Results 10,441-10,460 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Building Regulations (16 Jun 2011)

Phil Hogan: I am acutely aware of the difficult and distressing position faced by many homeowners and tenants who have been affected by the pyrite problem. In this context I welcome the judgment issued by the High Court on 25 May 2011 in the case of James Elliott Construction Limited v. Irish Asphalt Limited. The judgment in that case found Irish Asphalt Limited liable for the supply of defective...

Building Regulations (16 Jun 2011)

Phil Hogan: There is no liability on the part of the State.

Building Regulations (16 Jun 2011)

Phil Hogan: The case outcome vindicates the position taken by the Department as far back as 2007. In accordance with technical guidance documents published to accompany Part D of the building regulations, the material used as infill should be proper material fit for purpose and the conditions for which it is used. I can understand people are worried, particularly with regard to funding, but HomeBond is...

Political Reform (16 Jun 2011)

Phil Hogan: The programme for Government commits to a radical overhaul of the way Irish politics and government work. It sets out a wide ranging series of commitments to this end, a number of which are within my areas of responsibility. I am committed to working with my Government colleagues to implement these measures in full. On 8 June 2011, I published the general scheme of the Electoral (Amendment)...

Political Reform (16 Jun 2011)

Phil Hogan: The Deputy may not understand that it takes time to agree a policy position, debate the issues in Cabinet and draft and publish the legislation. In the area of political reform, we have done more in 100 days than any other Administration in the history of the State. I look forward to the Deputy's support when these matters are brought before the Dáil and I hope the proposals I outlined...

Political Reform (16 Jun 2011)

Phil Hogan: Better value can be obtained on the open market than through the affordable housing scheme under Part V. It does not make sense to continue the scheme in those circumstances. The Minister of State, Deputy Penrose, is working assiduously with the National Asset Management Agency, a quango we would prefer not to have inherited, to roll out the social dividend in terms of providing housing to...

Political Reform (16 Jun 2011)

Phil Hogan: I am happy to take that on board.

Rural Development (16 Jun 2011)

Phil Hogan: The programme for Government and the 2010 report of the local government efficiency review group both outline the need to develop and improve the synergies between the programmes and plans of local development bodies and the work of local government. Increased co-operation will provide qualitative and quantitative efficiencies and should improve the impact of relevant programmes and plans of...

Rural Development (16 Jun 2011)

Phil Hogan: I will take on board the Deputy's suggestion about aligning the Leader groups and local development companies generally with county boundaries and local authorities. I have an open mind on the matter and will consider it in the context of our discussions. The rural development programme was slow to give itself up and there is a significant underspend at present. We are encountering...

Local Authority Services (16 Jun 2011)

Phil Hogan: The Local Government Act 2001 (Section 237A) Regulations 2003, provide, inter alia, for the supply of specified documentation to Oireachtas Members by the local authority such as the local authority budget, draft development plan, etc. It is a matter for each local authority to deal with requests for access to information by a parliamentary representative as expeditiously as possible and in...

Local Authority Services (16 Jun 2011)

Phil Hogan: I understand the Deputy's concern. I have not received any representations about a problem in that regard. If Deputy Durkan has information to that effect I would be pleased to receive it to ensure compliance with the operation of the regulations as set out in the legislation. I understand local authorities are responsible for delivering a range of essential services to the public. It is...

Local Authority Services (16 Jun 2011)

Phil Hogan: I do not know where Deputy Durkan was referring to if it was not Kildare.

Local Authority Services (16 Jun 2011)

Phil Hogan: I will look after Kilkenny.

Waste Management (16 Jun 2011)

Phil Hogan: I stated in the course of the Second Stage debate on the Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill on 14 April 2011 that I will announce my decision in respect of the waste facility levy provisions of the Bill on Committee Stage. The Bill is a very important component of the national approach to waste and in the course of the Second Stage debate I outlined the guiding principles which...

Local Government Audit (16 Jun 2011)

Phil Hogan: A range of work is already underway or in planning arising from the report and I am considering the relevant revenue raising and other recommendations that require enabling legislation. My Department has been working with local authorities to advance the efficiency group's agenda in areas such as shared services, procurement and in the use of online technology to improve efficiency and...

Water and Sewerage Services (16 Jun 2011)

Phil Hogan: I move amendment No. 2: To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following: notes that: - the programme for Government provides for the introduction of a fair funding model to deliver clean and reliable water which will involve the installation of water meters in households and move to a charging system based on usage above a free allowance; - the Government is committed...

Water and Sewerage Services (16 Jun 2011)

Phil Hogan: I was subjected to much provocation from the other side but I remained silent, so I am entitled to my turn. Sinn Féin should tell the people the truth about where it will get the money and how much extra tax workers will have pay in order to meet the Water Framework Directive, which we must do by 2015. Another straw man was raised, namely, that we will introduce a flat rate water charge. I...

Water and Sewerage Services (16 Jun 2011)

Phil Hogan: I know Sinn Féin must campaign on some issues but this will not be one of them. I wish to nail some more political myths put forward in the contributions of the Sinn Féin Deputies. There will not be a flat rate water charge but a pay as one uses system through water metering. It will operate as an effective water conservation measure and will deal with a finite resource in the interests...

Water and Sewerage Services (16 Jun 2011)

Phil Hogan: There will be no flat rate charge for water. I am sorry to disappoint Deputy MacLochlainn because I know that does not suit his political agenda. I am glad of the opportunity to put a lot of issues to bed and to nail any political myths. If Sinn Féin wished to put down a motion to campaign on an issue, it picked the wrong one in water services.

Water and Sewerage Services (16 Jun 2011)

Phil Hogan: The Deputy will see further developments on that in due course.