Results 1,701-1,720 of 25,975 for speaker:Kieran O'Donnell

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (13 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: This legislation has taken time to reach this point. However, the officials here would argue that this would not apply in that time period. Local authorities are likely to fall under the new legislation without any extension being required. We can come back to the Deputy on that. We have a bit of work to do on it. However, the provision is there to make the transition as soon as possible.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (13 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: Did Deputy O'Callaghan have a quick question?

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (13 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: Is it amendment No. 188?

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (13 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I will not be back for the next session. Does the Cathaoirleach require me to deal with amendment No. 500?

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Committee Stage (8 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank the House. This is important legislation, and I very much look forward to engaging with Members on it. We have an election due to take place on the same day as the local and European elections.I look forward to working with the House and enjoying its co-operation in getting the Bill through as expeditiously as possibly, although with a proper debate on the Bill, obviously. I thank...

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Committee Stage (8 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I appreciate that. To all Senators, to Senators Gavan, Higgins, Fitzpatrick and Maria Byrne, I appreciate the late time. These amendments are not related to the directly elected mayor, DEM. They are being brought in because there is an immediate need to increase funding around housing both to the LDA and to increase the borrowing capacity of the Housing Finance Agency. I have looked for...

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Committee Stage (8 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank the Senators. Amendment No. 3 is in the name of the Civil Engagement Group and relates to the provisions for holding the mayoral election and the structures associated with the office and would require those sections to be commenced within three months of the passing of the Act. I recognise the intent of the amendment. As a former councillor, and one who was granted the privilege...

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Committee Stage (8 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Cabinet made a decision when the Bill was published that it would be held on the same day as the local elections. Obviously, that date has to be fully determined, but it is a window between 6 June and 9 June.

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Committee Stage (8 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: Does the Acting Chairperson wish me to respond to amendments Nos. 4 to 7?

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Committee Stage (8 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: Amendments Nos. 4 and 5 in the names of Sinn Féin Senators Gavan, Warfield and Boylan are similar to the amendments tabled in the Dáil. They propose to reduce the review period for this Bill, when enacted, from three years after the office of the mayor is established to two years.I fully agree that the operation and effectiveness of the legislation should be subject to a review...

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Committee Stage (8 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I think it would be more appropriate for Senator Higgins to make her contribution now.

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Committee Stage (8 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank the Civil Engagement Group for tabling amendment No. 6, which proposes to narrow the consultation on the review of the Act from consultation with Limerick City and County Council to consultation with only the elected council of Limerick City and County Council.

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Committee Stage (8 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: When we talk about Limerick City and County Council, we are talking primarily about the elected council but also the officials in the council as well, and the mayor. It is an inclusive-----

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Committee Stage (8 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: That is correct.

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Committee Stage (8 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: Yes, absolutely.

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Committee Stage (8 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: How can we talk about Limerick City and County Council without including the elected members? We cannot. Equally, in the spirit of co-operation, it is important to include the officials on the council as well, and also to include the mayor. Up to now we have have a two-pillar system consisting of the elected members and the CEO, manager, or whatever term one wants to use. It will be a...

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Committee Stage (8 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: First, if Senator Gavan goes to section 7 of the Bill, it provides that the Minister “shall, not later than 3 months after the end of that period of 3 years, or on the completion of the review, whichever is the earlier, make a report, in writing”. The report has to be made, if he wants to go with his absolute, three years and three months after the mayor is elected. Second, it...

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Committee Stage (8 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Senator is correct, in that the report has to be put before both Houses of the Oireachtas, which is the correct approach. It will obviously feed into the committee system as well. The Bill is true to what the people voted on, in term of powers. That is my abiding principle. The mayor will now bring forward a budget of €600 million to his or her colleagues in the chamber. He or...

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Committee Stage (8 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I propose to address amendments Nos. 8 to 13, inclusive, as they have been grouped together for discussion. Amendment No. 8, from Sinn Féin, to section 9 of the Bill proposes that the mayor shall not engage in any other form of paid employment during his or her term. I thank the Senators for highlighting this important point as the office of the mayor is a full-time role, with the...

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Committee Stage (8 Feb 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: This important role is reflected in section 32, which provides for the mayor to establish a Limerick mayoral advisory and implementation committee. One of the functions of the committee, which is to be chaired by the mayor, will be, "to promote, foster and support economic, touristic, social and cultural activities in Limerick, in particular the rural areas thereof". I specifically came up...