy that where it can be agreed locally the local community development committees will be the lead local action groups for their respective areas. We are in constant conversation with Irish Local Development Network, ILDN, and we will be talking to them again tomorrow. I have worked with these groups over a lengthy period and...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Leader Programmes Administration (17 Sep 2014)

Alan Kelly: It is of a similar size and it has specific issues of its own but it will have one LAG. In reply to the Deputy's question about the islands and the Irish language, it will be ensured that the submissions will reflect the islands' specific requirements and the need to ensure that the Irish language is covered. These matters will be dealt with as part of the submissions. If there is a need...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Leader Programmes Administration (17 Sep 2014)

Alan Kelly: There will not be a LAG for the islands.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Social and Affordable Housing Provision (17 Sep 2014)

Alan Kelly: I thank the Deputy for his question which deals with a very important matter. I am well aware of the issues in Tipperary. The statutory summary of social housing assessments in 2013 showed 89,872 households on local authority waiting lists as at 7 May 2013, representing a decrease of 9% on the previous summary of 2011. It is the most up-to-date figure available on waiting list numbers...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Social and Affordable Housing Provision (17 Sep 2014)

Alan Kelly: I concur with what the Deputy stated in his initial contribution about previous strategies. Previous Administrations effectively stopped building social housing. That was wrong. This matter must and will be addressed. We are going to recommence building social housing and will provide a significant number of units. I have been challenged - for the remainder of the Government's term of...