Bannon, JamesWednesday, 3 May 2006 |
Seanad Eireann Debate
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Order of Business.
I support the calls made for a debate on updating the register of electors because, as we are all aware, it is a shambles. In bygone days, the register was the responsibility of the revenue collector,...
Longford County Council, which is one of the smallest local authorities in the country, has received more than 30 curricula vitae from students and I hope those people can be taken on. I would be deli...
It was a bit rich of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to claim on radio yesterday that local authorities are awash with money because that is not the case. A significant...
Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006: Committee Stage.
I move amendment No. 1: In page 6, between lines 1 and 2, to insert the following new definition: “‘the Agency’ means the Environmental Protection Agency as established by the Environmental Protection...
Amendment No. 2 would bring about a drafting improvement. The Government has always spoken about being customer friendly. It would improve the interpretation of the Bill for the layman. Including refe...
Is it possible to treat amendments Nos. 17 and 53 separately?
I move amendment No. 3: In page 6, lines 13 and 14, to delete “if the following condition is satisfied” and substitute “subject to subsection (2) of this section”. This, like many other of the amendme...
This just shows the changing times in which we live. I would say that this Bill, like most documents now, was drafted on a computer. With modern technology there has been a change in the use of the co...
I cannot understand the reason the Minister had a difficulty in accepting this amendment, which proposes to delete the word “serves” and substitute it with the words “shall serve”. I feel the same abo...
No.
I move amendment No. 13: In page 7, to delete lines 37 to 42 and substitute the following: “(7) In this section ‘appropriate planning authority’ means the appropriate planning authority that would hav...
I move amendment No. 17: In page 8, line 40, after “that” to insert “either”. The board may refuse permission on the basis of the application or the environmental impact statement.
The insertion of the word “either” in this subsection would bring greater clarity to it. It is important to insert the word “either” after the word “that”, as permission can be refused on the basis of...
I do not agree with the Minister. I propose that section 37E should state that “the board may refuse to deal with any application made to it under this section where it considers that either the appli...
I support Senator McCarthy’s amendment, which seeks to improve the services offered to customers. This customer-friendly amendment should be accepted.
I move amendment No. 21: In page 9, to delete lines 10 to 19 and substitute the following: “(ii) specifying—— (I) the times and places at which, and the period (not being less than 6 weeks) during whi...
I move amendment No. 22: In page 9, lines 23 and 24, to delete “of the proposed development”. This amendment is being taken with amendment No. 23, which proposes the deletion of the same words, and am...
It is just complicating matters.
On amendment No. 27, which proposes the deletion of “in relation to a proposed development to the Board”, the phrase “under subsection (4), submit the report” could refer to any report. The Minister h...
I, too, support the statement by the Minister as regards strengthening the role of elected members of local authorities. We are all elected representatives in some shape or form and have to deal with ...
We are all in agreement that more power should be given to local authority members. As I pointed out in regard to several other items of legislation, powers have been taken away from elected members. ...
Yes.
I move amendment No. 33: In page 10, between lines 35 and 36, to insert the following: “(8) Where a reasonable request that the Board consult with an independent health expert on the health implicatio...
They are an important aspect.
It is essential that this amendment should be inserted because reference is not made to health and safety expertise in the legislation. The Minister referred to health boards but they were abolished m...
This Bill provides for the transfer of many of the Minister’s powers to An Bord Pleanála. Senator Kitt referred to discussions on incineration and landfills but we are entitled to debate such issues b...
Amendment put.
Voted Yes
I move amendment No. 35: In page 10, line 39, to delete “for permission”. These amendments are of a technical nature and will provide a clearer interpretation of the Bill. They are self-explanatory an...
I move amendment No. 36: In page 10, line 43, after “indicate” to insert “where applicable”. This is a technical amendment which would improve the Bill, although the Minister may have a different view...
I move amendment No. 43: In page 11, line 52, to delete “or for the purposes of an activity for which”. These are technical amendments which would improve the Bill by giving greater clarity to the sec...
I submitted similar amendments on Committee Stage of the Waste Management Bill and the Protection of the Environment Bill. Although the Minister said on Committee Stage he would not take them on board...
I move amendment No. 47: In page 12, line 11, after “subsection (5)” to insert the following: “, and it shall not make such a decision within that period without having either— (i) considered the obse...
I move amendment No. 48: In page 13, between lines 21 and 22, to insert the following: “(3) When making a decision in respect of a proposed development for which an application is made under section 3...
The Minister said the “manager” must present the report. My amendment is all about the involvement of elected representatives who, after all, represent the voice of the people. The Minister stated he ...
Amendment put.
Voted Yes
I move amendment No. 53: In page 14, line 23, to delete “situate” and substitute “situated”. This is a technical amendment. I want to see consistency throughout the Bill and “situated” is the word tha...
I thank the Minister for accepting the amendment. It is a foretaste of things to come.
I move amendment No. 56: In page 15, line 7, before “in” where it firstly occurs, to insert “to be specified by the Board,”. We must specify the conditions in this section. The amendment would add to ...
I thank the Minister for accepting this amendment.
I move amendment No. 57: In page 15, to delete lines 11 to 17. A financial consideration is involved in this amendment. The Minister might consider deleting the lines 11 to 17 in the subsection, which...
I move amendment No. 60. In page 17, line 35, to delete “18” and substitute “12”. The amendment seeks a reduction in the period allowed for a decision to be made. The period allowed of 18 weeks is fou...
I detect from the Minister’s contribution that there will be a staff shortage in An Bord Pleanála. I have grave concerns about the burdens this legislation will place on the board. The Minister is pro...
I welcome the decision to agree to the appointment of four staff in addition to the staff which were announced when Mr. O’Connor addressed the joint committee. The Minister said that sufficient number...
I will explain why I raised the issue of the recruitment of planners from outside the State. I accept that such people may undertake a period of training. While I welcome them on board, it is importan...
I move amendment No. 65: In page 18, line 17, after “of” to insert “a specified application or to”. This is a minor technical amendment. If one reads the relevant section of the Bill, it is clear it i...
Will this limit energy production in certain areas?
Did the Minister say he had consultation with the ESB on this particular issue?
It had nothing to do with this Bill.
I just wanted to clarify whether the Minister was putting limits on the amount of megawatts that could be produced.
I welcome this amendment which brings greater clarity to the Bill. The deletion of lines 20 to 29 and the substitution of this by three lines has tidied up this section of the legislation. There is mu...
I am not enthusiastic about the Government amendments to the Bill which have caused some confusion. A significant number of Government amendments have been tabled since Second Stage was discussed here...
I always mention my own area. I am glad to see a delegation from the Cathaoirleach’s county in the Visitors Gallery.
I welcome the Minister’s amendments. I would have tabled similar amendments, had he not done so.
The Seventh Schedule contains a list of projects related to petroleum, natural gas pipelines or crude oil refinery. However, the media reported earlier on the possibility of nuclear energy being broug...
I move amendment No. 90: In page 26, line 19, to delete “50” and substitute “10”. This amendment relates to wind farms. The legislation provides for the streamlining of the planning process for key in...
We should move in this direction and a provision should be made in this regard. I ask the Minister to reduce the number of turbines from 50 to ten. If the Minister does not accept the amendment, I exp...
I am glad the Minister has adopted a Fine Gael policy, which is to fast-track the development of wind farms. We would like to see the figure of 50 reduced to a compromise of 30 and allow for——
—— the fast-tracking of wind farm construction to help Ireland increase its electricity generation. The wind farm is often referred to as the oil well in the sky. It is clean, generally acceptable to ...
I wanted to say a brief few words on amendment No. 95. The section deals with harbour areas of 20 hectares.
That is the equivalent of the size of Dún Laoghaire and my amendment tries to reduce the size to ten hectares. There is much development planned for the Shannon. We need harbours on the west coast and...
I do not wish to press this to a vote. I would just like to hear the Minister’s views.
The Minister might consider altering the figures in some of those areas.
Is the Opposition allowed to respond?
National Pensions Reserve Fund: Motion.
Amendment put.
Voted Yes
Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006: Committee Stage (Resumed).
This amendment dealt with the transfer of certain ministerial functions. Can we be assured that these are open, transparent, fair and impartial? We must ensure that there is independence in this area ...
I move amendment No. 126: In page 69, line 34, after “as” to insert the following “references to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, and”. This amendment updates the refer...
It is somewhat premature to call me a Deputy, although I hope to have that title after the next general election.
The word “heritage” is not yet included in the title of the Oireachtas Committee on the Environment and Local Government. That issue should be addressed because there is significant interest in Irish ...
I am not pressing the amendment.
I move amendment No. 129: In page 70, line 34, to delete “then” and substitute “than”.
I move amendment No. 130: In page 70, line 54, after “be” to insert “either”. The eight-week period should not start until notice has been served. This minor amendment would allow for more transparenc...
I do not suggest extending the period as the Minister said, but that the eight-week period should not begin until the notice is served.
When a notice is served, any notice, even a summons, the date is specified, and it would be specified in this case. It would not open the door to legal challenges. I am asking that the eight weeks do ...
I move amendment No. 132: In page 71, line 22, to delete “ex parte” and substitute “ex parte”
Adjournment Matters - Neighbourhood Watch Schemes.
I thank the Minister of State for taking this Adjournment matter on the important issue of funding for Legan neighbourhood watch. I cannot stress enough the need for him to give an update regarding es...
My brother, Councillor Larry Bannon, raised this issue with me. He is very active in the local community and is a member of the committee. Can the organisation apply for the two grants at the one time...
It covered the two areas.
| Last Updated: 07/09/2010 22:39:03 |
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