Results 1,541-1,560 of 11,861 for speaker:Brian Hayes

Seanad: Diesel Laundering: Statements (23 May 2013)

Brian Hayes: As Hamlet said, "Seems, madam! Nay it is; I know not 'seems.'" The issue under debate today relates to diesel laundering and I am not sure about the matter to which the Senator refers. I have not heard about the matter he mentioned if it was referred to previously today. It is not particularly unusual that people with a view on illegal goods on sale in this country would make that known...

Seanad: Diesel Laundering: Statements (23 May 2013)

Brian Hayes: The Senator should hang on. I have not been given notice on this. I would advise the Senator to table a motion on the Adjournment or raise it in the normal way. I have not heard of that meeting. If there was a meeting, I do not believe it is exceptional. The issue of cigarette smuggling is well known and the Government has a view on it. I do not believe it is an exceptional issue....

Seanad: Diesel Laundering: Statements (23 May 2013)

Brian Hayes: I thank the Cathaoirleach for the opportunity to come to the Seanad to contribute to this debate on fuel laundering. The Office of the Revenue Commissioners, which has responsibility for the collection of mineral oil tax and for tackling the illicit trade in mineral oil products, informs me that it is acutely aware of the threat posed by illegal activity and tax evasion in this area. The...

Houses of the Oireachtas (Inquiries, Privileges and Procedures) Bill 2013: Second Stage (22 May 2013)

Brian Hayes: Deputy Shane Ross is in the wrong job.

Topical Issue Debate: National Monuments (22 May 2013)

Brian Hayes: We are looking at this issue very closely. As I said, I hope it will be resolved in the not too distant future and that we can work up some flexible arrangement with Dublin City Council. We are in the parks business in the context of our own properties, such as Phoenix Park and St. Stephen's Green, and the many other national historic properties which fall under the responsibility of the...

Topical Issue Debate: National Monuments (22 May 2013)

Brian Hayes: This issue falls exclusively under the remit of the OPW and the Deputy should not feel the need to apologise for raising this matter. It is an important issue, not least because of the historical connection but also because of its location. The site is on a major thoroughfare running alongside the River Liffey into town. Hundreds of thousands of cars pass the area every year. It is also...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Property Tax Assessments (22 May 2013)

Brian Hayes: The Office of Public Works has engaged in an exercise to identify all the properties in State Portfolio, managed by the Commissioners’ of Public Works, which are liable for the local property tax. Valuation Service is currently engaged in assigning these properties to the appropriate tax band and work will be complete in advance of the Revenue deadline. The Commissioners are not in a...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Property Tax Assessments (22 May 2013)

Brian Hayes: I propose to take Questions Nos. 116 to 118, inclusive, together. The Office of Public Works has engaged in an exercise to identify all the properties in State Portfolio managed by the Commissioners’ of Public Works which are liable for the local property tax. These properties include Áras an Uachtaráin, Farmleigh and Ardilaun Lodge in St. Stephen's Green. The list is now...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: National Procurement Service Framework Agreements (22 May 2013)

Brian Hayes: The National Procurement Service (NPS) is cognisant of the needs of Small and Medium Enterprises and the fact that they are a very important part of the national economy. It is also recognised that public procurement can be an important source of business for SMEs. However, when the value of a contract exceeds the threshold for publication in the Official Journal of the European...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: National Monuments (22 May 2013)

Brian Hayes: There are a total of almost 1,000 individual National Monuments in State care at approx 768 locations around the country. These are managed and maintained by the OPW and include both sites which are in full State ownership and others which are privately-owned but where Guardianship arrangements exist and where the OPW provides maintenance services. This arrangement is provided for under the...

Topical Issue Debate: Mortgage Arrears Proposals (21 May 2013)

Brian Hayes: I very much welcome the Deputy's remarks. We are all in a new space since the passage of the personal insolvency legislation and the setting of very clear targets by the Government in March in terms of making progress. Both of us would agree that we need to make progress and this is one arm of the progress agenda which is being rolled out by the Central Bank. As the Deputy rightly pointed...

Topical Issue Debate: Mortgage Arrears Proposals (21 May 2013)

Brian Hayes: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I have been informed by the Central Bank that this initiative is being implemented to establish, on a test basis, an approach to deal with both secured and unsecured debt. This pilot scheme will take in a sample of approximately 750 cases where borrowers have debts with multiple lenders. To address this scenario, the Central Bank has commenced a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Flood Risk Assessments (21 May 2013)

Brian Hayes: On foot of my constructive engagement with the insurance industry last year, a working group has been established between the Office of Public Works (OPW), the Irish Insurance Federation (IIF) and representatives of the main insurance companies operating in the Irish market to progress work on agreeing a viable basis for the exchange of information on flood defence schemes completed by the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Flood Prevention Measures (21 May 2013)

Brian Hayes: The flooding problem in the Glenflesk area is being assessed under the ongoing South Western Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Study which includes officials from Kerry County Council on the Study Steering and Progress Groups. The South Western CFRAM Study, undertaken by Mott MacDonald Engineering Consultants on behalf of the OPW, is an in-depth examination of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Office of Public Works Projects (21 May 2013)

Brian Hayes: The Office of Public Works (OPW) has provided design services for the proposed redevelopment of the Irish Jewish Museum from initial design proposals to the current status of a planning application stage. There has been no fee for these services.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Office of Public Works Projects (21 May 2013)

Brian Hayes: There is no programme or initiative from which community groups receive access to the design services of the Office of Public Works (OPW). In regard to the Irish Jewish Museum the OPW was requested by the Department of the Taoiseach to examine and develop design options.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: State Property (16 May 2013)

Brian Hayes: In line with the Office of Public Works policy relating to the issue of surplus State Property, the first stage is to determine if another State Body has use for the asset. A feasibility study is currently underway to examine the potential for two State Agencies to utilise the property. It is anticipated that this property will be in effective State use by the end of the year.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works Projects (16 May 2013)

Brian Hayes: Work in relation to the provision of new tea rooms at Kilmacurragh is progressing satisfactorily and a planning application will be submitted to Wicklow Co. Co. shortly. It is expected that, following a tender competition, work will commence on site later this year with completion early in 2014.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works Expenditure (16 May 2013)

Brian Hayes: Each year, prior to the Visitor Season on Skellig Michael, the Office of Public Works (OPW) carries out routine maintenance tasks on the Island to ensure that any damage to the Monument is assessed, any debris of winter storms is cleared away, the Island is made safe for workers and visitors and that the OPW accommodation on the island is readied for season use. In certain years, more work is...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works Projects (16 May 2013)

Brian Hayes: The season at the site in question, Gallarus Oratory, has not been extended. The site was open to guided visitors form 31st May to 29th August in 2012 and the 2013 season will run from 30th May to 28th August. The opening and closing dates of Skellig Michael for visitors in 2013 will be 17th May to 30th September. In relation to extending the season at Skellig Michael, attempts have been made...