Results 1,941-1,960 of 11,114 for speaker:Damien English

Microenterprise Loan Fund (Amendment) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Jul 2020)

Damien English: I thank Deputy O'Reilly for her comments. The advice of the Attorney General is that this is not the place to put such an amendment to primary legislation. That is why we are not supporting it. It is not that we do not support the goal of an interest rate that everybody can manage in accessing funding. This is what the loan process looks to achieve. It often happens in a debate that...

Microenterprise Loan Fund (Amendment) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Jul 2020)

Damien English: I am conscious that Deputy Catherine Murphy, who probably has to leave now, and Deputy McGuinness were not here for the whole debate. To reiterate, it is not that we are disagreeing with the need for businesses to have access to low-cost finance - that is what we are trying to achieve - but the microfinance loan is only one mechanism and does not comprise all the mechanisms. Eight or nine...

Microenterprise Loan Fund (Amendment) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Jul 2020)

Damien English: On my reference to start-ups, in general microfinance loans are available to start-ups. They were mentioned by other Deputies and I do not suggest that all the demand in recent months has been from start-ups. Of course it has not been; it has been from businesses that want to reopen, survive and thrive. The loan is also available to the many microenterprises. There will be people who, for...

Microenterprise Loan Fund (Amendment) Bill 2020: Second Stage (Resumed) (8 Jul 2020)

Damien English: I am trying to respond to all of the questions.

Microenterprise Loan Fund (Amendment) Bill 2020: Second Stage (Resumed) (8 Jul 2020)

Damien English: I think I have answered most of the questions. I am conscious there are others to whom I have not responded but I will come to back to them individually. In regard to the issues raised, we will work on them and feed them into the system over the next couple of months. The Tánaiste, who opened this debate but could not be here today to close it, the Minister of State, Deputy Troy, and...

Microenterprise Loan Fund (Amendment) Bill 2020: Second Stage (Resumed) (8 Jul 2020)

Damien English: The Convention Centre Dublin is a strange setting but this is an important discussion. I thank all the Deputies who made the journey across to this new Chamber to discuss this Bill today and those who spoke on it in Leinster House last night when the Tánaiste introduced it. There has been a good discussion, which has focused on many aspects of the supports needed for SMEs. I thank the...

Microenterprise Loan Fund (Amendment) Bill 2020: Second Stage (7 Jul 2020)

Damien English: I cannot answer until the end. It is Second Stage.

Microenterprise Loan Fund (Amendment) Bill 2020: Second Stage (7 Jul 2020)

Damien English: Keep going.

Microenterprise Loan Fund (Amendment) Bill 2020: Second Stage (7 Jul 2020)

Damien English: I will take those questions at the end.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing (16 Jun 2020)

Damien English: The Sustainable Urban Housing: Design Standards for New Apartments; Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2018) set the minimum design standards for both private and social apartmentsdevelopments. The Guidelines also make provision for ‘Build-To-Rent’ (BTR) development to provide greater choice and flexibility in the overall housing mix. The Guidelines define...

Climate Action and Low Carbon Development: Statements (Resumed) (10 Jun 2020)

Damien English: A number of questions were asked and I will answer them in reverse order. That would be the handiest way to do respond as I can cover both Deputies' questions. The better energy warmer homes scheme is not operated by my Department and I cannot give the Deputy details on it. I will ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Bruton, to contact Deputy...

Climate Action and Low Carbon Development: Statements (Resumed) (10 Jun 2020)

Damien English: I do not know. I will check for the Deputy. She asked me a question about one county. I am not responsible for every person county councils employ; the councillors are. However, I will check the position. The Deputy and I disagree on the accusation that I constantly spin things. I do not spin. That is why I will always fight back. I deal with facts and they are always facts. We...

Climate Action and Low Carbon Development: Statements (Resumed) (10 Jun 2020)

Damien English: I will make two quick comments.

Climate Action and Low Carbon Development: Statements (Resumed) (10 Jun 2020)

Damien English: It will take ten seconds. The Government has committed €116 billion of taxpayers' money to infrastructure in the coming years. Limerick is a major beneficiary of the national planning framework.

Climate Action and Low Carbon Development: Statements (Resumed) (10 Jun 2020)

Damien English: Limerick county and city are major beneficiaries. The Deputy should read the plan in detail because he quoted only one line from it. Limerick is a major beneficiary. If the county follows the plan, it will be a great county to live in for many generations to come. The Deputy should look at the plan.

Climate Action and Low Carbon Development: Statements (Resumed) (10 Jun 2020)

Damien English: That is the nature of things.

Climate Action and Low Carbon Development: Statements (Resumed) (10 Jun 2020)

Damien English: Some of the Deputy's questions are subject to an ongoing planning situation so I cannot comment specifically on one case. The Deputy asked about An Bord Pleanála and the length of time it takes to make decisions. In general, a major programme of reform has been implemented in An Bord Pleanála over the last couple of years and it is now reaching much higher targets on turnarounds...

Climate Action and Low Carbon Development: Statements (Resumed) (10 Jun 2020)

Damien English: That is what I said in my answer.

Climate Action and Low Carbon Development: Statements (Resumed) (10 Jun 2020)

Damien English: I will be clear again. We do not, and cannot by law, dictate to An Bord Pleanála or any local authority, whether in Wexford, Meath, Galway or Cork, what to do on any individual site. I could not have been clearer when I said that a moment ago.

Climate Action and Low Carbon Development: Statements (Resumed) (10 Jun 2020)

Damien English: To be clear, we do not dictate guidelines on a site-by-site basis.