Results 1-20 of 9,088 for speaker:Steven Matthews

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development (Street Furniture Fees) Regulations 2024: Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (30 Apr 2024)

Steven Matthews: This will be a brief meeting that will run to 2.45 p.m. We meet following the referral to this committee by both Houses of the Oireachtas of the Planning and Development (Street Furniture Fees) Regulations 2024. My understanding is that this is the fourth year the committee has considered this matter. I welcome the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development (Street Furniture Fees) Regulations 2024: Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (30 Apr 2024)

Steven Matthews: I thank the Minister very much. We had agreed when the meeting was being organised that I might just outline some of the concerns. Members will have an opportunity, in any event, to contribute for a minute or two but we must finish at 2.45 p.m. I agree with the Minister that this is an important measure and that it helps businesses, which are struggling with costs. When we introduced it...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development (Street Furniture Fees) Regulations 2024: Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (30 Apr 2024)

Steven Matthews: I think the fees applied up to April 2024.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development (Street Furniture Fees) Regulations 2024: Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (30 Apr 2024)

Steven Matthews: I will let Deputy Gould and Senator Boyhan in and then the Minister can answer both sets of questions.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development (Street Furniture Fees) Regulations 2024: Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (30 Apr 2024)

Steven Matthews: I thank the Minister. I understand a circular will go to local authorities now to inform them of that. Could that circular reiterate what was said by the Minister, Deputy Burke, about monitoring and accessibility? It would be helpful.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development (Street Furniture Fees) Regulations 2024: Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (30 Apr 2024)

Steven Matthews: Perfect. I thank members and thank the Minister for his attendance.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Messages to Dáil and Seanad (30 Apr 2024)

Steven Matthews: In accordance with Standing Order 101, the following message will be sent to the Dáil: The Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage has completed its consideration of the following motion: That Dáil Éireann approves the following regulations in draft: Planning and Development (Street Furniture Fees) Regulations 2024, copies of which were laid before...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Early Childhood Care and Education (25 Apr 2024)

Steven Matthews: 286. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to planned closure of a childcare facility (details supplied); if his Department is engaging with management on possible supports that could assist the facility to remain open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18536/24]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (24 Apr 2024)

Steven Matthews: 9. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a passport application by a person (details supplied) will be reviewed and expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18256/24]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Relating to Road Safety: Road Safety Authority (24 Apr 2024)

Steven Matthews: I thank the Cathaoirleach. I apologise for being late. I wish it could have been here from the start because I have been working on road safety since I started my career as a politician and even before that. The witnesses lead many of the numerous campaigns we have on education and modifying driver behaviour. I read earlier that another cyclist has died in Dún Laoghaire. I want to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Relating to Road Safety: Road Safety Authority (24 Apr 2024)

Steven Matthews: To me, the fact that you cannot answer that is shocking. You lead on these campaigns, and I really-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Relating to Road Safety: Road Safety Authority (24 Apr 2024)

Steven Matthews: I do not want to talk about campaigns. I think they are important. I think educational campaigns are important. I think driver modification campaigns are important. I think everybody who uses the road campaigns to educate and to try to modify behaviour so it is safe for everybody.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Relating to Road Safety: Road Safety Authority (24 Apr 2024)

Steven Matthews: I am talking about the need for hard engineering solutions out there to provide segregation for vulnerable road users such as walkers, cyclists and children.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Relating to Road Safety: Road Safety Authority (24 Apr 2024)

Steven Matthews: Often, we see these processes going up for public consultation. Anybody can make a submission on them under section 38 of the road Act and Part 8 of the planning Act.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Relating to Road Safety: Road Safety Authority (24 Apr 2024)

Steven Matthews: Sorry, but we are under time pressure. I accept that the RSA feeds in and collates data-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Relating to Road Safety: Road Safety Authority (24 Apr 2024)

Steven Matthews: I am not asking the RSA to design engineering solutions. I am asking it to provide some leadership by submitting to those public consultations to say that the RSA supports the measures that the local authority and the district engineers are trying to implement, often in the face of opposition from councillors who speak out of one side of their mouth and then vote another way. I am asking...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Relating to Road Safety: Road Safety Authority (24 Apr 2024)

Steven Matthews: Can Mr. Waide clarify something for me? He said that the RSA has made submissions to strategies and maybe to design. Has it ever actually submitted to a statutory process like a Part 8 or section 38 application by a local authority to implement road safety measures for cyclists and pedestrians? Has anyone from the RSA, as one of the leading agencies trying to implement road safety...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Relating to Road Safety: Road Safety Authority (24 Apr 2024)

Steven Matthews: I think we need that type of action.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Relating to Road Safety: Road Safety Authority (24 Apr 2024)

Steven Matthews: I would urge the RSA to submit to Part 8 and section 38 applications and help our councillors who are trying to do this work across the country. The funding is there. We have done the studies. We know what needs to be done. If the RSA could show that leadership, it would help.