Results 1,141-1,160 of 7,082 for speaker:John Paul Phelan

Local Government (Rates) Bill 2018: Second Stage (30 Jan 2019)

John Paul Phelan: I will try to respond to as many questions as I can. A lot of the questions raised and a lot of what Deputy Scanlon and others spoke about relate to the valuations legislation. On small vacant premises, section 8 provides that a premises, for example, a small shop, above which, or at the back of, the owners are living will not be subject to a minimum rate being paid, even if the premises is...

Local Government (Rates) Bill 2018: Second Stage (30 Jan 2019)

John Paul Phelan: Or a political clinic.

Local Government (Rates) Bill 2018: Second Stage (30 Jan 2019)

John Paul Phelan: That is where we get shoved.

Local Government (Rates) Bill 2018: Second Stage (30 Jan 2019)

John Paul Phelan: It was massive.

Local Government (Rates) Bill 2018: Second Stage (30 Jan 2019)

John Paul Phelan: The Deputy's phone is going to be busy.

Local Government (Rates) Bill 2018: Second Stage (30 Jan 2019)

John Paul Phelan: It has just been moved there.

Local Government (Rates) Bill 2018: Order for Second Stage (30 Jan 2019)

John Paul Phelan: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."

Local Government (Rates) Bill 2018: Second Stage (30 Jan 2019)

John Paul Phelan: I move: “That the Bill be now read a Second Time”. How long do I have?

Local Government (Rates) Bill 2018: Second Stage (30 Jan 2019)

John Paul Phelan: That should suffice.

Local Government (Rates) Bill 2018: Second Stage (30 Jan 2019)

John Paul Phelan: The purpose of the Bill is to modernise various enactments governing the powers of local authorities to levy and collect commercial rates. Commercial rates make up approximately one third of local government current income every year and are the single largest income source for local authorities, providing income of almost €1.5 billion per annum. This provides between 16% and 53% of...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Government Reform (30 Jan 2019)

John Paul Phelan: Following progress of the Local Government Bill 2018 through the Houses of the Oireachtas, the Bill provides for plebiscites on directly elected mayors with executive functions in the local authority areas of Cork City Council, Limerick City and County Council, and Waterford City and County Council. It is intended that the plebiscites will be held at the same time as the local elections in...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Constitutional Amendments (30 Jan 2019)

John Paul Phelan: At its meeting on 4 December 2018, the Government reviewed the progress on Bills to amend the Constitution. Work is being progressed in my Department, in consultation with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, to inform the development of an appropriate Constitution Amendment Bill for the holding of a referendum on extending the franchise at Presidential elections to Irish citizens...

Seanad: Directly Elected Mayors: Statements (29 Jan 2019)

John Paul Phelan: They do and they also raise the matter with me. I emphasise the Senator's point that this is one piece of a reform package. It is a bit like what happened during the mergers in Waterford, Limerick and Tipperary. The first thing to be done was the appointment of a joint chief executive who drove the process. There is a major gap in our local authority structure that does not really exist...

Seanad: Directly Elected Mayors: Statements (29 Jan 2019)

John Paul Phelan: I thank the eight Senators who contributed. I also thank the business committee of the Seanad for arranging to have the debate today. The reason for having this discussion now is that I am conscious the Government will make a decision on this within the next two weeks and we want to hear what Senators have to say and their suggestions. Probably for the best of reasons, many of the speakers...

Seanad: Directly Elected Mayors: Statements (29 Jan 2019)

John Paul Phelan: I will not refer to each person who raised the issue of the role of councillors and the bigger picture. It is absolutely correct. It has always been the way that, when it comes to the day of local and European elections, councillors and their foot soldiers do the campaigning. They have also campaigned for the European elections. Other votes will be held on the day of the elections in May....

Seanad: Directly Elected Mayors: Statements (29 Jan 2019)

John Paul Phelan: The mayor, not the CEO.

Seanad: Directly Elected Mayors: Statements (29 Jan 2019)

John Paul Phelan: Yes.

Seanad: Directly Elected Mayors: Statements (29 Jan 2019)

John Paul Phelan: Similar to the programme for Government.

Seanad: Directly Elected Mayors: Statements (29 Jan 2019)

John Paul Phelan: I thank the Acting Chairman and Members of the House for allowing time for statements on the issue of directly elected mayors. As I undertook to do during our consideration before Christmas of the Local Government Bill 2018 which was signed into law by the President on Friday, 25 January, I am pleased to have the opportunity to outline proposals which I intend to present to the Government...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Commercial Rates Data (29 Jan 2019)

John Paul Phelan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 591 and 593 together. Local authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes in accordance with the details entered in the valuation lists prepared by the independent Commissioner of Valuation pursuant to the Valuation Acts 2001 to 2015. The levying and collection of rates are matters for each individual...