Results 1,201-1,220 of 1,593 for speaker:Kevin Moran

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 13 - Office of Public Works (Revised) (15 Feb 2018)

Kevin Moran: All systems can be improved. We made a big improvement around the minor works scheme and we changed the criteria to allow local authorities to come back in where schemes have failed in the past. It also made it easier for them to get more funding to deal with minor works schemes. However, there is also room for improvement in the planning process where we can make gains. A flood defence...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 13 - Office of Public Works (Revised) (15 Feb 2018)

Kevin Moran: It has been going on for a long time. It is one of the largest schemes ever taken on by the State. I have visited Cork on a number of occasions. I met the executive to try to put through the Morrison's Island phase. That has gone to Part 8 for public consultation. The public's views will be taken into account and the scheme will develop at a fast pace. Everyone I meet in Cork asks when...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 13 - Office of Public Works (Revised) (15 Feb 2018)

Kevin Moran: It has gone to Part 8 and as soon as that report comes back, we will set a date for construction.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 13 - Office of Public Works (Revised) (15 Feb 2018)

Kevin Moran: Since I have taken up office, I have broken up most of the major schemes into cells. One deals with objections. The public have to have their say on every scheme. Another cell deals with a scenario whereby if a scheme fails through objection, the next scheme on the list will be carried out. To answer the Deputy's question, there is a planning process and it would be wrong for me to name...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 13 - Office of Public Works (Revised) (15 Feb 2018)

Kevin Moran: The scheme has taken almost eight years to bring to where it is today. A great deal of work and consulting has taken place. The Save Cork City campaign has come up these figures and it has brought in external experts. According to the best advice available to us, we are doing the right thing. The officials who visited from Holland also recognised that what we are doing is the best option...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 13 - Office of Public Works (Revised) (15 Feb 2018)

Kevin Moran: I am happy with the way we are managing our portfolio. Rents are soaring everywhere and that will become an issue down the road in trying to acquire buildings. We are making huge gains in making our own buildings cost efficient, which will be important into the future. The increasing demand for office space for new civil servants will be a problem and that is something we have to manage as...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 13 - Office of Public Works (Revised) (15 Feb 2018)

Kevin Moran: I thank Deputy O'Brien for his comments. As the commissioner, Mr. Sydenham, said we did look at the tidal barrier but it was not cost-efficient. On my visit to Cork I met with people, including people from the Save Cork City group. The idea of the model at City Hall is one I have used. I have seen, in a number of areas, that people have observations on the heights of walls. I do the...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 13 - Office of Public Works (Revised) (15 Feb 2018)

Kevin Moran: I will take the Deputy's first question on insurance first. The Minister of State, Deputy D'Arcy, and I did meet with Insurance Ireland. We had an open meeting with all the members of Insurance Ireland. I laid down a few criteria or things that I wanted to see happen. In fairness to Insurance Ireland, in terms of the memorandum of understanding my Department has with it, we are working...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 13 - Office of Public Works (Revised) (15 Feb 2018)

Kevin Moran: If I may answer that point, I totally agree with the Deputy. I have met with the Minister, Deputy Flanagan, in respect of this matter. While the review is ongoing we must be honest with ourselves that a number of the properties we have are Garda stations which may never come back into use. I am bringing in the Minister, Deputy Ring's Department in terms of looking at some community...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 13 - Office of Public Works (Revised) (15 Feb 2018)

Kevin Moran: In years gone by, wherever we have built flood defences we have always encouraged the insurance companies to insure the properties afterwards. In recent years, we have worked on a memorandum of understanding with insurance companies. Now, where we build flood defences 70% and, in some cases, 78% of the properties are insured. Investment by the Government and the good work done by the OPW -...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 13 - Office of Public Works (Revised) (15 Feb 2018)

Kevin Moran: I hear what the Deputy is saying, but I defend and protect properties and the question the Deputy has asked me is a matter for the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform working closely with my Department. This is something I can look into. It has been said to me in other parts of the country also. It is something I will follow up.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 13 - Office of Public Works (Revised) (15 Feb 2018)

Kevin Moran: I cannot talk about the individual case because I do not know the details, but I take what the Chairman is saying. It is something I can take up with the Minister of State, Deputy D'Arcy. If the Chairman drops me a note I will raise the issue directly at my next meeting with Insurance Ireland.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 13 - Office of Public Works (Revised) (15 Feb 2018)

Kevin Moran: Yes.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 13 - Office of Public Works (Revised) (15 Feb 2018)

Kevin Moran: I could not agree more with the Chairman.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 13 - Office of Public Works (Revised) (15 Feb 2018)

Kevin Moran: As the Chairman knows, if a county council came into my office regarding a minor work scheme for the removal of silt, or whatever the case may be, and there is a flooding issue my office will take care of it. However, when all of those other agencies are involved I will gladly mediate and sit with the Chairman to see if he can get a positive outcome for the people inquiring, but the...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 13 - Office of Public Works (Revised) (15 Feb 2018)

Kevin Moran: No, I have not looked at it. I know that there are a number of agencies involved. If the local authority made an application under the minor works scheme or if there was a flooding issue, I would handle it.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 13 - Office of Public Works (Revised) (15 Feb 2018)

Kevin Moran: That is what I am here for.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 13 - Office of Public Works (Revised) (15 Feb 2018)

Kevin Moran: I look at many castles throughout the country, and the issue with Kilkenny Castle is one that has come across my desk. There is a significant amount of work to be done at Kilkenny Castle and I have spoken to my officials on the heritage side about it. Where we can make improvements we are making them. It comes down to funding. Heritage has been starved of funding for a number of years but...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 13 - Office of Public Works (Revised) (15 Feb 2018)

Kevin Moran: That matter is being examined and I will come back to the Chairman about it, along with information regarding the refurbishment of the castle. I will drop him a note or meet him again to discuss the matter.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 13 - Office of Public Works (Revised) (15 Feb 2018)

Kevin Moran: The Chairman has raised a number of issues about Kilkenny Castle. I will meet with him when I am briefed about exactly what is going on in terms of the heritage side of things and in respect of the room to which he referred and the windows.