Results 2,741-2,760 of 11,114 for speaker:Damien English

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Pyrite Issues (15 Jan 2019)

Damien English: As I understand it, the matter referred to by the Deputy, relating to pyrite contamination in concrete blocks in 2014, was resolved by the contracting parties at that time. Furthermore, the issue was dealt with by the relevant market surveillance authority under the European Union (Construction Products) Regulations 2013 and by building control authorities under the Building Control Acts...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: County Development Plans (15 Jan 2019)

Damien English: According to CSO figures, the population of Naas was approximately 21,000 people in 2016. Naas is one of two key towns identified in County Kildare in the draft Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES) for the Eastern and Midlands Regional Assembly (EMRA) which is currently subject to public consultation. Once finalised, the strategy is intended to further develop strategic planning...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Fire Service (15 Jan 2019)

Damien English: The provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of fire station premises, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Service Act, 1981. My Department supports the fire authorities through setting general policy, providing a central training...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Marine Plan Implementation (15 Jan 2019)

Damien English: As I have stated in previous responses on this matter, I am committed to developing primary legislation to provide for the creation of a network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in accordance with the requirements of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. Work on this will commence in earnest when legislation to prohibit certain products containing plastic microbeads is sufficiently...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Construction Industry (15 Jan 2019)

Damien English: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1201 and 1202 together. In general, building defects are matters for resolution between the contracting parties involved: the homeowner, the builder, the developer and/or their respective insurers, structural guarantee or warranty scheme. Under the Building Control Acts 1990 to 2014, primary responsibility for compliance of works with the requirements...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: An Bord Pleanála Applications (19 Dec 2018)

Damien English: I thank the Mulherin for raising this important matter and for making clear the anger and frustration locally with various planning decisions. I get the sense of how important it is both to her, as a Senator and a local representative, but also to the people in the area. With regard to the operation of An Bord Pleanála, under section 30 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, I am...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: An Bord Pleanála Applications (19 Dec 2018)

Damien English: -----that An Bord Pleanála can make quicker decision and better quality planning decisions, which is most important. Under section 126 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, the board has a statutory objective to determine planning appeals and other relevant cases within 18 weeks. Where the board does not consider it possible or appropriate to reach a decision within 18...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: An Bord Pleanála Applications (19 Dec 2018)

Damien English: With regard to the main matter raised, I cannot deal with one specific case, but the resources are there and some planning applications are very detailed and complicated with regard to environmental legislation. The board has access to the resources it needs to bring in the required personnel to make those decisions and advise it. In our view, the board is now in a position to make a...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Foreshore Licence Applications (18 Dec 2018)

Damien English: My Department has received a foreshore licence application from Galway City Council to develop coastal protection works in an area west of Salthill from Sallins to Silverstrand. It includes the protection of sand cliffs and the extension of a walkway and cycle path from Salthill out to Silverstrand. The proposed development is within a designated SAC. This matter has not yet undergone a...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Planning Framework (18 Dec 2018)

Damien English: The National Planning Framework (NPF), published together with the National Development Plan (NDP) as part of Project Ireland 2040 earlier this year, is intended to provide the strategic context for future planning, development and investment over the next two decades. In addition, the NPF represents a long-term strategy for Government Departments, State agencies, State-owned enterprises,...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Urban Development (13 Dec 2018)

Damien English: I fully accept the Deputy’s desire that this long-running matter, which is an unfortunate legacy of our recent economic recession and is impacting on the further development of Naas, should be progressed and completed as soon as is practicably possible so that the ever-expanding town of Naas can achieve its full potential. Under Project Ireland 2040 we have set out high ambition for...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Autism Support Services (13 Dec 2018)

Damien English: Again, I am stating that this is what the Minister and the Minister of State want to do. Health funding has increased in the past two years. There was a significant increase in this year's budget. Each year, we are in a better position to provide services and, hopefully, to improve them, although I am conscious that there are also increased demands on those services. For a long number of...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Urban Development (13 Dec 2018)

Damien English: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. He has raised it repeatedly in the House over the past couple of years, and rightly so. It is very important that the Naas town centre development be progressed. Naas town centre is a vital piece of infrastructure serving the region. It is important that we have a very attractive town that functions well and can provide services to the growing...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Autism Support Services (13 Dec 2018)

Damien English: On behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, I thank Deputies Connolly and Ó Cuív for raising the issue of funding for Galway Autism Partnership, GAP. The Minister of State sends his apologies. He wanted to be here but with the way things went today, he could not make it so I will give the reply on his behalf. The Galway Autism Partnership, which was established...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Autism Support Services (13 Dec 2018)

Damien English: I thank Deputies Connolly and Ó Cuív for raising the issue and on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, I apologise for him not being here. I will certainly bring back the message. He acknowledges the hard work and dedication of the volunteers in the Galway Autism Partnership, who have worked diligently over the years to deliver important and vitally needed...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Defence Forces Medical Services (13 Dec 2018)

Damien English: I again thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I regret he does not paint a clear picture. The Deputy referenced responses but I do not know who gave them. If the Deputy has information, I urge him to engage with the Minister of State, Deputy Kehoe, and to share it with him in order that his concerns can be addressed through the appropriate channels. As I said, I am not sure if the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Defence Forces Medical Services (13 Dec 2018)

Damien English: I am glad to hear that. I again urge the Deputy to engage with the Minister of State, Deputy Kehoe, on the issue. As outlined previously, the Defence Forces are fully alert in respect of suicide awareness and prevention, issues of depression and other mental health issues among their personnel. As already mentioned, I am not in a position to comment on the number of deaths as a result...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Defence Forces Medical Services (13 Dec 2018)

Damien English: I am here to answer Deputy Buckley's questions on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Kehoe. I am conscious that he has asked a few more questions that were not flagged and I am afraid I will not have details of them. I will do my best to answer the questions he previously flagged would be asked. We are not in a position to comment on the number of deaths as a result of suicide...

Anti-Evictions Bill 2018: Second Stage [Private Members] (12 Dec 2018)

Damien English: It is building houses.

Anti-Evictions Bill 2018: Second Stage [Private Members] (12 Dec 2018)

Damien English: There will be 4,000.