Results 16,721-16,740 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: Judicial review is not about assessing the planning decision. Under a judicial review, one can merely legally challenge the fairness of the process, its consistency with legislation, etc. I do not ever make that argument. There is a belt-and-braces approach being taken to the planning decision and there is a localised and intensive consultation process. Even before that, there is a...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: Sorry. Let me be crystal clear, in that a planning application cannot get consideration under this process unless the land on which that application is made is currently zoned.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: It cannot be considered if it has only been zoned at some stage in the past. It has to be currently zoned under-----

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: Yes. If it has been dezoned, it will not be subject to this consideration process until it is zoned.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: What is the Senator talking about? I-----

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: I have told the Senator that I support the principle.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: I indicated early on today that I am supportive of this amendment. The only issue is whether we have the wording right in terms of legal drafting and so on. In fact, what is being sought in this amendment is less than what I was talking about doing earlier. Essentially, it is stating that there will be a formal council meeting. I presume it will be up to the council to decide the form of...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: Is Senator Craughwell looking for a press release out of this?

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: I am not interested in who gets the credit for what here. This is an issue about responding to a genuine concern that has been outlined by many Members, particularly Senator Landy, who is not here now, to ensure that respect is given to local councillors in terms of ensuring that they know what is going on. He has just come into the Chamber. One of the issues raised the last time we...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: I reserve the right to amend the amendment on Report Stage if we need to improve the language.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: Amendment No. 16 relates to subsection 12 that provides that the board shall include in its annual report two things. First, a statement of the number of strategic housing development applications that it has determined within the 16-week period specified in section 9 or such other period as has been prescribed under subsection (10). Second, such other information as to the time taken to...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: It will not be taken out of their wages.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: The amendment contains a mechanism for two reasons. First, to show that I am confident An Bord Pleanála will deliver. Second, I wish to make it known publically that we are serious about delivering the targets that we have set in the legislation. Otherwise we have deadlines with no consequence if they are not met and that is not credible. Amendment No. 17 relates to subsection (13)...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: It is my understanding that there is no recourse. The board will go on to make its decision after the 16-week period, as outlined in this section, but there is a consequence in terms of the fine. The Bill also provides for a public consultation period if justified that will push the decision well past the 16-week period. In the normal course of events, considering these applications, I am...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: Section 12 of the Bill enables the Minister to make regulations providing for procedural and administrative matters relating to the content of sections 4 to 10, inclusive. This amendment relates to subsection (1) which specifies some of the matters to which regulations under this section may relate. The amendment provides for the insertion of a new paragraph (a) in subsection (1) specifying...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: Section 20 amends the Planning and Development Act 2000 by inserting three new sections 176A, 176B and 176C into that Act relating to environmental impact assessment screening. For the purpose of further implementing EU Directive 2011/92/EU on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment, this section allows for a determination in advance of making...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Motor Tax (23 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: Article 3 of the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) (Amendment) Regulations 1992 sets out the particulars that must be provided on a motor tax disc; these include the tax class of the vehicle. There are some 30,000 vehicles in the State that are exempt from motor tax. As well as vehicles exempted under the terms of the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions)...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Library Services Provision (23 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 90, 91 and 93 together. ‘My Open Library’ is an initiative under Opportunities for All, the national public library strategy 2013-2017 which allows library members the freedom and flexibility to use the library at times that suit them. It provides additional opening hours from 8am to 10pm, seven days-per-week, ensuring access to library services...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Library Services (23 Nov 2016)

Simon Coveney: A rigorous appraisal of the State agencies under the aegis of my Department was carried out as part of the reform of State agencies under the Public Service Reform Plan 2011-2013. On foot of the appraisal, the number of agencies was reduced. This rationalisation included the dissolution of the Library Council and the transfer of its functions and staff to the new Library Development Unit in...