Results 4,761-4,780 of 9,814 for speaker:Steven Matthews

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Planning and Development Bill 2022: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Feb 2023)

Steven Matthews: We asked that question of departmental officials last week and they said the Department is producing it. Given that it has so much skin in the game, has Wind Energy Ireland had an opportunity to do that or is it dependent on the Department to produce that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Planning and Development Bill 2022: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Feb 2023)

Steven Matthews: We recently discussed land value sharing, urban development zones which will probably replace strategic development zones. We have the general scheme which was produced a while ago. I ask the witnesses to give their views on land value sharing. I know we talked about all the different costs of costs on construction. We did not get the development costs. Does Dr. Duffy or Mr. Moran have a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Planning and Development Bill 2022: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Feb 2023)

Steven Matthews: Does Mr. O'Connell wish to respond to that? It was his figure.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Planning and Development Bill 2022: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Feb 2023)

Steven Matthews: We know An Bord Pleanála is understaffed and under-resourced. We know the complexities of environmental law and European directives. It may be the decision-making process because of pressures was not as good as it should have been and some of them ended up in judicial review. That could be a factor in that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Planning and Development Bill 2022: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Feb 2023)

Steven Matthews: As I said the last day, I cannot believe that An Bord Pleanála is functioning with only 200 staff. It is incredible that it has managed to get this far with only 200 staff. It should be double that. If it did have that, we would arguably not be dealing with many of these delays or judicial review cases.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Planning and Development Bill 2022: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Feb 2023)

Steven Matthews: We have covered some of this already.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Planning and Development Bill 2022: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Feb 2023)

Steven Matthews: I thought there was still scope to make a decision on material contravention of the development plan within a limited scope.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Planning and Development Bill 2022: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Feb 2023)

Steven Matthews: That is what Mr. Farrell said - within limited scope.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Planning and Development Bill 2022: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Feb 2023)

Steven Matthews: A limited scope may be defined as well.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Planning and Development Bill 2022: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Feb 2023)

Steven Matthews: I thank Mr. O'Connell. I will go to Wind Energy Ireland. Someone made the suggestion that the regulations will have a big impact here as well as the transitional arrangements.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Planning and Development Bill 2022: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Feb 2023)

Steven Matthews: Mr. Spain was finishing the answers to the questions in the previous round. He may continue.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Planning and Development Bill 2022: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Feb 2023)

Steven Matthews: I thank the witnesses for their time and assistance to the committee. This has been very helpful for us. Towards the end of March, we will produce a report with recommendations. We will send the witnesses a copy of and submit it to the Minister for him to produce the next iteration of this Bill. I thank everybody.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Adult Education Provision (9 Feb 2023)

Steven Matthews: 150. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding public service contracts for adult education tutors as recommended by the Labour Court; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6239/23]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (9 Feb 2023)

Steven Matthews: 162. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a new school for an area (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6241/23]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products (9 Feb 2023)

Steven Matthews: 263. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of Hyperemesis Ireland regarding the current reimbursement policy in respect of medication to treat this condition; if he proposes to meet the group to discuss its concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6253/23]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Planning and Development Bill: Discussion (Resumed) (9 Feb 2023)

Steven Matthews: I will take the next slot. My question goes back to resources and timelines again. The more resources there are, the more likely it is that timelines will be met. When an organisation is stressed and its staff are overloaded, and when they are dealing with matters of a highly complex nature with legacy outcomes on the decisions, it puts people under pressure. If strict timelines are...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Planning and Development Bill: Discussion (Resumed) (9 Feb 2023)

Steven Matthews: I get that and have heard that point made.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Planning and Development Bill: Discussion (Resumed) (9 Feb 2023)

Steven Matthews: Yes.