Results 721-740 of 962 for speaker:Francis Noel Duffy

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Electoral Reform Bill 2020: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Jun 2021)

Francis Noel Duffy: I know Deputy Ó Broin also looks at constituencies and where votes are. There are 43,000 houses in my constituency. It is very difficult to get around to 43,000 houses. There is an electorate of 100,000 and that would probably be higher if everybody had the vote. Given the time constraints and everything else there is to do, it is very difficult to canvass in a particular area. I...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Electoral Reform Bill 2020: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Jun 2021)

Francis Noel Duffy: I thank the witnesses for their participation and wisdom. For millennia, minority groups, young people and not least women have been prohibited from electoral participation. While in living memory everyone has been able to participate there is a legacy of non-participation. I completely support gender quotas and full society participation in our political system. My question is short and...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Defective Building Materials (3 Jun 2021)

Francis Noel Duffy: 268. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if the MICA redress scheme will be reviewed with the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to consider the concerns raised by families impacted by this defect; if he has considered allowing the working group examining housing defects to review the MICA redress scheme; and if he will make a statement on the...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Anti-Racism Measures (27 May 2021)

Francis Noel Duffy: 53. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the work programme of the Anti-Racism Committee; when the final report from the Committee will be published; the interim actions he is implementing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28448/21]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement: Discussion with Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (26 May 2021)

Francis Noel Duffy: My thanks to the Tánaiste for his statement. It is much appreciated. I found the discourse today informing. I find myself agreeing with Deputy Howlin's position. It appears that this trade agreement and its benefits for our society outweigh our right to defend ourselves via our national courts. I believe that is a difficult position for many considering some fought hard for our...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement: Discussion with Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (26 May 2021)

Francis Noel Duffy: The Tánaiste mentioned €600 million earlier. I believe €200 million of that would come into the State coffers. In the context of litigation, which was mentioned earlier, has the Department or the State analysed the potential of litigation and the difference between what we gain over what we might have to pay out? It is better for society if we are more affluent but the...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 May 2021)

Francis Noel Duffy: The Minister has campaigned extensively for MetroLink and for improved sustainable transport for more than 25 years. As he knows, I have been campaigning for metro south west and have passed transport motions at regional assembly level, including on the opening of the Navan rail corridor and, in particular, the metro extensions to Knocklyon and UCD. The south-west Dublin area is chronically...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Electoral Reform Bil 2020: Discussion (Resumed) (20 May 2021)

Francis Noel Duffy: I thank the witnesses for their contributions and for coming in at short notice. For public information, fees associated with marked registers are for the compiling of the register are nominal. It is public information. This Bill is important to us, especially to members of this forum. In recent years, as noted earlier, we have seen the unethical use of social media platforms to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Electoral Reform Bil 2020: Discussion (Resumed) (20 May 2021)

Francis Noel Duffy: I thank Deputy Ó Broin. I think the intent of that letter was that it would be somebody from head office.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Pre-legislative Scrutiny of the General Scheme of the Local Government (Directly Elected Mayor with Executive Functions in Limerick City and County) Bill 2021 (18 May 2021)

Francis Noel Duffy: I thank the Minister of State for presenting to us the general scheme of the Bill, the purpose of which is to devolve power to the people, and for the work that has been done on it to date. Devolved power is a policy for which I and the Green Party have continually campaigned. We believe it brings governance closer to the people. As previous speakers indicated, it was a pity that there will...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Pre-legislative Scrutiny of the General Scheme of the Local Government (Directly Elected Mayor with Executive Functions in Limerick City and County) Bill 2021 (18 May 2021)

Francis Noel Duffy: I thank the Minister of State.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Staff (11 May 2021)

Francis Noel Duffy: 710. To ask the Minister for Health if the position of Secretary General of his Department has additional responsibilities or functions given the salary increase; if so, the additional responsibilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23747/21]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Land Development Agency Bill: Discussion (11 May 2021)

Francis Noel Duffy: I thank the organisations for attending. I was a member of South Dublin County Council and I know first hand the local knowledge that councillors bring to the table during the decision-making process. I agree with Ms Hoade and Mr. Sheahan on the importance of ensuring that local authorities are central in delivering housing. The programme for Government commits to doing that. Regarding...

Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021: Second Stage (Resumed) (5 May 2021)

Francis Noel Duffy: I thank the Minister for introducing this long-awaited Bill. Rachel Carson'sSilent Spring, published in 1962, inspired the modern environmental movement, which began in earnest a decade later. It is recognised as the environmental text that changes the world. The following quote, first published 59 years ago, still rings true today: We stand now where two roads diverge. But unlike the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Planning Issues (5 May 2021)

Francis Noel Duffy: 104. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the new arrangements being considered by his Department to replace the strategic housing development scheme; and the elements of the scheme that will remain given their lower commencement rate compared to the existing local authority planning process. [22484/21]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Engagement with the Office of the Planning Regulator (4 May 2021)

Francis Noel Duffy: I thank Mr. Cussen and his team for the briefing and the work they are doing to regulate our planning system. I have a question. I am not sure Mr. Cussen can answer it, given his remit, but I will ask it anyway. It relates to the SHD scheme. Has Mr. Cussen concerns about it? It is not meeting its primary role of fast-tracking housing delivery and bypassing statutory development plans in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Engagement with the Office of the Planning Regulator (4 May 2021)

Francis Noel Duffy: That is relative. I have worked in this space and people can deliver houses quickly if they want to, as I am sure Mr. Cussen knows.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Engagement with the Office of the Planning Regulator (4 May 2021)

Francis Noel Duffy: Mr. Cussen cannot really answer that question. Under the OPR's remit to monitor the planning system, does it take issue with the schemes that are flying in the face of our development plans? In south Kildare, people are horrified by some of the planning permissions that have been given in villages. Mr. Cussen talked about not wanting one-off housing, but applications to build a block of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Engagement with the Office of the Planning Regulator (4 May 2021)

Francis Noel Duffy: I am sorry to cut across Mr. Cussen, but I will end on this point. I have heard of a developer applying for planning permission and the authority refusing it because the development was too dense. When he appealed that decision to An Bord Pleanála, it stated that the development was not dense enough. An Bord Pleanála has different density targets.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Engagement with the Office of the Planning Regulator (4 May 2021)

Francis Noel Duffy: I wish to make a final point. From my understanding,-----