Stanley, Brian

Wind Energy Guidelines

Asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government: if in view of the Government decision not to oppose the Sinn Féin Bill on the planning of wind farms, he will support the proposals it contains in relation to minimum setback distances and that win...

I raise this question about wind farms because it is fair to say the Government put the cart before the horse in this matter. We did not have the cost-benefit analysis on the export projects, the ...

I thank the Minister of State for her reply. The problem is that the Minister of State is bringing forward guidelines to the effect that planning applications must have regard to local county deve...

And requirements.

Today is 1 May and we still do not have the cost-benefit analysis on the export projects, the new guidelines on planning, and the Government Green Paper. The Minister of State has just told me tha...

Wind Energy Guidelines (Continued)

Pro rata.

Departmental Investigations (Continued)

In respect of the order of the question, on a point of order-----

I will be brief. On a point of order, the questions are being ordered in such a way that the Sinn Féin questions are being pushed down to Nos. 17 and 20.

I want you to take this up with the questions office. I have had one priority question but nothing since that question was answered. It is not Fianna Fáil's fault but Fianna Fáil has had five que...

I wonder who programmes it. There is something wrong. I have heard that answer before. There is something wrong with the system. The Sinn Féin questions are down at the bottom every month. We ...

I want a clear answer. I do not want to be fobbed off again.

Water Charges Introduction (Continued)

Outsourcing.

In Esker Hills and Oakleaf Place in Portlaoise and in parts of Portarlington, meters that were fitted in recent years are being ripped out. This includes the meter boxes, which turned out to be th...

Who will check the meter afterwards to see whether there are leaks and who will pay the cost of the leaks? In the Dublin area and other counties this cost will be picked up by the local authority.

Building control officers have done a good job to ensure the infrastructure in local authority estates being taken in charge is up to scratch. In the case of a new estate being taken in charge, ...

That is a poor answer. Do not give me that.

They are ripping out new meters. I asked three questions.

Who checks the meters?

Who checks the meters for leaks?

Who signs off on the water network in an estate? Is it Uisce Éireann or the local authority?

National Spatial Strategy (Continued)

And the midlands.

Leaders' Questions (Continued)

The Tánaiste should check the Official Report.

Water Meters Installation

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for taking this issue. There is considerable work going on in installing meters throughout the State. Unfortunately they are not fixing leaks but digging up footpaths ...

On a related issue, the installation of meters is resulting in other disruption. Damage is being caused in certain cases to water infrastructure. When I first raised the issue in February when ...

In February I estimated that if the level of leaks caused in Dublin were replicated across the country - meters are now being installed in Portlaoise and other towns in County Laois - the final b...

New meters fitted in recent years in housing estates are being pulled out. While there may be an argument for taking out the meter, which looks identical to the one being fitted, the meter box i...

Will people be given one month's notice? Will the contractors be responsible for the leaks, particularly the ones on the house side of the meters? We must not forget that the householders will ...

I thank the Minister of State for his reply. Some people are carrying out work on a house. The Government introduced a positive scheme to give a tax rebate for those carrying out home improvement...

Meters can be fitted in some areas without much disruption, but in some areas they can cause havoc. In narrow streets access can be blocked off for days which is a particular problem for those w...

Water Meters Installation (Continued)

It is important people in those situations receive adequate notice. It will not cost any more for them to be notified two weeks earlier. The regime would be better if it was changed to one month ...

Property Tax Administration

Asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government: the way in which local authorities can be expected to vary the rate of local property tax before they know the level of funding they will receive from his Department for 2015.

Tenant Purchase Scheme Administration

Asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government: when details of the new tenant purchase scheme will be published; and the way in which it will differ from the old scheme.

Planning Issues

Asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government: if Irish Water will sign off on the transfer of water services for new housing schemes prior to the schemes being taken over by the local authority.

Housing Adaptation Grant Funding

Asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government: if the provision of ramps and stairlifts by local authorities now has to be processed by his Department.

Water Services Funding

Asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government: the amount that has been spent on water mains rehabilitation, to repair leaks and to replace pipes for each of the past six years including to date in 2014.

Speech and Language Therapy

Asked the Minister for Health: when a person (details supplied) in County Laois will receive speech and language therapy.