Results 1,141-1,160 of 2,050 for speaker:Pat Casey

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Irish National Election Study: Discussion (23 Jan 2019)

Pat Casey: During my 12 years serving on the council, we put something aside every year for the local election because we knew it was coming in five years and that meant it would not hit the accounts in one year. What the witnesses are asking is that, whether it be a general election, local election or referendum, some pocket of money be put aside annually to sustain this into the future. While I do...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Irish National Election Study: Discussion (23 Jan 2019)

Pat Casey: If no other members are offering, I take this opportunity to thank the witnesses for coming in. I propose a short suspension to allow the next witnesses to take their seats.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Electoral and Referendum Reform: Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government (23 Jan 2019)

Pat Casey: The second session relates to electoral and referendum reform. On behalf of the committee, I welcome Ms Fiona Quinn, Mr. Barry Ryan and Ms Emer Connolly from the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. I draw the attention of witnesses to the fact that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Electoral and Referendum Reform: Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government (23 Jan 2019)

Pat Casey: Ms Quinn did state 2019 on the record.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Electoral and Referendum Reform: Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government (23 Jan 2019)

Pat Casey: I call Senator Murnane O'Connor. I ask her to be brief.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Electoral and Referendum Reform: Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government (23 Jan 2019)

Pat Casey: That issue was addressed in the opening statement.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Electoral and Referendum Reform: Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government (23 Jan 2019)

Pat Casey: I will let her back in to answer that question.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Electoral and Referendum Reform: Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government (23 Jan 2019)

Pat Casey: Deputy McGrath does not have to. I call Deputy Barry.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Electoral and Referendum Reform: Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government (23 Jan 2019)

Pat Casey: Please.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Electoral and Referendum Reform: Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government (23 Jan 2019)

Pat Casey: Could Ms Quinn take us through the establishment of the commission? She referred to establishing it initially on an administrative basis which does not have any legislative powers. Could she bring us through her thought process on how that will work? This commission will be set up and the Referendum Commission and the Standards in Public Office Commission, SIPOC, are in place. What is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Electoral and Referendum Reform: Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government (23 Jan 2019)

Pat Casey: Is there a fear that if it is not set up on an administrative basis and there is a change of government all of a sudden it might not be important? Is there an element of that behind the thinking?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Electoral and Referendum Reform: Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government (23 Jan 2019)

Pat Casey: I thank the witnesses for attending today and engaging with the committee. I am sure we will see them again before this is sorted out. I propose we go into private session to deal with some housekeeping matters. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Service Properties (17 Jan 2019)

Pat Casey: 93. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the refurbishment and reopening of Wicklow town courthouse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2109/19]

Local Government Bill 2018: Report and Final Stages (13 Dec 2018)

Pat Casey: Fianna Fáil supports the concept of the urban committees. Everybody here acknowledges that whatever structure is required must be put in place urgently. I thank the Minister of State for making himself available to us prior to the committee meeting, during the committee and earlier this week, as those meetings provided us with an opportunity to thrash out our concerns, which the...

Local Government Bill 2018: Report and Final Stages (13 Dec 2018)

Pat Casey: I think they have also accepted that the proposal as presented is not workable. It is a pity it was rushed in at the last minute. If it had been presented during the pre-legislative scrutiny process we could have ironed out many of the problems arising today. Bray has been mentioned. My concern is in regard to the removal of the democratic process. For example, if I am one of the...

Anti-Evictions Bill 2018: Second Stage [Private Members] (12 Dec 2018)

Pat Casey: That is not why he voted.

Anti-Evictions Bill 2018: Second Stage [Private Members] (12 Dec 2018)

Pat Casey: We in Fianna Fáil will support every sensible, realistic and affordable proposal that will provide secure homes-----

Anti-Evictions Bill 2018: Second Stage [Private Members] (12 Dec 2018)

Pat Casey: -----for all our citizens.

Anti-Evictions Bill 2018: Second Stage [Private Members] (12 Dec 2018)

Pat Casey: I did not interrupt any of the Deputy's colleagues.

Anti-Evictions Bill 2018: Second Stage [Private Members] (12 Dec 2018)

Pat Casey: As we are in the Christmas season it is appropriate that we once again seek solutions that are practical and worthy of implementation. Bills put before this House should not just be ideological statements of principle. Our housing crisis is far too serious for that. Our national housing crisis deserves solutions that have a chance of being implemented and would provide help to those...