Results 1,661-1,680 of 2,163 for speaker:John Cummins

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Urban Regeneration: Discussion (Resumed) (25 Jan 2022)

John Cummins: On specific targets for repair and lease, will the Department set a specific target for local authorities? This is an issue I have raised ad nauseam. I do not know why there would be resistance to putting specific targets on local authorities under this scheme. It is the only measure local authorities will respond to. If eight local authorities have not delivered a single unit and 22 have...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Urban Regeneration: Discussion (Resumed) (25 Jan 2022)

John Cummins: I am sure it will be a recommendation of the committee. I would ask that, prior to that happening, it be expedited as an action. It is one that can be easily actioned.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Jan 2022)

John Cummins: I take the opportunity to speak about Rescue 117 and the search and rescue base at Waterford Airport. Since the pre-qualification questionnaire for the new contract was published prior to Christmas, there has been a considerable amount of speculation and an understandable concern expressed within the south east regarding the likely configuration of operations when the new contract is...

Seanad: Maritime Area Planning Bill 2021: Report and Final Stages (17 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: I stated on Committee Stage that everyone in this House supports good environmental practices, and in this case having protected marine life, but at the same time we have to acknowledge and be honest that delays occur as a result of challenges. It was indicated on Committee Stage by the Member on my left that he was already aware this legislation which we were still in the process of...

Seanad: Maritime Area Planning Bill 2021: Report and Final Stages (17 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: That is accurate. I suggest the Senator check the record. The main point I am making is nobody is suggesting we restrict people's right to be able to take challenges. However, we need to be honest and upfront with the public as to the consequences of such challenges. We can all speak about meeting our targets in terms of wind energy, etc., but we cannot get to those targets if...

Seanad: Live Industry Supports: Statements (16 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: I welcome the Minister to the House and this is a debate that many of us requested last week. I thank the Minister and the Leader for facilitating statements this evening on a critical topic. The Minister is aware the live theatre, arts and events industry has had what can only be described as a torrid 20 months.The impact of closures, curtailments, restricted audiences, social distancing...

Seanad: Maritime Area Planning Bill 2021: Committee Stage (14 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: I will comment briefly on amendment No. 3. Nobody disagrees with the importance of public consultation, but significant periods are set out statutorily in the legislation for that. To select periods, such as the first two weeks in August, as the periods in which consultation is not allowed is not appropriate. While the first two weeks in August might not suit certain people, they might...

Seanad: Maritime Area Planning Bill 2021: Committee Stage (14 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: It is important to say that any periods of time we are adding to this process has implications. We all say we are in favour of meeting our targets in terms of wind energy, for example. However, this amendment, as is the case with many of the proposed amendments, will add time to the process. We must be realistic with the public and tell them that will have a tangible impact on our ability...

Seanad: Maritime Area Planning Bill 2021: Committee Stage (14 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: Senator Boyhan is far more experienced at legislation than I am but he also knows that when amendments must be taken in their entirety.

Seanad: Maritime Area Planning Bill 2021: Committee Stage (14 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: I did not suggest that they did not.

Seanad: Maritime Area Planning Bill 2021: Committee Stage (14 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: I will be as brief as possible. I agree with many of the comments of my colleagues. I was a member of a local authority from 2009 and while I never served on a harbour board, my father did. He worked in Bell Lines shipping company and had a very good, in-depth knowledge of the area. Indeed, he had an all-encompassing view and served on the Waterford Harbour board and Waterford Harbour...

Seanad: Maritime Area Planning Bill 2021: Committee Stage (14 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: Next Friday.

Seanad: Maritime Area Planning Bill 2021: Committee Stage (14 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: Everyone's views are important, be they from any of the bodies that are suggested, or not, by Senator Higgins, or from individuals.I come from a coastal county, namely, Waterford, and this is relevant for everyone who lives along our coastline and anybody who lives in Ireland. The Minister of State is correct to point out that many of these bodies have been engaged extensively throughout...

Seanad: Maritime Area Planning Bill 2021: Committee Stage (14 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: He cannot take little bits of it to suit the agenda of the day. I am sure the Minister of State will reply on that. I wanted to make one other point regarding the Senator's original comments. He said he was aware this legislation would be challenged in the courts. That is very disappointing if that is the case.Senator Boyhan is aware that already before we as Oireachtas Members pass...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Urban Regeneration: Discussion (14 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: I thank all our witnesses contributing to the debate on this very important topic. We need to address this issue, which is why this committee is placing such an emphasis on it. I read all the opening statements with interest. I agree with Mr. Shakespeare's thesis that this issue is very complex and that there are many reasons we have vacant properties in the middle of a housing crisis....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Urban Regeneration: Discussion (14 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: I refer to the ability to develop the scheme further for potential use as cost rental units for middle income earners.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Urban Regeneration: Discussion (14 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: I ask that Dublin City Council would come back to us on that figure of 11 applications. The Government figures from gov.ieare 39, which shows there is only a 5% conversion rate between applications versus delivery of units on the ground. If that is compared with Waterford, there is a conversion rate of upwards of 40%. Something is seriously wrong there and we have not had sufficient...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Urban Regeneration: Discussion (14 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: We have heard a lot of excuses today. Anybody looking in on this meeting will be tearing their hair out. I am certainly tearing out what little hair I have left on my head. It seems to be excuse after excuse. The Government can only come up with policy interventions. We cannot do this on our own. We need local authorities to deliver under the schemes that are in place. To paraphrase...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Urban Regeneration: Discussion (14 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: I apologise to Mr. Dinnigan but that is for the buy and renew scheme. Does the council have targets for 2022, 2023 and 2024 under the repair and lease scheme?