Results 21-40 of 1,972 for in 'Dáil debates' speaker:Steven Matthews

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Septic Tanks (9 Nov 2023)

Steven Matthews: I am aware that in rural areas there is no choice but to have a septic tank and it is important that we assist people as much as possible to fix those tanks. However, another situation has arisen that I have raised with the Department and the Minister previously. We have urban areas that were once rural. A town has grown and enveloped what was once a rural area. We have houses in my town,...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Rail Network (25 Oct 2023)

Steven Matthews: For the record, I was asked if I wished to wait for someone from the Department of Transport to deal with this matter. It is so urgent, however, I decided to proceed. I thank the Minister of State for coming in to take it. I am concerned with regard to how we are going to protect the east coast rail line from coastal flooding events into the future. We saw what happened in the south...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Rail Network (25 Oct 2023)

Steven Matthews: It is reassuring to hear the commitment and the understanding in the Department of Transport of how serious the issue is and the required intervention that the Minister of State has set out. On the ongoing maintenance she mentioned, I worked on the railway for many years and I know the line very well. I know all the points where it is level and where it is operating at sea level right the...

An tOrd Gnó (Atógáil) - Order of Business (Resumed) (17 Oct 2023)

Steven Matthews: In last year's budget, we announced the roll out of solar panels on our schools. The growth in solar energy in this country is one of the renewable energy successes of this Government. We removed VAT and put in substantial grants. We have a good feed-in tariff and have removed the requirement for planning permission. In the budget, we expanded the tax disregard to €400 for that...

Financial Resolutions 2023 - Financial Resolution No. 4: General (Resumed) (12 Oct 2023)

Steven Matthews: We set out to make this budget about putting money back in people's pockets, protecting children and families and ensuring our climate and environmental challenges can be met head-on. We framed it as a budget for children, your pocket and our planet. To me, the most significant aspect is the €14 billion infrastructure, climate and nature fund. It safeguards continued capital...

Financial Resolutions 2023 - Financial Resolution No. 4: General (Resumed) (12 Oct 2023)

Steven Matthews: The party’s figures do not add up. It comes back with figures which suggest that it will spend less while providing more housing. As I have clearly outlined, the biggest constraint is not the funding but the capacity to be able to do it. This Government is committed to building more cost rental housing, more affordable housing and more social housing. We have seen the result of...

School Transport 2023-2024: Statements (3 Oct 2023)

Steven Matthews: I have been listening to the debate from my office and we have all experienced many of the complaints and issues raised by Members across the House. One of the issues that really frustrates us as public representatives is the poor communication response we get. I am sure the people in the Bus Éireann office are overwhelmed and overrun with queries, complaints and issues. I know they...

Dereliction and Building Regeneration Bill 2022: Second Stage [Private Members] (13 Jul 2023)

Steven Matthews: Before I close, on behalf of my colleagues and everyone else in the House, I thank all of the staff of the Houses of the Oireachtas for the incredible work they do. I mean everyone, from the restaurant staff to the porters, from the ushers to IT staff, from facilities staff to those in the Bills Office and the secretariat. Without their work, we could not do our work, and it is important to...

Dereliction and Building Regeneration Bill 2022: Second Stage [Private Members] (13 Jul 2023)

Steven Matthews: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I never underestimate or take for granted the absolute privilege it is to stand in our Oireachtas and propose changes to legislation. I want to thank my research team who worked on getting the Bill to this stage with me, namely, Darragh Mowlds, Kate Ruddock and Bríd McGrath. I would not have got this far without them. The Bill...

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...

Nature Restoration Law and Irish Agriculture: Statements (31 May 2023)

Steven Matthews: He is not my MEP. I cannot vote for him.

Nature Restoration Law and Irish Agriculture: Statements (31 May 2023)

Steven Matthews: Deputy Kelly was right to point out this is not just a green issue or a Green Party issue. This affects all of us, and every single one of us in this House. Nature has been going into reverse and into decline for 50, 60 or 70 years and we have all had a contribution towards that. This is an opportunity to reverse and turn it around. While it is not just a green thing, the Greens will...

Nature Restoration Law and Irish Agriculture: Statements (31 May 2023)

Steven Matthews: I did not interrupt you. I asked: do you have a commitment to the environment; do you have a commitment to climate? Because I see no evidence of that.

Biodiversity Action: Statements (25 May 2023)

Steven Matthews: I read Silent Springby Rachel Carson many years ago and it was an eye-opener for me when I was studying planning and environmental management in Dublin Institute of Technology more than 20 years ago. It detailed humans poisoning nature for their own gain and I thought how ludicrous it is that we would kill and destroy in attempts to produce more. It makes no sense. How do we convey to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Summer Economic Statement (11 May 2023)

Steven Matthews: 13. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a report on the wellbeing framework will be included with the summer economic statement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21433/23]

Urban Tree Protection and Sites Locally Important for Ecology Bill 2023: First Stage (3 May 2023)

Steven Matthews: I move: "That the Bill be taken in Private Members' time."

Urban Tree Protection and Sites Locally Important for Ecology Bill 2023: First Stage (3 May 2023)

Steven Matthews: I move: That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to establish a new designation for the protection of nature sites, the Sites Locally Important for Ecology Order, to improve protection for trees under the existing Tree Preservation Order, including prioritising preservation, lopping, and trimming; to provide for local authorities to maintain a public register of Sites...

Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (27 Apr 2023)

Steven Matthews: I commend the Minister of State, Deputy Noonan, on the work he and his officials have done on the Bill. Throughout the House it is recognised that we have in the Minister of State with responsibility for heritage somebody who is deeply committed and has spent a lifetime trying to protect heritage, cultural heritage and nature. He is now doing this throughout the country in his role as...

Finance Bill 2023: Financial Resolution (18 Apr 2023)

Steven Matthews: I thank the Minister, Deputy McGrath. It is broadly welcomed, generally, by everybody here today to see a VAT reduction in the supply and installation of solar panels. It has been brought in as a financial resolution and I thank the Minister for explaining that as I did not realise it is so that we can implement this on 1 May, prior to the Finance Bill being passed. This demonstrates the...

Confidence in Government: Motion (29 Mar 2023)

Steven Matthews: Last week the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, IPCC, report set out in the clearest detail possible that our climate is in meltdown. If we do not act quickly, urgently and effectively, we are condemning future generations to a costly and dark future. They are sitting in the Gallery listening to us today. That is why I am here, namely, to act now, take those challenges and make...