Results 3,921-3,940 of 5,040 for speaker:Victor Boyhan

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Dec 2018)

Victor Boyhan: I will not go into the Local Government Bill 2018 at this stage because we will have time tonight. The Minister of State, Deputy Phelan, made a good and positive suggestion last night, that we would have an all-day session in the Seanad on the role of local government with an emphasis on elected mayors, I presume executive elected mayors. I am aware the Leader was present for most of the...

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2018: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2018)

Victor Boyhan: Senator Buttimer referred to council and local government assets, an issue that is central to different parts of this Bill. We know from the reports of the Local Government Audit Service, which are published online, that virtually none of the 31 local authorities has a definitive, clear asset management system in place. That is one of the great anomalies in local government, which holds...

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2018: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2018)

Victor Boyhan: I heard what the Minister said about the asset register but there are problems there which are documented on the website. The local government auditing services do an exceptionally good job across many local authorities. I suggest we festina lente- or hasten slowly - but I am happy to support the Cork-related aspects of this. I am not a fool. We have a confidence and supply agreement...

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2018: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2018)

Victor Boyhan: On a point of order, we have had a vote and moved on.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2018: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2018)

Victor Boyhan: That is grand. I was just clarifying that.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2018: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2018)

Victor Boyhan: On the amendment, and nothing other than the amendment, Senator Lombard has made a strong case for the review and spoke strongly in favour of Senator Grace O'Sullivan's amendment. I was always going to support Senator Grace O'Sullivan who has done a lot of work on this and made it clear what her objectives are. Senator Ó Domhnaill asks how we measure this. That is really important....

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2018: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2018)

Victor Boyhan: I understand that sections 48 and 49 planning contribution levies are not specific to site development but for the greater good of infrastructure throughout the county and we should be mindful of that. It is not related directly to the development of a kilometre around it, for instance, but feeds into the central infrastructure. However, I will not say too much now as we will discuss all of...

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2018: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2018)

Victor Boyhan: And the Seanad reform Bill.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2018: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2018)

Victor Boyhan: On sections 48 and 49 levies, given that the Minister of State is doing research and there is this potential for this new synergy in Cork, which I broadly support in principle, will there be an assessment and audit done on the significant amount of outstanding development levies? I will take any opportunity to hammer home this point. When we talk about good local governance, good...

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2018: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2018)

Victor Boyhan: It served the Minister of State well.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2018: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2018)

Victor Boyhan: NOAC does not have the powers or the functions to do detailed audits. The Minister of State knows that the local government auditing service in the Department constantly raises the issue. We see it all over the 31 local authorities’ reports. There is always one line from the chief executives stating they note the concerns of the local government audit service and will endeavour to...

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2018: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2018)

Victor Boyhan: I will be very brief. I studied and, more importantly, watched the Committee Stage debate on this legislation in the Dáil. I acknowledge the contributions of Deputies Grealish, Ó Cuív, Ó Broin, who is Sinn Féin's spokesperson on local government, and Connolly. They made a very strong case. Three of them are representatives of Galway. They are elected by Galway....

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2018: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2018)

Victor Boyhan: The Minister of State might share that information.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2018: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2018)

Victor Boyhan: We must always respect the Minister of State.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2018)

Victor Boyhan: I will share some good news. Since 2007, I have been campaigning for the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dún Laoghaire.Despite significant correspondence to the Minister we were making no progress. I am delighted to say that with like-minded Independents and party Members - I particularly acknowledge the work of some Fine Gael Senators and Deputies - we have been successful....

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2018)

Victor Boyhan: It is even nicer to have found that out myself without notification from any Minister telling me about it.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2018)

Victor Boyhan: I thank people who have been indulgent with me for many months. All that is at stake is the six remaining beds in that hospital. I appeal to Senators who have worked quietly behind the scenes to continue with their parties' health spokespersons to try to lobby to get the additional six beds open, as they should be. I do not know if anybody listened to "Morning Ireland". Our vegetable...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2018)

Victor Boyhan: -----in the past three years and we have below-cost selling of fresh produce. I appeal to people inside this House and beyond to demand high-quality Irish homegrown vegetables because when the suppliers are put under pressure it will happen. I ask the Leader for a debate in the new year with the Minister of State with responsibility for horticulture to discuss Irish vegetable production.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2018)

Victor Boyhan: I know the Leader comes in here and reads out the daily Order of Business and time slots. I know that is rough and is a moveable feast. I respect that and know it is not an easy job. Would it be possible to get ten or 20 hard copies of what he reads out left in the Chamber as it would help us? I do not want to ask the Leader to stand up and call the list out again. It is a busy station...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Extraterritorial Jurisdiction) Bill 2018: Second Stage (18 Dec 2018)

Victor Boyhan: It is very interesting.