Results 6,861-6,880 of 7,126 for speaker:Alan Farrell

Topical Issue Debate: Local Property Tax (16 Jan 2013)

Alan Farrell: I thank the Minister for his comprehensive response. Let me return to his point on homeowners being honest in their approach to the process. Once guidance is made publicly available, perhaps it will be a little easier for people to judge how best to approach the process. I am slightly concerned about the process that will apply to a property in a new housing estate where the owner or owners...

Topical Issue Debate: Local Property Tax (16 Jan 2013)

Alan Farrell: Given the statement by the Revenue Commissioners last week that they will be compiling information on valuing properties for the local property tax beginning in March, it is necessary to provide more information for the public. Assumptions have been made in the media. I have spoken to individuals who are uncertain as to the valuation methods to be used by the Revenue Commissioners. If the...

Other Questions: Obesity Levels (19 Dec 2012)

Alan Farrell: To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on proposals to reduce the €1.6 billion costs related to obesity to the Exchequer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56885/12]

Finance (Local Property Tax) Bill 2012: Second Stage (14 Dec 2012)

Alan Farrell: I do not understand why we are rushing through this debate to get the Bill passed before Christmas. The reckoning date is May and it is not being introduced until July. I find it very odd that we are rushing through another Bill.

Finance (Local Property Tax) Bill 2012: Second Stage (14 Dec 2012)

Alan Farrell: The charitable housing bodies have made a cogent argument. I am sure all Deputies have received and read the e-mails. I am not sure why we are taking money from local government to give to local government, which seems pointless. The income limits for exemptions, at €15,000 for an individual and €25,000 for a couple, are clearly too low. What about the couple living next door...

Finance (Local Property Tax) Bill 2012: Second Stage (14 Dec 2012)

Alan Farrell: I would like to share time with Deputies Tom Hayes, Paschal Donohoe and Pat Breen.

Finance (Local Property Tax) Bill 2012: Second Stage (14 Dec 2012)

Alan Farrell: I accept this is probably not the best time to be introducing a property tax. That it is based on market value means it will clearly be slightly unfair to people in urban areas, particularly Dublin but also Cork, Galway, Limerick and places like that. It is regrettable that those in cities are subventing those in rural areas again, primarily because house values are lower where demand is...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Industry (13 Dec 2012)

Alan Farrell: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the impact that the introduction of a sugar tax or an increase in regulation of the food industry in relation to matters of obesity would have on the food industry here; if there has been stakeholder contact with him since these recommendations have been made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55809/12]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Review of Legislation on Prostitution: Discussion (12 Dec 2012)

Alan Farrell: I was about to ask about the exit strategy but Ms Rowley addressed the issue. While banning the advertising of sex for sale and escort services would be a relatively simple step to take, the problem is where the trade would go afterwards and what we could do to tackle it. I am trying to formulate a view on how to approach this issue. Does Ruhama have any views in this regard?

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Operations (11 Dec 2012)

Alan Farrell: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if any consultation process occurred between his Department and the British Government prior to the announcement of the G8 summit in Enniskillen in relation to the requirement for extra security forces; if there will be extra security required in Irish airports and on the border in the run up and during the G8 Summit in 2013; the loations from...

Report of the Expert Group on the Judgment in the A, B and C v. Ireland Case: Statements (Resumed) (7 Dec 2012)

Alan Farrell: I echo the sentiments of many of my colleagues who have spoken on this issue over the past number of days or hours and indeed in the debate over the previous two Private Members' Bills. Although these Bills were insufficient to deal with this issue, nonetheless we are discussing it in a broad sense. I would like to state initially that I am unapologetically pro-life but I also respect the...

Other Questions: Pyrite Issues (4 Dec 2012)

Alan Farrell: On the reactive pyrite issue that the Minister of State just mentioned, the properties in that category will be virtually unsaleable. The clarity for those home owners of providing a standardised testing regime through the pyrite resolution board will be a necessary step in the resolution process. I know the Minister of State is aware of that and I wanted to put it on the record of the...

Other Questions: Pyrite Issues (4 Dec 2012)

Alan Farrell: I thank the Minister of State for his response. I am concerned that this is dragging on. As the Minister of State is aware, I have personal involvement in this matter. It is deeply traumatising, months after the report was published, that uncertainty continues as to what we propose to do with regard to the establishment of the resolution board and standardised testing. This is very...

Other Questions: Pyrite Issues (4 Dec 2012)

Alan Farrell: To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the response he has received from industry stakeholders regarding the repair of homes affected by pyrite; the contact that has been made with all stakeholders named by him for those who have not engaged with his Department to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54229/12]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Nuclear Plants (4 Dec 2012)

Alan Farrell: To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will advise on any possible risk factors that may be brought about by the decommissioning and cleaning up of Sellafield; his role in monitoring this process and protecting the environment and persons in exposed areas of the east coast of Ireland due to the difficulty that has arisen out of what has been regarded as the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Proposed Legislation (4 Dec 2012)

Alan Farrell: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if new proposals being drawn for lobbying legislation and a register of lobbyists will contain information on resources and methods used by lobbying groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54260/12]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Housing Adaptation Grants (4 Dec 2012)

Alan Farrell: To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if further funding will be provided to Fingal County Council in order to fund housing adaptations grants that have been approved but unable to complete due to lack of funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54259/12]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Remuneration (4 Dec 2012)

Alan Farrell: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to review the payment of the pre Christmas allowance for unsocial working hours for the period of November prior to 2013 for members of the Gardaí; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54573/12]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Services (4 Dec 2012)

Alan Farrell: To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the expansion of the Cystic Fibrosis unit at St. James' Hospital, Dublin, to facilitate its planned 34 patient capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54572/12]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (4 Dec 2012)

Alan Farrell: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the impact that the LUAS link up will have on Dublin city transport links throughout 2013; if this will have an impact on tourists expected to visit the capital through the Gathering; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54571/12]