Results 2,241-2,260 of 26,006 for speaker:Kieran O'Donnell

Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) Bill 2023: Second Stage (20 Sep 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I leave that up to the Ceann Comhairle's wise viewpoint. The Ceann Comhairle will appreciate if I plead the Fifth Amendment on that. I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I see my colleague here from Limerick, Deputy Maurice Quinlivan. I am delighted to have the opportunity to bring the Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) Bill 2023 before the House, which is an...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Tax Code (20 Sep 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: A working group, which included representatives from the local government sector, was set up earlier this year to review and establish a new model to determine Local Property Tax baseline funding levels. The work of the group has now concluded, and included recommendations that from 2024 LPT baseline funding would be distributed in accordance with population, area, deprivation levels, an...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authorities (20 Sep 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: Under the current Local Property Tax (LPT) allocation model, every local authority is entitled to receive a minimum amount of funding under the LPT allocation process, known as the baseline. A working group, which included representatives from the local government sector, was set up earlier this year to review and establish a new model to determine LPT baseline funding levels. The review...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Foreshore Issues (20 Sep 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: The expected time for processing and determining foreshore applications can vary considerably and is influenced by the quality of the application and supporting documents received, the nature and complexity of the application, the level of public engagement during the consultation process among other matters. Seaweed harvesting applications are complex, particularly given the legal...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (20 Sep 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: My Department recently confirmed provisional Local Property Tax (LPT) allocations to all local authorities for 2024. In line with the commitment in the Programme for Government – Our Shared Future; 100% of the estimated LPT yield is now retained locally within the local authority area where it is collected. Under the current LPT allocation model, every local authority is entitled...

Dereliction and Building Regeneration Bill 2022: Second Stage [Private Members] (13 Jul 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I join my colleagues in thanking the Oireachtas staff. I thank Mr. Terry Sheridan from the Department for being present. It is very late. I also thank the ushers and everyone else who is involved for the phenomenal work they do. I wish them all what I hope will be a good summer.

Dereliction and Building Regeneration Bill 2022: Second Stage [Private Members] (13 Jul 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: Once again, I thank the Deputies who made contributions. I will take them in turn. Deputy Ivana Bacik made reference to the general level of vacancy. We have commissioned all local authorities to come up with surveys of vacant units and to appoint the vacant homes officers do this. We expect to have that major body of work towards the end of the year. Second, in keeping with the...

Dereliction and Building Regeneration Bill 2022: Second Stage [Private Members] (13 Jul 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I wish everyone a good break. This is the final session of a very busy term. I thank the Ceann Comhairle for affording me the opportunity to speak on behalf of the Government on this Private Members Bill. Dereliction is an area which falls under my remit as Minister of State in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The Bill is entitled the Dereliction and Building...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Schools Building Projects (13 Jul 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank Deputy Costello for raising this important matter. I am pleased to have the opportunity to describe how the Department of Education plans for new schools and increasing diversity of provision. I am taking this Topical Issue on behalf of the Minister for Education, Deputy Norma Foley. The Deputy raises specific issues on behalf of his constituents in Dublin 8. In order to plan...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Schools Building Projects (13 Jul 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I again thank Deputy Costello for raising this important matter on behalf of his constituency in Dublin 8 and, more particularly, the children currently in primary school and moving into secondary school. The Department's position is that new schools are established on the basis of identified demographic demand in an area and only after consideration of the capacity of existing schools to...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Human Rights (13 Jul 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: It shows the significance of the issue that the Ceann Comhairle gave comment on it. It lends great gravity to the particular issue in Belarus. I thank the Ceann Comhairle for that. I thank Deputies Joan Collins and Pringle for their responses which were constructive and in a spirit of partnership. It is evident that there is support across this House for the protection of human rights...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Family Law Cases (13 Jul 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: On behalf of Minister for Justice, Deputy Helen McEntee, I thank Deputy Durkan for raising this matter. I will take the specific point raised by Deputy Durkan back to the Minister. As the Deputy will also be aware, the Minister, Deputy McEntee, published the first family justice strategy in November 2022, which sets out a vision for a family justice system of the future. This will be a...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Human Rights (13 Jul 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: No offence taken.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Human Rights (13 Jul 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank Deputies Collins and Pringle for raising this important issue. As the Deputies have stated, I will take the matter on behalf of the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Micheál Martin. The deterioration of the human rights situation in Belarus is gravely concerning. Reports of the continued use of torture and ill-treatment against those in custody and the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Family Law Cases (13 Jul 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I convey my apologies on behalf of my colleague the Minister for Justice, who cannot be here due to another commitment. I thank Deputy Durkan for raising this important matter and giving me the opportunity to provide clarity on some of the issues he raised. I acknowledge this is an issue on which he has campaigned. As the Deputy will be aware, management of the courts, operational...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Construction Industry (13 Jul 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue and for providing me with the opportunity to update the House on the matter. I reassure the Deputy and the House that the Government fully acknowledges the stress caused to homeowners due to defects that have arisen in their homes. I will deal with the last question first. In regard to the number of houses in an individual estate in his...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Construction Industry (13 Jul 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank the Deputy for raising what is a very important matter. With regard to the individual builder, the likelihood is that a builder of that size is a member of the CIF. I would have thought making contact with the Deputy might ensure our lines of communication with the builders themselves. It is all about the homeowners. I reassure him and the House that the Government is...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Defective Building Materials (13 Jul 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank the Senator for raising this extremely important issue, which provides me with the opportunity to update the Seanad on the matter. I offer an assurance to the Seanad and to the homeowners and residents of the many apartments and duplexes with defects that we are absolutely committed to resolving it. The Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, and I fully acknowledge the stress that is...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Defective Building Materials (13 Jul 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I understand the frustration of the homeowners. I want to offer reassurance to them, Senator Boyhan and the many public representatives in this Chamber and in the Dáil Chamber. As for the facts, the Government has approved the scheme, which requires to be underpinned by legislation. We want legislation that is fit for purpose. Second, we have committed that in terms of fire safety...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Housing Provision (13 Jul 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank the Senator for raising this important issue and allowing me an opportunity to provide an update. Frank Gunter sounds like an incredible man. I have not met him but he lays claim that you are only as young as you feel. He is obviously very energetic, which is good to hear.