Results 3,821-3,840 of 11,114 for speaker:Damien English

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Foreshore Licence Applications (21 Nov 2017)

Damien English: In respect of the Marine Institute (MI) foreshore licence application for an underwater fibre optic cable at Spiddal, Co. Galway ( FS005751), the  Appropriate Assessment (AA) Screening Report and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Screening Report can be viewed on my Department's website under the Determination subfolder by selecting the following application link: . The...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Foreshore Licence Applications (21 Nov 2017)

Damien English: The cable, including the cable end equipment, constitutes the facilities under the first schedule of the licence for the Galway Bay Cable Project.  This is a stand-alone project governed by the rights and obligations under the licence. The licence application and subsequent licence granted is available on my Department's web-site at

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Area Plans (21 Nov 2017)

Damien English: The Leixlip Local Area Plan 2017-2023 is currently being finalised under the provisions of section 20 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended).  I have made submissions to Kildare County Council in relation to the Local Area Plan in my role as a statutory consultee in the Local Area Plan preparation process. The decision of Kildare County Council on the Leixlip Local...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Traveller Accommodation (21 Nov 2017)

Damien English: In accordance with the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998, housing authorities have statutory responsibility for the assessment of the accommodation needs of Travellers and the preparation, adoption and implementation of multi-annual Traveller Accommodation Programmes (TAPs) in their areas.  My Department’s role is to ensure that there are adequate structures and supports...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Building Regulations (21 Nov 2017)

Damien English: The Building Regulations (Part J Amendment) Regulations 2014 and the accompanying , which came into effect on 1 September 2014, include requirements in relation to the detection and warning of carbon monoxide in new dwellings, and in existing dwellings where the replacement of certain heat producing appliances is proposed. These requirements are in line with best practice in other...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Foreshore Licence Applications (16 Nov 2017)

Damien English: On 8 November 2017 the licence applicants concerned were asked to supply further information regarding navigational safety and other matters. This further information is  awaited. With regard to the annual charge, unless the appropriate Minister is of the opinion that a licence should, in the public interest be granted free of payment, the Foreshore Act 1933, as...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Foreshore Issues (16 Nov 2017)

Damien English: In April 2013 Drogheda Port Company was granted a licence, under Section 3 of the Foreshore Act 1933 (as amended), to carry out maintenance dredging within the River Boyne estuary and seaward approaches and to beneficially re-use up to 60,000m3of dredge spoil per annum.  This licence has a term of eight years expiring on 9 April 2021.

Housing (Homeless Families) Bill 2017: Second Stage [Private Members] (15 Nov 2017)

Damien English: I will add a few comments to the debate. The Minister, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, has already addressed most of the issues. I compliment Deputy Jan O'Sullivan on bringing forward this Bill and I am glad that we are in a position to support it. I know that the Bill and the motives behind it are genuine. It is unfair that others engaged in roundhousing and used the occasion to try to give a kick...

Topical Issue Debate: Traveller Accommodation Provision (15 Nov 2017)

Damien English: Deputy Ó Broin asked me at the end of his initial contribution about giving the Traveller community full choice, which is something I agree with completely. The Government is committed to enabling all households to access good quality housing appropriate to household circumstances in their communities of choice. It is open to Travellers to opt for any form of State-supported...

Topical Issue Debate: Planning Issues (15 Nov 2017)

Damien English: We do not share Deputy Murphy's view that it is well gone and cannot be saved. We believe this is an opportunity to save the town centre and its core. This is why this land, as a key piece of town centre land, was zoned many years ago for much more increased development. That, however, is not what this is about. This is about trying to develop a plan that can support the town, the people...

Topical Issue Debate: Traveller Accommodation Provision (15 Nov 2017)

Damien English: I thank Deputy Ó Broin for raising this issue today and for all the discussion we have had around this topic. I know the commitment is genuine in trying to address the issue. I am happy to have the opportunity to update the House on the Traveller accommodation programme, TAP, and to review the next steps. In accordance with the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998, housing...

Topical Issue Debate: Planning Issues (15 Nov 2017)

Damien English: I thank the Deputy for giving me the opportunity to address this important issue. I thank all our colleagues who engaged with me over the months about this site and this development plan, including many councillors who have engaged through the system. I also thank the residents, many hundreds of whom have emailed me personally or taken time to make submissions to the process. That is part...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Review of Estimates for Public Services 2017: Vote 34 - Housing, Planning and Local Government (15 Nov 2017)

Damien English: I think the Minister, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, has covered it quite well but Deputy Barry might take time to read the full debate yesterday rather than select one line from it. That goes back to the commentary to which I was referring last night. The commentary we hear on the homelessness and housing situation in Ireland often tries to give the impression that absolutely nothing is being done....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Review of Estimates for Public Services 2017: Vote 34 - Housing, Planning and Local Government (15 Nov 2017)

Damien English: They were the same as my comments in the past two months in the Dáil. Deputy Barry would know that if he listens to my speeches in the Dáil, but he generally walks out.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Review of Estimates for Public Services 2017: Vote 34 - Housing, Planning and Local Government (15 Nov 2017)

Damien English: I wish to clarify a point on my comments from last night. One of Deputy Barry's colleagues put in a topical issue. I was asked to explain some of the figures and reasons. I took time out to do that because I was asked to do it.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Review of Estimates for Public Services 2017: Vote 34 - Housing, Planning and Local Government (15 Nov 2017)

Damien English: Deputy Barry should not tell me that I co-ordinated it when I was asked to do it.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Review of Estimates for Public Services 2017: Vote 34 - Housing, Planning and Local Government (15 Nov 2017)

Damien English: Exactly, I am happy to do it. The point is that I was asked to do it. It is not that I asked to do it.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Review of Estimates for Public Services 2017: Vote 34 - Housing, Planning and Local Government (15 Nov 2017)

Damien English: On the Traveller accommodation programme, the increased budget for last year was to try to provide 90 new units. The figure for the period to date is 67. We still expect to be able to get to 90 before the end of the year. As members know, there are ongoing problems with planning permissions, approval, consultation at local level, and even consultation with some of the relevant families....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Review of Estimates for Public Services 2017: Vote 34 - Housing, Planning and Local Government (15 Nov 2017)

Damien English: In response to the query about the Mahon tribunal costs, the matter concerns third party legal costs and claims and we rely on the State Claims Agency for same. Every year we have set aside €4 million for the past number of years and will continue to do so. The costs will vary each year. We cannot predict the sum and will have to deal with it when it is drawn down. The overall sum...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Review of Estimates for Public Services 2017: Vote 34 - Housing, Planning and Local Government (15 Nov 2017)

Damien English: Yes. I can outline the whole history behind the figure on another day. In terms of the operational costs for An Bord Pleanála, additional staff have been allocated in order to cope with the additional workload and an extra 12 staff have been sanctioned. The work is ongoing so more people will be sanctioned if needed. Also, four new board members were appointed thus bringing the...