Results 581-600 of 25,975 for speaker:Kieran O'Donnell

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Heritage Sites (9 Jul 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: The context here is that it is an Anglo-Norman castle, the seat of the Barry family, and one of the finest restored Irish tower houses. It dates back to 1392 and 1420. The castle has an outer bawn wall and largely intact corner towers. The ground floor contains a dungeon in which prisoners were dropped via the drop hole located on the second floor. I did not actually go near that point....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Heritage Sites (9 Jul 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I am aware from meeting people locally of this particular plan for in Carrigtwohill. I had a relatively short visit there but we and the OPW would always be looking at particular historical sites and the comparative advantage in terms of the area around it. That is something we are open to in terms of the OPW considering any proposal. In most cases when we are looking at them, they are...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Relief Schemes (9 Jul 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank the Deputy. I appreciate his utter frustration. In my role as Minister of State with responsibility for the OPW, my main purpose in visiting Midleton recently was to get a full picture as to where the schemes were at. The OPW is actively engaging with Cork County Council on progressing the substantive main scheme. The only timeframe that is within the control of the council is the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Relief Schemes (9 Jul 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: There were elements-----

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Relief Schemes (9 Jul 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: Has it taken longer than one would have liked? Yes. I have been in this role for a short period. Storm Babet was certainly a factor. Anything being put forward had to be proofed against such a storm. Once again, I will note that the main scheme will take a number of years to complete. We therefore must look at what must be done now to protect people's homes in Midleton, Castlemartyr,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Relief Schemes (9 Jul 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: She probably has a good update then. When approved, the steering group will publish the updated steering programme to the project website shortly thereafter. It may be worth noting that The Connacht Tribune in early March 2024 published an article stating that the planning for this scheme was now delayed to 2027. Given that the preferred option for the scheme is not yet confirmed, the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Relief Schemes (9 Jul 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: The consultants are in the process of updating the scheme's programme, which is planned to be considered and approved, as I said, by the project steering group at its next meeting, tomorrow, 10 July. When approved, the steering group will publish the updated scheme programme to the project's website thereafter. I understand that this has been a long process; however, due to the increased...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Relief Schemes (9 Jul 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I will take the matters in reverse order. The council recently submitted a request for additional funding to the OPW for an increase in consultancy fees to facilitate the revised scope, and these have been approved by the OPW. As I said, the consultants are in the process of updating the scheme's programme, which will be considered by the project steering group tomorrow, 10 July. I do not...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Relief Schemes (9 Jul 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: That goes without saying. In my role as Minister of State, I have always valued this. Flooding has been with me all my political life, and the people on the ground have a major input to make in terms of both public participation and, in many cases, knowledge.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Relief Schemes (9 Jul 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 44 and 59 together. I know of Deputy Stanton's absolute commitment to this issue and his long-standing representation in Midleton. I was down there in my role as Minister of State with responsibility for local government and, more recently, in my role as Minister of State with responsibility for the OPW. I visited Midleton and I am aware of the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Relief Schemes (9 Jul 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I take on board the points made by Deputy Smith and in my consideration of the review of the scheme, I will take those factors into account. I note the points he makes and I also note the points made by Deputy Durkan. In terms of the review of the scheme, I will take everything in the round. My officials are the professionals in the area but I am a practising politician like the Deputies...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Relief Schemes (9 Jul 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: Yes, it is ongoing and the Deputy's points are duly noted.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Relief Schemes (9 Jul 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: On the point about local communities, I come from a constituency which has lived with flooding for many years. The local community, including local farmers, have a knowledge base that is really invaluable. I know from dealing with the local authority in Limerick that it very much values the input of the local community. On cross-Border co-operation, that continues but if the Deputy...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Relief Schemes (9 Jul 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: What question are we dealing with?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Relief Schemes (9 Jul 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: This is a matter that Deputy Connolly has brought up on many occasions. I have a response here which really just deals with the scheme itself, with which the Deputy is very familiar. The Deputy has asked for specifics in terms of timelines-----

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Relief Schemes (9 Jul 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: Yes, there are two questions but in terms of the answer I have here, the standard answer is basically dealing with the scheme but what the Deputy wants is to deal specifically with the timing on it.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Relief Schemes (9 Jul 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: Obviously, I will deal with that. It is something that I will address for the Deputy. There have been three programmes for this scheme, namely, a baseline programme, an updated programme and now, a revised programme. Upon the appointment of consulting engineers in November 2020, an updated programme identified the need for coastal assessment, including on the extent of wave overtopping and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Relief Schemes (9 Jul 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: Yes. I am reading the reply. I was called for No. 43 and am reading the reply. Sorry, I am not actually reading the reply because Deputy Connolly has brought this up on many occasions and I have dealt with it on many occasions. I want to deal with the particular matter she has raised. If I read the transcript as provided, it will not address the Deputy's concerns. The recently...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Relief Schemes (9 Jul 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: The minor flood mitigation works and coastal protection scheme was introduced by the OPW on an administrative, non-statutory basis in 2009. The purpose of this demand-driven scheme is to provide funding to local authorities to undertake minor flood mitigation works or studies to address localised fluvial flooding and coastal protection problems within their administrative areas. Since 2009,...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: An Garda Síochána (9 Jul 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Office of Public Works (OPW) can confirm that An Garda Síochána (AGS) has approved a proposal for the rationalisation of the internal layout of Greystones Garda Station. These works include the creation of suitable female staff welfare facilities, improved safety measures for staff and a general reconfiguration of spaces to maximise the footprint for staff along with improved...