Results 41-60 of 7,010 for speaker:James Browne

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Energy Infrastructure (9 Apr 2025)

James Browne: My Department notes the commitment in the Programme for Government 2025 – Securing Ireland’s Future to introduce planning guidelines for solar energy developments. In light of this commitment, my Department has begun an initial scoping process to identify the component factors relevant to the preparation of planning guidelines for solar energy development, including any...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (9 Apr 2025)

James Browne: The Land Development Agency (LDA) was established with a focus on managing the State’s lands to develop new homes and regenerate underutilised sites. The Agency has also been tasked with unlocking stalled, private, planning-consented developments in the shorter-term through Project Tosaigh, its market engagement initiative. The LDA is targeting 8,000 new homes over the course of the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Irish Sign Language (9 Apr 2025)

James Browne: My Department is aware of its obligations under the Irish Sign Language Act 2017, to ensure that interpretation into Irish Sign Language is provided by a competent Interpreter; for persons who are competent in that language; and at no cost to them. My Department has clear procedures in place to source and engage accredited interpreters through the Irish Deaf Society and has previously...

Water Services (Repeal of Water Charges) Bill 2025: Second Stage [Private Members] (8 Apr 2025)

James Browne: That was our position.

Water Services (Repeal of Water Charges) Bill 2025: Second Stage [Private Members] (8 Apr 2025)

James Browne: When the previous Government proposed doing it, Sinn Féin did not bring forward any legislation because it was not on the front page of the national newspapers. Here, we have an opportunity for a little media attention, which is why Sinn Féin has jumped on it, even though it is the clear intention of this Government not to do so. The Government has no legal power to bring in water...

Water Services (Repeal of Water Charges) Bill 2025: Second Stage [Private Members] (8 Apr 2025)

James Browne: There is no evidence of that.

Water Services (Repeal of Water Charges) Bill 2025: Second Stage [Private Members] (8 Apr 2025)

James Browne: They are already gone.

Water Services (Repeal of Water Charges) Bill 2025: Second Stage [Private Members] (8 Apr 2025)

James Browne: I have never heard such nonsense in my life.

Water Services (Repeal of Water Charges) Bill 2025: Second Stage [Private Members] (8 Apr 2025)

James Browne: The Deputy is confusing my frustration with the waste of time in this Chamber.

Water Services (Repeal of Water Charges) Bill 2025: Second Stage [Private Members] (8 Apr 2025)

James Browne: The Government opposes this Bill. I highlight the fact that the previous programme for Government included a commitment to introduce water conservation charges. Despite the commitment in that programme, Sinn Féin did not table any legislation to prohibit water conservation charges. Water conservation charges do not form part of the new programme for Government, yet we now see Sinn...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Planning Issues (8 Apr 2025)

James Browne: The information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Animal Welfare (8 Apr 2025)

James Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 592 and 593 together. The National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) in my Department is responsible for the regulation, inspection and licensing of zoos in Ireland. The European Communities (Licensing and Inspection of Zoos) Regulations 2003 provide the legislative basis for the inspection and licensing of zoos in Ireland. These Regulations give...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Animal Welfare (8 Apr 2025)

James Browne: The National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) in my Department is responsible for the regulation, inspection and licensing of zoos in Ireland. The European Communities (Licensing and Inspection of Zoos) Regulations 2003 provide the legislative basis for the inspection and licensing of zoos in Ireland. These Regulations give effect to EU Directive 1999/22/EC (the Zoo Directive). The...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Defective Building Materials (8 Apr 2025)

James Browne: Legislation is currently being drafted to establish the Apartment and Duplex Defects Remediation Scheme on a statutory basis and subject to the legislative process, the Statutory Scheme is expected to be in place later this year. The Statutory Scheme will provide supports for the remediation of relevant fire safety, structural safety and water ingress defects in purpose-built apartment...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Electoral Process (8 Apr 2025)

James Browne: An Coimisiún Toghcháin, Ireland’s independent Electoral Commission, was established on 9 February 2023 in accordance with the relevant provisions of Part 2 of the Electoral Reform Act 2022. An Coimisiún's research, advisory and public information function will see it carry out research on electoral policy and procedure. An Coimisiún is also empowered to advise...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (8 Apr 2025)

James Browne: Support for local authorities to acquire second-hand properties for priority categories of need has since 2023, included the category of tenants-in-situ who have been in receipt of supports under HAP or RAS and who had received a Notice of Termination. The other priority categories for second-hand acquisitions are properties that allow persons/families to exit homelessness; one-bedroom...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Funding (8 Apr 2025)

James Browne: The Cork Events Centre (CEC), which will provide a venue for concerts, conferences, community events and contribute to the economic and social development of Cork and the Southern Region, was included as a Government commitment under the revised National Development Plan in 2021. This underlines the Government’s support for urban regeneration, enhanced amenity and heritage, associated...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (8 Apr 2025)

James Browne: The Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 (the Act) commenced on 22 June 2023 which contains the enhanced grant scheme and adopted the related Regulations on 29 June 2023.The Act also provides for the Defective Concrete Blocks (DCB) Social Homes Scheme. This is a scheme for the purpose of enabling a designated local authority or an Approved Housing...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Planning Issues (8 Apr 2025)

James Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 600 and 636 together. Whilst the Planning and Development Act 2024 was enacted in October 2024, it is not yet commenced and the provisions of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended and associated Planning and Development Regulations 2001 remain in force. A review of the current Exempted Development Regulations is ongoing and engagement with...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (8 Apr 2025)

James Browne: The management and maintenance of local authority housing stock, including pre-letting repairs to vacant properties, the implementation of a planned maintenance programme and carrying out of responsive repairs, are matters for each individual local authority under Section 58 of the Housing Act 1966. Local authorities also have a legal obligation to ensure that all of their tenanted properties...