Results 5,201-5,220 of 25,732 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Water Quality (29 Feb 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: Uisce Éireann has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local level, including investment in drinking water treatment plants and distribution networks. Under Section 7 of the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013, my Department has no operational function in this matter. However, it may be helpful to note that...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Planning Issues (28 Feb 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: With regard to the exemption for local authorities from the 'Part 8' own development approval process to provide housing on designated State lands. The duration of section 179A of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (the Act) is set in primary legislation under section 179A(1)(g) of the Act and any amendments to this requires a Bill to pass through both Houses of the Oireachtas....

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wastewater Treatment (28 Feb 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: I understand the Question refers to housing estates relying on Developer Provided Infrastructure (DPI) for their water services. Funding is provided by my Department under the Multi-Annual Developer Provided Water Services Infrastructure Resolution Programme to progressively resolve issues with DPI across the country. Funding of €68.5 million has been allocated, under the National...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authorities (28 Feb 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department supports fire authorities by establishing policy, setting national standards for fire safety and fire service provision, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding for priority infrastructural projects and the procurement of essential frontline fire appliances, ancillary vehicles and equipment....

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authorities (28 Feb 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: I refer to the reply to Question No. 343 on 20 February 2024 which sets out the position in this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Building Regulations (28 Feb 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: The Building Regulations set out minimum standards for the design and construction of buildings and works to ensure the health and safety of people in and around such buildings. In general, the Building Regulations apply to the construction of new buildings and to extensions and material alterations to buildings. In addition, certain parts of the Regulations apply to existing buildings where...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Building Regulations (28 Feb 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: Embodied Carbon in construction materials makes a significant contribution to the lifetime carbon emissions of new buildings. These embodied carbon emissions are being addressed by the Climate Action Plan, the review of the EU Construction Products Regulation and the review of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). Whilst all new dwellings are A2 rated with regards to their...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Planning Issues (28 Feb 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: On 7 December 2022 the Government approved the publication of the General Scheme of the Registration of Short-Term Tourist Letting Bill (STTL Bill) and the priority drafting of the Bill which provides for the establishment of a new registration system for short-term lettings to be operated by Fáilte Ireland in line with the commitment under Housing for All - A New Housing Plan for...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Election Management System (28 Feb 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: Local authorities, in their capacity as registration authorities, are responsible for the management and maintenance of the electoral register. It is their duty, as far as possible, and with the cooperation and engagement of the public, to ensure a complete and accurate register of electors. While every resident over 18 is entitled to be included on the register of electors, it is a...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Fire Service (28 Feb 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department supports fire authorities by establishing policy, setting national standards for fire safety and fire service provision, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding for priority infrastructural projects and the procurement of essential frontline fire appliances, ancillary vehicles and equipment....

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 Feb 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Deputies. They have outlined briefly the rationale for supporting co-ordination for land-sea interactions with a legally compliant approach to maritime spatial planning and legally compliant maritime spatial plans”. That provision is already in the Maritime Area Planning Act, which this Oireachtas debated at length. Deputies will recall that Members had different views...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 Feb 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: As I said in my opening remarks, it is already covered in the Bill. That interaction is already covered in Section 19(2)(e) which refers to "providing for land-sea interactions and securing coordination with the National Marine Planning Framework". The maritime spatial plans would sit under that and they are governed by the Maritime Area Planning Act. They are legally bound to do so...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 Feb 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: The word "coordination" is actually in the amendment and in the Bill.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 Feb 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: It has to be compliant because it sits under the framework. A marine area plan must be compliant with the national marine planning framework. That is the hierarchy of plan making. Effectively, it is already covered. I think we are splitting hairs here, to be frank. The Marine Area Planning Act for the first time sets out the national marine planning framework and this whole section deals...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 Feb 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: Amendment No. 151 is the Cathaoirleach's amendment. Will I respond to amendment Nos. 148 and 151?

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 Feb 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: That is okay. I thank the Deputies for their amendments. I will say to Deputy Boyd Barrett that there is no question when we detail things in legislation, as we have done in the most significant reform of our planning legislation, that anything within this is lip service. It is not. It sets down in law what is required. The definitions, though, are something we discussed at length last...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 Feb 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: No, 19(3)(d)(iv) in the Bill refers to archaeological, architectural and natural heritage. That covers it very well, i mo thuairim, but I did say that we would look it and I stated that already.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 Feb 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: I have not agreed to anything. Well done, if you drafted and worded it yourself, Cian. I think is a fantastic job. Being serious, I get the point that the Deputies are trying to make here around the biodiversity and aspects of the Bill, which are very important. We want to make sure they are right. I have given the commitment as well to look at that in advance to see where we can...