Results 16,561-16,580 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Secure Rents and Tenancies Bill 2016: Second Stage [Private Members] (30 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: I will happily, but I am responding to allegations that were made. I am now doing it through the Chair, which I am entitled to do.

Secure Rents and Tenancies Bill 2016: Second Stage [Private Members] (30 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: A strong and viable private rental sector can play an important role in the housing market and our wider economy. It can provide a housing option to those who either cannot or choose not to enter the owner-occupied market but still have sufficient means to meet their own accommodation needs. It can provide a housing option to meet increasing demand and it can promote flexibility and better...

Secure Rents and Tenancies Bill 2016: Second Stage [Private Members] (30 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: That is exactly what it is doing.

Leaders' Questions (30 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: Did they?

Leaders' Questions (30 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy fails to understand the process.

Seanad: Presidential Voting Rights: Motion (30 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: I was here for four hours, which is much longer than the Senator spent in the Chamber on the Bill.

Seanad: Presidential Voting Rights: Motion (30 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: There seems to be an assumption because we have tabled an alternative motion that I, Fine Gael and the Government are somehow against extending voting rights to Irish citizens living outside of Ireland. I have direct and extended family living in Washington, the UK, Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, Toronto, Vancouver, Victoria and other places. Lots of other people in this House could say the same....

Seanad: Presidential Voting Rights: Motion (30 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: The Senator sees a conspiracy around every corner.

Seanad: Presidential Voting Rights: Motion (30 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: There is a process in train. We just need to get it going.

Seanad: Presidential Voting Rights: Motion (30 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: We are going to do it.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: National Spatial Strategy (30 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: The current National Spatial Strategy (NSS) was published in 2002 and was Ireland's first national strategic spatial planning framework, setting an overarching planning framework. The Strategy remains in force and as a result of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2010, its statutory role and influence has been strengthened by new requirements for local authority and regional plans...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Funding (30 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: Funds collected by local authorities through the sale of local authority houses or other housing-related activities, are normally used by those authorities for maintenance and improvement to their housing stock. This can include replacing windows and doors, improving heating systems and any other appropriate maintenance/improvement activities the local authority deems appropriate.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Library Projects (30 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: My Department has allocated some €22m to the development of library premises as part of the new Libraries Capital Development Programme 2016-2021. Funding has been allocated to projects that range from small refurbishment works to larger scale developments and new-builds. It is intended that projects funded under the programme will operate the ‘My Open Library’ service...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: An Bord Pleanála Applications (30 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: Under Section 126 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, An Bord Pleanála has a statutory objective to determine appealswithin 18 weeks. Where the Board does not consider it possible or appropriate to reach a decision within 18 weeks (e.g. because of the particular complexities of a case or the requirement to hold an oral hearing), it will inform the parties of the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Control of Dogs (30 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 78 and 79 together. Under the Control of Dogs Acts, local authorities have responsibility for operating and managing dog control and licensing services in their administrative areas, including the management of dog pounds or shelters and my Department has no involvement in this process. The procurement of any service in that regard and the cost of operating...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Nitrates Action Programme Implementation (30 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: The European Union (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2014, as amended, give legal effect in Ireland to the Nitrates Directive and to our Nitrates Action Programme (NAP). Local authorities, acting under the general supervision of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), are the competent authorities for enforcing the Nitrates Regulations; my Department does...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Local Government Reform (30 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: The decision to replace town authorities with a new model of municipal governance under the Local Government Reform Act 2014 was designed primarily to strengthen local government within counties and to address widely acknowledged and long-standing weaknesses and anomalies in the previous system, including divided administration between town and county authorities, for example, in relation to...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Water and Sewerage Schemes (30 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: The Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 provides for the transfer of water services functions from the 34 water services authorities to Irish Water. Under the legislation, Irish Water now has the powers previously held by local authorities in relation to the takeover of Group Water Schemes. This means that Irish Water may acquire by agreement a waterworks or waste water works, subject generally...

Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy (29 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: Like other Deputies, I welcome the Barry family to Dáil Éireann. I am sure this is an occasion tinged with sadness but much pride as well. As a Cork person who grew up on the Blackrock Road, approximately 100 yards from where Peter and Margaret Barry and their family lived, I remember very vividly as a young boy hearing about and revering Peter Barry as a pillar of society. He...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Housing Assistance Payments (29 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: The Government increased the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) (and Rent Supplement) rent limits in every local authority area, taking account of geographic variations in market rents, with effect from 1 July 2016 meeting its stated commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government and Rebuilding Ireland: An Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness. In addition, additional flexibility...