Results 3,981-4,000 of 11,114 for speaker:Damien English

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Pyrite Resolution Board Data (12 Oct 2017)

Damien English: I propose to take Questions Nos. 183 and 184 together. The Pyrite Resolution Act 2013 provides the statutory framework for the Pyrite Remediation Scheme.The Pyrite Resolution Board, with the support of the Housing Agency, is responsible for the implementation of the pyrite remediation scheme.  In accordance with the provisions of the Act, the Board is independent in the performance of...

Seanad: Eighth Report of Convention on the Constitution: Motion (11 Oct 2017)

Damien English: I will speak to the motion on the Eighth Report of the Convention on the Constitution, and I thank Members of Seanad Éireann for this opportunity to discuss the very important rights issues raised in the eighth report. As they will all be aware, the eighth report of the Convention on the Constitution considers a range of issues. It recommends specifically that the Constitution be...

Seanad: Eighth Report of Convention on the Constitution: Motion (11 Oct 2017)

Damien English: The report is being referred to the Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach. It is not being referred to the Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government. However, there is nothing to stop that committee engaging other committees in the discussions. Certainly, there is nothing preventing this House or the other House having a debate on this. The House...

Seanad: Eighth Report of Convention on the Constitution: Motion (11 Oct 2017)

Damien English: There is no reason the committee cannot do that but the Government has to make a formal decision that the report goes for formal consideration. The discussion can happen at any stage. Today's is only a short debate on a short motion. There is nothing preventing the House having a debate on this and having a greater say on it. I would disagree with Senator Ó Clochartaigh. The...

Seanad: Eighth Report of Convention on the Constitution: Motion (11 Oct 2017)

Damien English: It is an important part. I agree with Senator McDowell that a lot of our work as politicians is about the prioritisation of funding and budgetary decisions. That is key. It is not always about law. A lot of our work is around how we spend taxpayers' money and how we collect it. I agree that that is an important decision and that it should be kept with politicians. That is a personal...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Traveller Accommodation (10 Oct 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...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Building Energy Rating Administration (10 Oct 2017)

Damien English: The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), which comes under the auspices of my colleague the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, is the statutory agency responsible for the implementation and management of the Building Energy Rating (BER) Scheme, in accordance with Ireland’s obligations under the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Disability Services Provision (10 Oct 2017)

Damien English: New buildings and extensions or material alterations to existing buildings must comply with the legal minimum performance standards set out in the Building Regulations 1997 - 2017.  In this context, the Building Regulations (Part M Amendment) Regulations 2010, and the accompanying Technical Guidance Document M – Access and Use (2010), which came into effect on 1 January 2012, set...

Vacant Housing Refurbishment Bill 2017: Second Stage [Private Members] (4 Oct 2017)

Damien English: I will add some comments to those of my colleague in the time that is left. I welcome this opportunity to speak on the Bill as it gives us a chance to bring a focus to this area. I thank Deputy Cowen and his colleagues for bringing it forward. As most speakers have said, it addresses an important area. I reiterate what Deputy Cassells has said. Using vacant properties and...

Vacant Housing Refurbishment Bill 2017: Second Stage [Private Members] (4 Oct 2017)

Damien English: I agree with the Deputy.

National Planning Framework: Motion (3 Oct 2017)

Damien English: I move:That Dail Eireann: (i) notes:— the extensive stakeholder and public consultation already undertaken at national, regional and local level since the National Planning Framework preparations first began, following a Government decision in 2014, to ensure early input and buyin at community and citizen level, as well as with key policy-makers and representative organisations;...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Courts Service (28 Sep 2017)

Damien English: On behalf of the Minister for Justice and Equality, I thank the Senator for raising this matter. The Minister appreciates the Senator's interest in this subject and apologises for not being able to be here due to a commitment in Dublin Castle. First, on behalf of the Minister, it is not accepted that the State is in breach of EU law in regard to the matter the Senator has raised. Council...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Courts Service (28 Sep 2017)

Damien English: It is okay, a Chathaoirligh. I can take plenty of bullets. As this is not my line Department, I do not have all the details of the case, but I would seriously doubt that the reply is factually wrong. Generally, Departments are quite good when it comes to factual information. I have no problem in consulting the Minister on this matter and I will ask him to engage with and to write to the...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Departmental Properties (28 Sep 2017)

Damien English: I thank Senator Richmond for raising this issue and apologise for the fact that the Minister of State, Deputy Jim Daly, could not be here to take it because, as the Senator knows, he is interested in this following on from the work of the previous Minister of State, Deputy McEntee. The development of all aspects of mental health, including the national forensic mental health service...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Solar Energy Guidelines (28 Sep 2017)

Damien English: I thank the Senator for raising this issue. A year goes by very quickly. I am glad that I am here in a different building but in the same office to discuss this issue. There are no specific planning guidelines in place for solar farms and, as matters stands, I have no proposal to bring forward such guidelines. We discussed the issue before and, if need be, I will not hesitate to act in...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Solar Energy Guidelines (28 Sep 2017)

Damien English: I support and encourage solar farm developments. I hope that, through the discussion and consultation process, they will be deemed to be worthwhile and merit the support of the Government. To me, that makes sense. If we can make it economically viable, it will make even more sense. One can still farm the land in most cases and put it to use. In some cases there is a lack of information....

Housing: Motion [Private Members] (27 Sep 2017)

Damien English: I agree with what he said on rural housing initiatives. We are working with him on that. The Minister, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, has met him, as have I. That is something we want to progress. We have already changed the rules so people can move their housing assistance payment between local authorities. Approximately 400 people have used the scheme this year already. I hope we can focus on...

Housing: Motion [Private Members] (27 Sep 2017)

Damien English: I am sorry, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle.

Housing: Motion [Private Members] (27 Sep 2017)

Damien English: I was not upset.

Housing: Motion [Private Members] (27 Sep 2017)

Damien English: I will try to squeeze as much into eight minutes as I possibly can. I am pleased that Deputy Ó Broin is present today because we did not get a chance to finish our discussion during the Private Members' debate last week. Based on the discussion I believe we are all on the same page. We want solutions and we want to increase the supply of housing. There is no logic in us opposing...