Results 3,661-3,680 of 5,013 for speaker:Victor Boyhan

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Local Authority Housing (2 Jul 2019)

Victor Boyhan: I thank the Minister of State, Deputy English, for coming to the House to deal with the issue of voids. As I am conscious that he is very much on top of this whole area, I will not go into great detail. The task under the Rebuilding Ireland policy is to deliver on the social housing targets that have been set down by the Department, in agreement with all 31 local authorities, to address a...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Local Authority Housing (2 Jul 2019)

Victor Boyhan: I thank the Minister for that very comprehensive response. He is obviously on top of his brief. However, this is July 2019. Several local authorities are saying they are waiting to hear their allocations for this year. Will it be a matter of weeks? I presume so. We are coming into the summer holiday period and a slowdown in the construction sector, and some local authorities are saying...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (2 Jul 2019)

Victor Boyhan: I want to raise two issues with the Leader, the first of which is the Mercosur agreement to which Senator Ardagh referred. It is important that we have a debate. The timing of that is not for me. The Leader has a schedule and I know it is pretty packed up as we are approaching the end of the session and nearing the recess but it is important that we have a debate. I note, from the...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (2 Jul 2019)

Victor Boyhan: I move amendment No. 103a:In page 36, between lines 3 and 4, to insert the following:"(8) The need for good standards of communication referred to in subsection (5)(g)includes the need to inform applicants whether or not they have been recommended to the Government for appointment.".

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 Jun 2019)

Victor Boyhan: I raise the issue of a human rights based approach to policing in Ireland, on which a report was published and launched yesterday in Buswells Hotel. I understand all Oireachtas Members were sent an invitation to the launch, which was organised by the Irish Council for Civil Liberties, ICCL. I thank the chief executive of the council, Mr. Liam Herrick, and his staff for an excellent piece of...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Jun 2019)

Victor Boyhan: I second Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell's amendment to the Order of Business. I am conscious of time. The Government has launched a draft marine planning policy statement. It is important that we have a cohesive, coherent marine planning strategy relating to development. I encourage Members to engage in the public consultation. If they represent coastal communities, they might take it up...

Seanad: Perjury and Related Offences Bill 2018: Report and Final Stages (26 Jun 2019)

Victor Boyhan: I join with the previous Senators and speakers regarding the success of this Bill. I wholeheartedly congratulate my colleague, Senator Ó Céidigh, for, as someone said, his tenacity, persistence and focus. I acknowledge the role of the Minister and his Department with regard to this legislation. With regard to new politics, this proves that when people collaborate and sometimes...

Seanad: Summer Economic Statement 2019: Statements (26 Jun 2019)

Victor Boyhan: He is on the way back.

Seanad: Summer Economic Statement 2019: Statements (26 Jun 2019)

Victor Boyhan: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy D'Arcy, and thank him for coming to the House to discuss the summer economic statement. As Senator McDowell said, and the Minister of State acknowledged, all budgetary policy must be framed against the background of the rising possibility of a disorderly Brexit in the autumn. That was clearly echoed in both the Minister of State's speech and his...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Forestry Sector (25 Jun 2019)

Victor Boyhan: I welcome the Minister of State. He lives in the heart of Wicklow, the garden of Ireland and a great place for forestry. I am glad he is here to report on plans to increase newly planted forests by 8,000 ha per year under the targets contained in Climate Action Plan 2019. I want to focus in on this. It is an area for which the Minister of State is responsible. If these or any targets in...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Forestry Sector (25 Jun 2019)

Victor Boyhan: I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive response. As I said, he might bear in mind that Bord na Móna owns 80,000 ha, although I accept that not all of this land is suitable for forestry. It is encouraging that between 12,000 ha and 15,000 ha has been approved and is shovel ready for planting. That gives us hope and opportunity, and I hope we can sustain the momentum. I...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Jun 2019)

Victor Boyhan: I raise an issue relating to the Land Development Agency.The Leader will recall that in 2018 the Government announced the establishment of the Land Development Agency. Its principal aim was to co-ordinate State lands, take them under its control and, ultimately, develop them to the maximum potential for housing and other infrastructural needs and employment opportunities. It is a wonderful...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines (20 Jun 2019)

Victor Boyhan: I, too, welcome the Minister of State. I am particularly pleased that he is here because he has a great understanding of the issue of rural and one-off housing. I asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government to come to the House to report on the outcome of the work of the working group established by his Department in reviewing the sustainable rural housing guidelines...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines (20 Jun 2019)

Victor Boyhan: I thank the Minister of State. The reply is helpful and there is a great deal of information in it. I am pleased because at least we now know that after two years the working group has met on five occasions. I do not have the dates but that will be my follow-on question at a later date. Clearly, the problem goes on. We still have councils telling their elected members that they cannot...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local Government (Water Pollution) (Amendment) Bill 2018: Discussion (20 Jun 2019)

Victor Boyhan: I thank Deputy Martin Kenny for attending and presenting his Bill with such passion. As someone who lives in a rural community, it is clear he knows and understands the issue. As Deputy Scanlon said, we must encourage and support people who wish to live in rural communities outside the cities and towns, but in a sustainable and environmentally healthy and responsible way. It is becoming an...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local Government (Water Pollution) (Amendment) Bill 2018: Discussion (20 Jun 2019)

Victor Boyhan: What is happening and at what stage is it? I am not familiar with the ins and outs of the school's work, apart from being aware that it was doing something related to the matter. The partnership is doubtless good and I have a sense that Leitrim County Council is proactively engaging with TCD. Will Deputy Martin Kenny comment on that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Social Housing Bill 2016: Discussion (20 Jun 2019)

Victor Boyhan: I thank Deputy Ó Broin for that great presentation. I join him in acknowledging the substantial work that the Oireachtas Library and Research Service has done on the briefing paper. It was circulated to all of us and is very comprehensive. It is important that we acknowledge the enormous amount of work that the service does. It is a wonderful resource for the committees, the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Jun 2019)

Victor Boyhan: I have two questions about the climate action plan launched earlier in the week. Senator Mulherin referred to the additional work permits we were awaiting in the horticulture and forestry sector, for which applications had been submitted. The action plan includes an ambitious target of putting an additional 8,000 ha of land under forestry per year. That is good news, but it brings with it...

Seanad: Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill 2018: Second Stage (19 Jun 2019)

Victor Boyhan: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I will speak about An Garda Síochána in the context of these matters. I acknowledge that some Garda associations have expressed disappointment with the decision made by the Government not to extend trade union status to them, but the Minister has made it clear that there are serious issues with national security and the special...

Seanad: Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill 2018: Second Stage (19 Jun 2019)

Victor Boyhan: We had some efficient arrangements.