Results 8,481-8,500 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Seanad: Telecommunications Services: Motion (27 Sep 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Senator will be concise as normal.

Remedial Works Grants. (6 Jul 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: I acknowledge the Deputy's interest in raising this matter, which was also raised with me by the Minister of State, Deputy Brendan Smith. The Mullaghmatt housing estate in Monaghan town has been designated for funding under my Department's remedial works scheme. I am strongly committed to regeneration and remedial works programmes. The first phase of the Mullmaghmatt redevelopment, which is...

Social and Affordable Housing. (6 Jul 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: I thank the Deputy for his good wishes for the season ahead. Policy issues on the provision of social and affordable housing may be decided at national level but the detailed implementation of those policies and the delivery of projects is a matter for the individual local authorities. It is the responsibility of local authorities to assess the need for housing in particular locations. In...

Social and Affordable Housing. (6 Jul 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: ——and a councillor close to the Deputy was to the fore in progressing the sale of that property to a private investor. I remind the Deputy that a councillor who is well known to the Minister of State, Deputy Noel Ahern, was opposed to selling that land to a private investor on the basis that the land should be available for social and affordable housing. Unfortunately, as a result of the...

Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (5 Jul 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 544, 546 and 547 together. There are currently proposals with my Department for the provision of new fire stations at Castlecomer, Graiguenamanagh and Urlingford. These are in addition to the new fire station at Freshford which is currently under construction. The provision of a new fire station at Castlecomer, to be advanced to construction stage by the end...

Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (5 Jul 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: On 2 July 2006, I announced details of the 2006 Fire Services Capital Programme. The provision of a new fire station at Clonakilty is included in this Programme and my Department will now be writing to Cork County Council with a view to advancing this project to design and construction as quickly as possible.

Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Order for Report Stage. (4 Jul 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: I move: "That Report Stage be taken now."

Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage. (4 Jul 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: Deputy Gilmore has said he has no problem with that aspect of the Bill.

Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage. (4 Jul 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: Will the Deputies get their policies together?

Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage. (4 Jul 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: I am only pointing out the differences that exist already in policy.

Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage. (4 Jul 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: All of these amendments relate to the board's screening decision on whether a proposed development is or is not strategic. We had a long discussion on the matter on Committee Stage and I am happy that the criterion on which the board will base its decisions on whether a Seventh Schedule project is strategic infrastructure are clearly set out in the new section 37A to the 2000 Act. Issues to...

Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage. (4 Jul 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: I remind Deputies that a proposed development must fall within the Seventh Schedule and must meet one of the criteria in section 37A. Not just any development will be deemed strategic. Even if a development falls within the area of more than one local authority, it would still have to be a development of a class listed in the Seventh Schedule. That should overcome any difficulties that might...

Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage. (4 Jul 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: I am satisfied with it. Deputy Gilmore is quite happy and can see the logic of what we are doing here. It is quite logical for us to state that a development must be deemed strategic and that it must be included in the Seventh Schedule. This protects the issue, irrespective of how many local authorities it would straddle.

Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage. (4 Jul 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: In answer to Deputy Morgan, a super pub would not come under the Schedule as it cannot be defined as being of any strategic importance. The Government was generous to the Deputy regarding his amendment No. 22 as it could understand the motive for the amendment. The Government is quite happy that the term "proper planning and sustainable development" which is used in section37B(3)(a) and...

Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage. (4 Jul 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Deputy is saying that anything that comes before An Bord Pleanála will be prejudged and therefore it is a make-believe organisation. As such I disagree absolutely with the Deputy.

Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage. (4 Jul 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Deputy is trying to turn this Bill and its innovative provisions on its head——

Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage. (4 Jul 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: These provisions will provide for better quality planning applications and will provide for better quality environmental impact statements. This will ensure people and communities will have the best possible information available to them. Just because An Bord Pleanála determines that something is strategic does not automatically mean it will grant permission. Permission will be granted on...

Seanad: Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: Awash with money.

Seanad: Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: I thank all the Senators for their contributions to the debate and express my appreciation on what has been a useful and constructive exchange of views. While there will be some points of detail which will engage us as the Bill progresses, and on which we may sometimes have different perspectives, I welcome the generally positive reception from all sides of the House to the concept of the...

Seanad: Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: County Longford has seen its general purpose grant allocation increase by 170% since 1997. This is well in excess——