Results 4,041-4,060 of 5,013 for speaker:Victor Boyhan

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Water Advisory Body: Discussion (19 Sep 2018)

Victor Boyhan: I welcome Dr. McGowan and wish him well in his appointment which the Minister has made. This is not an interview process but I thank him for the courtesy of attending the committee and sharing some of his ideas as new chairperson of the Water Advisory Body. The main issues for Irish Water, and the main challenges Dr. McGowan will have, relate to accountability, transparency and its...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jul 2018)

Victor Boyhan: Will the Leader enlighten us at some point on the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017? When is it planned to proceed with it? When are we wrapping up? I note that the Government appointed a number of judges in the past two days, which was admirable of the Government. It proves we can get on with the business of the appointment of judges. I have no doubt that they are excellent...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jul 2018)

Victor Boyhan: Well said.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Role and Remuneration of Elected Members of Local Authorities: Discussion (12 Jul 2018)

Victor Boyhan: I thank the Minister of State for coming before us to discuss the remuneration relating to councillors. I was taken by his comment on the apathy of the general public regarding the pay and remuneration of councillors. This is an opportunity for me to place on record the fact that the representational payment is worth €16,891. This is subject to PAYE, PRSI and USC, with which I have...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Role and Remuneration of Elected Members of Local Authorities: Discussion (12 Jul 2018)

Victor Boyhan: On the large sums I am talking about.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Role and Remuneration of Elected Members of Local Authorities: Discussion (12 Jul 2018)

Victor Boyhan: I hope we will all still be in the Oireachtas in a few months' time to see the Minister of State implement the report. It seems, however, that nothing will happen on this issue prior to the local elections next May. Given the consultations with Departments and the Government and in view of lead-in times, etc., let us be honest and fair and tell the people this. Many of the people who are...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Role and Remuneration of Elected Members of Local Authorities: Discussion (12 Jul 2018)

Victor Boyhan: I want to make a few brief comments on which I do not expect the Minister of State to respond. I do not doubt his personal capacity and eagerness to get on with this job but my role is to articulate what sitting councillors want me to articulate on their behalf, which is reasonable and fair. Deputy Coppinger is of the view that being a councillor is not a full-time job. My experience...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Business of Committee. (12 Jul 2018)

Victor Boyhan: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. I acknowledge the correspondence received today from the Minister. The Government is clearly committed to a public service remaining in public ownership and that has to be welcomed. I support the holding a referendum on this issue. It is the right thing to do. I thank Deputy Collins for taking the time to attend today.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Business of Committee. (12 Jul 2018)

Victor Boyhan: I think it is on the programme.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (5 Jul 2018)

Victor Boyhan: I second the proposal of my colleague and friend, Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell, on the Order of Business. I want to talk about GRECO. I commend and thank the Deputy Leader of the House who made a remarkable speech on the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill. It was a brave and courageous speech and I would expect nothing less from her. That distinguishes leadership and politics. I...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Jul 2018)

Victor Boyhan: He has to tie down his Council of State now-----

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 Jul 2018)

Victor Boyhan: Thanks.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 Jul 2018)

Victor Boyhan: I second the amendment.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 Jul 2018)

Victor Boyhan: That was an excellent intervention.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Private Rental Sector: Discussion (4 Jul 2018)

Victor Boyhan: I wish to personally thank all of the speakers for their presentations; we have had a look at them and the word that is emerging here is "partnership". Ms Carroll talked about the need for partnership, joined-up thinking and synergy. Before we proceed, I contacted a number of councils across the country yesterday, as I would do as standard practice before any joint Oireachtas committee...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Private Rental Sector: Discussion (4 Jul 2018)

Victor Boyhan: The NCT is one of the best systems we have and it makes a lot of sense. It is very simple. In a few simple words, how do we progress NCT-style rental property inspections from here? The Department has said that it is anxious and that it is keen to look at it, but we need stronger commitments than that. These proceedings are televised and many people who are involved in social and...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Environmental Policy (3 Jul 2018)

Victor Boyhan: I welcome the Minister to the House. I raise this issue regarding the need for the Minister to update us on Ireland's transposition into law of the Aarhus Convention. The Minister is well aware of the importance of public participation in the planning process and how citizens across this country value that participation. It is an important and a very good convention that is relied on...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Environmental Policy (3 Jul 2018)

Victor Boyhan: I thank the Minister for his comprehensive response and to note that he is bringing forward a Bill.Would the Minister consider initiating the Bill in the Seanad? The Taoiseach, Deputy Leo Varadkar, was in the House recently talking about expanding the role around scrutiny and legislation, and working more on legislation, perhaps more than statements that we tend to see much of in this House....

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Jul 2018)

Victor Boyhan: I wish to raise a matter that is due to be discussed later. I will not go into substantive detail. I refer to the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017. The Group of States against Corruption, GRECO, was established in 1999 by the Council of Europe to monitor states' compliance with organisations relating to anti-corruption. GRECO's objective is to improve the capacity of members to...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Jul 2018)

Victor Boyhan: I understand that it makes some damning remarks. I do not want this GRECO report to come back and haunt us. We know the Government has sight of the GRECO report. How can we proceed with legislation when we know that the Government is withholding the report? I suggest that this is being done under pressure from a Cabinet Minister, which is not the right way to proceed. I hope that today...