Results 1,881-1,900 of 20,057 for speaker:Brian Stanley

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Bill 2013: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2013)

Brian Stanley: In the geographical area.

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Bill 2013: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2013)

Brian Stanley: I know all that.

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Bill 2013: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2013)

Brian Stanley: We have to have consistency.

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Bill 2013: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2013)

Brian Stanley: I welcome the amendment. I will table amendments to sections 18 and 19 on Report Stage.

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Bill 2013: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2013)

Brian Stanley: What the Minister said sounds very good, that the first thing that will happen in future for any new functions or bodies will be to see whether they can operate under the local government system. Councillors are very concerned, with good reason, that the new districts would not become another area committee. Some of them are very large and should be called district councils to give them...

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Bill 2013: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2013)

Brian Stanley: We are supportive of the idea of community councils provided there is no additional cost for rate payers or the Exchequer. Deputy Cowen introduced a Bill on town centres which I opposed for that very reason. However, if his proposal for community councils can be implemented on a voluntary basis, with no extra cost arising for rate payers or taxpayers, then it would be a very worthwhile...

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Bill 2013: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2013)

Brian Stanley: I move amendment No. 25: In page 26, to delete lines 1 to 12.The amendment is straightforward. It relates to earlier amendments on the dissolution of Limerick City Council and Waterford City Council. We believe there is justification for retaining them as they are strong local authorities in their own right. They are major cities, and they are growing. Both of them have their own problems...

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Bill 2013: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2013)

Brian Stanley: I wish to comment on the proposed amendments. Reading what the Minister is proposing here one would think that council meetings down the country are a bit like the wild west. We have all seen robust exchanges in town councils and county councils. However, council meetings seldom have to be adjourned due to disruptive behaviour. Much of this is wide open to interpretation by the...

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Bill 2013: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2013)

Brian Stanley: The Minister said it would be for the full council. It will be for the majority of the full council. The way it is drafted leaves it wide open to abuse. Some kind of appeals mechanism for the member would be worthwhile. If council meetings have become dysfunctional in some areas I am very disappointed to hear that because, regardless of political persuasion-----

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Bill 2013: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2013)

Brian Stanley: I know. Regardless of their political persuasion, people should be allowed to make their contribution.

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Bill 2013: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2013)

Brian Stanley: There are a lot from the Minister's party. They can be a little disruptive at times.

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Bill 2013: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2013)

Brian Stanley: They are good at playing the man and not the ball on the Minister's side of the House.

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Bill 2013: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2013)

Brian Stanley: The Minister is reflecting on what is going on in council chambers. A system needs to be introduced. People should not be allowed to hold up council meetings. None of us wants to see that happen, but I agree with Deputy Murphy's suggestion of an appeals mechanism. There needs to be something there. I would be concerned that it is open to abuse as it stands.

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Bill 2013: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2013)

Brian Stanley: From whom - councillors?

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Bill 2013: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2013)

Brian Stanley: Amendment No. 38 provides that each municipal district may set an additional commercial rate for premises occupied by large commercial entities which exceed thresholds for turnover or other economic activity as may be prescribed. The intent of that is clear. It devolves to each municipal district the power to take into consideration its own area. Such businesses may have significant or...

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Bill 2013: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2013)

Brian Stanley: I can understand the thinking on the base. That being given, I ask that the Minister accept amendment No. 40 on the basis there will be a consolidation of the rate across an entire county. There are substantial differences, and as the Minister will be aware, the rate set by many town councils would be much lower than the county rate. The amendment is tabled in that spirit. We accept it...

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Bill 2013: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2013)

Brian Stanley: I move amendment No. 40: In page 36, to delete lines 4 to 6 and substitute the following:"(2) The base year adjustment shall be determined in accordance with subsection (3) and (4) by a rating authority, with agreement of the members of the Municipal District Area where the base year adjustment will apply, in respect of each year of the adjustment period for each of the specified areas of the...

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Bill 2013: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2013)

Brian Stanley: I will table an amendment on Report Stage.

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Bill 2013: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2013)

Brian Stanley: I support what has been said. My party has concerns about the matter. During an economic downturn, we need incentives to get business premises back into use, not penalties while they are empty. Loans are outstanding on many of the properties in question and there is a high level of negative equity because people bought at boom time prices. I know some such people, as I am sure every other...

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Bill 2013: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2013)

Brian Stanley: It is important that we not penalise them further. Deputy Coffey referred to leaving discretion at local level. This needs to be done.