Results 18,161-18,180 of 26,025 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Planning Issues (11 Dec 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: 580. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the headquarters, number of staff and estimated full staff complement of the office of the planning regulator; when it will be fully operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51921/18]

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local Government Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (6 Dec 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: -----in trying to advance other legislation that we have. The credits have increased on one side but they have not increased on the other side. I welcome today's engagement and the openness demonstrated by the Minister of State and his officials today. Such openness is a good thing but it has not been reciprocated enough.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local Government Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (6 Dec 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: I have had some detailed discussions on this issue. One will see from my colleagues in Galway that there are genuine concerns, particularly about funding. The historical issues are well known. The issues in Galway deserve a full and proper debate. We will have a separate Bill on any future merger and my party will reserve its position on it until it is published. I ask the Minister of...

Multi-Unit Developments (Amendment) (Sinking Fund) Bill 2018: First Stage (6 Dec 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: I move:That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to amend the Multi-Unit Developments Act 2011 to transfer responsibilities to the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, establish a sinking fund in year one of a development's transfer of ownership and to provide for other matters. This Bill is part of a suite of measures that Fianna Fáil and I have brought...

Multi-Unit Developments (Amendment) (Sinking Fund) Bill 2018: First Stage (6 Dec 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: I move: "That the Bill be taken in Private Members' time."

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local Government Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (6 Dec 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: I am not particularly concerned from a staff perspective. To follow on from points made by Deputies Casey and Ó Broin, letting the Bill as amended pass this Stage does not mean we support its amendments. We have articulated some serious concerns, omissions and matters we might consider further. We will allow it to progress but we reserve the right to table amendments should we wish....

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local Government Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (6 Dec 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: I must go to the Chamber to move a housing Bill but I will return to contribute. I do not mind the meeting continuing in my absence. I ask that I be notified if there is a vote.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local Government Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (6 Dec 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: It is not for me to tell the Minister of State how to do his job, but amendments have been tabled for discussion. He has tabled some of them and is introducing the section, which reflects the Department's views and ideas for the future of Galway city and county. To contextualise the debate that will arise from these amendments, it would be useful if he outlined his views. I have had...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local Government Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (6 Dec 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: I will follow on from Deputy Casey's comments. The genuine concerns he raised around formalising synergy, shared interests, works programmes and goals between areas that cross county boundaries make absolute sense. I could argue about the composition, and I will, but we also need to get the sequencing right. There is a lot of additional work. We have covered many of the points, including...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local Government Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (6 Dec 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: What about the informal meeting? There is no point in doing it in this setting.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local Government Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (6 Dec 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: The Deputy's views on this are identical to mine.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local Government Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (6 Dec 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: Will the Minister of State respond to those questions? Some of my questions were the same as those my colleagues have asked. I might speak then if that is okay with the Minister of State.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local Government Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (6 Dec 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: I will give way.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Financing of Social Housing: Discussion (Resumed) (6 Dec 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: It will be available from January. I assume they will plan for that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Financing of Social Housing: Discussion (Resumed) (6 Dec 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: Déanfaidh mé mo dhícheall. Cuirim fáilte go dtí an choiste inniu. I thank each of the witnesses and their housing teams for the work they are doing. The homelessness crisis is acute throughout the country and I am aware from visiting local authorities and my own local authority in Fingal of the volume of work and emergency work that takes place. The response has...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Financing of Social Housing: Discussion (Resumed) (6 Dec 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: I am sorry, it is Mr. Murray. Are the criteria for financial underwriting for the Rebuilding Ireland loans uniform among local authorities? I have evidence they are not. I raised it with the Minister, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, and he said there is a review taking place to ensure that is happening. Can Mr. Murray advise the committee on the interaction with the Housing Agency vis-à-visthe...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Financing of Social Housing: Discussion (Resumed) (6 Dec 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: That is true but Mr. McGrath mentioned that there were 500 vacant units in the city. Are they the ones the council is targeting?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Financing of Social Housing: Discussion (Resumed) (6 Dec 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: A low cost loan is great. I thank Mr. Murray for his answer. Is every application going to the Housing Agency in all the local authorities?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Financing of Social Housing: Discussion (Resumed) (6 Dec 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: Does it go for final decision or recommendation?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Financing of Social Housing: Discussion (Resumed) (6 Dec 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: Oversight is important. On average by how much does that lengthen the term of the processing of the mortgage application? How long does it sit in the Housing Agency?