Tag Archives: legislation

A GENERAL scheme for the new Bill to revise the Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme is to be considered by Government in the next fortnight.  The Department of Housing told The Champion that “work on the formulation of the General Scheme for the enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme is ongoing”, but refused to be drawn on the issue of Pre-Legislative Scrutiny. The potential absence of this consultative phase in drafting the legislation, is a matter of major concern for the Clare Pyrite Action Group (CPAG) and advocates around Ireland.  In a letter to Clare’s Oireachtas members, the CPAG said that to “under no circumstances can we accept a situation where Pre-Legislative Scrutiny would not be carried out on the new Enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme”. The group has reiterated concerns over aspects of the new scheme, including the damage threshold; access to an independent engineer and testing; and the focus on remediation options other than demolition.  “It is …

THE head of the Clare Garda Division has said new legislation that aims to apply consecutive prison terms on repeat burglars should have a positive impact and make communities safer. Chief Superintendent John Kerin, who in recent months called for consecutive sentences for persistent burglars, said he welcomed any legislation that would assist them in taking “recidivist criminals, especially burglars, off the streets”. In recent weeks there have been a plethora of burglaries in the Cratloe area, while gardaí in North Clare are investigating a series of burglaries that occurred in Bellharbour, Ballyvaughan, Tubber and Crusheen during the last two weeks. There are two main provisions in the Criminal Justice (Burglary of Dwellings) Bill, with the first aimed at imposing consecutive jail terms on burglars who have previous burglary convictions. The second part of the bill contains an amendment of the bail laws to enable judges to refuse a bail application to anyone facing multiple charges and with previous convictions. …

Labour TD for Clare, Michael McNamara may not face automatic expulsion from the Parliamentary Party after voting against the Government. Deputy McNamara put forward a bill, not supported by the Government, to give effective trade union recognition to the Garda representative associations and remove a ban on them striking. The Clare TD voted against the Government coalition but Labour sources say he will not face the normal automatic rule of expulsion or lose the Government whip because it was his own piece of legislation. Deputy McNamara, however, still believes the issue will have to be tackled. “I’m disappointed that the relevant line ministers didn’t accept the legislation – I’m disappointed, but no more than that,” he said following the vote. “If you cannot introduce a piece of legislation, then what is the point of being here? I introduced a piece of legislation which I believe is necessary – it brought about changes which Ireland will have to introduce, both [in] …