Results 1,441-1,460 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Local Government Reform Bill 2013: From the Seanad (Resumed) (22 Jan 2014)

Phil Hogan: We will deal with that in the next amendment.

Local Government Reform Bill 2013: From the Seanad (Resumed) (22 Jan 2014)

Phil Hogan: We will have a look at it.

Local Government Reform Bill 2013: From the Seanad (Resumed) (22 Jan 2014)

Phil Hogan: This is a technical amendment that addresses an omission in the list of consequential provisions in Schedule 4 to the Bill that shall not apply in the case of the dissolution of county and city development boards. Schedule 4 is primarily designed to provide for transitional arrangements as between local authorities that are being dissolved, such as town councils, and their successors...

Local Government Reform Bill 2013: From the Seanad (Resumed) (22 Jan 2014)

Phil Hogan: The amendments to be taken in this grouping relate to the establishment and functions of the local community development committees. Amendment No. 19 addresses an omission in the published Bill. It proposes that section 45 of the Local Government Act 2001, relating to the attendance of the media and public at local authority meetings, shall not apply in the case of local community...

Local Government Reform Bill 2013: From the Seanad (Resumed) (22 Jan 2014)

Phil Hogan: Some groups expressed concern that because they are not listed in the Schedule to this Bill they were being excluded. That is not the case. All we have on the Schedule is the people with whom we are contracted. That does not exclude anybody in the future in terms of the relationships that will be developed between the community and voluntary sector and local government. We have the Father...

Local Government Reform Bill 2013: From the Seanad (Resumed) (22 Jan 2014)

Phil Hogan: We are conscious of the experience of the front-runners on alignment and will be having another meeting of the alignment group in approximately three weeks' time. Hopefully we will be able to reflect on and iron out some of the issues that have arisen in the context of the front-runner groups.

Local Government Reform Bill 2013: From the Seanad (Resumed) (22 Jan 2014)

Phil Hogan: As Members are aware, rates are a stable source of financing for local government and make an important contribution for the provision of local services. I have been concerned with an aspect of rating legislation that in my view gives rise to an unfair burden on new occupiers of rateable property, be they companies that wish to expand, relocate or start up. The subsequent occupier...

Local Government Reform Bill 2013: From the Seanad (Resumed) (22 Jan 2014)

Phil Hogan: In response to Deputy Dowds, I note that Ministers make decisions based on advice from all sources, political and otherwise. I will take responsibility for my actions in respect of the contents of this Bill. Certainly, I seek to ensure that discretion is given to local authorities as far as possible and that barriers to economic activity are removed, wherever they may be. This was...

Local Government Reform Bill 2013: From the Seanad (Resumed) (22 Jan 2014)

Phil Hogan: They are merging authorities. The Deputy’s is not.

Local Government Reform Bill 2013: From the Seanad (Resumed) (22 Jan 2014)

Phil Hogan: Deputy Paudie Coffey was concerned about the fact that this provision could become a revenue-raising mechanism for local authorities. That is the price one pays for democracy when devolving functions. It is up to the local authority membership to decide, most of whom I expect to be pro-enterprise and practical individuals elected by the people to present initiatives that will be...

Local Government Reform Bill 2013: From the Seanad (Resumed) (22 Jan 2014)

Phil Hogan: It is also gratifying to hear the concerns Deputy Billy Timmins has about how one cannot depend on councillors to have a discretionary basis between Arklow and Greystones. I agree with him as there are particular instances in this regard that we both share. As regards interfering with an independent Boundary Commission's report, the Deputy knows me long enough to know I would not do that....

Local Government Reform Bill 2013: From the Seanad (Resumed) (22 Jan 2014)

Phil Hogan: It is a refund scheme and in theory the letter of the law means that one must apply a refund to something that has already been paid. In practice, there will be engagement with local authority officials where there is no difficulty in entering into arrangements with the landlord in question in the event of difficulties with cashflow or where he or she may not have the money, depending on...

Local Government Reform Bill 2013: From the Seanad (Resumed) (22 Jan 2014)

Phil Hogan: It is a decision made by the council which might decide to change it on a reserved function basis from year to year or every couple of years or it might not decide to change it at all. It is a matter for it to decide. I want to give maximum discretion to the elected members to decide the matter for themselves. It will be done on a local electoral area basis, namely, a county basis. There...

Local Government Reform Bill 2013: From the Seanad (Resumed) (22 Jan 2014)

Phil Hogan: It is dealt with in the next amendment.

Local Government Reform Bill 2013: From the Seanad (Resumed) (22 Jan 2014)

Phil Hogan: As other Deputies have said, this particular provision was introduced in Dublin, Limerick and Cork with the objective of mobilising properties where landlords were sitting on them. There is a difference of opinion on this, and the circumstances of each of the local authorities will determine how they might implement such a scheme. There is a provision in the development contribution scheme...

Local Government Reform Bill 2013: From the Seanad (22 Jan 2014)

Phil Hogan: I thank the Deputies for their support for a review of the valuation process. I wish to confirm to the House that the Valuation (Amendment) Bill is on Committee Stage in the Seanad and I understand it is scheduled to be discussed in that House in February. Hopefully, it will come before this House before the end of this session.

Local Government Reform Bill 2013: From the Seanad (22 Jan 2014)

Phil Hogan: Section 31 (b) of the Bill originally amended section 14 of the Local Government Act of 1946 to the effect that vacancy refunds in authorities where the 1946 Act applies would be reduced to 50%. I previously signalled during our last debate in this House that I intended to consider this matter further. Amendments Nos. 16 and 120 specifically provide that elected members in all local...

Local Government Reform Bill 2013: From the Seanad (22 Jan 2014)

Phil Hogan: The objective is to allow further devolution of responsibility to elected members in order that they can decide on their priorities. In the next while I will be trying to get Departments and agencies to devolve an increasing number of functions to local government, in addition to the ones we are creating in this Bill. It is a matter for the elected members to decide on their priorities...

Local Government Reform Bill 2013: From the Seanad (22 Jan 2014)

Phil Hogan: I totally agree with the Deputy's sentiments on the valuation system. The current system is certainly not in keeping with the financial and economic reality in many areas. There is a danger that we will have two Irelands in regard to economic activity, particularly in town centres. Some of the suggestions made by the party opposite in its Private Members' legislation have certainly been...

Local Government Reform Bill 2013: From the Seanad (22 Jan 2014)

Phil Hogan: I share completely Deputy Murphy's opinion on the cultural changes required to be inclusive, not just with the members of the local authorities but with the community structures we are setting up as well. Inclusivity and the culture around it has not always been right and we hope to get to a position, certainly after the local elections in May 2014, to see with this legislation that the...