Results 221-240 of 915 for speaker:Aidan Davitt

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: National Planning Framework (1 Dec 2020)

Aidan Davitt: I appreciate the Minister of State coming here today. It has been quite a while since we met in County Kilkenny. I congratulate him on his elevation to this great office. The Project Ireland 2040 plan goes a long way back and much work has been done on it. Its inception was to iron out some of the problems that may have arisen in the previous plan. It is not just from a development point...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: National Planning Framework (1 Dec 2020)

Aidan Davitt: Over the last number of years, we built between 15,000 and 18,000 houses. We will have Covid-19 this year and it will be something similar.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: National Planning Framework (1 Dec 2020)

Aidan Davitt: I thank the Acting Chairman. I am finished now. We will not hit the target. Unless we look at villages and town such as these and ease up in settled areas, there will be a serious problem and it will come back to haunt all of us. It is evident in the housing market already.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: National Planning Framework (1 Dec 2020)

Aidan Davitt: I thank the Minister of State. It was a comprehensive answer but there is a problem, which I can tell him as a fact and he can take it out and look at it. In Westmeath, the zoning happening is mainly in Athlone and Mullingar. In all the regional towns, any little projects like that which could be looked at have not been considered this year. The councillors had to use their practicality...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: National Planning Framework (1 Dec 2020)

Aidan Davitt: The national planning framework should be tweaked more towards those smaller towns and villages. They are not part of it. They are numbered and categorised but they really are the orphans in this process. I refer to towns such as Castlepollard and Kinnegad. They should get more priority. We should look at this. It is within the remit of the Minister of State.

Seanad: Planning and Development Bill 2020: Second Stage (25 Nov 2020)

Aidan Davitt: Before the Minister winds up, I will compliment him on all the good work he has done in this Department. He has shown great initiative. He has been bounced around by bad luck, as has everyone else, as a result of the pandemic. It certainly has not helped the Minister to fulfil some of his expectations but I know he is working hard to maximise output in the housing industry. This...

Seanad: Recognition of Irish Military Service at Jadotville in 1961: Statements (11 Nov 2020)

Aidan Davitt: I welcome the Minister here today. I certainly welcome the promised review. It is imperative that the committee is given a free path to make its own findings and recommendations. As the Minister mentioned, the composition of the committee is most important. As the Minister stated, two reviews where held in 1962 and 1965. In the fullness of time the narrative and perspective can change....

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (6 Nov 2020)

Aidan Davitt: I echo the sentiments of Senators Byrne and Dooley. I have discussed with the Deputy Leader herself the matter of shooting since the season has come in on 1 November and I acknowledge she will raise it with the relevant Minister. I appreciate that. She indicated that to me earlier. As for Senator Burke's comments and the WHO stance on Taiwan, and other Senators have echoed those thoughts,...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Sep 2020)

Aidan Davitt: I want to raise an important matter regarding the conveyancing of property in Ireland, and to highlight the length of time it currently takes to complete a property sale. I am aware that Members and the House have discussed different technical issues in this area on a number of occasions. A new initiative has been spearheaded by the Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers, IPAV....

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Sep 2020)

Aidan Davitt: I agree with Senator McGahon, who raised an issue on the soldiers who fought at Jadotville. It is a matter I have raised in the House on several occasions. It would be apt if the Minister came to the House to discuss this issue. A lot of work has been done on it and progress has been very slow. Some of the people who were at the battle in Katanga have passed away recently. The second...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (17 Jul 2020)

Aidan Davitt: I wish to echo the sentiments expressed this morning, which some Members might have heard, by John Horan, the president of the GAA. I have a background in the GAA and a number of Members have a good knowledge about clubs and county grounds. In my case, I have seen games in Cusack Park in Mullingar, Westmeath, attended by up to 15,000 people. The GAA has been more than responsible during...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (16 Jul 2020)

Aidan Davitt: I echo the sentiments of Senator Boyhan. I have seen the great picture he had in his office with the Irish soccer team on the day they came back. Knowing Senator Boyhan for the past four years, given that he talked his way on to the bus, my only surprise is that he did not talk his way on to the team. On a serious note, I convey my sincere sympathies to the Charlton family. I also...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 Jul 2020)

Aidan Davitt: Thank you, a Chathaoirligh. I compliment you on your position as Cathaoirleach of the Seanad.You have been a fine pioneer of the Seanad since my involvement with you over the past number of years. I wish you every success in the Chair. The Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation has launched a consultation process on remote working, something which, we are all aware, is getting a...

Seanad: Industrial Development (Amendment) Bill 2019: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (12 Dec 2019)

Aidan Davitt: I am delighted to welcome the Minister. Fianna Fáil is certainly happy to support this Bill. There is a Monaghan feel to the House today, with the Minister and my colleague, Senator Gallagher, and of course, the former the Ceann Comhairle, Dr. Rory O'Hanlon, and Councillor P.J. O'Hanlon all present. Monaghan is very well represented here today. We have discussed this on a couple of...

Seanad: Industrial Development (Amendment) Bill 2019: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (12 Dec 2019)

Aidan Davitt: A few are working on the Deputy part here all right.

Seanad: Local Government Funding: Statements (5 Dec 2019)

Aidan Davitt: Senator Murnane O'Connor is active on matters in Carlow, which is close to the Minister of State's heart. I welcome the Minister of State and councillors Cormac Devlin and Joe Malone who are representing the Local Authorities Members Association, LAMA, today. In my county of Westmeath, we had a long-standing problem with the harmonisation of rate valuations between Athlone and Mullingar, as...

Seanad: Local Government Funding: Statements (5 Dec 2019)

Aidan Davitt: The Senator should be ashamed of himself. The Labour Party in government abolished town councils and nearly ruined its own party on the back of it. He is no one to come in here and give us a lecture.

Seanad: Local Government Funding: Statements (5 Dec 2019)

Aidan Davitt: They closed every town council in the country.

Seanad: Local Government Funding: Statements (5 Dec 2019)

Aidan Davitt: He should not be attacking us.

Seanad: Local Government Funding: Statements (5 Dec 2019)

Aidan Davitt: The Senator should be ashamed of himself when his party closed town councils.