Results 1-20 of 4,899 for speaker:James Lawless

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Business Supports (23 May 2024)

James Lawless: 102. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of businesses in counties Kildare, Wicklow, Meath and Louth, respectively that registered for the increased cost of business grant before 1 May 2024; how many more in each county have registered since the application process reopened on 15 May 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23056/24]

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Official Engagements (23 May 2024)

James Lawless: 105. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on the major gathering of EU Digital Ministers hosted in Dublin recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23055/24]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: State Pensions (23 May 2024)

James Lawless: 214. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason for deductions to pensions (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23329/24]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (23 May 2024)

James Lawless: 227. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the fees for citizenship applications for persons (details supplied); and the process and path to citizenship in each case. [23481/24]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (22 May 2024)

James Lawless: 33. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to examine an issue regarding a passport application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23151/24]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (22 May 2024)

James Lawless: 162. To ask the Minister for Health to examine an issue (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23127/24]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Property Services Appeal Board: Chairperson Designate (21 May 2024)

James Lawless: The purpose of today's meeting is engagement with Ms Dorothy Donovan BL, who has been appointed chair of the Property Services Appeal Board. I congratulate Ms Donovan on her appointment and welcome her to the meeting. Ms Donovan will make her opening statement and we will then take any questions members may have. Some members in the room while others are online around the Leinster House...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Property Services Appeal Board: Chairperson Designate (21 May 2024)

James Lawless: Ms Donovan supplied an opening statement with a bit more of her CV. That will be published as part of the engagement. She is welcome to speak to that if she wishes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Property Services Appeal Board: Chairperson Designate (21 May 2024)

James Lawless: I thank Senator Gallagher. We are going around the table. Senator McDowell is next.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Property Services Appeal Board: Chairperson Designate (21 May 2024)

James Lawless: I thank the Senator. It is kind of him to say that. I have a couple of questions unless the members online are offering. Nobody is. I notice in Ms Donovan's opening remarks that she mentioned that the board is a quasi-judicial body. There are of course many quasi-judicial bodies. They were put collectively and individually in the spotlight by the Zalewski decision of the Supreme Court...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Property Services Appeal Board: Chairperson Designate (21 May 2024)

James Lawless: The WRC, yes. There was a finding that quasi-judicial bodies had to observe the same practice and procedure to the extent that the courts normally would, certainly in terms of fair procedure and due process. It is a concern of mine that not all such bodies have adopted this to the same degree, or have considered their processes and systems, so much so that to my surprise they seem to be...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Property Services Appeal Board: Chairperson Designate (21 May 2024)

James Lawless: Very good, it primarily involves written submissions and the PSAB decides on that basis. I notice in the opening statement supplied to the committee, for which I thank Ms Donovan, that there is a concern about the vacancies. There are five members but currently the board is down one member and two more vacancies are expected to arise in the near future. The vacancies need to be filled...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Property Services Appeal Board: Chairperson Designate (21 May 2024)

James Lawless: Does the board need to increase in size or does the quorum need to reduce in size, or both maybe?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Property Services Appeal Board: Chairperson Designate (21 May 2024)

James Lawless: An odd number is needed. More board members are needed.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Property Services Appeal Board: Chairperson Designate (21 May 2024)

James Lawless: When advertising positions, is there good recruitment interest?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Property Services Appeal Board: Chairperson Designate (21 May 2024)

James Lawless: Another issue that was mentioned in the written submissions was around some of the appeals that are coming through. The legal term used to describe them would be that they are destined to fail - they are frivolous, vexatious or unstatable in a court situation. That is a challenge. I am sympathetic to the concern about dealing with a case and giving it due attention and procedure, even when...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Property Services Appeal Board: Chairperson Designate (21 May 2024)

James Lawless: Very good. It is interesting. I notice Ms Donovan, in her own practice, had a lot of experience with the Multi-Unit Developments Act 2011, which I am sure will be relevant in her new role. I remember when that was coming out. It was introduced to great fanfare. It was certainly heralded as a new departure for the complications that often arise with this type of development. In practice,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Property Services Appeal Board: Chairperson Designate (21 May 2024)

James Lawless: Practice has improved across the board within the sector.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Property Services Appeal Board: Chairperson Designate (21 May 2024)

James Lawless: Does that refer to section 18 of the Multi-Unit Developments Act. I think any dispute can be heard by the Circuit Court related to a multi-unit development, MUD, issue. Is that correct?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Property Services Appeal Board: Chairperson Designate (21 May 2024)

James Lawless: Is Ms Donovan saying it would be better not to have a board like hers seized of it?