Results 4,401-4,420 of 6,728 for speaker:John Curran
- Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Mercy Law Resource Centre (10 May 2016)
John Curran: I thank Ms Regan. Before I allow members to contribute, I have one minor question. Ms Regan referred to the right to housing being included in a number of other constitutions and protected by legislation in other countries. The previous speaker Professor Drudy suggested that legislation might be quicker and easier than a constitutional change. Perhaps Ms Regan would clarify which change...
- Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Mercy Law Resource Centre (10 May 2016)
John Curran: I do not mean to cut Ms Regan short. I wish to indicate to Deputy Butler that the primary focus of Ms Regan's contribution was this constitutional change. The debate is open in respect of other affected issues. We have been conscious of some of those. Free Legal Advice Centres, FLAC, will be appearing here at some stage to follow up on exactly those points.
- Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Mercy Law Resource Centre (10 May 2016)
John Curran: Deputy Durkan indicated that he had a question.
- Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Mercy Law Resource Centre (10 May 2016)
John Curran: I do.
- Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Mercy Law Resource Centre (10 May 2016)
John Curran: Usually I do not comment on witness contributions, but I wish to comment before Ms Regan responds. She mentioned the Constitution and discussed whether legislation would be necessary. Legislation has to be constitutionally sound. Among the issues about which we have spoken at this committee are access to land for house building and the question of hoarding. The former Minister, Deputy Alan...
- Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Mercy Law Resource Centre (10 May 2016)
John Curran: Does Ms Regan wish to comment on that?
- Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Mercy Law Resource Centre (10 May 2016)
John Curran: That concludes our questions. I thank Ms Maeve Regan for attending this afternoon. Some of us attended the launch, which was impressive. As a result of the launch a number of colleagues asked if Ms Regan would be prepared to attend before the committee today. That is the context for her appearing before the committee. The documentation that was provided will be available on the website...
- Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Business of Committee (5 May 2016)
John Curran: Apologies have been received from Deputy Kathleen Funchion. I ask members to turn off their mobile phones or put them into flight mode as they interfere with the recording and broadcasting services. In accordance with the standard procedures agreed by the Committee on Procedure and Privileges for paperless committees, all documentation for the meeting has been circulated to members on the...
- Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Minister for Finance (5 May 2016)
John Curran: I welcome the Minister and his team. Before the meeting commences, I draw his attention to the fact that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. However, if they are directed by the Chairman to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to do so, they are...
- Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Minister for Finance (5 May 2016)
John Curran: Absolutely. I thank the Minister. We will proceed directly to questions, beginning with Deputy Mary Butler.
- Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Minister for Finance (5 May 2016)
John Curran: Before I take the next two questions, the Minister mentioned that the VAT element had an annual cost of €200 million. That is in a no change scenario. Obviously, if output increases, it could be cost neutral or the Exchequer could benefit. We need to bear that in mind. The Minister also commented that he wanted to put money in the pocket of the purchaser. The committee is...
- Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Minister for Finance (5 May 2016)
John Curran: Only if it results in an increase in output.
- Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Minister for Finance (5 May 2016)
John Curran: To clarify, representatives of the Irish League of Credit Unions will be attending this afternoon. The Deputy might like to continue his line of questioning then.
- Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Minister for Finance (5 May 2016)
John Curran: The Minister has a range of questions.
- Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Minister for Finance (5 May 2016)
John Curran: I wish to raise a technical point about the off-balance sheet issue. The voluntary housing sector says it gets a grant of 30% and borrows 70%. Is the 30% it gets from the State on-balance sheet and the 70% it borrows off-balance sheet?
- Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Minister for Finance (5 May 2016)
John Curran: To clarify for the committee, the funding, whether it is through the voluntary sector or the local authorities, is reflected the same way from the point of view of the balance sheet.
- Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Minister for Finance (5 May 2016)
John Curran: Thank you. I call Deputy O'Dowd.
- Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Minister for Finance (5 May 2016)
John Curran: Airbnb.
- Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Minister for Finance (5 May 2016)
John Curran: Before we move to the next questions, I would like to comment on the vacant site levy. The Minister said the advice to Government was there should be a long lead-in time and a lower rate to avoid a court challenge. To date, that advice has been sustained and there has not been a court challenge. However, I do not believe a court challenge would necessarily have been a bad result, in the...
- Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Minister for Finance (5 May 2016)
John Curran: I will take one other contribution.