Results 1,681-1,700 of 4,573 for speaker:Brian Leddin

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Building Reform Regulations: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (14 Feb 2023)

Brian Leddin: I know this is not Mr. Armstrong's area so I will not press him on the planning piece. That is all very good. More pertinent to his section is the question of embodied carbon in the existing built environment and how that is accounted for and valued. It seems we may be turning a blind eye to something that is very important there. We would not be alone; as far as I know, very few...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Building Reform Regulations: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (14 Feb 2023)

Brian Leddin: Will Ms Neary respond briefly to the question on building control?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Building Reform Regulations: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (14 Feb 2023)

Brian Leddin: Are we moving to a point where every new building will be inspected by a building control officer?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Building Reform Regulations: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (14 Feb 2023)

Brian Leddin: Would an assigned certifier be local authority?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Building Reform Regulations: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (14 Feb 2023)

Brian Leddin: Thus, it is not a case that we are moving towards the model in England, where everything is inspected. I am not saying it is right or wrong, but we are not doing that here.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Building Reform Regulations: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (14 Feb 2023)

Brian Leddin: To clarify the 86%, were those exclusively heat pump homes that did not also have fossil fuel boilers installed as backup? If there is a proportion of dual-fuel homes, the risk is that people might start using the fossil fuel boilers.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Building Reform Regulations: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (14 Feb 2023)

Brian Leddin: I also wish to ask about fossil fuel boilers in existing buildings. We are doing well in terms of new builds, but the situation with existing buildings is much more challenging. How is it going? If someone lives in a house built between the 1950s and 1970s, he or she may not install a heat pump and may instead install another oil or gas boiler. What is the path in respect of existing...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Building Reform Regulations: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (14 Feb 2023)

Brian Leddin: I thank Mr. Armstrong.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Building Reform Regulations: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (14 Feb 2023)

Brian Leddin: The concern would be that the climate action plan is viewed by other Departments as very much sitting with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications but the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has ownership of the housing piece and reducing emissions there. Is that what Senator O'Reilly was asking?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Building Reform Regulations: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (14 Feb 2023)

Brian Leddin: There is certainly really good stuff happening. I do not think anybody would dispute it but how do we as a committee know that housing is on track? It is the mandate of this committee and its responsibility to bring in Ministers more so than officials. That is the accountability piece in the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021. We need to hear that the line...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Building Reform Regulations: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (14 Feb 2023)

Brian Leddin: We will have the Minister in on Thursday so hold that question, Senator O'Reilly.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Building Reform Regulations: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (14 Feb 2023)

Brian Leddin: Deputy O'Rourke is waiting patiently. I will come back to Senator Higgins.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Building Reform Regulations: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (14 Feb 2023)

Brian Leddin: I was about to suggest that myself. It would be very useful for us if our guests are agreeable to the suggestion. Particularly on light, if we are mindful of making the best use of light in our design thinking, we can probably pre-empt the emission of a lot of carbon. I will leave that with the Department and go to Deputy O'Rourke.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Building Reform Regulations: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (14 Feb 2023)

Brian Leddin: I may come back to the Senator for some clarity on that question.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Building Reform Regulations: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (14 Feb 2023)

Brian Leddin: That is it. We have had a thorough and interesting session. It will help us as we go forward-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Building Reform Regulations: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (14 Feb 2023)

Brian Leddin: Was it on the written piece?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Building Reform Regulations: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (14 Feb 2023)

Brian Leddin: Do the witnesses wish to respond now or leave it for the written reply? I do not mind.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Building Reform Regulations: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (14 Feb 2023)

Brian Leddin: That is it. I thank the Department officials again. This has been an engaging and interesting session. If I may say, some members expressed concern about the Department’s remit and the country staying on track in respect of its climate targets. Notwithstanding all the fantastic work the Department is doing, we have to be sure that the sector follows that path to 2030 and the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Childcare Services (9 Feb 2023)

Brian Leddin: 64. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of childcare services that have signed a core funding contract to date; the number of services that have entered a core funding agreement that have ceased operations since the scheme began in September 2022; the number of those that cited financial sustainability issues; and if he will make a...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Flexible Work Practices (9 Feb 2023)

Brian Leddin: 94. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he intends to expand the provisions of flexible working and remote working contained in the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2022 to all employees, beyond those who are in care relationships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6033/23]