Results 3,061-3,080 of 4,399 for speaker:Martin Browne
- Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petitions on Unauthorised Developments (9 Dec 2021)
Martin Browne: It is unusual to show photographs at a committee meeting but we have an idea from the pictures Mr. Barrett has shown us already of what his concerns are. I am conscious of the time that is being taken up showing pictures.
- Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petitions on Unauthorised Developments (9 Dec 2021)
Martin Browne: I thank Mr. O'Sullivan. What the witnesses have told us is interesting and I imagine that members have many questions. They might indicate via the "raise hand" button but I will kick things off. I have read back over some of these statements and previous petitions. Was this matter brought to Westmeath County Council's attention while the marina was being built between 2006 and 2009 or...
- Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petitions on Unauthorised Developments (9 Dec 2021)
Martin Browne: From what Mr. Barrett heard back, are the relevant State authorities unable to resolve this matter? If so, did they give a reason for that?
- Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petitions on Unauthorised Developments (9 Dec 2021)
Martin Browne: Mr. Barrett stated that Portaneena Company Limited got LEADER funding while subject to the enforcement order. Will he explain that? For what reason did it get LEADER funding?
- Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petitions on Unauthorised Developments (9 Dec 2021)
Martin Browne: People listening in on this public meeting will be asking whether Mr. Barrett is anti-development on the River Shannon and its lakes. For what reason has he brought this petition?
- Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petitions on Unauthorised Developments (9 Dec 2021)
Martin Browne: I will leave it at that. I have more questions, but I will come back in later.
- Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petitions on Unauthorised Developments (9 Dec 2021)
Martin Browne: If there is a case coming up, I ask Mr. Barrett to be careful that nothing or no one is identified.
- Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petitions on Unauthorised Developments (9 Dec 2021)
Martin Browne: Yes. Before I bring in someone else, I have just gone through the 2019 petition, which Mr. Forde Kelly probably submitted. It states that this situation was brought to the attention of Waterways Ireland, Westmeath County Council and the National Parks and Wildlife Service. It did not involve the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage at that stage but a different Department....
- Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petitions on Unauthorised Developments (9 Dec 2021)
Martin Browne: Sorry, I did not realise the Senators were going. I will allow Senators Warfield and Murphy in.
- Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petitions on Unauthorised Developments (9 Dec 2021)
Martin Browne: No, please do not.
- Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petitions on Unauthorised Developments (9 Dec 2021)
Martin Browne: Okay. Senator Murphy has gone to the Chamber as well.
- Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petitions on Unauthorised Developments (9 Dec 2021)
Martin Browne: Like Deputy Clarke, in my experience of being on a county council, the red tape regarding planning for small things in counties is unbelievable. It is unbelievable that in this case the planning seems to have been completely ignored. I ask Mr. O'Sullivan to clarify something in his statement. Is he saying that the responsibility should be with the Department of Housing, Local Government...
- Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petitions on Unauthorised Developments (9 Dec 2021)
Martin Browne: I believe this case has been going on since 2007. It is crazy that extensions have continued to take place without someone stopping it. Mr. O'Sullivan mentioned damage to the shoreline. Has damage been done to the lake as a result of the encroachment onto Waterways Ireland's property?
- Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petitions on Unauthorised Developments (9 Dec 2021)
Martin Browne: Does Mr. O'Sullivan wish to add to that?
- Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petitions on Unauthorised Developments (9 Dec 2021)
Martin Browne: I thank Mr. Barrett. The committee needs to follow up on that if the company is generating revenue on State property.
- Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petitions on Unauthorised Developments (9 Dec 2021)
Martin Browne: I wish to be associated with those remarks because the volume of information our guests have submitted to the committee is unbelievable. As was stated, they seem to be doing it for the good of the region. I have questions for Mr. O'Sullivan and Mr. Barrett before we finish. Mr. O'Sullivan cited concerns previously expressed by Waterways Ireland at the unauthorised nature of some of the...
- Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petitions on Unauthorised Developments (9 Dec 2021)
Martin Browne: Without changing legislation, is it possible that these kinds of developments can continue in the way that has occurred? In Mr. O’Sullivan’s opinion, who should have the overall say? Should it be the Department or a county council? Where four or five bodies are involved in respect of these kinds of developments, it is too easy to pass the buck. No one takes responsibility...
- Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petitions on Unauthorised Developments (9 Dec 2021)
Martin Browne: From Mr. Barrett’s correspondence with the State agencies concerned, does he believe there is adequate communication among them to deal with unauthorised developments in their initial stages? As has been said throughout, the correspondence Mr. Barrett has sent in on the dealings with the various bodies has been considerable. What has communication been like? What have the responses...
- Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petitions on Unauthorised Developments (9 Dec 2021)
Martin Browne: There is no one else indicating a desire to contribute. I thank Mr. Barrett and Mr. O'Sullivan for their input and invite them to make a final comment. We have proved conclusively here today that a number of developments on Lough Ree are unauthorised and illegal and that the council has not been proactive in doing what it should. Furthermore, Waterways Ireland has done absolutely nothing to...
- Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petitions on Unauthorised Developments (9 Dec 2021)
Martin Browne: As the witnesses have now left, we will discuss other committee business. We have three petitions to consider today. Petition No. 31/2021 argues that people with poor literacy skills are not supported adequately by Government bodies. The recommendation is that correspondence from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine be sent to Mr. Deering, the petitioner, for comment. Do...