Results 541-560 of 1,343 for speaker:Mary Fitzpatrick

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Planning and Development Bill 2022: Discussion (Resumed) (9 Mar 2023)

Mary Fitzpatrick: This is really important. If we are going to make these types of changes, and we all want more clarity, certainty and consistency in our planning process and can all support a plan-lead approach to planning to achieve better outcomes for the greater good, we need to have confidence in the process. We need confidence not just among members of the Government but right across society. Society...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Planning and Development Bill 2022: Discussion (Resumed) (9 Mar 2023)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I thank Mr. Hogan for that. This is very encouraging. The additional resources which have gone into An Bord Pleanála are very welcome. It is also recognised that we are dealing with a mess and a bit of a basket case there, for want of a better word. It is very important that there is an understanding and commitment, in parallel with this legislation and the making of these legislative...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Schools Building Projects (7 Mar 2023)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I seek an update from the Minister for Education on a date for the awarding of the tender for the construction of a new building for Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire, which is currently located in temporary facilities on Parnell Square East. Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire is an amazing small school, right in the heart of Dublin Central. It is at the top of O'Connell Street, just across the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Schools Building Projects (7 Mar 2023)

Mary Fitzpatrick: Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach Gníomhach. I appreciate that this is not the Department of the Minister of State and I appreciate the work that he does in the Department of Justice. The Minister of State is correct in that I am a founding director of youth services and the justice youth diversion programme. I appreciate the support that the Minister of State and his...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Planning and Development Bill 2022: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Mar 2023)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I thank everyone for their presentations. It is lovely to welcome a neighbour from Dublin Central and I welcome everyone. As a public representative and resident, I value the work of residents' associations. They do incredibly valuable work which is done voluntarily. It is an enormous effort for people to take time out of their busy lives and run associations. I thank the witnesses and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Planning and Development Bill 2022: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Mar 2023)

Mary Fitzpatrick: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Planning and Development Bill 2022: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Mar 2023)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I thought Mr. Heneghan would confirm that. Ms Foster stated it is wholly impractical for a residents' association to list all its members in an appeal to An Bord Pleanála. I ask the witnesses to talk us through the impracticalities of doing that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Planning and Development Bill 2022: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Mar 2023)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I presume all the associations welcome the abolition of the strategic housing development, SHD, process, and build-to-rent and co-living developments. The development plan, which is our strategic planning, was mentioned. The frustration the witnesses expressed is very real because they make submissions and engage in a very lengthy process, yet none of their proposals are reflected in the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Planning and Development Bill 2022: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Mar 2023)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I appreciate that my question on the development plan is a big one because the witnesses mentioned the time involved. One proposal is for a ten-year plan but the objective of doing that is to improve the quality of strategic planning. Perhaps we can come back to this issue in the next round of questions.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Planning and Development Bill 2022: Discussion (Resumed) (2 Mar 2023)

Mary Fitzpatrick: Go raibh maith agat a Chathaoirligh and I thank all the witnesses for their presentations and contributions to our work. As the Chair alluded to, 23 years of iterations of this legislation and then 18 months of work have gone into preparing what is just a draft. I come from the public representative perspective and dealing with lay people and constituents who are trying to engage in the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Planning and Development Bill 2022: Discussion (Resumed) (2 Mar 2023)

Mary Fitzpatrick: Cover everything.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Planning and Development Bill 2022: Discussion (Resumed) (2 Mar 2023)

Mary Fitzpatrick: How would Ms Minch propose that could be fixed? Is it by broadening the language?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Planning and Development Bill 2022: Discussion (Resumed) (2 Mar 2023)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I agree that if it is a public matter, then public participation must be maximised. However, we then have the conflicting objective or ambition of trying to make our decision-making process more efficient and productive in order that we can have development. Engaging people in the development process and having opinions is one thing, but it is equally, if not more, frustrating for them to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Planning and Development Bill 2022: Discussion (Resumed) (2 Mar 2023)

Mary Fitzpatrick: Senator Boyhan triggered an interesting discussion about the jurisdiction of the various courts. As a layperson, I am not familiar with the jurisdiction of the courts. When the witnesses are making a further submission to us, it would be helpful for the committee if they could give us a simple explainer on that. From what I have understood, the issue is not that there will not be an...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Planning and Development Bill 2022: Discussion (Resumed) (2 Mar 2023)

Mary Fitzpatrick: It is a pertinent issue and the context is important.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Planning and Development Bill 2022: Discussion (Resumed) (2 Mar 2023)

Mary Fitzpatrick: I am also interested in finding out if there are other areas of law that are excluded from an appeal to the Court of Appeal, for example? This is something I do not know.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Planning and Development Bill 2022: Discussion (Resumed) (2 Mar 2023)

Mary Fitzpatrick: Perhaps Mr. Flynn can come back to us on that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Planning and Development Bill 2022: Discussion (Resumed) (2 Mar 2023)

Mary Fitzpatrick: When the witnesses come back to us it would be beneficial for us to know what is the disadvantage. Lawyers would argue that it is, let us say, a diminution of access to justice. Perhaps we could get an explanation for that. Access to justice is a very important issue. I apologise to the committee for taking so much time.