Results 461-480 of 6,944 for speaker:Michael McNamara

Planning and Development Bill 2023: Second Stage (Resumed) (7 Dec 2023)

Michael McNamara: I am going to finish on this point.

Planning and Development Bill 2023: Second Stage (Resumed) (7 Dec 2023)

Michael McNamara: Deputy Fitzmaurice has offered me a couple of minutes of his time.

Planning and Development Bill 2023: Second Stage (Resumed) (7 Dec 2023)

Michael McNamara: There was an argument in the past about fees for criminal defence lawyers. The Bar Council approached the then Minister for public expenditure, Deputy Brendan Howlin, to say that there was an inequality of arms in that prosecution lawyers were getting a little bit more than defence lawyers. The Minister remedied that by cutting the higher fees but at least there was an equality of arms...

Planning and Development Bill 2023: Second Stage (Resumed) (7 Dec 2023)

Michael McNamara: We have this tome of 720 pages to reform our planning Acts and we must ask why. It seems many of us do not really know why. We know there were problems with the planning system and that reviews were carried out, but we do not really know what those reviews found as they have never been published. There was certainly a problem with An Bord Pleanála. There were many cases in An Bord...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (7 Dec 2023)

Michael McNamara: I too had a question for the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, but it seems that Elvis has left the building. Perhaps the support act could undertake to answer the question. In a letter to the trade union representative of Irish Water workers last June that helped to avert industrial action, the Minister for housing, Deputy O'Brien, wrote that it was agreed that water workers, uniquely in the local...

Planning and Development Bill 2023: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Dec 2023)

Michael McNamara: I do not wish to delay this any further. I have made my point. Having made the point to the Ceann Comhairle, it is particularly disappointing that he did not rule on the matter, particularly in circumstances where he "sent a letter" in response to a similar point that Deputy Cian O'Callaghan had made when it was debated. It is disappointing.

Planning and Development Bill 2023: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Dec 2023)

Michael McNamara: I do not wish any disrespectful to the Cathaoirleach and I appreciate he is doing his job. It is disappointing, with the point having been made to the Ceann Comhairle that Standing Orders are not being adhered to. I cannot put it any further.

Planning and Development Bill 2023: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Dec 2023)

Michael McNamara: Yes, and the Minister-----

Planning and Development Bill 2023: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Dec 2023)

Michael McNamara: That is not the case at all.

Planning and Development Bill 2023: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Dec 2023)

Michael McNamara: I am not looking to suspend Standing Orders. It is open to the Minister of State to suspend Standing Orders if he wants to. I am seeking to vindicate Standing Orders and ensure they are applied. The Cathaoirleach is factually incorrect in stating that the Ceann Comhairle in any way ruled on this issue. My clear recollection of it is that the Taoiseach undertook to refer the matter to the...

Planning and Development Bill 2023: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Dec 2023)

Michael McNamara: He did not pronounce on the objection.

Planning and Development Bill 2023: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Dec 2023)

Michael McNamara: He made no order on the matter and now I am calling that an order and a determination need to be made on this because it is very clearly in breach of Standing Orders. As I say, it is open to the Government to suspend Standing Orders. It can do just about anything within the confines of the Constitution but it has not suspended Standing Orders and this is clearly in breach of Standing...

Planning and Development Bill 2023: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Dec 2023)

Michael McNamara: The Cathaoirleach needs to determine that this debate is in order or it is not in order. If it is in order, he has to explain. There is a general duty to give reasons; it applies here as well as everywhere else. The Cathaoirleach must explain how this explanatory memorandum, which does not outline the modifications and merely states that there are some modifications, complies with Standing...

Planning and Development Bill 2023: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Dec 2023)

Michael McNamara: On what basis does the Cathaoirleach say that this explanatory memorandum complies with the Standing Orders?

Planning and Development Bill 2023: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Dec 2023)

Michael McNamara: I respectfully suggest that the Cathaoirleach gives the microphone to Ms Banim, who is an excellent public servant.

Planning and Development Bill 2023: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Dec 2023)

Michael McNamara: That is what is happening. That is clearly what is happening.

Planning and Development Bill 2023: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Dec 2023)

Michael McNamara: It is what is happening.

Planning and Development Bill 2023: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Dec 2023)

Michael McNamara: What is the ruling?

Planning and Development Bill 2023: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Dec 2023)

Michael McNamara: On what basis?

Planning and Development Bill 2023: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Dec 2023)

Michael McNamara: On what basis does the Cathaoirleach say that these Standing Orders comply with section 159? Again I invite him to give the microphone to Ms Banim.