Results 761-780 of 2,386 for speaker:Michael Finneran

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (1 Dec 2009)

Michael Finneran: My Department's involvement with the Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability relates primarily to the recoupment of a proportion of local authority expenditure on the payment of individual grants. The detailed administration of these schemes, including the assessment and approval of individual applications and the payment of grants to householders, is...

Written Answers — Fire Service: Fire Service (1 Dec 2009)

Michael Finneran: The provision of a fire service, including the provision of fire fighting and emergency equipment, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Services Act, 1981 and 2003. The Department supports fire authorities through the setting of general policy and the provision of capital funding, including the recoupment (within the overall funding available) of costs...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (1 Dec 2009)

Michael Finneran: Amendment No. 1 proposes the deletion of a definition of the core strategy. However, the evidence-based core strategy is a cornerstone of the Bill as it ensures a sound development plan, which is a key to ensuring good planning at local level, and a central plank to zoning reform. Decisions taken at the development planning stage affect all other planning decisions. This amendment was...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (1 Dec 2009)

Michael Finneran: Amendments Nos. 3 to 6, inclusive, are related to the issue of the higher two thirds majority as opposed to a simple majority which was discussed at length last week. I found the Committee Stage debate on this issue very constructive and I have reflected further on the issues raised. As I have clarified, it was intended to ensure that any further changes proposed by Members to amendments to...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (1 Dec 2009)

Michael Finneran: It is no harm to say something a second time even though I thought I made my position clear a few moments ago. Amendments Nos. 3 to 6, inclusive, refer to a higher two thirds majority as opposed to a simple majority. We discussed this at length last week. The debate on Committee Stage on this matter was very constructive and I reflected further on the issues raised. It was intended that...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (1 Dec 2009)

Michael Finneran: The proposal to raise the mandatory population threshold for preparing local area plans from 2,000 to 5,000 persons provoked some good discussion. I recognise the issues raised as to the possibility of no new local area plans being put forward in some instances because the population may fall below the threshold, even though a local area plan would have been prepared previously for an area....

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (1 Dec 2009)

Michael Finneran: Amendments Nos. 8, 9 and 10 are not acceptable for the reasons outlined already. Regional planning guidelines are the linchpin between the national spatial strategy, which sets the broader strategic planning framework at central Government level, and local planning, which sets the local context for development planning and management. The amendments provide for regional authorities to...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (1 Dec 2009)

Michael Finneran: Amendment No. 11 proposes to delete the proposed amendments to section 28 of the principal Act in respect of strengthening the requirements for the planning authorities to adhere to rather than merely have regard to key statutory guidelines issued by the Minister under the section. The amendments relate to the inclusion of more specific information in development plans and how a plan would...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (1 Dec 2009)

Michael Finneran: Amendment No. 12 proposes the deletion of the proposed new subsection 31(12) which would remove the selection criteria for the inspector to be appointed by the Minister to report to him or her on the draft direction. There must be an over-arching criteria which would determine if a person is experienced and qualified to act as an inspector for the purpose of reporting to the Minister on...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (1 Dec 2009)

Michael Finneran: I will make two points. With regard to determining the number of jobs to be created through the use of a proposed development, I have said I am prepared to consider statutory guidance in that respect to accompany the provisions included. Members will see that with the Government amendment, a local authority will have much discretion with regard to an extension. It is a matter for planning...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (1 Dec 2009)

Michael Finneran: Section 24 amends section 48 of the principal Act which provides for development contribution schemes to be drawn up by each planning authority and approved by the elected members following a public consultation process. The Bill redefines the definition of public infrastructure and facilities to provide local authorities with greater flexibility to use development levies, if needed, on a...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (1 Dec 2009)

Michael Finneran: I am very conscious of what Senator Quinn has said, which was supported by other Senators. I do not have any conflict with the concept or principle of the amendment. What I am saying is that already, under section 48(17) of the principal Act, there is provision for open space, recreational and community facilities, amenities and landscaping works. I am also conscious, as somebody who...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (1 Dec 2009)

Michael Finneran: I reject completely the assertion of any disrespect to this House or that the Bill is being rushed. Of the 31 amendments in front of this House, owing to proper investigation and judgment by the Parliamentary Counsel and Attorney General, approximately six need further study by those offices. It is appropriate this is done so that the proper response to amendments is given. Legislation is...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (1 Dec 2009)

Michael Finneran: The reason five or six amendments remain to be dealt with by the Parliamentary Counsel is my accommodation of Members.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (1 Dec 2009)

Michael Finneran: I have indicated as the Bill has progressed through the House that I am prepared to examine issues where there is a good, solid debate on them. I spent almost 14 years in the House and when I see a good, solid debate on an issue, rather than accept my brief, I take Members' comments on board and state I will examine them.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (1 Dec 2009)

Michael Finneran: Of the 31 amendments tabled on Report Stage, I received a response on 25. Six need further investigation.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (1 Dec 2009)

Michael Finneran: The reason I have asked the Parliamentary Counsel to do additional work is I am satisfied good points have been made in the House and I would like them to be teased out. I indicated I would address Senator Quinn's amendment which addressed a new issue. An Bord Pleanála's 18-week compliance rate in 2008 was 23% and, with this measure, is expected to increase to 50%. Inspectors' reports are...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (1 Dec 2009)

Michael Finneran: In view of the substantial obligations that planning authorities already have in regard to enforcement, I do not support the creation of an appeals mechanism, as proposed. In any case, this would result in a whole new area of work for An Bord Pleanála, which would be required in each case to inspect the development, review the entire dealings with the issue by a planning authority etc....

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (1 Dec 2009)

Michael Finneran: I very much appreciate the heartfelt contributions made by Senator Ryan and the difficulties he and perhaps other Senators have encountered. I do not support the creation of an appeals mechanism, as proposed, because of the workload it would add to An Bord Pleanála. I am conscious of the contributions the Senator has made in this regard not only on this Stage but on Committee Stage. I...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (1 Dec 2009)

Michael Finneran: That is if the local authorities carry out the provisions of enforcement. This is the reason I have stated I am prepared to consider if it is possible to strengthen further the requirements of the planning authorities. If needs be, I will introduce an amendment on Committee Stage in the Dáil and then revert to this House.