Results 21-40 of 1,817 for speaker:John Cummins
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Building Regulations (Fire Safety): Discussion (21 May 2024)
John Cummins: On the perceived versus the actual and the guidance on older buildings, it is a topic I have done a huge amount of work on in my county. Mr. Nestor touched in the opening round on the fact much of it can be got around in bringing older buildings back into use. There are still difficulties with some and it seems there is a conflict involving one arm of the Department that is trying to...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Building Regulations (Fire Safety): Discussion (21 May 2024)
John Cummins: Yes, please, particularly around access arrangements. The biggest hurdle, particularly in city centres where a ground floor is commercial and it is residential above, is access to the street and exiting the building when it comes to fire.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Building Regulations (Fire Safety): Discussion (21 May 2024)
John Cummins: Is that practical document fully taken on board when inspections occur?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Building Regulations (Fire Safety): Discussion (21 May 2024)
John Cummins: I assume the witnesses would dismiss the assertion that a pragmatic approach may be taken by one inspector and not by another. The problem with something not being black and white, notwithstanding the document asking for a pragmatic approach to be taken on an older building, is one fire inspector could be of a view to work with people to do this, but another fire inspector could say, "No, we...
- Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 May 2024)
John Cummins: On four occasions in as many months, I have requested a debate on aviation policy. To date, such a debate still has not been scheduled on the Order Paper. It is exceptionally important not only in the context of our national airport, Dublin Airport, but also in the context of our regional airports. I will make specific reference to Waterford Airport in that context. A business case for...
- Seanad: Gambling Regulation Bill 2022: Second Stage (14 May 2024)
John Cummins: I thank the Minister of State for being here and taking this legislation through the Dáil and into the Seanad. I appreciate that he has been here for a very long time this afternoon, so I will not use all my time. The programme for Government committed to establishing a gambling regulator. That is the main thrust of what we are trying to achieve in the legislation. We need to cover...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Defective Concrete Blocks: Discussion (Resumed) (14 May 2024)
John Cummins: We have convened this afternoon to consider the enhanced concrete blocks scheme. From the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage we are joined by Ms Áine Stapleton, assistant secretary, Mr. Derek Rafferty, principal officer, and Mr. John Wickham, senior adviser. From the Housing Agency, we are joined by Mr. Bob Jordan, chief executive officer, and Mr. Peadar Espey,...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Defective Concrete Blocks: Discussion (Resumed) (14 May 2024)
John Cummins: I thank Ms Stapleton. I call Mr. Jordan.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Defective Concrete Blocks: Discussion (Resumed) (14 May 2024)
John Cummins: I thank Ms Larkin. I might suggest that while the next contribution is ongoing, she either tries to set up her headphones or log out and log back in. I did not stop her because members had her script and could follow along and hear her. However, it was not as clear as it could be for the question and answer session.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Defective Concrete Blocks: Discussion (Resumed) (14 May 2024)
John Cummins: I thank Mr. Owens and all those who have contributed so far. We will now move on to questions from members. I ask members to try to keep their comments and questions to seven minutes.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Defective Concrete Blocks: Discussion (Resumed) (14 May 2024)
John Cummins: I am going to ask two supplementary questions and will then come to Senator Boyhan. In regard to the revised scheme, the figures given a moment ago were that 195 had been approved and 16 not having met the threshold. I am assuming that 225 are still in process. Is that what the witnesses are saying?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Defective Concrete Blocks: Discussion (Resumed) (14 May 2024)
John Cummins: Okay. In the context of decision-making, is there an expectation regarding those 225 in terms of them not meeting the threshold or being approved?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Defective Concrete Blocks: Discussion (Resumed) (14 May 2024)
John Cummins: To be clear, that is what is meant by "approved".
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Defective Concrete Blocks: Discussion (Resumed) (14 May 2024)
John Cummins: They have met the damage threshold. So we have 225 at the moment under the new scheme in respect of which it has not been determined whether they have met the threshold. Is that what the witnesses are saying? Mr. Rafferty said there were 436 as of 1 May, but 16 had not met the threshold as determined and 195 were approved. That leaves 225 that are at various stages of the process. When...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Defective Concrete Blocks: Discussion (Resumed) (14 May 2024)
John Cummins: I am sure.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Defective Concrete Blocks: Discussion (Resumed) (14 May 2024)
John Cummins: Approximately ten determinations are being made each. Is that a target? Does it vary?