Results 3,681-3,700 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Financial Resolution No. 11: General (Resumed) (8 Apr 2009)

John Gormley: I am more than happy at any stage to compare and contrast our record of achievement in a short space with that of the Opposition parties.

Financial Resolution No. 11: General (Resumed) (8 Apr 2009)

John Gormley: When I presented the carbon budget in October-----

Financial Resolution No. 11: General (Resumed) (8 Apr 2009)

John Gormley: Deputy Coveney rightly pointed out a few moments ago that we were not responsible for this crisis and that is a fact.

Financial Resolution No. 11: General (Resumed) (8 Apr 2009)

John Gormley: When I presented the carbon budget in October, I pointed out that the projections available at that time in terms of greenhouse gas emissions were likely to overstate the position for the Kyoto period, given the rapidly changing economic outlook. This has been confirmed in the most recent analysis by the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, published on 13 March. This analysis takes...

Financial Resolution No. 11: General (Resumed) (8 Apr 2009)

John Gormley: We must ensure our policies are well grounded and targeted to new realities and that those who must operate within these policy spheres can do so with the minimum of regulation. There have been numerous calls for better planning regulation. I am happy to inform the House that I will act to streamline the planning system through a new planning and development (amendment) Bill which I hope to...

Financial Resolution No. 11: General (Resumed) (8 Apr 2009)

John Gormley: We will focus on a number of specific objectives.

Financial Resolution No. 11: General (Resumed) (8 Apr 2009)

John Gormley: While we recognise that the pool of resources available to us has reduced, we will continue to prioritise activities that focus on meeting the needs of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged in society.

Financial Resolution No. 11: General (Resumed) (8 Apr 2009)

John Gormley: We intend to make the most significant adjustments in areas where we believe the changed housing market environment provides the greatest opportunity for new and flexible approaches to programme delivery. This will allow us to lessen the impact of our more constrained resource environment to a greater extent than would otherwise be possible. The roll-out of the new long-term leasing...

Financial Resolution No. 11: General (Resumed) (8 Apr 2009)

John Gormley: This includes a number of energy efficiency measures targeted towards improving performance in the social housing stock and a number of regeneration programmes that will continue to be driven by an ambitious agenda of social, economic and physical renewal.

Financial Resolution No. 11: General (Resumed) (8 Apr 2009)

John Gormley: Looking beyond 2009, there will be a continued need for further flexibility and imagination in how we meet housing needs.

Financial Resolution No. 11: General (Resumed) (8 Apr 2009)

John Gormley: In delivering its social housing policy, my Department will work in close co-operation with our partners in the local authorities and the voluntary and co-operative housing sector. I published the Green Paper on Local Government Reform in April 2008. Other changes have informed our approach to policy development since then. A significant shift was prompted by the publication of the OECD's...

Financial Resolution No. 11: General (Resumed) (8 Apr 2009)

John Gormley: The Deputy is talking nonsense.

Financial Resolution No. 11: General (Resumed) (8 Apr 2009)

John Gormley: The Deputy should look at the record and contrast it with that of her own party.

Financial Resolution No. 11: General (Resumed) (8 Apr 2009)

John Gormley: We did do so, more than the Deputy's party did. That is nonsense.

Financial Resolution No. 11: General (Resumed) (8 Apr 2009)

John Gormley: The Deputy's party let them get away with the "Cinderella" clause.

Written Answers — Special Areas of Conservation: Special Areas of Conservation (7 Apr 2009)

John Gormley: The Slieve Aughty Hills, which span the border of counties Galway and Clare, have been designated a Special Protection Area (SPA) to meet Ireland's obligations under the EU Birds Directive. The designation is required because of the presence of breeding hen harriers, a species listed in Annex 1 of the directive. The species is a scarce breeder in Ireland. However, 24 breeding pairs were...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (7 Apr 2009)

John Gormley: The number of administrative and professional and technical staff assigned to my Department's Housing Division is set out in the following table:- Housing Division Grade FTE Assistant Secretary 1.00 Principal Officer 6.00 Assistant Principal Officer 20.53 Higher Executive Officer 23.50 Executive Officer 21.80 Staff Officer 4.90 Clerical Officer 16.53 Principal Adviser 1.00...

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (7 Apr 2009)

John Gormley: Section 67 of the Local Government Act 2001 empowers local authorities to promote the interests of the local community in relation to amenity, recreation and other functions. This includes the provision of sports, games and similar activities and general recreational and leisure facilities such as playgrounds. It is a matter for each local authority to determine the extent to which these...

Written Answers — Housing Estates: Housing Estates (7 Apr 2009)

John Gormley: I refer to the reply to Question No. 398 of 17 February 2009. My Department does not collect information on the names and locations of housing estates taken in charge by planning authorities.

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (7 Apr 2009)

John Gormley: Members of the Local Government Superannuation Scheme are required, under sections 23, 42, 80 and 102 of the Local Government (Superannuation) (Consolidation) Scheme 1998 to make contributions in respect of all pensionable service. I have no plans to amend this requirement.