Results 2,121-2,140 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Report Stage (11 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: We will come to that later.

Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Report Stage (11 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: Everybody agrees that the existing community and voluntary structure is not working. I will try to reflect the tenor of the amendments. A working group has been established under the chairmanship of Fr. Sean Healy, whom the Deputy knows well, to bring the people together to assess what structure of citizen engagement and participative democracy we can have in conjunction with the municipal...

Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Report Stage (11 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: I will certainly reflect on it for an amendment in the Seanad. I will get the report from Fr. Sean Healy on Friday and we will see what recommendations he offers. I am prepared to look at a structure to be put it in place, but I will not agree to a list of functions for a community council that would actually subvert the powers that were given to the municipal district member at local level.

Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Report Stage (11 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: In addition, council officials would be tied up with doing the work with the community council rather than with the democratically elected member at municipal district level. We will not do that. We will come up with a structure and hopefully the Deputy-----

Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Report Stage (11 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: Yes, there is a gap, and I acknowledged that on Committee Stage. That is the reason I set up the working group, to look at what it considered to be an appropriate structure and to give some advice on it.

Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Report Stage (11 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: We will consider that in the context of ensuring that there are proper structures in place to engage effectively at local level, in a structured way rather than a haphazard way or on an ad hoc basis. It will be the first time the community and voluntary sector will have a role and responsibility with local government, as it has throughout other sections of the Bill.

Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Report Stage (11 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: It will come back to this House again.

Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Report Stage (11 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: It will be brought back before the House.

Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Report Stage (11 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: I do not agree with the wording.

Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Report Stage (11 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: Yes.

Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Report Stage (11 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: I did ask them.

Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Report Stage (11 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: We will be okay.

Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Report Stage (11 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: What will the councillors do?

Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Report Stage (11 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: I am surprised that Deputy Cowen has the mistaken view that we are taking powers from local authorities, given the fact that his party in government set up so many agencies and abolished so many opportunities for local government to play its part. Town councils were effectively made redundant.

Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Report Stage (11 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: I draw his attention to the fact that former town commissions had no power to adopt local area plans.

Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Report Stage (11 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: No, the Deputy did not.

Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Report Stage (11 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: If we were to allow-----

Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Report Stage (11 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: I will come back for that one later on. Most of the functions mentioned by Deputy Catherine Murphy will be allowed to continue at municipal district level. I do not think people have got into their minds that they have seven or eight councillors at municipal district. These councillors will be able to perform many more functions than the old town councils. The same people will also be...

Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Report Stage (11 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: The Deputy mentioned bus stops.

Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Report Stage (11 Dec 2013)

Phil Hogan: Most traffic and parking functions will be at district level so we will check the situation regarding bus shelters. I do not see any reason a local authority cannot provide an essential facility for citizens at that level if it wishes to do so.