Results 61-80 of 6,728 for speaker:John Curran

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (19 Apr 2005)

John Curran: Question 490: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will consider appointing a planning inspectorate to enforce planning laws; if it will be an effective mechanism of enforcing compliance in this regard; the likely funding required to establish such an inspectorate; the subsequent annual running costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12028/05]

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (19 Apr 2005)

John Curran: Question 491: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, in view of the recent survey conducted by NUI Maynooth on the commuter belt, he will set up a task force to examine the way in which the concerns expressed in the survey might be addressed; the likely cost of such a task force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12029/05]

Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed). (20 Apr 2005)

John Curran: I wish to examine a few sections in this Bill. One of the most welcome developments is in section 31 which provides for the establishment of the joint policing committee with Garda and local authority representation. This measure will help to build a proper forum for communication between gardaí and local residents of a community. Joint policing committees represent a step in the right...

Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed). (20 Apr 2005)

John Curran: In any event, it should be provided at a commercial rate. The cash escort businesses and the banks benefit from this. When an ordinary member of the community withdraws money, he or she is charged for doing so. Another area related to charges for services is that of entertainment venues. Most of these venues employ rigorous internal security arrangements such as closed circuit television,...

Social and Affordable Housing: Motion (Resumed). (20 Apr 2005)

John Curran: I welcome the opportunity to speak in this debate.

Social and Affordable Housing: Motion (Resumed). (20 Apr 2005)

John Curran: Housing is a topic worthy of debate and I thank Fine Gael for tabling the motion, although I do not support the sentiments in it. The country has seen radical change in recent years. When I left school, many students in my year had to emigrate but that is no longer the case. People are staying and we are experiencing inward migration. Our population is rising. Family units are changing...

Social and Affordable Housing: Motion (Resumed). (20 Apr 2005)

John Curran: It is precisely because demand is so high that house prices are high, because supply has not equalled demand.

Social and Affordable Housing: Motion (Resumed). (20 Apr 2005)

John Curran: In recent years because of policies adopted by the Government, supply has increased significantly.

Social and Affordable Housing: Motion (Resumed). (20 Apr 2005)

John Curran: That is a fact. I would like an honest, open and frank debate about that but Opposition Members do not want to look at the issues.

Social and Affordable Housing: Motion (Resumed). (20 Apr 2005)

John Curran: The real issue is not VAT rates but the Government effort to produce a supply that equals demand.

Social and Affordable Housing: Motion (Resumed). (20 Apr 2005)

John Curran: We are doing that at record levels. We built 77,000 houses last year, far in excess of anywhere else in Europe, because the economy of this country has radically changed. I am from the era when my classmates had to emigrate but we have changed. We have the opportunity in this country for people to stay at home.

Social and Affordable Housing: Motion (Resumed). (20 Apr 2005)

John Curran: That is the challenge. That is not the issue the Opposition is prepared to debate. That is the reality. This Government saw the challenge and addressed it.

Social and Affordable Housing: Motion (Resumed). (20 Apr 2005)

John Curran: The reality is that output in terms of delivering houses to meet the demand is far in excess——

Social and Affordable Housing: Motion (Resumed). (20 Apr 2005)

John Curran: It is not the wealthy.

Social and Affordable Housing: Motion (Resumed). (20 Apr 2005)

John Curran: It is difficult to speak, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle.

Social and Affordable Housing: Motion (Resumed). (20 Apr 2005)

John Curran: I pointed out a few facts. I was trying to have an honest debate but I could anticipate the reply before I said a word about the motion.

Social and Affordable Housing: Motion (Resumed). (20 Apr 2005)

John Curran: There is an aspect to the motion tabled by Fine Gael that I had intended to agree with——

Social and Affordable Housing: Motion (Resumed). (20 Apr 2005)

John Curran: ——but I may not get an opportunity to do so. If the Members opposite wait, I will get to it in a moment. There was also reference in the motion to the number of affordable houses delivered to date. We should be honest about this issue. Had the Members opposite wanted a proper debate, that was not the way to put forward the motion. When Part V of the Planning and Development Act came into...

Social and Affordable Housing: Motion (Resumed). (20 Apr 2005)

John Curran: It is not eight years since the Planning and Development Act. The number of houses that will be delivered this year under Part V will be significantly more than last year. The projections from South Dublin County Council are that 400 or 500 houses will be built under Part V this year alone. We are making progress——

Social and Affordable Housing: Motion (Resumed). (20 Apr 2005)

John Curran: ——but the motion does not recognise that. I agree with one aspect of the motion but Fine Gael was not the first party to raise it. It is not the first time it has been debated in the House.