Results 1,521-1,540 of 7,082 for speaker:John Paul Phelan

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Commercial Rates (8 Nov 2018)

John Paul Phelan: 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 under the Valuation Acts 2001-2015. The levying and collection of rates are matters for each individual local authority. The annual rate on valuation (ARV), which is...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authority Funding (8 Nov 2018)

John Paul Phelan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 293 and 294 together. My Department has a broad agenda, including providing necessary housing and planning supports in partnership with local authorities. To deliver on this agenda, my Department allocates significant resources to local authorities. The table below details funding to local authorities from my Department as it was configured in each year...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Election Management System (8 Nov 2018)

John Paul Phelan: Recognising that people with disabilities have particular needs, my Department endeavours to ensure that the voting process is as accessible and inclusive as possible. The Electoral Acts provide for a range of measures to meet the needs of people with physical disabilities, including: - The requirement on local authorities, in making polling schemes, to appoint as polling places areas...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Election Management System (7 Nov 2018)

John Paul Phelan: Electoral law provides that where a poll is to be taken at a referendum or a Dáil, European, Presidential or local election, the returning officer shall send to every elector whose name is on the relevant register of electors for the constituency and who is not on the postal or special voters lists, a card (referred to as a polling information card). The purpose of the card is to inform...

Seanad: Accessibility Issues for Voters with Disabilities: Statements (6 Nov 2018)

John Paul Phelan: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach for his welcome. I welcome the opportunity to address the Seanad this evening on accessibility issues for voters with disabilities. I am happy to contribute to this debate and to answer any questions Senators may have on this important matter. Electoral law contains specific provisions designed to make voting as accessible and as inclusive as possible....

Seanad: Accessibility Issues for Voters with Disabilities: Statements (6 Nov 2018)

John Paul Phelan: I will go through the matters different Senators raised. Senator Ned O'Sullivan was first and spoke about the progression in franchise law which this year rightly marks the 100th anniversary of the first parliamentary vote for women. We have also overcome all sorts of other hurdles and obstacles. I am not sure I ever witnessed abuse of disabled voters but I certainly witnessed the clearing...

Seanad: Accessibility Issues for Voters with Disabilities: Statements (6 Nov 2018)

John Paul Phelan: We will be dealing with the specific issues regarding city and county sheriffs, and city and county registrars, and the boundary question in the Local Government Bill, which will be before this House before the turn of the year. We will have more information about those matters when the legislation is debated. I am not trying to downplay the numbers. The fact that 27 polling stations were...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Seanad Elections (6 Nov 2018)

John Paul Phelan: In accordance with section 4 of the Seanad Electoral (Panel Members) Act 1947, the Clerk of Seanad Éireann is the returning officer for Seanad general elections and bye-elections.  The Seanad returning officer's responsibilities include the establishment and maintenance of the register of nominating bodies, arrangements for which are set out in sections 8 and 9 of the 1947 Act.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Commercial Rates Exemptions (6 Nov 2018)

John Paul Phelan: 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 under the Valuation Acts 2001 - 2015.  The levying and collection of rates are matters for each individual local authority and all rates income accrues to the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authority Funding (6 Nov 2018)

John Paul Phelan: I assume the question refers to the Local Government (Funding) Baseline review, which has taken place largely in parallel with the review of Local Property Tax (LPT), led by the Department of Finance. Since the introduction of local retention of LPT in 2015, LPT allocations have replaced General Purpose Grants funding previously received by local authorities  from the Local Government...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Mayoral Election (6 Nov 2018)

John Paul Phelan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1202 to 1204, inclusive, together. At its meeting of 27 September 2018, the Government approved the policy paper "Local Authority Leadership, Governance and Administration", prepared as part of the response to the Programme for Partnership Government commitment to report to Government and the Oireachtas on potential measures...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authority Rates (25 Oct 2018)

John Paul Phelan: 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 under the Valuation Acts 2001 - 2015. The levying and collection of rates are matters for each individual local authority and all rates income accrues to the local...

Sale of Illicit Goods Bill 2017: Second Stage [Private Members] (24 Oct 2018)

John Paul Phelan: I thank the Deputies for their contributions to the debate. I believe Deputies on all sides of the House agree that smuggling, the shadow economy and activities in those areas pose a threat to legitimate and compliant businesses and consumers as well as depriving the Government of tax revenues. However, I do not think the solution is to adopt the approach set out in the Bill before the...

Sale of Illicit Goods Bill 2017: Second Stage [Private Members] (24 Oct 2018)

John Paul Phelan: A tall chap like you.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Social and Affordable Housing Provision (24 Oct 2018)

John Paul Phelan: I thank the Deputies for their contributions. I am limited in what I can say because it is currently before An Bord Pleanála, but I will directly answer some of the questions that have been put. Affordable housing will be delivered under three areas of activity on the site, the first of which is to enable affordable housing for purchase. Relevant provisions of the Housing...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Social and Affordable Housing Provision (24 Oct 2018)

John Paul Phelan: I thank the Deputies for raising this important issue concerning the ongoing situation at the former Irish Glass Bottle site in Ringsend, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, who cannot be here. I do not want to get into too much of a row with Deputy O'Callaghan but I am a Minister of State in the Department of Housing, Planning and Local...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Mayoral Election (24 Oct 2018)

John Paul Phelan: At its meeting on 27 September 2018, the Government agreed in principle to the holding of plebiscites on directly elected mayors with executive functions for Cork City Council, Limerick City and County Council, Waterford City and County Council and Galway City Council and Galway County Council at the same time as the Local Government Elections in May 2019. This agreement is subject to the...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: National Parks and Wildlife Service Funding (23 Oct 2018)

John Paul Phelan: I am taking this debate on behalf of the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Madigan, and I thank the Senator for raising it. I will talk to the Minister about the issues outlined. Reading the answer before Senator Mulherin spoke, it might be approaching the question in a different way than the Senator addressed the matter. In 2018, the Department allocated...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Job Losses (23 Oct 2018)

John Paul Phelan: I thank Senator Nash. I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Deputy Regina Doherty. The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection received notification of the proposed liquidation of TAFC Manufacturing Ireland DAC on 22 October 2018.The Protection of Employment Act 1977 imposes a number of obligations on employers that...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Job Losses (23 Oct 2018)

John Paul Phelan: My view will be limited.