Results 18,181-18,200 of 26,025 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

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

Darragh O'Brien: That would be my question. I appreciate the answers.

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

Darragh O'Brien: How long does it stay in the Housing Agency?

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

Darragh O'Brien: I asked about that to get clarification on the use of CPOs and other measures within the local authorities' armoury that could be used. I welcome that the representatives of each of the local authorities have been able to clarify what they are doing. I take it that any vacant house within their areas is on their radar. That has come across in their responses.

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

Darragh O'Brien: That is all the praise the representatives are going to get.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local Government Bill 2018: Committee Stage (5 Dec 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: We also live by the rules.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local Government Bill 2018: Committee Stage (5 Dec 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: We have an independent boundary commission.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local Government Bill 2018: Committee Stage (5 Dec 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: Deputy Ó Broin mentioned many of the matters I wished to raise and I will not repeat them. I have a concern about the timing of something as fundamental as this being included at a late stage in the Bill. I recognise that the Minister of State and his officials briefed members earlier. I recall the proposal of a previous Minister for a directly elected mayor in Dublin when my local...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local Government Bill 2018: Committee Stage (5 Dec 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: Will the Minister report back anyway? The reference is to "a report specifying proposals for the enactment of a law providing for a directly elected mayor". For argument's sake, if one of the four cities, for example, Limerick, decided by plebiscite that it did not want a directly elected mayor would the report still be made?

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local Government Bill 2018: Committee Stage (5 Dec 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: Yes, but it goes a little further than that. The reference is to "a report specifying proposals for the enactment of a law providing for a directly elected mayor for such administrative area". So it does not say what the Minister of State said, it-----

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local Government Bill 2018: Committee Stage (5 Dec 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: It is to "a report specifying the reasons for his or her not preparing and submitting a report". I put it to the Minister of State that it is slightly different and that he needs to look at the wording prior to Report Stage. My reading of it is that even if a plebiscite is passed, it would give a reason not to prepare a report and to submit it within the two years.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local Government Bill 2018: Committee Stage (5 Dec 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: Will the Minister of State examine the wording and come back on Report Stage? The reference is to "a report specifying the reasons for his or her not preparing and submitting a report". It does not state not preparing and submitting a law providing for a directly elected mayor. The issue needs to be clarified. In the main, we are supportive of the proposal. We want to make sure that...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local Government Bill 2018: Committee Stage (5 Dec 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: I agree with much of what Deputy Cullinane said. These changes are very significant and in many respects could be very positive. I see the objective, particularly in areas that cross council boundaries. It is a question I had. I thank the Minister of State's officials for the list of the eight urban area committees. How were they selected? Is it restricted to those eight? I could give...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local Government Bill 2018: Committee Stage (5 Dec 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: Nor did I until we were informed of them at the briefing.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local Government Bill 2018: Committee Stage (5 Dec 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: Nobody laughed at the Deputy.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local Government Bill 2018: Committee Stage (5 Dec 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: I will be seeking leave to introduce a housing Bill, of which members will be aware, after Leaders' Questions, at about 12.45 p.m.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local Government Bill 2018: Committee Stage (5 Dec 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: At what time is the joint committee meeting?

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local Government Bill 2018: Committee Stage (5 Dec 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: Of course we will do that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Business of Joint Committee
Role and Remuneration of Elected Local Authority Members: Discussion (5 Dec 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: To respond to something that already has been said, I welcome that there is a large attendance here today. I value local democracy and people should do so. No one should take any inferences from the large attendance and I find it strange that someone would draw people's attention to the attendance in a roundabout way. This issue has been going on for quite some time. Most parties do not...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Disabilities Assessments (5 Dec 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: 86. To ask the Minister for Health the way in which he plans to reduce the long waiting times for children in need of an assessment from early intervention teams in north County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50717/18]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (5 Dec 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: 184. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if additional resources have been provided to process applications for permission to remain under the special scheme announced on 15 October 2018 in response to the decision of the Supreme Court in cases (details supplied); the length of time these applications will take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51010/18]