Results 4,761-4,780 of 8,016 for speaker:Peter Burke

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (11 Nov 2020)

Peter Burke: I again thank Senator McGahon for raising this issue. I will take on board all the merits he has put forward regarding this project, and he has discussed them at length with me in the past as well. It is important that projects such as this are supported. They are the core regeneration projects that will unlock the potential of our towns and that is the key aspect of what the URDF seeks to...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Homelessness Strategy (11 Nov 2020)

Peter Burke: My Department has been made aware of the recent deaths of several individuals who had been rough sleeping or accessing homelessness services. Each of those deaths is a tragedy for those involved and their loved ones to whom I extend my sympathies. Out of consideration for the families of the deceased, we should respect their privacy and not be drawn into speculation regarding the individual...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Homelessness Strategy (11 Nov 2020)

Peter Burke: I thank Senator Moynihan for raising this very important issue and her constructive comments. Homelessness is a major challenge and as a Government we have to work with might and main to secure the commitments contained within the programme for Government and ensure we respond to this issue with all of the armoury of the State.

Confidence in Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Motion (10 Nov 2020)

Peter Burke: I welcome the opportunity to express confidence in the Tánaiste and the Government. This motion has been manufactured by those in Sinn Féin who pretend to have morals and principles. It is from a party whose actions continue to belie its public statements in this House. Sinn Féin talks about credibility while, on the other hand, it protects and rewards its inner circle. It...

Confidence in Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Motion (10 Nov 2020)

Peter Burke: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Urban Development (5 Nov 2020)

Peter Burke: I thank the Senator for raising this matter and for the opportunity to discuss the North Quays project in Waterford, and particularly Waterford City and County Council's bid for the North Quays under the urban regeneration project. As the Senator outlined in detail, this is a significant project for the region. The urban regeneration and development fund, URDF, funding is designed to unlock...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Urban Development (5 Nov 2020)

Peter Burke: I appreciate the urgency attached to it, which I mentioned. Urban regeneration reaches into other Departments because the core of regeneration is trying to get our five cities and large towns to unlock their potential.That is a key part of the national planning framework. I am working on this issue in the Department to ensure it is realised and delivered in communities. The work of Senator...

Flood Prevention Policies: Motion [Private Members] (4 Nov 2020)

Peter Burke: I wish to share time with the Minister of State, Deputy Anne Rabbitte.

Flood Prevention Policies: Motion [Private Members] (4 Nov 2020)

Peter Burke: I begin by thanking the Members of the House for a very informed and useful debate. What is very clear from this morning's debate is the devastating impact flooding has on citizens, on a local, regional and national scale, and in communities both urban and rural. It is also clear that all Members of the House share a common goal of minimising the impacts on people into the future, while at...

Ministerial Power (Repeal) (Ban Co-Living and Build to Rent) Bill 2020: Second Stage [Private Members] (20 Oct 2020)

Peter Burke: I thank Deputy Ó Broin for bringing forward this Bill and providing me with the opportunity to bring clarity to the issues raised. For reasons I will explain in more detail, the Government is not supporting the Bill. Before I explain, however, I wish to note with concern that Deputy Ó Broin did not avail of the services available from the Office of Parliamentary Legal Advisers....

Ministerial Power (Repeal) (Ban Co-Living and Build to Rent) Bill 2020: Second Stage [Private Members] (20 Oct 2020)

Peter Burke: I did not make a sound when the Deputy's party colleagues were speaking, and they levelled accusations across the House about builders and developers, of whom I am not one. A little respect would go a long way for the Deputy's party, so I ask him not to shout people down.

Ministerial Power (Repeal) (Ban Co-Living and Build to Rent) Bill 2020: Second Stage [Private Members] (20 Oct 2020)

Peter Burke: I am democratically elected here, I will have Deputy Ó Broin know. I am entitled to put forward my views and the Government's views.

Ministerial Power (Repeal) (Ban Co-Living and Build to Rent) Bill 2020: Second Stage [Private Members] (20 Oct 2020)

Peter Burke: I ask the Deputy to have a little respect.

Ministerial Power (Repeal) (Ban Co-Living and Build to Rent) Bill 2020: Second Stage [Private Members] (20 Oct 2020)

Peter Burke: Does the Leas-Cheann Comhairle think the Deputy's behaviour is fair?

Ministerial Power (Repeal) (Ban Co-Living and Build to Rent) Bill 2020: Second Stage [Private Members] (20 Oct 2020)

Peter Burke: It is doubtful whether Sinn Féin has even done any meaningful research on the potential longer term impacts of the Bill, which I am happy to put on the record as they go to the heart of our planning system. Let us look first at what the Bill sets out to do. Specifically, it proposes to amend section 28 of the Planning and Development Act. Section 28 empowers the Minister with...

Financial Resolutions 2020 - Financial Resolution No. 7: General (Resumed) (14 Oct 2020)

Peter Burke: I am grateful for the opportunity to address the House on what is the biggest budget in the history of the State, with an increase eight times bigger than that in last year's budget. The Government strategy in this budget is to protect those sectors which are vulnerable but viable to ensure we have the capacity, once this pandemic subsides, to absorb the demand in key sectors. With that in...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Covid-19 Pandemic (8 Oct 2020)

Peter Burke: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach and I thank both Senators Casey and Crowe for this Commencement debate. I know that both Senators have considerable experience in the hospitality sector. I can leave them in no doubt that I am very acutely aware of the pressures that are faced by the hospitality sector. In my town of Mullingar, I have seen what staff and businesses have endured over the past...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Covid-19 Pandemic (8 Oct 2020)

Peter Burke: I absolutely accept the points being made but I am very clear about the rates waiver. If a business was closed it was eligible for the waiver. Those businesses that were partially closed were also allowed to apply for it and did so successfully. The Senators are aware that very few businesses were precluded from the scheme. It is very important as we go forward. I see in my town of...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Covid-19 Pandemic (8 Oct 2020)

Peter Burke: Just to clarify, I am very clear that I am not treating the hospitality sector or the tourism sector with contempt. I am not aware of the grants that businesses are precluded from getting if they are closed. The temporary wage subsidy scheme can be received as can the restart plus grant. They can also get the rates waiver if they were open or partially open. They are not excluded from...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Covid-19 Pandemic (8 Oct 2020)

Peter Burke: I thank Senator McGahon for raising this important issue. It has been a collective effort across the system that has enabled schools to reopen at the start of the school year. I acknowledge the leadership shown by principals, deputy principals and management of schools and the degree to which teachers have prepared for and adapted their practice. In addition, I acknowledge the efforts of...