Results 1-20 of 23 for peat speaker:Darragh O'Brien

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Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: ...is saying but – there is a "but" – seven years is currently prescribed and that is consistent with the Statute of Limitations. Last week, we dealt with another section related to quarrying and peat extraction, where we can go past that date, which I think we all agreed would be a good thing. The proposal to extend it to 15 years would remove the impetus from a planning...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: The Deputy is asking why is it specifically related to quarry development and peat extraction.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: We need to go back to section 320(3) and the reference to unauthorised quarry development or unauthorised peat extraction development. The subsection states: Notwithstanding subsection (1), enforcement action may be commenced at any time in respect of unauthorised quarry development or unauthorised peat extraction development in any of the following circumstances: (a) where no permission...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: No, it is not that people are not allowed. Let me just check that, because we have agreed they can go past that for quarries and peat. The Deputy is referring to the passage that states "A direction or draft direction under this section shall not require the taking of remedial measures in relation to a development ...".

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: ...measures and it is very important that that is set down in primary legislation. This is a very serious issue, unquestionably. All of us are aware of cases, particularly on illegal quarrying and peat extraction. I am more than content that within the Bill, as is presented, that it would and does provide for that under the enforcement notice, which will detail what the remediation or...

Planning and Development Bill 2023: Second Stage (30 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: ...the enforcement of the planning code and the prosecution of offences arising under the Bill. It provides for the establishment of regional enforcement authorities to allow enforcement of certain types of development such as quarries and peat extraction to be dealt with on a regional basis. Part 12 relates to appeal procedures, the planning register and records, and miscellaneous powers...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Horticulture Sector (28 Nov 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: ...all development, unless specifically exempted under the Act or associated Planning and Development 2001 Regulations (the 2001 regulations), requires planning permission. Under the 2001 Regulations, peat extraction: (i) in a new or extended area of less than 10 hectares or (ii) in a new or extended area of 10 hectares or more, where the drainage of the bog land commenced prior to 21...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Investigations (1 Mar 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: ...into this incident is ongoing at present, It would therefore be inappropriate for me to provide further details at this juncture. More generally, NPWS has commissioned a study to investigate peat slides in Ireland and explore potential mitigation for such events. Meenbog is one of the chosen case study sites. This study is nearing completion and it is expected that a final report will...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authorities (18 Jan 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: ...part of the Programme for Government and Climate Action Plan. This Midlands Retrofit Pilot was established as a pilot programme to provide economic stimulus to the counties most affected by the cessation of peat harvesting for electricity generation, and it centres on upgrading larger batches of homes in distinct, compact geographical areas. The pilot is expected to be completed in 2023...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Energy Conservation (31 May 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: ...the benefit of focusing on upgrading larger batches of homes in distinct, compact geographical areas whilst simultaneously providing an economic stimulus to the counties most affected by the cessation of peat harvesting for electricity generation.   The Programme experienced significant delays due to the effects of COVID-19 and associated difficulties...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Energy Conservation (10 May 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: ...established as a pilot programme to provide learnings on the move to 'deeper retrofit', to trial the aggregation concept and provide economic stimulus to the counties most affected by the cessation of peat harvesting for electricity generation. It centred therefore on upgrading larger batches of homes in distinct, compact geographical areas.  The Midlands Retrofit...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Horticulture Sector (25 Jan 2022)

Darragh O'Brien: The Working Group on the Use of Peat Moss in the Horticultural Industry was established following a series of High Court decisions which determined that large-scale peat harvesting requires planning permission and licensing by the Environmental Protection Agency. The Working Group was tasked in particular with examining the potential of alternatives to peat for the horticultural industry....

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Reports (16 Dec 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: ... Q4 2021 Housing First National Implementation Plan 2022-2026 Q4 2021 National Policy on Architecture Q1 2022 Review of the Use of Peat in Horticulture Q1 2022 Heritage Ireland 2030 Q1 2022 Tara Conservation Management Plan Q1 2022 Progress report on the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Reports (9 Nov 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: My statutory remit and responsibility as Minister does not include regulation of the harvesting or supply of horticultural peat. However, to assist in addressing the important issues around horticultural peat for domestic purposes, I set up an Independent Working Group under the Chair of Dr. Munoo Prasad. The potential of alternatives to the use of peat moss in the horticultural industry was...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Data (9 Nov 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: ...established as a pilot programme to provide learnings on the move to 'deeper retrofit', to trial the aggregation concept and provide economic stimulus to the counties most affected by the cessation of peat harvesting for electricity generation. It centered therefore on upgrading larger batches of homes in distinct, compact geographical areas. The Midlands Retrofit Programme has...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Defective Building Materials (29 Jun 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: ...(1) each Local Authority shall: Establish and maintain a register of all extractive industries within its functional area including the extraction, treatment and storage of mineral resources, the working of quarries, and the extraction, treatment and storage of peat. The overall Register is maintained by the Environmental Protection Agency and is publicly available. The Environmental...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Quarrying Sector (11 Feb 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: ...of all extractive industries within its functional area including the extraction, treatment and storage of mineral resources, the working of quarries, and the extraction, treatment and storage of peat. The overall Register is maintained by the Environmental Protection Agency and is publicly available. The Environmental Protection Agency falls under the remit of my colleague, the...

Response of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to Covid-19: Statements (28 Jan 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I will deal with some of the questions and the Minister of State, Deputy Peter Burke, will respond to the question about horticultural peat. On housing, it is unfortunate that we have had to close the construction sector in the interests of public safety and to reduce the movement of people. There are some exemptions and those regulations will be updated and published later tonight. The...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Energy Efficiency (13 Jan 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: ...the midlands, under the 'Just Transition' programme. This Midland Retrofit Programme was established as a pilot programme to provide economic stimulus to the counties most affected by the cessation of peat harvesting for electricity generation, and it centres on upgrading larger batches of homes in distinct, compact geographical areas. Significant preparatory work has been completed to...

Seanad: Planning and Development, and Residential Tenancies, Bill 2020: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (17 Dec 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: ...to the planning side of the Bill. This Bill, in no way, shape or form, is an attempt to revive the provisions of the 2019 regulations that were struck down by the High Court, which purport to enable peat extraction to continue during a transitional period. It will have no effect on the planning status of peat extraction. As a Government, we are committed to transitioning from such...