Results 721-740 of 4,773 for speaker:Paudie Coffey

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Ministerial Appointments (2 Feb 2016)

Paudie Coffey: I recently announced that I have appointed Mr. Dennis McCarthy to chair the expert panel that is being established to investigate the problems that have emerged in the concrete blockwork of certain dwellings in Donegal and Mayo. Mr. McCarthy is a former Director of Services with Waterford County Council and has the necessary mix of skills and experience that will be required to direct and...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Pyrite Issues (2 Feb 2016)

Paudie Coffey: My Department is committed to working closely with local authorities in addressing issues around pyrite-related structural defects in buildings funded through programmes operated by my Department. As the Community Hall in question was not funded by my Department, it is a matter for Dublin City Council to address any issues arising in relation to pyrite in the building.

Social Housing: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (27 Jan 2016)

Paudie Coffey: They are allowed.

Social Housing: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (27 Jan 2016)

Paudie Coffey: I thank Deputies from all sides of the House for their contributions to this debate over the past two nights. Something we can all agree on is that the country requires more homes for its people. Fortunately, the Government has responded by putting in place two strategies, first, the Construction 2020 strategy and, second, the Social Housing Strategy 2020 to deal comprehensively with the...

Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (27 Jan 2016)

Paudie Coffey: I move amendment No. 46:In page 8, line 1, to delete “Act” and substitute “Part”.

Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (27 Jan 2016)

Paudie Coffey: I move amendment No. 47:In page 8, line 10, to delete “2011” and substitute “2015”. This is a minor drafting amendment to update the reference to the Child Care Acts to include reference to the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2015.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Planning and Development (Amendment) Regulations 2016: Motion (27 Jan 2016)

Paudie Coffey: Essentially, the regulations are required because Irish Water is a utility no different from other utilities that have been operating in the State for many decades. Deputy Boyd Barrett said the measure is impractical. I presume the case he is making relates to the subcontractors Irish Water uses. The ESB, for example, undertook a national network renewal programme over the past two decades...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Planning and Development (Amendment) Regulations 2016: Motion (27 Jan 2016)

Paudie Coffey: Deputy Boyd Barrett raised a valid point but I refer him to local area development plans, county and city development plans, regional development plans and national development plans because that is where the strategic approach to proposed development is outlined. The Deputy will agree that it was often the case in the past that we had development where services did not exist and, possibly,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Planning and Development (Amendment) Regulations 2016: Motion (27 Jan 2016)

Paudie Coffey: Every development plan whether it is local, regional or national has a consultation phase where there is an invitation and commitment to deep engagement by all utilities in the making of the plans. All Irish Water capital investments must be consistent with county and city development plans. Alignment is key. It is important that there is engagement between utilities locally and nationally...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Planning and Development (Amendment) Regulations 2016: Motion (27 Jan 2016)

Paudie Coffey: Both Senator Keane and Deputy Catherine Murphy are correct in that there is an element in the Act concerning what Senator Keane called rogue developers, those who are irresponsible and do not complete developments. However, it has been found to be very difficult to enforce that aspect of the legislation. Currently, the Department is looking at Committee Stage amendments to the planning and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Planning and Development (Amendment) Regulations 2016: Motion (27 Jan 2016)

Paudie Coffey: There was some consideration in the No. 1 planning Bill which we brought through before Christmas but there are concerns regarding property rights on zoned land to the effect that one could be open to a legal challenge if one impedes on property rights. We did address it to some degree with the introduction of the vacant site levy whereby if land is identified in a local authority where...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Planning and Development (Amendment) Regulations 2016: Motion (27 Jan 2016)

Paudie Coffey: I note that Deputy Michelle Mulherin acknowledges the practicality of the regulations in the provision of vital services by Irish Water and other utilities. She has raised the issue of legacy estates that are either unfinished or have not been taken in charge. I can tell her that the Government initiated a scheme called the special resolution fund under which funding was provided for local...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Planning and Development (Amendment) Regulations 2016: Motion (27 Jan 2016)

Paudie Coffey: I acknowledge that pertinent point, but I caution that we need to ensure the taxpayer is not taking on liabilities where there is an accountable person or builder to be pursued in the first instance. Local authorities have a responsibility to pursue the builder or persons responsible for an estate and have a number of measures and powers available to them. Deputy Noel Coonan mentioned the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Planning and Development (Amendment) Regulations 2016: Motion (27 Jan 2016)

Paudie Coffey: Does the Chairman wish me to reply to Senator Cáit Keane now?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Planning and Development (Amendment) Regulations 2016: Motion (27 Jan 2016)

Paudie Coffey: I hope the replies given are sufficient on the taking in charge of estates. The Deputy is right that local authorities have a responsibility and are accountable to the elected councillors. The Department will also monitor them. Deputy Noel Coonan raised the issue of exemptions for utilities and mentioned, in particular, the ESB and the powers available to it. It has had them since...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Planning and Development (Amendment) Regulations 2016: Motion (27 Jan 2016)

Paudie Coffey: If it is, I urge the Deputy to take up the matter with ESB management. I know for a fact that, if there are particular problems, it does engage with customers and landowners. I know of cases in which land was destroyed and compensation paid, but that is essentially a matter for the ESB and the landowner involved. On exempted development, there are no specific legislative powers available....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Planning and Development (Amendment) Regulations 2016: Motion (27 Jan 2016)

Paudie Coffey: First, I thank the Cathaoirleach and the committee for facilitating what is an important discussion on and consideration of this business. As the title suggests, these draft regulations relate to provisions concerning development that is exempt from the requirement to obtain planning permission. Under section 262(4) of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, each House of the...

Leaders' Questions (27 Jan 2016)

Paudie Coffey: He buried himself in reports.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Pyrite Issues (26 Jan 2016)

Paudie Coffey: My Department is committed to working closely with local authorities in addressing issues around pyrite-related structural defects in social housing units. Where necessary, my Department has provided, and will continue to provide, financial assistance to local authorities in cases where pyrite remediation proposals are included in the work programmes put forward by local authorities for...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Ceadúnais Feamainn a Bhaint (26 Jan 2016)

Paudie Coffey: Níl aon iarratas ar cheadúnas foirmiúil ar mhaithe le feamainn a bhaint faighte ón gcomhlacht luaite. Cuir eadh foirm réamh-iarratais isteach chuig mo Roinn i mí Feabhra 2015. Nuair a fuarthas an fhoirm, lorgaigh mo Roinn tuilleadh eolais dá bharr, ach táthar ag feitheamh ar an t-eolas seo.