Results 17,181-17,200 of 25,999 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Social and Affordable Housing (19 Nov 2019)

Darragh O'Brien: I am listening.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Social and Affordable Housing (19 Nov 2019)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Minister for his response. I will try to be constructive in my response so I will leave aside some of his political commentary.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Social and Affordable Housing (19 Nov 2019)

Darragh O'Brien: I will try to be helpful as we always do. The Minister has been out at the site several times turning sods.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Social and Affordable Housing (19 Nov 2019)

Darragh O'Brien: He has been at photo calls left, right and centre at O'Devaney Gardens. His predecessor, the Tánaiste, did likewise. We genuinely want to see this project move forward. I am asking the Minister to look at the affordable element of the original deal from 2017, for which he advocated. While he may question whether the new deal is an agreement or a revision, the amended agreement was...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Social and Affordable Housing (19 Nov 2019)

Darragh O'Brien: I seek an update from the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government on the status of the O'Devaney Gardens redevelopment project. I do so in a constructive way in an effort to move this forward. The key issue is ensuring that the O'Devaney Gardens site is restored so that people can move back into and live in the area. It is a prime site of 14 acres, adjacent to the Phoenix Park...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Jobs Protection (19 Nov 2019)

Darragh O'Brien: 301. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the actions she has taken to protect jobs at a company (details supplied); the supports that will be put in place by her Department and agencies for employees that have been put on protective notice; if she has spoken with management of the company regarding protecting the jobs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47630/19]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Climate Action Plan (19 Nov 2019)

Darragh O'Brien: 518. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the progress towards achieving the interim offshore wind energy targets set out in the Climate Action Plan for 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47299/19]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Postal Codes (19 Nov 2019)

Darragh O'Brien: 519. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the provision of an Eircode for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47366/19]

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Early Childhood Care and Education (19 Nov 2019)

Darragh O'Brien: 579. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the status of the provision of the second year of free play schooling for a child (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47377/19]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (19 Nov 2019)

Darragh O'Brien: 631. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the supports and advice her Department will make available to workers laid off at a company (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47631/19]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing Expenditure (19 Nov 2019)

Darragh O'Brien: 669. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the average cost per unit for social housing units under Part V in O'Devaney gardens; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47590/19]

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Housing (Regulation of Approved Housing Bodies) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (19 Nov 2019)

Darragh O'Brien: We discussed this at length and I know the Minister's officials said it was not their intention. However, section 11, as drafted, givescarte blancheto the Minister to impose or propose any fees. It states: "...determine the fees to be paid to it in relation to the performance, by or on behalf of it, of its functions." This was a concern raised with me and other members in regard to cost...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Housing (Regulation of Approved Housing Bodies) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (19 Nov 2019)

Darragh O'Brien: That is helpful. Section 35(5), in particular, is significant because that is prescriptive on charging an AHB. I agree that if people are looking for copies of reports or the register or whatever else, there needs to be a fee to prevent spurious complaints or requests. I completely get that. The Minister is proposing the removal of section 35(5) and section 28(2)(e), which refers to...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Housing (Regulation of Approved Housing Bodies) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (19 Nov 2019)

Darragh O'Brien: The amendment and the section deal specifically with the appearance of the chief executive before the Committee of Public Accounts. They would not restrict any other comment a chief executive might have to make. As a former Vice Chairman of the Committee of Public Accounts, it is important that we do not do anything that would impinge on its work. In the main it should be down to questions...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Housing (Regulation of Approved Housing Bodies) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (19 Nov 2019)

Darragh O'Brien: I move amendment No. 15: In page 25, after line 39, to insert the following: “(4) Where an AHB provides ‘special needs accommodation’ for tenants with additional needs beyond an inability to provide for their housing from their own resources, “special needs accommodation” shall be defined as accommodation provided to persons who by reason of old age,...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Housing (Regulation of Approved Housing Bodies) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (19 Nov 2019)

Darragh O'Brien: Not because the Deputy was locked out.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Housing (Regulation of Approved Housing Bodies) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (19 Nov 2019)

Darragh O'Brien: The Minister mentioned before the suspension that his officials would speak to stakeholders. The amendment has been brought forward by way of the request of a couple of the bodies. If it is in an inappropriate place and should be included somewhere else in the Bill, I am happy to accept that and work on the issue before Report Stage. I also want to hear what Deputy Ó Broin has to say...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Housing (Regulation of Approved Housing Bodies) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (19 Nov 2019)

Darragh O'Brien: I take a slightly different view because we also received a request. The rationale for this was to do with the regulatory independence. The Minister can direct the regulator about draft standards and changing them, with no reference to the committee. Does the Minister not see that in providing that the Minister of the day may direct the regulator to amend draft standards it is,...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Housing (Regulation of Approved Housing Bodies) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (19 Nov 2019)

Darragh O'Brien: Specifically on this and subsection (5), to provide that the Minister would consult with the joint committee would be important because, based on what I said earlier, it gives a Minister a free hand. Even though the Minister cannot see an instance where he would come forward with amended standards and direct the regulator to implement them, this section gives a future Minister a free hand to...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Housing (Regulation of Approved Housing Bodies) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (19 Nov 2019)

Darragh O'Brien: We honestly need to look at this. We are talking about standards for AHBs. I understand what the Minister is saying. This is not about frustrating or trying to impinge on ministerial powers or executive order; it is a matter of the committee having an input, even if it is just seeing what is coming down the line. We do not know what is coming down the line. The AHBs are playing a much...