Results 3,681-3,700 of 9,814 for speaker:Steven Matthews

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023: Committee Stage (29 Jun 2023)

Steven Matthews: I have made a note of that for when we get to the amendment. I call Deputy Ó Broin, who also wishes to comment.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023: Committee Stage (29 Jun 2023)

Steven Matthews: I call Deputy Ó Broin, and then I will allow the Minister of State to respond.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023: Committee Stage (29 Jun 2023)

Steven Matthews: As I said earlier, amendment No. 49 falls because there is no one present to move it.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023: Committee Stage (29 Jun 2023)

Steven Matthews: Amendment No. 52 has been ruled out of order.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023: Committee Stage (29 Jun 2023)

Steven Matthews: The next amendment is amendment No. 53, which is followed by many amendments, all of which are in the name of the Minister of State. I propose therefore to adjourn and reconvene on Tuesday, 4 July 2023 on amendment No. 53. I thank the Minister of State and his officials.

Environmental Protection Agency Water Quality Report 2022: Statements (28 Jun 2023)

Steven Matthews: Our fresh water is in limited supply and is complex to manage but it is critically important for our health and well-being. Out of all of the water supply in the world, only a couple of per cent is fresh water. Most of it is salty seawater. Of the 2% or 3% of the water on the planet that is fresh water, most of that is tied up in polar ice caps. As a result, we have a very small...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (28 Jun 2023)

Steven Matthews: 17. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a passport application by a person (details supplied) will be reviewed and expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31446/23]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Schemes (28 Jun 2023)

Steven Matthews: 72. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a school (details supplied) could be considered for inclusion in the energy retrofit pathfinder programme; if this programme will be expanded to allow access for more schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31480/23]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Textbooks (28 Jun 2023)

Steven Matthews: 78. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps she will take to seek a reduction in the cost of schoolbooks at both primary and secondary school level including e-books; her views on the similar prices being affixed to both versions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31559/23]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Toll Increases and Ongoing Projects: Discussion with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (28 Jun 2023)

Steven Matthews: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach. I apologise; I had to step out although I was here for the start of the discussion on the tolls and various road projects. I have a couple of questions on the way TII assesses road projects, especially with regard to carbon emissions or maybe reduced demand. The climate action plan was published in 2023. Has TII reviewed its projects that are at all...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Toll Increases and Ongoing Projects: Discussion with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (28 Jun 2023)

Steven Matthews: Mr. Walsh has, but his reply has opened up a few other questions as well. All planning decisions are made in the interests of proper planning and sustainable development. I believe the common good is inferred in that as well. Mr. Walsh will accept that, once a planning authority makes a decision, it has properly assessed whether the project complies with the climate Act.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Toll Increases and Ongoing Projects: Discussion with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (28 Jun 2023)

Steven Matthews: That would require someone challenging it.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Toll Increases and Ongoing Projects: Discussion with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (28 Jun 2023)

Steven Matthews: Mr. Walsh stated it would depend on what was contained in the carbon budget and which cycle of carbon budgets we were in, but I would guess that our carbon emission budgets will never increase and they will always be on a trajectory that reduces emissions. There are projects in various stages. Can TII assess each of those and say whether any of them is likely to lead to an increase in the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Toll Increases and Ongoing Projects: Discussion with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (28 Jun 2023)

Steven Matthews: As Mr. Walsh stated, it depends on when the planning application took place. It might have been prior to the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Toll Increases and Ongoing Projects: Discussion with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (28 Jun 2023)

Steven Matthews: Some of them probably have exempt planning permission. Will planning applications made prior to the Act need to be reassessed or will TII accept them?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Toll Increases and Ongoing Projects: Discussion with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (28 Jun 2023)

Steven Matthews: Mr. Walsh referred to judgments under the entire programme. Would that be where-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Toll Increases and Ongoing Projects: Discussion with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (28 Jun 2023)

Steven Matthews: Obviously, An Bord Pleanála’s decision on the Galway road was not the right one.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Toll Increases and Ongoing Projects: Discussion with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (28 Jun 2023)

Steven Matthews: Legally, it was shown to be non-compliant with the climate Act.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Toll Increases and Ongoing Projects: Discussion with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (28 Jun 2023)

Steven Matthews: Exactly. So, we would not rely on that assessment. TII’s lists of projects are at various stages and at different phases of the public spending code. TII has presented information on what has been spent on projects, who the contractors are and what the projects are trying to achieve. Is it possible to conduct a high-level readthrough of those and say whether they are likely to...