Results 4,001-4,020 of 11,114 for speaker:Damien English

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

Damien English: It is better.

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

Damien English: The expansion worked.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Building Regulations (27 Sep 2017)

Damien English: I thank both Senators for raising this important issue. It is one that affects many people and one that has been raised weekly by colleagues from all parties. I reiterate that it is important we all realise it is an issue on which we must all work together to resolve as best we can. I acknowledge the very difficult and distressing situation that certain home owners in Donegal and Mayo...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Building Regulations (27 Sep 2017)

Damien English: I recognise the involvement of many people across all parties and at all levels of public representation, at local level and council level. I am surprised that Senator Conway-Walsh was not at the meeting. I do not know why she was not invited. Her Sinn Féin colleague was there so there is no issue of that. She would have been very welcome there because it was cross-party, which we...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Traveller Accommodation (27 Sep 2017)

Damien English: I thank Senator Kelleher for providing me with the opportunity to update the House on the Traveller accommodation programme, TAP, review which was recently completed and provided to the national Traveller accommodation committee, NTACC. A Programme for a Partnership Government commits to establishing a special working group to audit the current delivery and implementation of local...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Traveller Accommodation (27 Sep 2017)

Damien English: I assure the Senator that it is not a delaying tactic. I only inherited this role a few months ago. There is no agreement on the best way to spend this money. I am not happy in the same way as the Senator is not happy that the money is not being spent where it should be. There are accommodation issues. The budget has increased over the past year. We made sure of that as well. My job as...

Flooding in County Donegal: Motion [Private Members] (26 Sep 2017)

Damien English: I move amendment No. 2:To delete all words after “Dáil Éireann” and substitute the following:"notes: — that a pluvial rainfall event on the evening of 22nd August, 2017, gave rise to sudden and devastating flooding which affected the north-west, and in particular the Inishowen peninsula in County Donegal where homes, businesses, farms, community facilities and...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Expert Panel on Concrete Blocks (26 Sep 2017)

Damien English: The Expert Panel on concrete blocks was established by my Department in 2016, to investigate problems that have emerged in the concrete blockwork of certain dwellings in Counties Donegal and Mayo. The panel had the following terms of reference: (i) To identify, insofar as it is possible, the numbers of private dwellings which appear to be affected by defects in the blockwork in the Counties...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Tenant Purchase Scheme Data (26 Sep 2017)

Damien English: The new Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme for existing local authority houses came into operation on 1 January 2016. The Scheme is open to eligible tenants, including joint tenants, of local authority houses that are available for sale under the Scheme. In line with the commitment given in the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, a review of the first 12 months of...

Wind Turbine Regulation Bill 2016: Second Stage [Private Members] (21 Sep 2017)

Damien English: I welcome the opportunity to discuss further this important issue. I acknowledge the contributions of Deputies on the Bill, as proposed by Deputy Stanley. This issue generates much interest and debate among all relevant stakeholders, interest groups and the wider community. It is certainly worthy of discussion here. That is why we are to have consultation over the coming months. ...

Wind Turbine Regulation Bill 2016: Second Stage [Private Members] (21 Sep 2017)

Damien English: I did not mention the word "populism".

Wind Turbine Regulation Bill 2016: Second Stage [Private Members] (21 Sep 2017)

Damien English: I did not mention the word "populism". I purposely avoided picking on the Deputy or mentioning populist decisions. If he wants me to go there, I will do that.

Wind Turbine Regulation Bill 2016: Second Stage [Private Members] (21 Sep 2017)

Damien English: The Deputy should please stop wagging his finger at me. I did not mention the word. If the Deputy wants me to go there, I will, on many issues.

Wind Turbine Regulation Bill 2016: Second Stage [Private Members] (21 Sep 2017)

Damien English: I thank Deputy Stanley for bringing forward the Wind Turbine At the outset of this debate, it is necessary to set out the wider context of this issue. The development of renewable energy, including wind energy, is at the centre of this Government’s energy policy. The availability of indigenous, sustainable power is a valuable national asset which is vital for achieving energy...

An Bille um an gCúigiú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Ceart chun Tithíochta), 2017: An Dara Céim [Comhaltaí Príobháideacha] - Thirty-fifth Amendment of the Constitution (Right to Housing) Bill 2017: Second Stage [Private Members] (20 Sep 2017)

Damien English: I am grateful for the chance to answer some of the questions in the debate and to add a few thoughts. I thank all the Deputies who contributed. I had a chance to listen to some of the debate when in my office going through submissions in regard to Rebuilding Ireland and housing. I wish to add to the speech of the Minister, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, and share thoughts on this issue. I have...

An Bille um an gCúigiú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Ceart chun Tithíochta), 2017: An Dara Céim [Comhaltaí Príobháideacha] - Thirty-fifth Amendment of the Constitution (Right to Housing) Bill 2017: Second Stage [Private Members] (20 Sep 2017)

Damien English: I did not interrupt the Deputy.

An Bille um an gCúigiú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Ceart chun Tithíochta), 2017: An Dara Céim [Comhaltaí Príobháideacha] - Thirty-fifth Amendment of the Constitution (Right to Housing) Bill 2017: Second Stage [Private Members] (20 Sep 2017)

Damien English: Could the Deputy calm down for a couple of minutes?

An Bille um an gCúigiú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Ceart chun Tithíochta), 2017: An Dara Céim [Comhaltaí Príobháideacha] - Thirty-fifth Amendment of the Constitution (Right to Housing) Bill 2017: Second Stage [Private Members] (20 Sep 2017)

Damien English: I am going to speak for only nine minutes and I speak quickly. The Deputy is just looking for something to be campaigning about. That is grand if that is the way he wants to operate but we are solution focused.

An Bille um an gCúigiú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Ceart chun Tithíochta), 2017: An Dara Céim [Comhaltaí Príobháideacha] - Thirty-fifth Amendment of the Constitution (Right to Housing) Bill 2017: Second Stage [Private Members] (20 Sep 2017)

Damien English: It might help. Let me return to the question of ideology and the comments of Deputy Ó Broin and many others. This debate has mainly been very reasonable. Most want to get back to building 10,000 social houses per year. We are committed to that. Those who support the Government are also committed to it. We recognise, however, that one cannot just do it overnight. One cannot just...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Estates (20 Sep 2017)

Damien English: I propose to take Questions Nos. 751 and 752 together. The taking-in-charge of housing estates is a matter for the relevant local authority.    Section 180 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) provides that in the case of an unfinished estate, where the planning authority has commenced enforcement proceedings within seven years of the expiry of the...