Results 2,121-2,140 of 5,629 for speaker:Thomas Gould

Eviction Ban: Motion [Private Members] (21 Mar 2023)

Thomas Gould: How would the Government know? I come from Knocknaheeny in Cork, a working-class area, and I am proud of where I come from. I am talking to people every day who will become homeless. I had a speech prepared for this debate but I do not need to use it because I know people who will be homeless next month who are coming to me and begging for help. I am here today to stand up for these...

Eviction Ban: Motion [Private Members] (21 Mar 2023)

Thomas Gould: The Minister just asked what Deputy Ó Broin would do. He would not make thousands of people homeless is what he would do.

Eviction Ban: Motion [Private Members] (21 Mar 2023)

Thomas Gould: Deputy McDonald would not make thousands of people homeless. Whatever about the Taoiseach and Fine Gael, whom we know only care about big business, big landlords and big speculators, where are the Fianna Fáil backbenchers who care to talk about supporting the people? I went on local radio in Cork. No member of this Government will come on the radio with me or with any member of...

Finance Bill 2023: Second Stage (21 Mar 2023)

Thomas Gould: I welcome the opportunity to speak on the legislation. It is really disappointing that once again we are discussing financial issues without any real plan to give people certainty regarding their electricity bills. There was a bad cold snap in March and this caused a lot of fear and anxiety for many people. A cap on energy prices would have given them certainty about their next bill. It...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (21 Mar 2023)

Thomas Gould: An elderly lady contacted me. She has stage 4 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COPD, and is on constant oxygen. She is going to be evicted in April as a consequence of a decision the Government has taken. The Taoiseach is a doctor. Can he imagine the devastating effects this stress and worry are having on this lady, who needs a walker to get around, who is on oxygen and is going to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Tenant In Situ Process: Discussion (21 Mar 2023)

Thomas Gould: I thank our guests for coming in. I have been listening intently to their contributions and those of the Deputies and Senators. I have been in contact with a lady who has a child and received a notice to quit last July. The local authority never purchased the house. The landlord has sold the house on the private market and now this lady is facing eviction in two weeks' time. On the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Tenant In Situ Process: Discussion (21 Mar 2023)

Thomas Gould: It is for both groups of officials.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Tenant In Situ Process: Discussion (21 Mar 2023)

Thomas Gould: Yes. The point Ms Farrelly made on scale is key. In ten days' time, the ban on evictions will be lifted, and in April, May and June, we will see people being evicted. The question now is whether people overstay or whether they leave on the date. Put it this way, if my family was facing eviction on 1 April, I would not be leaving. I would not leave that house and go with my wife and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Tenant In Situ Process: Discussion (21 Mar 2023)

Thomas Gould: Which is a first.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Tenant In Situ Process: Discussion (21 Mar 2023)

Thomas Gould: I appreciate that. The information they are giving-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Tenant In Situ Process: Discussion (21 Mar 2023)

Thomas Gould: Regarding the case-by-case basis, originally people were saying it was seven years and then five years. The case was made that it is probably two years now, depending. I was at a joint policing committee, JPC, in Cork yesterday for Deputies, councillors and Senators. I raised the issue of the eviction ban ending on 1 April. Someone commented that Cork city had a good steady supply coming...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Tenant In Situ Process: Discussion (21 Mar 2023)

Thomas Gould: That was a comment made earlier.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Tenant In Situ Process: Discussion (21 Mar 2023)

Thomas Gould: That is something I have concerns about, because the system needs to be fair. I am not sure who made the point earlier. How do we balance that? I am not sure who made the comment earlier, possibly it was Ms Farrelly.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Tenant In Situ Process: Discussion (21 Mar 2023)

Thomas Gould: I thank Ms Farrelly for clarifying that. A point was made earlier that approximately 2,700 voids were returned last year. There are 600 voids at the moment in Cork city. There is funding from the Department for 120 to be done this year. Why should local authorities be writing to the Department to get clearance or funding for voids? Would it not be a better use of everyone's time and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Tenant In Situ Process: Discussion (21 Mar 2023)

Thomas Gould: Earlier the officials discussed the point of contact. I have been dealing with Cork City Council especially in the last few weeks since the decision not to extend ban on evictions. Cork City Council would be like every other local authority; the officials are doing their very best under a really trying conditions. They are trying to source properties everywhere. What is needed is to have...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Tenant In Situ Process: Discussion (21 Mar 2023)

Thomas Gould: A report was due to be published on 31 March. How come the date was the day before the eviction ban was lifted? A report is due by the end of the month; is that so?

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Business Supports (21 Mar 2023)

Thomas Gould: 147. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if support is available to businesses to retain seasonal staff during their off-peak seasons. [13316/23]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Environmental Schemes (21 Mar 2023)

Thomas Gould: 160. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment whether a person with stone walls can avail of a retrofitting grant. [12253/23]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Broadband Infrastructure (21 Mar 2023)

Thomas Gould: 178. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he is aware that residents in a location (details supplied) are not in receipt of broadband. [12816/23]