Christopher O'Sullivan
Cork South-West · Fianna Fáil · Ireland
“The aim of the hierarchy of the plan-making, as set out in the Act of 2024, is to improve scope for the various tiers of the planning system to more closely relate to one another, therefore providing greater clarity and consistency for all involved, from individual citizens and residents' groups to landowners and developers and ultimately…”
“My understanding is that a ten-year modernisation programme has already been undertaken by the Courts Service and significant progress has been made in improving the availability and use of court data.”
“Under the Act of 2024, the national planning framework continues to spearhead and explicate the planning agenda and sits at the pinnacle of the plan-led system and structure, whereby all tiers of planning from regional to local align with strategic objectives set out in the national planning framework.”
“The Senator has suggested that such plans would identify strategic development priorities, including settlement hierarchy, infrastructure corridors, climate adaptation measures and areas for regeneration; set out indicative phasing for major infrastructure and public investment; include spatial mapping of long-term development objectives;…”
“The Bill also facilitates the completion of the work of the Valuation Tribunal and the facility for the local authority to issue the levy demand and, where necessary, for An Coimisiún Pleanála to deal with any appeals to the demand that may arise in those existing cases currently with the tribunal.”
“As the system of plan-making in the State has just been revised and is being implemented for the first time, the introduction of another layer of plan-making could undermine the new hierarchy that was carefully arranged and agreed following extensive engagement with a range of stakeholders, including the Office of the Attorney General, an…”
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“The stronger tenancy protections will provide further improvements to security of tenure. The rental sector provides a home for a significant proportion of the population and we need to give people more certainty that their tenancy will not be ended. We want to provide more stability and confidence to renters. All landlords will continue to have the option to sell with the tenants in situ at any time. In order to stimulate investment and keep existing landlords in the market, the resetting of rents to market value for new tenancies created on or after 1 March 2026 will be allowed as part of the reform of rent controls. The linking of rent control to a property rather than a tenancy under the current RPZ system of rent control makes investment in rental accommodation less attractive in Ireland.”
“First, it sets its rent cap at 2% or the inflation rate, whichever is lower, meaning that rent increases may not keep pace with inflation and, second, it does not allow for a resetting of rents to market rates after a tenancy ends. The linking of rent regulation to a property rather than a tenancy, as is the case with RPZs, is viewed as a more stringent system of rent control. The review highlighted that RPZ reform could incentivise investment and would likely have a positive effect on supply. It also noted other factors, such as interest rates and measures to support viability, which the Government was actively considering during the period of the review. This is why, at its meeting on 10 June 2025, the Government approved new policy measures to provide for enhancement to rent controls and tenancy protections from 1 March 2026.”
“The review also noted international research on rent control, which suggested that controlled rents deliver a considerable price reduction to sitting tenants. However, they might not significantly improve affordability. Tenants might have faced higher rents upon tenancy commencement in new rental accommodation, with the rent increase restriction priced into the initial rent set. Over time, reduced supply is likely to see higher rents impact on tenant mobility. There is also the risk that landlords will not make the necessary investment in maintenance and refurbishment. The review also identified that lreland’s current RPZ system appears to be severe for two reasons.”
“The review involved engagement with a wide variety of stakeholders, including investors, representatives of landlord and tenant advocacy groups, academics and the Residential Tenancies Board. It also involved an extensive analysis of domestic and international research on rent regulation. From the review, it is clear there has been meaningful moderation of rents due to the existence of RPZs. However, tenants outside RPZs did face higher rent increases. Today’s Bill, providing for a national rent control, will help all tenants. The review suggested that there is a negative supply impact linked to the 2021 tightening of the RPZ rent controls, including the imposing of a real price cut when inflation exceeds 2%, which correlated with an increase in the supply of homes for sale and a decline of rental registrations.”
“Following the completion of the review, the Housing Agency was requested to undertake a review of RPZs and the Review of Rent Pressure Zones and Consideration of Potential Policy Options for Rent Controls in the Private Rented Sector was published by the agency in June 2025. A key focus of the review was to examine the impact of RPZs on the rental market and to make recommendations on whether rent controls should be removed, modified or amended. The Housing Agency report recommended that the existing system of rent controls be modified with the introduction of a national system of rent controls allowing rental prices to adjust with inflation within a tenancy, and for rent resetting between tenancies to reflect market rents, with enhanced tenancy security measures to protect against economic evictions.”
“Clonakilty, the town I come from, was not in an RPZ. There was a function to be able to reset rents at any rate and there was no restriction on that. Now, there is that restriction. I can tell the Deputies a lot of constituents in Clonakilty, and in those other towns outside RPZs, have greeted this with a sense of relief. That is a fact; I am talking to my constituents as well. We have also seen a positive reaction from investment. I am very confident that what we see in this legislation will lead to an increase in supply and see a levelling off of the rapid rate of rent increases we have seen in this country over the last number of years. The Private Rental Sector Review, published in 2024, highlighted the need to improve certain aspects of rent regulation.”
“-----for the other comments. I listened with interest because what the Deputies have done is highlight the issues. Rents are too high, we do not have enough supply and we have far too much homelessness. This is something we all know. It is something that this Bill is trying to address. We often hear references to the Housing Agency and its recommendations. What the Housing Agency has asked the Government to do is to ensure more protection for renters, which is what this Bill does through designating the entire country an RPZ, and the necessity to attract more investment in the provision of accommodation. That is what we are looking to do. The Minister has been set an incredibly difficult task but this legislation creates that balance. I can speak on behalf of my constituents in Cork South-West.”
“I noted a lot of interest in many of the comments made. Both the Minister, Deputy Browne, and I were listening in. I noted Deputy O'Reilly's comments when she said with glee that her constituency is Fianna Fáil free. I come from a constituency, Cork South-West, where we do not have a single Sinn Féin councillor, Senator or TD. That is because, thankfully-----”
“There is now a focus on reducing a lot of the red tape and on allowing us to deliver at scale. More than anything, what has come across today is that we have to get the message to Uisce Éireann that communication is important. We will support Uisce Éireann and give it the resources to ensure we scale up the delivery of wastewater treatment.”
“There are things we can do before our water gets to the different treatment systems. I commend the work of LAWPRO, the local authorities water programme. It is doing incredible work with local authorities and communities on the ground to ensure many of these ecosystems are protected. Coming back to the main theme of today's conservation, we realise that Uisce Éireann certainly has not got everything right. We realise there is a necessity to focus on wastewater projects and water supply. The Minister and Ministers of State in the Department know there are towns, villages, cities and urban areas where improvements are needed or where basic infrastructure is needed. We know that some of these timelines are very hard to stomach and very frustrating but when we think about the various licences and permits that are needed, we can understand.”
“It is happening and there are some incredible schemes out there nationally that focus on these habitats. Lady's Island Lake is a stunning lagoon that is unique. As the Ceann Comhairle knows well, through co-operation with the farming community, Wexford County Council, the local authorities waters programme, LAWPRO, and many other organisations we are formulating a plan to ensure the lake can be restored to its former glory and will continue to support its habitat. This is being done through the farming for water EIP, which I mentioned earlier. This supports farmers who introduce and implement additional measures. We are going to have to have serious conversations about the pressures on our water systems and various uses and land uses, whether it is development, farming or drainage.”
“The Government is delivering a sustainable funding path to further enhance the ongoing significant improvements in our public water and wastewater services. The Government is committed to making sure that all areas of our water services infrastructure and water quality are strengthened and that all our communities feel the benefits of this unprecedented investment in water. Clearly there has been an emphasis on Uisce Éireann today in terms of delivery but I really think it is important that we do not lose the focus on water quality. This comes in many forms and not just drinking water, which of course is essential, but also habitats and the stunning rivers, lakes, streams and estuaries that support so much life. There really is an onus on us to emphasise and support addressing issues with these habitats also.”
“As we have heard quite regularly in the House throughout the day, communication is an area that Uisce Éireann clearly needs to improve on. The Minister, Deputy Browne, has asked Uisce Éireann to review its approach to communications and engagement, particularly with Members of the House, as a matter of priority. As my colleagues have outlined, beyond Uisce Éireann the Government is supporting a wide range of measures to support rural water services, protect our rivers and meet our international obligations. These also form part of our overall approach to water and they are benefiting from the record funding allocated to the water sector under the NDP. There is much that has been accomplished and even more that will be accomplished in the coming years.”
“The new wastewater treatment plant will be situated in the southern fringes of Fingal immediately outside the M50 motorway in County Dublin, and will serve north Dublin and parts of the surrounding counties of Kildare and Meath. The GDD will provide additional treatment and network capacity to support long-term sustainable growth for the greater Dublin region and to ensure Ireland continues to meet our objectives under European law. Just yesterday, the Government approved the upgrade to the wastewater treatment plant and a new bioresource centre for Limerick city. This represents an investment of over €250 million in the mid-west and follows similar large-scale projects in Arklow and Athlone delivered last year, with further planned investment in Waterford and elsewhere.”
“I want to emphasise the benefits of Uisce Éireann's national-level projects. The water supply project for the eastern and midlands region is a generational project to supply water from the Shannon to the east of the country. The project will have capacity for off-takes in counties Tipperary, Offaly and Westmeath, thereby benefiting local communities along the route. Crucially, it also will enable supply serving Dublin to be redirected back locally into counties Carlow, Wicklow, Meath and Louth. The benefits of this project, which only a national utility can deliver, are spread far beyond the greater Dublin area. In tandem with the water supply project, the greater Dublin drainage project, GDD, is critical to facilitate growth in the greater Dublin area.”
“Having a single water authority allows for the co-ordinated delivery of water services to enable housing capacity. For example, Uisce Éireann's new growth investment programme will target 72 settlements across Ireland where the existing wastewater infrastructure can support significant housing development quickly. With the additional investment in operating in tandem with an enhanced small towns and village growth programme, this programme targets wastewater treatment plants serving populations of under 2,000 people that are either non-compliant, overloaded or projected to become so in the next five to ten years. Over 300 candidate sites have been identified and ranked by local authorities based on housing pressures and to ensure that investment is directed where it can unlock the greatest potential.”
“This transformation is due to be completed at the end of this year in a safe and co-ordinated manner without compromising service continuity. It has also been stated and acknowledged many times in this House that a legacy of underinvestment in our water infrastructure by local authorities means that there are many challenges that Uisce Éireann is seeking to address, while also providing for significant increased capacity for future businesses and population growth. The scale of the remedial work necessary in our waters and wastewater systems will, however, take a number of years and investment cycles to resolve fully. Where new treatment plants or significant upgrades of existing plans are required, the design planning, procurement, construction and commissioning process can take five to ten years. I know this is very frustrating.”
“This funding will support the delivery of a wide range of projects in our cities and regions required for housing delivery, safeguarding public health and the environment. It is worth reflecting on the increased scale of investment in Uisce Éireann. It has had a fourfold increase in investment on water services and infrastructure, rising from €300 million in 2014 to €1.4 billion this year. The transfer of operation and control of public water services from local authorities to direct Uisce Éireann responsibility represents one of the largest public sector reform programmes in recent years and involves numerous facilities around the country and over 3,000 full-time and part-time local authority workers. Significant progress has been made in transforming the water sector.”
“Third, the national river barrier mitigation programme will fund the removal of or the mitigation of impacts of barriers in our rivers. These are all very important measures in terms of biodiversity and habitats. I acknowledge the strong co-operation across Departments, State agencies, non-Government organisations and communities in the development and implementation of these water quality programmes and initiatives. Work relating to water quality can get lost in the focus on water service delivery by Uisce Éireann, as evidenced in the contributions of Members this evening. The Government is fully behind Uisce Éireann. This is reflected in the record national development plan allocation of €11.7 billion over the next five years.”
“This funding will support a wide range of capital investment in water protection initiatives operated by local authorities, the Environmental Protection Agency, Inland Fisheries Ireland and directly by my Department. This will include the development of specific evidence-based targeted programmes to drive water quality improvement. First, the farming for water European investment partnership, EIP, was launched in March 2024. The aim of this partnership is to support farmers in the implementation of supplementary measures on farmlands where agricultural activities are impacting water quality. Second, a scheme which will fund urban nature-based solution projects will be undertaken by local authorities to manage surface water, drainage and rainfall.”
“The Government is clear that it is going to back it in terms of addressing the huge scale of what is out there to address. I acknowledge the important work the Government is doing on water quality by means of the water action plan, which is derived from the water framework directive and outlines the additional measures we will take to protect and restore our natural water resources, including rivers, lakes, estuaries and coastal waters. These measures include ongoing actions and investment across critical sectors, such as agriculture, forestry and water service provision, that bear the greatest burden in tackling pollution. The national development plan funding provides €306 million investment to support additional targeted measures to restore and improve water quality in rural and urban settings, as well as improving river habitats.”
“I thank Deputy Healy-Rae. I am sure he will be heard loud and clear. There is no fear about that. I thank all Deputies for their contributions. There are clear messages and themes coming across. It is around timelines of delivery of much-needed infrastructure. It is around communication, which is obviously coming across quite clearly. It is also around the fact that so many of our towns and villages remain without adequate wastewater treatment or even water supplies. I was glad to hear that some Deputies mentioned the issue of biodiversity and habitats and the impact it is having in that regard. That will have to be fed back. We are at a point here where we either get behind this utility company, support it in any way we can and give it the necessary resources to deliver or we do not.”
“As he has said at committee and at every stage, he is listening to those in the fishing sector and working for them. He want to get results for them. He has my full support to ensure that we get the appropriate financial measures and that the task force is supported in identifying what those financial measures are and how they should be distributed. He has my full support. We need this result for coastal communities right around Ireland.”
“I know he will be meeting the Taoiseach and the Minister, Deputy Chambers, as will I, to ensure that adequate financial supports are put in place, as Deputy Mac Lochlainn said, to get them through this incredibly difficult period for the fishing sector. It is tough because we know that as an island nation with a relatively small fleet, we could have a vibrant, sustainable fishing sector. It could be sustainable in terms of jobs and those participating in fishing, but also sustainable from a nature and biodiversity point of view. We must call it out: the Common Fisheries Policy is not serving us in that regard. I again commend the Minister of State, Deputy Dooley. I know he has met not just representatives of the fishing sector but also Opposition Members.”
“When countries ignore scientific advice, it does not only injure what could be a thriving fishing sector in Ireland but also impacts biodiversity, cetaceans and the marine wildlife that rely on these species. The pelagic, polyvalent, whitefish and inshore sectors are impacted. We must mention the impact this is going to have on what could be a vibrant, sustainable inshore sector in Ireland. This will be felt throughout the entire sector. When the quotas for species such as mackerel and whiting are cut to such an extent, it causes displacement. The fishing sector is, rightly, going to have to look for alternative stock and species to catch. This will cause issues throughout the sector. I know the Minister of State is committed.”
“They appreciate the importance of protecting the stocks. They know they have to listen to the scientists. What really galls them in this situation is the fact that third nations completely ignore and disregard the scientific advice. That is the core of the issue. EU nations have enjoyed a large quota share, especially for species that are caught in Irish waters. However, the actions of third nations that have pillaged these species and disregarded scientific advice are the real core of the issue. This is important. Of course, I am speaking today on behalf of the fishing sector in west Cork, in places such as Kinsale, Union Hall and Castletownbere, which is impacted by this. I am also speaking as the Minister of State with responsibility for biodiversity.”
“It is clear, and I do not think that anyone disagrees, that the CFP has not worked for the fishing sector when we consider the previously rich fishing grounds and abundance of those species in Irish waters. With those smaller quotas, we had at least the ability to invoke Hague preferences and, unfortunately, a few other countries have acted in a certain way. The Minister of State, Deputy Dooley, has been clear about where he stands. I admire that he has not been afraid to call out those actions. We have not been able to avail of the benefit of the Hague preferences. I commend the response of those in the fishing sector. While they are probably disappointed, angry and frustrated, they have not once questioned, at least to my knowledge, the scientific advice. They appreciate the importance of protecting these species.”
“That is what makes this all the more galling and painful for the Irish fishing sector. Many species were previously abundant around Irish waters. Because of the Common Fisheries Policy, Ireland has paid a significant price. It has not benefited from the quota share that should have been available to it over previous years. Ireland had a 6% share of the hake quota. Ireland's portion of the haddock quota was at times 10% or lower. The quota for monkfish, which is another species that is caught in Irish waters, was sometimes down at approximately 7%. For sole, which is available off the Irish coast, the quota was approximately 5%. There was also a cut of 40% to the total allowable catch for blue whiting, which was once abundant in Irish waters, because of scientific advice.”
“I acknowledge the efforts of the Minister of State, Deputy Dooley. I have worked with him over the past number of months meeting fishing sector representatives. I know how many times he has travelled back and forth to Europe to try to establish some sort of coalition and get other countries on board for, at the very least, invoking the Hague preferences. He did what he could. He used his vote in the way he should have to try to ensure that the Hague preferences came through but, as we know, there was a betrayal. That is the word he has used. I acknowledge his efforts. This was a betrayal. The same countries that sought to block this measure, which Ireland has necessarily benefited from in previous years, gained significant access to Irish waters to the detriment of our own fleet.”
“One of the most important provisions in the Bill is the retrospective application of the increased cap as so many people were left outside of the availability of that increased cap. These are just two of the things that the Bill does. It does more than that. It improves the scheme and allows more people to access it. Therefore, I ask Members of this House to support the legislation.”
“I think we can all agree that these amendments will make a real difference. I look forward to enactment, preferably before the end of the year. I can assure the House that we will continue to work closely with all Members of the Oireachtas and listen carefully to their views as we move forward in this process. To put it simply, with this Bill, we are acknowledging that the original scheme needed tweaks and amendments. We were listening and what we heard was that there were incidents, especially when it came to conjoined, terraced and semi-detached houses where it was not fit for purpose. The Bill allows for a bypass of that damage threshold which was causing a lot of issues.”
“I am confident that the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks (Amendment) Bill can address the challenges being faced by affected homeowners and I call on all Senators to support the Bill. The passage of this very important legislation will be a further milestone along the road of better remediating the many homes impacted by defective concrete blocks. I believe that with this Bill, the Government has responded to homeowners' concerns and fears. We stand ready to continue to do this and I would point out that the impending update of the national IS 465 standard and the statutory requirement to review the 2022 Act will provide us with a platform for further contemplation in this regard. The passage of the legislation will be a significant step forward.”
“The amendments contained in this Bill again clearly illustrate the Government's commitment to continue to improve the building control regime that is in place to ensure that required standards of buildings are met. In this context, it was agreed on Committee Stage last night that the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage will be consulted on giving effect to building control amendments and I look forward to that engagement in due course. I have listened carefully and with interest to the contributions made by Senators during the Second Stage debate. I thank them for their contributions and their generous support for the intent behind the Bill.”
“In terms of the proposed regularisation process, the amendment provides for a process of regularisation for the uncommon situation whereby works have commenced or been completed on the building without submitting, by either act or omission, an appropriate valid notice to the building control authorities. This amendment does not intend to create an alternative to the current building control process. I want to assure all Members that while the primary function of the building regulations is to ensure the health and safety and welfare of people in and around buildings, these amendments will make certain that building regulations and building control regulations are further strengthened and clarified to benefit all stakeholders.”
“As previously outlined, the amendments to the Building Control Acts provide for a submission of certificates of compliance on completion prior to the opening, operation or occupation of the building; a regularisation process for certain works on buildings; the conferring on the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the power to make regulations relating to enforcement notices; the withdrawal of an enforcement notice; the opening of works in certain limited circumstances; the issuing of a warning letter; the extension of the powers of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make building regulations; and the change of names of certain certificates issued under the Act; and to make the consequential amendments required to take account of these changes.”
“The two Committee Stage amendments in particular show clearly that the Government has listened to the concerns of scheme participants and is ready for action when it is needed. Senators will be aware that the main objectives of the amendments to the Building Control Acts are to underpin, extend and strengthen the system of building control enforcement to support compliance with the building regulations.”
“This addresses the very real problem many were experiencing in sourcing contractors in the current building market. Last night on Committee Stage in the Dáil, two further amendments were introduced which I believe will make a very real difference to the lives of affected homeowners. The first allowed for a more flexible approach to be taken with regard to how semi-detached and terraced houses can be dealt with under the scheme. The second will assist certain vulnerable families, notably those with members with medical needs, by allowing them to rebuild their homes adjacent to their current damaged home. They will then be able to continue to live in their current home, a home that has often been very specifically adapted for family members. This should hopefully ease the burden and the understandable stress they were experiencing.”
“We accept that the current scheme, while working well, needs to be continuously monitored so that interventions can be made to allow the scheme to work as intended. What we are legislating for today is an improved, workable and fit-for-purpose scheme that responds to the issues raised by homeowners. The group of relevant owners who can avail of the most recent increases in the grant scheme cap and rates will widen thanks to this Bill. They will be able to claim this additional funding retrospectively. Homeowners who were given a non-demolition option and who are yet to commence or who ceased works by 6 November 2024 will be able to apply for a technical review of the remediation option and grant amount. The time that homeowners have to complete their works is doubled.”
“I want to thank Senators today for continuing to represent and be a voice for those people who have been impacted. The Bill itself intends to ensure that everybody affected by the defective concrete blocks crisis is fairly dealt with and supported. The amendments in this legislation are designed to improve upon what is already a comprehensive scheme for impacted owners. Every Senator here is keenly aware of the scale of the crisis that confronts us when it comes to defective housing. The scheme and the significant funding behind it is a clear illustration that the Government is committed to helping all those affected to fix their homes and to move on with their lives. The Government knows that impacted homeowners have been through a difficult and often distressing time.”
“I thank Senators for their contributions. We have been bringing this through all Stages of the Dáil and Seanad and it is striking to hear the testimonies of a lot of the TDs and Senators. Some have lived through this themselves and experienced what it means to have a home built with defective blocks. Some people have family who have been impacted. I cannot but be moved by some of the heartbreaking stories we hear of people's experience, mainly in Donegal but in other counties as well. We are listening and that is why the Minister, Deputy James Browne, prioritised this as soon as he took up office. From the get-go, it was a priority to acknowledge that the scheme needed amending and changing, and that it needed to be more flexible. That is the is the purpose of the legislation.”
“On a serious note, in fairness, Deputy Ward has lived through this and understands. I certainly do not intend to get into the minutiae and discuss various cases. A plethora of potential situations have been raised by Deputies, but the simple way to explain things is that the amendment attempts to address what we were told was rigidity in the scheme. We were told the old scheme was restrictive when it came to conjoined, terraced and detached houses. The amendment tries to introduce flexibility. We keep hearing about the onus in terms of the damage threshold. This measure effectively provides an opportunity to bypass damage thresholds in the situations in question. I am aware that Deputy Ó Broin has read this amendment a few times. I do not think I can be any clearer in respect of it. What it attempts to do is quite straightforward.”
“I am glad Deputy Mac Lochlainn referenced the fine Government TDs that we have in Donegal. Deputies Gallagher and McConalogue are speaking to the same constituents the Deputy is speaking to. They are listening, they are hearing them and they represent them. The Opposition does not have a monopoly on how they represent the people of Donegal and those impacted by defective blocks. The Government Deputies would have addressed the fact that there are anomalies and the scheme is too restrictive when it comes to conjoined houses, detached houses and terraced houses. That was something that we were hearing and there was a need to address that. What this amendment does is address that and introduces greater flexibility. Deputy Ward spoke about the damage threshold. This is exactly what this amendment does.”
“Where the designated local authority is satisfied, it will notify the Housing Agency of its decision and the Housing Agency will arrange for the assessment and consideration of the application and determine the appropriate grant option and amount for the dwelling. Although the principal Act does not include homeowners who wish to carry out works at the same time to the attached dwelling from doing so, it provides that each dwelling must have met the damage threshold before the application can be passed to the Housing Agency for grant determination. This can result in a delay for the relevant owners of the attached dwellings. This amendment will provide much-needed flexibility and assistance to homeowners of attached dwellings.”
“20 proposes the insertion of a new section 15A into the principal Act. This new section relates to the conditions certain conjoined dwellings such as semi-detached homes, terraced houses, etc., must meet in order to be eligible for the DCB grant scheme. It provides that where a relevant dwelling has not met the damage threshold for entry to the scheme and is attached to another relevant dwelling that has received a grant determination under the principal Act, the relevant owner of the dwelling that has not met the damage threshold can notify their designated local authority they are seeking a determination that their dwelling is deemed to meet the damage threshold. In effect, it allows them to bypass the damage threshold stage but they are still bound by all other parts of the eligibility assessment process.”
“(6) Where a decision is made under subsection (4)(b), a notification under subsection (5) shall state that the relevant owner of the attached dwelling may appeal the decision in accordance with Part 5 within 90 days of the date of the notification. (7) Where a decision is made under subsection (4)(a), the Housing Agency shall, notwithstanding the criteria prescribed under section 16(10)(c), in so far as is possible, prioritise the assessment and consideration of the application under section 16. (8) The Minister may prescribe the matters to which a designated local authority is to have regard in considering the notification under subsection (2). (9) In this section, ‘damage threshold’ has the meaning given to it by section 15.”.”. I will now speak to amendment No. 20. Amendment No.”
“(4) The designated local authority shall, having regard to any matters prescribed under subsection (8), consider the notification under subsection (2) and decide— (a) where it is satisfied that the notification is made in accordance with subsection (3), that the Housing Agency shall be deemed to have made a determination under section 15(1)(a) that the attached dwelling meets the damage threshold, or (b) where it is not satisfied that the notification is made in accordance with subsection (3), that the determination of the Housing Agency under section 15(1)(b) in relation to the attached dwelling remains valid. (5) The designated local authority shall, as soon as practicable, notify the relevant owner of the attached dwelling and the Housing Agency of its decision under subsection (4).”
“(2) The relevant owner referred to in subsection (1) may notify the designated local authority that he or she is seeking a determination under section 15(1)(a) that the attached dwelling meets the damage threshold. (3) A notification under subsection (2) shall— (a) be made in such form and manner as may be prescribed, and (b) be accompanied by— (i) such evidence as may be prescribed of the matters referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (1), and (ii) such other documents or information as may be prescribed for the purposes of the notification.”
“I move amendment No. 20: In page 7, between lines 3 and 4, to insert the following: “Damage threshold for attached dwellings 7. The Principal Act is amended by the insertion of the following section after section 15: “15A. (1) Where a determination is made under section 15(1)(b) that a relevant dwelling does not meet the damage threshold, the relevant owner may make a notification under subsection (2) where— (a) the relevant dwelling is— (i) terraced or semi-detached, and (ii) connected to another relevant dwelling, (in this section the first-mentioned relevant dwelling is referred to as an ‘attached dwelling’), and (b) the Housing Agency has approved a remediation option and remediation option grant under section 16(4)(a) in relation to the relevant dwelling referred to in paragraph (a)(ii).”
“However, for now I understand the panel is quite rightly concerned about improving the speed at which it can issue decisions to homeowners and is concentrating its efforts on this issue for now. Amendment No. 56 proposes an amendment to mandate the production of an annual report that summarises technical data that may be held by designated local authorities or the Housing Agency. Information of this nature does not relate to the operation of the grant scheme under the principal Act and for this reason I cannot support this amendment. For the reasons set out above, I am unable to accept these amendments.”
“The appeals panel is already under significant pressure to issue decisions to appellants and mandating further work for it to undertake at this time is counterproductive. Statistics around the work of the appeals panel are under review and, where appropriate, will be published in due course. The appeals panel is statutorily independent of the Department and the Minister. It is a matter for it, in the first instance, regarding the information it provides. I understand it is open to looking at how it communicates its work. The Department stands ready to assist and fund this, if required, including, for example, the use of a bespoke appeals panel website.”