Results 2,361-2,380 of 25,975 for speaker:Kieran O'Donnell

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan 2023: Discussion (Resumed) (15 Jun 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: Yes, and the URDF is very much based around large centres of population. The aim of the fund is to put the necessary infrastructure in place. If we rebuild town centres then we can reduce the need for people to use private transport. The whole concept of the 15-minute city is relevant here. My vision is that in when we look back in ten years' time at all main centres of population, we...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan 2023: Discussion (Resumed) (15 Jun 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: A key feature of the latest round of funding is a focus on dereliction and bring housing back into use. We want that to be kickstarted for the local authorities and to set up dedicated units and have a revolving fund. They are doing this with a variation of the URDF but with funds generated by their own activities. The State is to step in and it is critical that works. We want all of the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan 2023: Discussion (Resumed) (15 Jun 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: We are in the early stages of the national planning framework review. Key to that will be to link down along in terms of the hierarchy to the climate action plan. As the Chair is aware, the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Deputy Ryan, has just written to the local authorities asking them to complete their own climate action plans. They are legally required to do...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan 2023: Discussion (Resumed) (15 Jun 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: No. I have not seen the guidelines issued by the Minister. They have just been issued. We will need to see what is in the guidelines from the Minister, Deputy Ryan.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan 2023: Discussion (Resumed) (15 Jun 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: It is simple. What instructions has the Minister given to the local authorities? We are in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Local authorities fall within our remit. However, the policy side is coming from the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. The Minister has issued that. It came directly from him. I take the point, and it is something...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan 2023: Discussion (Resumed) (15 Jun 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan 2023: Discussion (Resumed) (15 Jun 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: It is something on which we link up with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. The Chair will appreciate that it has issued the guidelines to the local authorities.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan 2023: Discussion (Resumed) (15 Jun 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Chair will appreciate, in terms of planning, that it crosses Departments. In our case, we are before the committee this morning to look at how we are dealing with our targets within housing. There is a range of Departments here. We have a direct remit under building controls, retrofit, the social housing programme and so on. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan 2023: Discussion (Resumed) (15 Jun 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I take the Cathaoirleach's point. On a general note, as he will be well aware, any planning authority, where it believes it necessary, can attach conditions regarding demolition and construction waste. There is a wider issue in that people may apply for applications for physical destruction before going to the EPA. There is a question as to whether that should change, requiring them to go...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan 2023: Discussion (Resumed) (15 Jun 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I take the Cathaoirleach's point.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan 2023: Discussion (Resumed) (15 Jun 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: The climate targets have been set down per individual Department. Each Department has a responsibility in this. We cannot take on the world.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan 2023: Discussion (Resumed) (15 Jun 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Cathaoirleach's point is well made.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan 2023: Discussion (Resumed) (15 Jun 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: We have already stated that as part of the review of the national planning framework, the whole area of climate change and action will be front and centre.

Our Rural Future Policy: Statements (14 Jun 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I am delighted to contribute to this debate on the impact of the Government’s five-year policy for rural Ireland. In the limited time I have I will touch on some aspects of the plan. It is a cross-government plan and I commend the work of the Minister, Deputy Humphreys. I am travelling the country to all the local authorities at the moment so I am seeing first-hand what is...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (14 Jun 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: As the Deputy is aware, we are looking in the Department to ensure that where people have particular issues in terms of fire safety within the buildings, works can take place and that they will be compensated for works that are done. That work is currently being finalised by the Department. As the Deputy is aware, there is legislation to follow as well. It is a matter I will take up with...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (14 Jun 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: That is one thing we can agree on.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (14 Jun 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Deputy has raised this issue that is particularly relevant to Ballingarry, which he represents. He will be aware the Department and the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, are reviewing the nature of schemes and what is happening. The Deputy raised a dual issue: one relates to the EPA and the other is Ballingarry itself. It is something the Department will consider and I will speak to the...

Retained Fire Services: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (13 Jun 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank the Deputies for tabling this debate. I was reflecting on the fact we all know retained firefighters. They are our neighbours and friends. They are in every town and village in Ireland. The Minister, Deputy O'Brien, said two key things here tonight. No one wants this dispute to continue. We want to find a way out. We recognise the phenomenal work retained firefighters do. ...

Retained Fire Services: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (13 Jun 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: With due respect-----

Retained Fire Services: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (13 Jun 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: With due respect, I am more interested in finding a solution and a pathway to resolving this issue and concluding the dispute. I have spoken to retained firefighters. They do not want to be out on strike. They are perfectly entitled democratically to go out on strike, but those I have met do not wish to be out on strike. We want to find a pathway to resolve the dispute effectively. We...