Results 17,941-17,960 of 20,156 for speaker:Brian Stanley

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Electricity Generation and Export: Discussion (18 Feb 2014)

Brian Stanley: I have a few questions for the representatives of Bord na Móna. They said that they do not have a problem with local councillors designating matters in the county development plans. In Laois and other counties, however, the designated areas for the planned locations are being ignored in many cases. The land rights for the plant and wind farms are being bought up completely off-pitch...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Electricity Generation and Export: Discussion (18 Feb 2014)

Brian Stanley: I welcome the three delegations. I come from County Laois, in the constituency of Laoighis-Offaly, and many wind turbines are planned for the area, and some have already been erected. It is a major issue. There is an underlying concern because for a number of years we went mad building houses and apartments, and we were going to generate wealth selling property to each other at inflated...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water and Sewerage Schemes Funding (18 Feb 2014)

Brian Stanley: 488. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government when the sewage treatment plant at Killimy Road, Emo, County Laois, which is not functioning properly, will be allocated funding for an upgrade. [7518/14]

Order of Business (13 Feb 2014)

Brian Stanley: I refer to the 13,000 Irish Nationwide Building Society mortgage holders. What legislation is being put in place-----

Order of Business (13 Feb 2014)

Brian Stanley: Legislation is needed to protect these people. Their loans are being sold off to the highest bidder and they could be bought by an international company with no protection for them.

Order of Business (13 Feb 2014)

Brian Stanley: The loans will be sold next month.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Rents (13 Feb 2014)

Brian Stanley: 167. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his views regarding the passing on of local property tax by local authorities to local authority tenants by adding a charge to their rent. [7247/14]

Recent Flooding: Statements (12 Feb 2014)

Brian Stanley: Well the Minister has seen the draft heads of the Bill before that. We want to see the actual Bill. While we were waiting for the Minister's Bill, we in Sinn Féin brought forward our own climate change Bill last year, without the resources available to the Minister. This would legislate for a 20% reduction in carbon emissions by 2020, and an 85% reduction by 2050. These are ambitious...

Recent Flooding: Statements (12 Feb 2014)

Brian Stanley: The Minister, the Taoiseach and the other senior Ministers need to be making a case at the highest level in Europe to change the criteria. We are very exposed to these storms. There have been disproportionate impacts on us and on the south of England. I appeal to the Minister to make a stronger case to Europe.

Recent Flooding: Statements (12 Feb 2014)

Brian Stanley: I welcome the additional €70 million to address the problems caused by the recent storms. We have received reports from the south west today of considerable damage being caused. While any additional funding is welcome, we may need to examine the figures again. I understand that significant damage has been caused along the Kerry coastline and other parts of the south east. A case...

Recent Flooding: Statements (12 Feb 2014)

Brian Stanley: Hold on one second. The Government is supposedly reforming local government this year.

Recent Flooding: Statements (12 Feb 2014)

Brian Stanley: I appeal to the Minister to examine the question of staff. Engineers are telling me-----

Recent Flooding: Statements (12 Feb 2014)

Brian Stanley: Never mind that. On the ground, area engineers are telling me that they cannot mobilise teams because they do not have overseers or crews. The Minister knows that, given the new health and safety regulations, a certain number of people must be mobilised at the same time. One person cannot be sent out to work on his or her own. When reforming local authorities, the Minister should pare...

Recent Flooding: Statements (12 Feb 2014)

Brian Stanley: I hope that the Ministers are taking my point on board. This is a serious matter for both of them. Agricultural land is also being flooded. However, homes must be the first priority. Will the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government examine the allocations to drainage boards - the Barrow Drainage Board has done great work in recent years - to determine whether they...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Standards of Service in Water Supply: Irish Water and CER (11 Feb 2014)

Brian Stanley: It was said that the regulator did seven price controls over 14 years and that the operating costs in real terms have decreased in the energy sector. I cannot argue with that, and it probably has happened, but I know what has happened at the other end. I am using less energy in my home than I used 40 years ago but I am paying multiples of what I paid for it at that time, as is everybody in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Standards of Service in Water Supply: Irish Water and CER (11 Feb 2014)

Brian Stanley: Yes, I would appreciate it if I could continue without being heckled. I understand the Department has already paid out in the region of €89,000. Who is ultimately responsible for paying for repairs? It was previously stated the contractors would be liable. Does that remain the case? Are the contractors liable?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Standards of Service in Water Supply: Irish Water and CER (11 Feb 2014)

Brian Stanley: Who provided the money?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Standards of Service in Water Supply: Irish Water and CER (11 Feb 2014)

Brian Stanley: It has been reported that leaks are occurring specifically where the new meters are being fitted.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Standards of Service in Water Supply: Irish Water and CER (11 Feb 2014)

Brian Stanley: When one starts disturbing pipes, leaks occur.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Standards of Service in Water Supply: Irish Water and CER (11 Feb 2014)

Brian Stanley: The SLAs that have been signed with the local authorities will last for 12 years and, as I understand it, will be reviewed every two years. Will Uisce Éireann be in a position to terminate these contracts when they come up for review? How easy will it be to terminate a contract?