Results 9,201-9,220 of 9,814 for speaker:Steven Matthews

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Proposed Legislation (24 Nov 2020)

Steven Matthews: 371. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his plans to launch a public awareness campaign regarding the monuments and archaeological heritage Bill to outline the merits of the Bill and its importance. [38650/20]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Marine Planning and Development Management Bill: Discussion (24 Nov 2020)

Steven Matthews: We will commence pre-legislative scrutiny of the general scheme of the marine planning and development management Bill. From the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage we are joined in person by Mr. Conor McCabe and Mr. Bernard Nolan, with Mr. Tom Woolley joining remotely off campus. From the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications we are joined on campus via...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Marine Planning and Development Management Bill: Discussion (24 Nov 2020)

Steven Matthews: Deputy Ó Broin asked a question on Article 8.1 of the marine planning framework.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Marine Planning and Development Management Bill: Discussion (24 Nov 2020)

Steven Matthews: Can we come back to that, Deputy? We are way over time.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Marine Planning and Development Management Bill: Discussion (24 Nov 2020)

Steven Matthews: Senator Cummins is next.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Marine Planning and Development Management Bill: Discussion (24 Nov 2020)

Steven Matthews: Does someone from the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications want to make a comment on energy requirements versus energy efficiency?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Marine Planning and Development Management Bill: Discussion (24 Nov 2020)

Steven Matthews: I might add to that as well. I believe there was a publication by the offshore renewable energy industry as well on the potential value to the Irish economy of the entire industry. Arklow was mentioned. I know that 80 jobs are to be created in Arklow. I see an opportunity for a lot of coastal towns like Arklow to benefit in some way through the entire process of manufacture, from...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Marine Planning and Development Management Bill: Discussion (24 Nov 2020)

Steven Matthews: Will the energy review consider the potential for hydrogen and storage of wind energy?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Marine Planning and Development Management Bill: Discussion (24 Nov 2020)

Steven Matthews: We move now to the second round, starting with Sinn Féin followed by Fine Gael, the Green Party and the Independents.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Marine Planning and Development Management Bill: Discussion (24 Nov 2020)

Steven Matthews: Did that answer Deputy Higgins's question? We will now proceed with Senator Boyhan, myself and then Deputy Murnane O'Connor. At that stage everyone will have spoken and we can go to a third round if there is time. People may indicate if they wish to speak. That was the process we agreed to follow.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Marine Planning and Development Management Bill: Discussion (24 Nov 2020)

Steven Matthews: Briefly, will there be a role for the Office of the Planning Regulator, OPR, in this area?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Marine Planning and Development Management Bill: Discussion (24 Nov 2020)

Steven Matthews: I thank Mr. McCabe. Senator Boyhan wants to clarify a point.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Marine Planning and Development Management Bill: Discussion (24 Nov 2020)

Steven Matthews: I thank Senator Boyhan. He also referred to two helpful documents which have been produced, namely, the frequently asked questions section, which I know has been recently updated, and the briefing paper produced by the Library and Research Service. I also thank Senator Boyhan for committing to raise the issue regarding the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. It has been...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Marine Planning and Development Management Bill: Discussion (24 Nov 2020)

Steven Matthews: It is my slot now. Several members referred to how large this Bill is and that what it seeks to do is significant in the management of our marine area for future development. That concerns not just commercial development, but also how we manage the precious environmental resource aspect. It is an indicator of its importance that the sea area is seven times greater than the land. The...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Marine Planning and Development Management Bill: Discussion (24 Nov 2020)

Steven Matthews: Over the national planning framework is a strategic environmental assessment. Does this have a strategic environmental assessment?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Marine Planning and Development Management Bill: Discussion (24 Nov 2020)

Steven Matthews: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Marine Planning and Development Management Bill: Discussion (24 Nov 2020)

Steven Matthews: All the different parts have an element of public consultation.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Marine Planning and Development Management Bill: Discussion (24 Nov 2020)

Steven Matthews: It is like a development plan and will be reviewed after four years.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Marine Planning and Development Management Bill: Discussion (24 Nov 2020)

Steven Matthews: I have a follow-up question. Mr. McCabe mentioned the ORE and fisheries working group or engagement group. Is there a similar ORE and environmental NGO working group or fisheries group being established? How are the environmental NGOs involved in this process? By the way, we have invited them to attend on Thursday. We will have witnesses from An Taisce, the Irish Wildlife Trust and Coastwatch.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Marine Planning and Development Management Bill: Discussion (24 Nov 2020)

Steven Matthews: That was a good point on the potential for job creation in the long term as we transition away from fossil fuel dependent employment to a new industry with a long-term future. The ORE representatives will appear before the committee on Thursday and it will be a good opportunity to discuss their requirements with them. There are four minutes left. I have a question and Deputy Gould also...