Results 4,121-4,140 of 4,773 for speaker:Paudie Coffey

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Nov 2009)

Paudie Coffey: I move amendment No. 62: In page 33, line 7, to delete "creation, management, restoration or". Fine Gael proposes in page 33, line 7, to delete the words "creation, management, restoration or" for the simple reason it is too prescriptive. The legislation would be quite sufficient if it stated "(g) secure the preservation of any site of scientific or ecological interest, including any...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Nov 2009)

Paudie Coffey: I accept that ruling.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Nov 2009)

Paudie Coffey: This is not an individual case that is before any court. It is a decided case. It goes to the fundamental trust and integrity of the planning process, how An Bord Pleanála carries out its functions, the costs it accrues because of its decisions, and the cost to the taxpayer. An Bord Pleanála should be accountable to somebody, be it the Minister or otherwise, for the actions it takes. It...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Nov 2009)

Paudie Coffey: I move amendment No. 53: In page 27, line 12, to delete "each of". Section 23 refers to the extension of planning permission. In the light of the current economic circumstances, it is proposed to extend the period of planning permission from two years to five to cater for unfinished developments with planning permission where the developers are under financial strain. I can understand why...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Nov 2009)

Paudie Coffey: I apologise as I did not explain myself properly when moving amendments No. 53. The aim is to delete "each of" in line 12. We have been advised about the clumsiness of language in the Bill. We refer to "each of" in line 12 and then we use "either" in a subsequent part of the section. There is no point in having both "each of" and "either". It is something lawyers would love to debate,...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Nov 2009)

Paudie Coffey: I thought the plan was to rezone some of the developments.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Nov 2009)

Paudie Coffey: Will the Minister of State consider amendment No. 54, particularly subparagraph (II) - he may want to introduce in his own format on Report Stage - to the effect that the proposed use of a development would lead to the creation of at least ten full-time jobs? If there was a clear commitment that jobs would be created on a particular development, it might be reasonable to consider extending...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Nov 2009)

Paudie Coffey: I support this amendment. It is harmless but it puts into law the provision of facilities. There is a healthy lifestyle aspect to life. We have huge challenges around obesity and related illnesses. We are talking about planning, infrastructure and development but we must plan to allow our communities to develop healthy lifestyle attitudes and activities. I generally support this section...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Nov 2009)

Paudie Coffey: I move amendment No. 47: In page 24, line 38, after "other" to insert "connected". These technical amendments seek to bring clarity to section 20 which amends section 35 of the principal Act. A provision that will be inserted in the section states, "any information available to the planning authority concerning development carried out by a person to whom this section applies pursuant to a...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Nov 2009)

Paudie Coffey: I welcome the fact that the Minister of State is open to further examining the Fine Gael amendments which seek to bring clarity to the legislation. I accept that he must take further legal advice on the amendments. On that basis I am prepared to withdraw them while reserving the right to resubmit them on Report Stage. I am disappointed that the Minister of State has not agreed to reconsider...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Nov 2009)

Paudie Coffey: I spoke on my amendments about the technical language used. With regard to unauthorised development and the refusal of permission for future developments, this is the one power local authorities should have in recouping costs in respect of unfinished estates. Some Senators mentioned bonds that form part of the conditions in planning permissions. However, they relate to the completion of...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Nov 2009)

Paudie Coffey: Agreed.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Nov 2009)

Paudie Coffey: Is Senator Butler proposing that model for the rest of the country?

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Nov 2009)

Paudie Coffey: I move amendment No. 50: In page 25, line 2, to delete "substantial". Question "That the word proposed to be deleted stand" put and declared carried.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Nov 2009)

Paudie Coffey: Fine Gael agrees with the general thrust of this section whereby it will empower planning authorities to refuse permission where the applicant has carried out an unauthorised development. I stated earlier in some of my submissions that Fine Gael should not be seen as being against every aspect of the Bill because we realise the Planning and Development Acts need to be amended and revised....

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Nov 2009)

Paudie Coffey: The explanatory memorandum states: Section 21 provides for the extension of cost recovery to pre-application, scoping requests for Environmental Impact Assessment for strategic infrastructure development cases under the Seventh Schedule of the Principal Act in addition to cost recovery for cases that proceed to full application and determination by An Bord Pleanála. I have some views on this...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Nov 2009)

Paudie Coffey: I thank the Minister of State for that clarification. Is he saying that if it does get to full application stage, costs that have accrued pre-application can be allowed by the board? If so, I welcome it. I have already highlighted my concerns over costs. The planning process and the decision making around it must enjoy public confidence. In recent years An Bord Pleanála has been involved...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Nov 2009)

Paudie Coffey: What excludes the Minister of State from making a comment?

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Nov 2009)

Paudie Coffey: As I already have spoken on this subject in some detail, I will not continue at length. Fine Gael had concerns regarding variations in county development plans. I refer to the scenario whereby a regional authority receives notice of such variations which, in the opinion of the regional authority, are not consistent with the regional planning guidelines. I seek clarity from the Minister of...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Nov 2009)

Paudie Coffey: I move amendment No. 39: In page 23, to delete lines 5 to 9. This amendment pertains to the proposed new section 31(12), which states: The inspector appointed under subsection (11)(b) shall be a person who, in the opinion of the Minister, has satisfactory experience and competence to perform the functions required of him or her pursuant to this section and shall be independent in the...