Results 5,141-5,160 of 7,604 for speaker:James Bannon

Seanad: Neighbourhood Watch Schemes. (3 May 2006)

James Bannon: It covered the two areas.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006: Committee Stage. (3 May 2006)

James Bannon: I detect from the Minister's contribution that there will be a staff shortage in An Bord Pleanála. I have grave concerns about the burdens this legislation will place on the board. The Minister is providing an extra grant of approximately €251,000 to the board, despite the fact that last October the board stated it was finding it difficult to maintain the current position in terms of the...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006: Committee Stage. (3 May 2006)

James Bannon: I welcome the decision to agree to the appointment of four staff in addition to the staff which were announced when Mr. O'Connor addressed the joint committee. The Minister said that sufficient numbers of staff are available, but Mr. O'Connor told the committee that approximately half of the staff who are employed by An Bord Pleanála on a consultancy basis come from outside the State. Have...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006: Committee Stage. (3 May 2006)

James Bannon: I will explain why I raised the issue of the recruitment of planners from outside the State. I accept that such people may undertake a period of training. While I welcome them on board, it is important that they should read the development plans prepared by the institutions of the State and that they ensure they are au fait with the plans for our counties. I refer to local planning policies,...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006: Committee Stage. (3 May 2006)

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 65: In page 18, line 17, after "of" to insert "a specified application or to". This is a minor technical amendment. If one reads the relevant section of the Bill, it is clear it is necessary to bring a stronger, clearer and more precise interpretation to the Bill. I ask the Minister to consider it.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006: Committee Stage. (3 May 2006)

James Bannon: Will this limit energy production in certain areas?

Seanad: Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006: Committee Stage. (3 May 2006)

James Bannon: Did the Minister say he had consultation with the ESB on this particular issue?

Seanad: Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006: Committee Stage. (3 May 2006)

James Bannon: It had nothing to do with this Bill.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006: Committee Stage. (3 May 2006)

James Bannon: I just wanted to clarify whether the Minister was putting limits on the amount of megawatts that could be produced.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006: Committee Stage. (3 May 2006)

James Bannon: I welcome this amendment which brings greater clarity to the Bill. The deletion of lines 20 to 29 and the substitution of this by three lines has tidied up this section of the legislation. There is much to be welcomed in the Bill and the list of projects to be fast-tracked is most impressive. Projects relating to transport infrastructure and the road network must be advanced. The Minister...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006: Committee Stage. (3 May 2006)

James Bannon: I am not enthusiastic about the Government amendments to the Bill which have caused some confusion. A significant number of Government amendments have been tabled since Second Stage was discussed here six weeks ago. It is important that the legislation assures our continued economic success and the development of the country in a sustainable manner. It is also important that the Bill will...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006: Committee Stage. (3 May 2006)

James Bannon: I always mention my own area. I am glad to see a delegation from the Cathaoirleach's county in the Visitors Gallery.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006: Committee Stage. (3 May 2006)

James Bannon: I welcome the Minister's amendments. I would have tabled similar amendments, had he not done so.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006: Committee Stage. (3 May 2006)

James Bannon: The Seventh Schedule contains a list of projects related to petroleum, natural gas pipelines or crude oil refinery. However, the media reported earlier on the possibility of nuclear energy being brought to the State via a pipeline from the continent. Will the Minister give an assurance that such power is excluded under the Seventh Schedule? I hope there is no way this can be done through a...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006: Committee Stage. (3 May 2006)

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 90: In page 26, line 19, to delete "50" and substitute "10". This amendment relates to wind farms. The legislation provides for the streamlining of the planning process for key infrastructural projects such as wind farms and installations for the harnessing of wind power for energy production with more than 50 turbines or a total output greater than 100 MW. The threshold...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006: Committee Stage. (3 May 2006)

James Bannon: We should move in this direction and a provision should be made in this regard. I ask the Minister to reduce the number of turbines from 50 to ten. If the Minister does not accept the amendment, I expect he will introduce legislation within the next two years to provide for smaller installations.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006: Committee Stage. (3 May 2006)

James Bannon: I am glad the Minister has adopted a Fine Gael policy, which is to fast-track the development of wind farms. We would like to see the figure of 50 reduced to a compromise of 30 and allow for——

Seanad: Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006: Committee Stage. (3 May 2006)

James Bannon: —— the fast-tracking of wind farm construction to help Ireland increase its electricity generation. The wind farm is often referred to as the oil well in the sky. It is clean, generally acceptable to the public and we should make more use of it. It is vital that we increase our output of electricity from renewable resources. Wind power is part of that and Fine Gael is committed to...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006: Committee Stage. (3 May 2006)

James Bannon: I wanted to say a brief few words on amendment No. 95. The section deals with harbour areas of 20 hectares.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006: Committee Stage. (3 May 2006)

James Bannon: That is the equivalent of the size of Dún Laoghaire and my amendment tries to reduce the size to ten hectares. There is much development planned for the Shannon. We need harbours on the west coast and in other areas and ten hectares is sizeable. Provision should be made for the development of the tourism industry in the midlands and other places.