Results 7,941-7,960 of 10,577 for speaker:Barry Cowen

Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Report Stage (11 Dec 2013)

Barry Cowen: My amendment is similar to the one that has been discussed, in that it would set up community councils in an effort to plug the gap that will exist once the Minister's cull of many councils throughout the country as well as many of his colleagues at local authority level has been completed.

Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Report Stage (11 Dec 2013)

Barry Cowen: Many of my own colleagues, too. I recognise the Minister's efforts to appease many of the authorities' members by ensuring municipal district councils will have devolved or, as he stated, greater, powers, but only one such power is not currently in the remit of local authorities. Hence my suggestion that the list be updated and that departmental functions relating to local authorities be...

Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Report Stage (11 Dec 2013)

Barry Cowen: I acknowledge the Minister's intention in giving municipal district councils the power to set local area plans, but I also acknowledge the many county councils that involved town councils in the process without being compelled to do so. They did this in a spirit of unity and with the aim of delivering to their communities in the fullest possible sense. This practice can be continued. ...

Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Report Stage (11 Dec 2013)

Barry Cowen: That is a general statement.

Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Report Stage (11 Dec 2013)

Barry Cowen: I made that point.

Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Report Stage (11 Dec 2013)

Barry Cowen: They were engaged with under the goodwill of the local councils-----

Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Report Stage (11 Dec 2013)

Barry Cowen: -----and the responsible attitude of the members of those councils.

Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Report Stage (11 Dec 2013)

Barry Cowen: I acknowledge what the Minister has said in regard to what he believes and the manner in which he has set out devolved powers to district councils, as I will continue to call them, as well as the option and the powers that remain with the local authority to devolve further powers. Perhaps the Minister could set this in train at this early stage and ask local authorities to begin this...

Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Report Stage (11 Dec 2013)

Barry Cowen: I concur with what Deputy Stanley has said on the adjudication of many of the amendments, which have been ruled out of order for a variety of reasons. Given that many of those same amendments were discussed on Committee Stage, I would have thought they would also have been discussed on Report Stage. I am especially mindful of the contention that many have the potential to be a charge on the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Building Regulations Application (10 Dec 2013)

Barry Cowen: 341. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the steps he has taken in relation to utilising the Priory Hall model of resolution for unlivable domestic units across other examples as may arise in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52965/13]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Building Regulations Application (10 Dec 2013)

Barry Cowen: 343. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he is willing to establish a mediation process unit that will deal with cases of unlivable domestic units due to construction failings by bringing together the parties involved to find a mutually acceptable proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52967/13]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Unfinished Housing Developments (10 Dec 2013)

Barry Cowen: 342. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he has undertaken any investigations into the Riverwalk development, Ratoath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52966/13]

Other Questions: Pyrite Resolution Board Membership (5 Dec 2013)

Barry Cowen: I ask the Minister to convey to the Minister of State with responsibility in this area that I advise caution on any commitments that will emanate from NAMA considering that 18 months ago Deputy Hogan told the House he expected up to 2,000 units would be made available from NAMA between then and now to address this issue of homeless, and those have not materialised. The Government should not...

Other Questions: Homeless Accommodation Provision (5 Dec 2013)

Barry Cowen: 37. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the steps he is taking to address the rise in homelessness here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51925/13]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Irish Water Staff (5 Dec 2013)

Barry Cowen: 1. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the total number of staff currently in employment with Irish Water; the total number anticipated when it reaches full strength; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52065/13]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Climate Change Negotiations (5 Dec 2013)

Barry Cowen: 9. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the climate change talks recently concluded in Poland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51924/13]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Septic Tank Grants (5 Dec 2013)

Barry Cowen: 19. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a county breakdown of the number of septic tank improvement grants distributed to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51926/13]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Climate Change Negotiations (5 Dec 2013)

Barry Cowen: 149. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the climate change talks that recently concluded in Poland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52066/13]

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Valuation Office (4 Dec 2013)

Barry Cowen: 62. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide in tabular form a county breakdown of the the number of re-valuations undertaken by the Valuation Office; the number of valuation appeals received by the office since March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52007/13]

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Bill 2013: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2013)

Barry Cowen: They are being managed by two separate bodies.