Results 18,241-18,260 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Waste Management (23 Jun 2016)

Simon Coveney: Waste collection in Ireland is subject to compliance with applicable environmental and other relevant legislation, primarily the Waste Management Act 1996 (as amended) and conditions attached to each waste collector’s collection permit issued under the Waste Management (Collection Permit) Regulations 2007 (as amended). Where a permit holder collects household kerbside waste, the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water and Sewerage Schemes Status (23 Jun 2016)

Simon Coveney: Since 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels. Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a dedicated number, 1890...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Mortgages (23 Jun 2016)

Simon Coveney: Information in relation to the number of new local authority loans advanced and associated total loan value, broken down by local authority for the years in question, is available on my Department’s website at: .

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Mortgages (23 Jun 2016)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 151 and 152 together. With effect from 1 July 2016, a cut of 0.25% will be applied to the variable mortgage interest rate charged to local authority borrowers. This cut will reduce the current variable rate of 2.55% to 2.30%. The interest rate applied to the Home Choice Loan scheme has also been reduced from that date, from 3.5% to 3.25%. Further information...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Mortgages (23 Jun 2016)

Simon Coveney: The information requested is set out in the table. The Home Choice Loan (HCL)  is a mortgage for first time buyers provided by local authorities. The terms and conditions of this loan are set out in the specific regulations – the Housing (Home Choice Loan) Regulations 2009 – a copy of which is available at . Further details in relation to the Home Choice Loan can be found...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Staff Data (23 Jun 2016)

Simon Coveney: As announced in Budget 2015, the moratorium on recruitment has been lifted throughout the Local Authority Sector. Under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each Chief Executive is responsible for the staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authorities for which he or she is responsible. In this regard, it is a matter for each...

Questions on Proposed Legislation (22 Jun 2016)

Simon Coveney: It will be a matter for the new business committee and the Whips to determine when a debate is scheduled in the Dáil, but I would certainly welcome it. Regardless of when that happens, in the context of putting together an action plan for housing, which will be in place and published before the end of July, we will take on board the detail of the work done by the all-party committee. I...

Questions on Proposed Legislation (22 Jun 2016)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy can rest assured that detailed consideration of the report will be part of the putting together of the action plan for housing.

Seanad: Waste Management: Motion (22 Jun 2016)

Simon Coveney: It has not yet taken effect.

Seanad: Waste Management: Motion (22 Jun 2016)

Simon Coveney: I am happy to wait if others wish to contribute.

Seanad: Waste Management: Motion (22 Jun 2016)

Simon Coveney: On a point of information, some of what I will say in response to the debate might assuage some of the concerns that have been expressed so far and may impact on Senators' contributions afterwards. It is up to Members to decide but I can respond at the end of the debate or do so now.

Seanad: Waste Management: Motion (22 Jun 2016)

Simon Coveney: That is fine. It is up to the House to decide ---

Seanad: Waste Management: Motion (22 Jun 2016)

Simon Coveney: I have no issue with that.

Seanad: Waste Management: Motion (22 Jun 2016)

Simon Coveney: I have no issue with that.

Seanad: Waste Management: Motion (22 Jun 2016)

Simon Coveney: I have no problem when I come into the debate. My understanding is that there are another two speakers before Senator Landy.

Seanad: Waste Management: Motion (22 Jun 2016)

Simon Coveney: I think it might be helpful if I made a contribution in the middle of the debate. I am staying to the end and will listen to what Members have to say. It may influence what some Members say if they hear the Government’s perspective and build on some of the matters referred to by Senator Coffey. I also want to clarify some of the issues raised because they are not valid concerns....

Seanad: Waste Management: Motion (22 Jun 2016)

Simon Coveney: The European Union (Household Food Waste and Bio-Waste) Regulations 2015 require waste collectors to provide brown bins on a phased basis in areas designated for brown bin collection. If waste collectors fail to provide such a bin service in a designated area, the regulation can and will be enforced by local authorities. Whether the statutory instrument is annulled today, it will make no...

Seanad: Waste Management: Motion (22 Jun 2016)

Simon Coveney: Senator David Norris raised the State’s role regarding waste collection companies. It is around assessing permit applications. Mergers between companies are not a matter for local authorities or for me. The consequence of a merger may well impact on waste collection but this is a competition and mergers issue. There has yet to be any decision or ruling from the Competition and...

Seanad: Waste Management: Motion (22 Jun 2016)

Simon Coveney: Senators should be aware that SI No. 24/2016, which Sinn Féin is proposing to annul, does not simply deal with the introduction of mandatory pay-by-weight charging but includes a range of other vital provisions and reforms for household waste collection, permitting and requirements. There are serious consequences to annulling this statutory instrument, for whatever reason. The...

Seanad: Waste Management: Motion (22 Jun 2016)

Simon Coveney: This regulation is about enforcing the rules and ensuring there is a level playing field for everybody. These are the facts around waste, rather than the emotion. There is also a provision around the automatic review of waste collection permits for three contraventions of specific permit conditions within a five-year period, where the review may conclude with amending or revoking the...