Results 361-380 of 23,871 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Reports (10 Oct 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: I refer to my reply to Question No. 379 of 18 September 2024 which sets out the position in this matter

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authorities (10 Oct 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: Under the Local Government Reform Act 2014, Town and Borough Councils were dissolved with effect from 1 June 2014. The total current expenditure (including transfers to and from reserves, for example, for loan or lease repayments, debt write off or development levies, among other matters) recorded in the Annual Financial Statements of the relevant dissolved local authorities for 2013 was...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wastewater Treatment (10 Oct 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: Uisce Éireann has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels. The scope, prioritisation and progression of individual projects is a matter for Uisce Éireann and is approved through its own internal governance structures. There has been record levels of investment in water services by Uisce...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Reviews (10 Oct 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: The information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Defective Building Materials (10 Oct 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: I set up an Implementation Steering Group for the enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks (DCB) Grant scheme, comprising officials from the relevant local authorities, my Department, the Housing Agency, and the Homeowners’ Liaison Officer. This Group meets every 4-6 weeks and keeps the operation of the DCB Scheme under continuous review. The most recent engagement took place on 12 September...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (10 Oct 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: The Mortgage to Rent (MTR) Scheme was introduced in 2012 and is administered by the Housing Agency on behalf of my Department. The MTR Scheme offers households in acute, unsustainable mortgage arrears situations, with little or no prospect of a significant change in circumstances, the chance to surrender a property to a lender and in turn become a social housing tenant whilst staying in...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (10 Oct 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: Housing for All is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade. This includes the delivery of 90,000 social homes, 36,000 affordable purchase homes and 18,000 cost rental homes. Housing for All is supported by an investment package of over €4bn per annum, through an overall combination of €12bn in direct...

Planning and Development Bill 2023: From the Seanad (9 Oct 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: I will leave it at that.

Planning and Development Bill 2023: From the Seanad (9 Oct 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: At 7.50 p.m.

Planning and Development Bill 2023: From the Seanad (9 Oct 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: He made a charge.

Planning and Development Bill 2023: From the Seanad (9 Oct 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: That is horseshit.

Planning and Development Bill 2023: From the Seanad (9 Oct 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: That is horseshit.

Planning and Development Bill 2023: From the Seanad (9 Oct 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: On a point of order, I am not sure whether Deputy Boyd Barrett was present when I responded to the charge some TDs made in relation to the Seanad amendment that was brought forward. I responded on the record on that matter. Deputies Matthews and Leddin have spoken about important amendments. I cannot believe Deputy Boyd Barrett has just dismissed them like that, especially for someone who...

Planning and Development Bill 2023: From the Seanad (9 Oct 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: The idea that transport infrastructure includes a definition for cyclists and pedestrians is right and proper. It is important they are afforded the same status and standards as everyone else.

Planning and Development Bill 2023: From the Seanad (9 Oct 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: We have already dealt with that, however.

Planning and Development Bill 2023: From the Seanad (9 Oct 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: I spoke in the House already in the nearly 200 hours of debate we have had on this Bill. I spoke on this issue when we were discussing the first grouping of amendments, that is, amendments Nos. 1 to 18, inclusive, because the Leas-Cheann Comhairle allowed latitude at that stage. I responded on behalf of the Government. The charges the Deputy made against my two colleagues were wholly...

Planning and Development Bill 2023: From the Seanad (9 Oct 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: These amendments relate to Chapters 1 to 3, inclusive, of Part 3 of the Bill, which deal with the definitions for the Part, the national planning framework and the national planning statements. Amendment No. 31 introduces a definition for "transport infrastructure" to section 17 and broadens the term "transport infrastructure" to include a reference to infrastructure for cyclists and...

Planning and Development Bill 2023: From the Seanad (9 Oct 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: Deputy Boyd Barrett, to be fair to him, has engaged with this Bill the whole way through the debate. We have been transparent about everything right the way through the process. If we were to slow down proceedings to the pace some Members wanted, we would not have this legislation passed for five years.

Planning and Development Bill 2023: From the Seanad (9 Oct 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: During the debate on Seanad amendments Nos. 1 to 18, the first grouping, the Deputy asked a question about reclaimed land and the maritime area. I did not respond to him, but it is covered by one of the questions he has just asked. All the amendment in question will do is bring reclaimed land under the definition of "land". What I was saying about masts, which I think most people will...

Planning and Development Bill 2023: From the Seanad (9 Oct 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: I will come back in there. Before I respond to Deputy Matthews, I commend him on his role as Chairperson of the Oireachtas joint committee, specifically in respect of this Bill and the manner in which Committee Stage was carried out, but not just that, given there have been other significant items of legislation for which he has chaired the committee. We have managed to get through the...