Results 401-420 of 4,143 for speaker:Brian Leddin

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Citizens' Assembly Report on Biodiversity Loss: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Nov 2023)

Brian Leddin: The purpose of today's meeting is for the committee to examine the recommendations contained in the Citizens' Assembly on Biodiversity Loss report. On behalf of the committee, I welcome the following officials from the National Parks and Wildlife Service, NPWS, in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to the meeting: Dr. Andy Bleasdale, the lead official in the NPWS with...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Citizens' Assembly Report on Biodiversity Loss: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Nov 2023)

Brian Leddin: I thank Dr. Bleasdale for his opening statement and the slide presentation, which was very interesting. There is a lot in there for us to delve into and we will try to do that. I ask members to indicate to ask questions and we will take a list. I point out again the five minutes for questions and answers, but I will be as fair as I can and give latitude where I think it is beneficial. I...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Citizens' Assembly Report on Biodiversity Loss: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Nov 2023)

Brian Leddin: That is great. I thank Mr. Ó Donnchú for being very clear about that. I will go to members. Senator Dooley is first.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Citizens' Assembly Report on Biodiversity Loss: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Nov 2023)

Brian Leddin: We will have it up in a few moments. Dr. Bleasdale should continue.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Citizens' Assembly Report on Biodiversity Loss: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Nov 2023)

Brian Leddin: I should have said that if any other witness wishes to come in on a particular question, they can just indicate, and I will bring them in. I call Deputy Paul Murphy.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Citizens' Assembly Report on Biodiversity Loss: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Nov 2023)

Brian Leddin: I want to be fair to all members. We are 15 minutes over now. I ask witnesses to be as brief as they can in their answers and I will then go on to the next member.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Citizens' Assembly Report on Biodiversity Loss: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Nov 2023)

Brian Leddin: I want to move it along now because we could run out of time. Does Dr. Bleasdale want to respond to those comments?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Citizens' Assembly Report on Biodiversity Loss: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Nov 2023)

Brian Leddin: Anything on the invasive species point?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Citizens' Assembly Report on Biodiversity Loss: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Nov 2023)

Brian Leddin: I thank the Senator. Before we go to the second round, I want to develop on some of the points that were made previously. On this idea that it is the new national agency for protection of nature, it is very good that the officials see themselves as that. Broadly the discussion has been very positive. What we are hearing is that this fundamental change has happened at government level but...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Citizens' Assembly Report on Biodiversity Loss: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Nov 2023)

Brian Leddin: Some of the agencies I mentioned along with others have a commercial mandate and operate as semi-State bodies within a commercial system. Their purpose is to make a profit and provide a dividend to the State so there is a conflicting interest in some of these agencies. I am trying to get to a point of balance. There is often a very legitimate commercial reason, whether it is Coillte...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Citizens' Assembly Report on Biodiversity Loss: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Nov 2023)

Brian Leddin: I would mention the ESB as well. The question of fish migration is very pertinent at the moment; Ms Carberry referred to it earlier. I do not think it is fair to single out Coillte and Bord na Móna. Transport Infrastructure Ireland is doing the greenway, for example.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Citizens' Assembly Report on Biodiversity Loss: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Nov 2023)

Brian Leddin: That is a step change in the governance. That is good to hear. We will now have a second round and I ask Deputies to indicate. Deputy Whitmore is next.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Citizens' Assembly Report on Biodiversity Loss: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Nov 2023)

Brian Leddin: We would appreciate if Mr. Ó Donnchú supplied the committee with something in writing.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Citizens' Assembly Report on Biodiversity Loss: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Nov 2023)

Brian Leddin: We will get the secretariat straight on to that trip to west Cork, I presume. Is that where the Deputy is suggesting?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Citizens' Assembly Report on Biodiversity Loss: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Nov 2023)

Brian Leddin: Does Mr. Ó Donnchú wish to respond?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Citizens' Assembly Report on Biodiversity Loss: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Nov 2023)

Brian Leddin: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Citizens' Assembly Report on Biodiversity Loss: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Nov 2023)

Brian Leddin: I thank Mr. Ó Donnchú for those words and for coming in with his colleagues in the NPWS We heard something fundamentally positive today in this step change that has been happening in the past number of years, albeit that perhaps the State is coming from a very low base. It has not sufficiently regarded nature and nature restoration. It is really heartening to hear of this change...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Urban Development (9 Nov 2023)

Brian Leddin: 103. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 297 of 10 October 2023, if he will report on the progress of the TOD Working Group in producing the report on transport-oriented development opportunities in limerick; the timetable of the assessment process and publication of the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter....