Results 561-580 of 2,386 for speaker:Michael Finneran

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (9 Mar 2010)

Michael Finneran: The proposed amendment is unnecessary as section 17(2) does not limit the number of other authorised persons that can accompany an authorised officer in performing his or her functions. Furthermore, the legal advice is that it is not necessary that it be stipulated in the section that such persons may take equipment with them. I do not, therefore, propose to accept the amendment. Question...

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (9 Mar 2010)

Michael Finneran: The effect of the proposed amendment, while well intentioned, might be too draconian. The Bill has been carefully drafted to provide for an escalation of measures. It is not envisaged at this point that non-compliance with an improvement notice would constitute an offence. Rather, it would be a matter for the local authority to move towards enforcement of the notice by making an...

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (9 Mar 2010)

Michael Finneran: An improvement notice is issued by a local authority. A balance has been struck. A dog breeding establishment can appeal the decision to the District Court. Then there is the threat of removal from the register. It is intended that each local authority would build up a relationship with dog breeding associations. In most cases they are responsible bodies. The ultimate sanction of the...

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (9 Mar 2010)

Michael Finneran: It is not an order of the District Court, it is an order of the local authority.

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (9 Mar 2010)

Michael Finneran: The improvement notice is a notice from the local authority, it is not a notice from the District Court. At that stage no decision of the District Court has been taken.

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (9 Mar 2010)

Michael Finneran: I appreciate the point being made by the Senator but I do not wish to see failure to comply with an improvement notice turned into an offence. It is not an offence. The information I have outlined has been provided by the Parliamentary Counsel but I will ask them to have a second look at it.

Seanad: Community Development. (9 Mar 2010)

Michael Finneran: ): I am taking this Adjournment Matter on behalf of the Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Curran. I thank the Senator for raising this issue and welcome the opportunity to update the Seanad on the current position on the new local and community development programme. As Members will be aware, the Department of Community, Rural and...

Seanad: Community Development. (9 Mar 2010)

Michael Finneran: Okay.

Seanad: Health Services (9 Mar 2010)

Michael Finneran: I will be taking this Adjournment debate on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney. The European Union has been developing an action framework in the field of rare diseases. Ireland has supported the proposals in this area which concluded with a Council recommendation in June 2009. The key elements are that member states, including Ireland, develop...

Written Answers — Mortgage Lending: Mortgage Lending (4 Mar 2010)

Michael Finneran: The data requested in respect of mortgage lending for 2008 can be viewed on my Department's website, www.environ.ie. Data in respect of 2009 lending have not yet been finalised.

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (3 Mar 2010)

Michael Finneran: A person residing in the United Kingdom who wishes to return to Ireland is not precluded from applying for social housing support in Ireland. The acceptance or non-acceptance of housing applicants from outside the functional area of a local authority is a matter solely for the authority concerned. Section 9(5) of the Housing Act 1988 provides that 'a housing authority may, to such extent...

Written Answers — Housing Policy: Housing Policy (3 Mar 2010)

Michael Finneran: The Government's Housing Policy Statement, Delivering Homes, Sustaining Communities, reflects the commitment in Towards 2016 to develop a national housing strategy for people with a disability which will have particular regard to the housing needs of people with a mental health disability. The strategy is being developed in conjunction with a National Advisory Group, chaired by my Department...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (2 Mar 2010)

Michael Finneran: Under section 58 of the Housing Act 1966, the management and maintenance of the local authority housing stock is a matter for individual authorities. Minimum standards for rental accommodation are prescribed in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2008, as amended by the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) (Amendment) Regulations 2009, made under section 18 of the Housing...

Written Answers — Traveller Accommodation: Traveller Accommodation (2 Mar 2010)

Michael Finneran: I have no function in relation to the awarding of contracts for the construction of halting sites. Under section 149 of the Local Government Act 2001, the making of contracts is a function of the manager of the relevant local authority. I regret that, due to industrial action, I am unable to provide any further information on this matter.

Written Answers — Private Rented Accommodation: Private Rented Accommodation (2 Mar 2010)

Michael Finneran: In February 2009, I announced my intention to review the provisions of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 under which the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) operates. The purpose of this review is to consider whether the Act best supports the PRTB's key functions and whether legislative amendments would support either the achievement of additional operational efficiencies by the PRTB...

Written Answers — Private Rented Accommodation: Private Rented Accommodation (2 Mar 2010)

Michael Finneran: I have no function in the operational matters of the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB), an independent statutory body established under the Residential Tenancies Act 2004. In February 2009 I announced my intention to review the provisions of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 under which the PRTB operates. I announced the preliminary results of this review, in November 2009 including...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (2 Mar 2010)

Michael Finneran: I refer to the reply to Question No. 574 of 2 February 2010. The position is unchanged.

Written Answers — Housing Schemes: Housing Schemes (2 Mar 2010)

Michael Finneran: My Department's Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS) provides funding to approved housing bodies of up to 100% of the approved costs of accommodation for older people, the homeless, persons with special needs, returning emigrants and victims of domestic violence. To date, my Department has not received any application for a project under CAS at this location. I understand, however, that Cork...

Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (2 Mar 2010)

Michael Finneran: The provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of premises, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under section 10 of the Fire Services Act 1981. The Department's role is one of supporting and assisting local authorities in delivering fire services...

Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (2 Mar 2010)

Michael Finneran: The provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of premises, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under section 10 of the Fire Services Act 1981. The Department's role is one of supporting and assisting local authorities in delivering fire services...