Results 6,781-6,800 of 7,278 for speaker:Dick Roche

Written Answers — Library Projects: Library Projects (10 Feb 2005)

Dick Roche: On 26 January 2005, my Department approved tender documentation for a branch library at Castleisland and authorised Kerry County Council to proceed to invite tenders for the project. Further advancement of the project is a matter for Kerry County Council.

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (10 Feb 2005)

Dick Roche: Article 10(4) of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 sets out an exemption for development consisting of the use of not more than four bedrooms in a house, where each bedroom is used for the accommodation of not more than four persons, as overnight guest accommodation. The exemption does not apply where the development in question would contravene a condition attached to a planning...

Written Answers — Local Government Policy: Local Government Policy (10 Feb 2005)

Dick Roche: I refer the Deputy to the reply to Parliamentary Question No. 579 of 19 October 2004.

Written Answers — Local Elections: Local Elections (10 Feb 2005)

Dick Roche: Part 17 of the Local Government Act 2001 provides that qualified electors of a town having a population of at least 7,500, as ascertained at the last preceding census and not having a town council, may make a proposal for the establishment of such a council. Under the relevant provisions of the Act, which I hope to commence in the near future, a proposal to establish a town council, and the...

Written Answers — Recycling Policy: Recycling Policy (10 Feb 2005)

Dick Roche: Polystyrene is widely used internationally as protective packaging in the transport of electrical and other goods. It is also used in meat trays, egg cartons, hot beverage cups and other fast food packaging. While polystyrene can be recycled — for example, for insulation and other building products — there are limited outlets for it in Ireland. There is some processing activity relating...

Written Answers — Recycling Policy: Recycling Policy (10 Feb 2005)

Dick Roche: I am not aware of any reprocessing capacity in Ireland for cigarette papers and the inner lining of cigarette packets. The selection of materials for recycling must of necessity be done on a targeted basis. Having regard to the types and volumes of the materials mentioned, it would not appear economically viable specifically to target those materials for collection and recycling. However, in...

Written Answers — Wildlife Conservation: Wildlife Conservation (10 Feb 2005)

Dick Roche: Under section 29(1) of the Wildlife Act 1976, as amended, my Department issues licences to hunt wild deer during an open season and some 2,215 such licences were issued for the 2003 to 2004 season. The extent of the deer hunting season is reviewed annually by staff of the national parks and wildlife service of my Department. The views of a number of organisations and individuals with...

Written Answers — Computerisation Programme: Computerisation Programme (9 Feb 2005)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 64 and 102 together. I accept that my Department's main website, environ.ie, is in need of improvement and updating. In addition to environ.ie, which is the main Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government website, my Department operates some 16 special interest websites dealing with particular aspects of the Department's activities. Over the...

Written Answers — Architectural Heritage: Architectural Heritage (9 Feb 2005)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 66 and 134 together. The scheme of architectural protection grants available to owners of protected structures is administered by local authorities and resourced by my Department. Funding for the scheme was increased from €2.888 million in 2003 to €3.9 million in 2004 and the provision for 2005 is €4.031 million. The funding available under the scheme is...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (9 Feb 2005)

Dick Roche: In response to Question No. 539 on 30 November 2004, I stated that the amount paid from my Department's Vote for services provided by lawyers in 2003 and 2004 amounted to €7,739,585.81; some €7.578 million of this amount relates to the planning tribunal. In general, legal services for my Department are engaged following consultations with the Attorney General's office and-or the Chief...

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (9 Feb 2005)

Dick Roche: Some tyre retailers are charging a management fee for the take back of waste tyres. I am concerned that the public may be given the wrong impression that such a fee is a Government levy and-or is contributing to a quality approved recycling scheme, whereas no evidence or assurance is being provided that tyres taken back are being treated in an environmentally sound manner. I have requested...

Written Answers — Architectural Heritage: Architectural Heritage (9 Feb 2005)

Dick Roche: My Department does not propose to acquire the Kilmainham Mills complex, which is in private ownership and has recently received a planning permission for redevelopment from An Bord Pleanála subject to conditions designed to protect its historic and archaeological significance. The purpose of a national trust initiative would be to develop methods of ensuring the preservation of key heritage...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (9 Feb 2005)

Dick Roche: Decisions as to whether proposed development should be permitted or restricted in any particular area are a matter for the relevant planning authority in the first instance and for An Bord Pleanála in the event of an appeal. The Planning and Development Act 2000 specifically empowers planning authorities to provide in their development plans that development in areas at risk of flooding may...

Written Answers — Waste Disposal: Waste Disposal (9 Feb 2005)

Dick Roche: The opinion of the Advocate General is still under consideration but until such time as the judgment of the European Court of Justice is available in the coming months it would not be appropriate to comment on this matter. If the court finds that a member state has failed to fulfil an obligation under the European Treaty the state concerned is required to take the necessary measures to comply...

Written Answers — Recycling Policy: Recycling Policy (9 Feb 2005)

Dick Roche: In response to the reduced availability of traditional disposal and re-use routes for tyres and to promote recycling of this waste stream, my Department has had discussions with the Irish Tyre Industry Association, ITIA, with a view to establishing a producer responsibility initiative. These discussions are continuing with the intention of concluding the necessary arrangements for such an...

Written Answers — Recycling Policy: Recycling Policy (9 Feb 2005)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 77 and 105 together. One of the main barriers to an improved and sustainable recycling performance is the lack of stable and economically attractive markets and outlets for recyclable materials and products manufactured from recycled products. The need for the establishment of a market development group, which would oversee the development of a market...

Written Answers — National Development Plan: National Development Plan (9 Feb 2005)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 78, 81, 119, 131 and 268 together. I am satisfied, having regard in particular to the mid-term review of the national development plan overseen by the Economic and Social Research Institute, in co-operation with a number of consultancy firms, that progress on the various NDP programmes and measures falling within the remit of my Department has been generally...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (9 Feb 2005)

Dick Roche: My Department has over 3,700 suppliers of goods and services. It would involve a disproportionate amount of time and work to examine the files relating to all contracts held with those suppliers since 1997 and compile the details referred to in the question. If the Deputy wishes to indicate a particular more limited area of interest, it may be possible to provide the information sought.

Written Answers — Recycling Policy: Recycling Policy (9 Feb 2005)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 80 and 97 together. I have already publicly expressed my regret at the closure of this plant. The Smurfit plant, established in 1954 and requiring substantial modernisation, was the only paper mill recycling plant on the island of Ireland. Its closure, on foot of the closure of the Irish Glass and Irish Steel plants in recent years, diminishes our capacity to...

Written Answers — Recycling Policy: Recycling Policy (9 Feb 2005)

Dick Roche: National waste statistics in respect of all waste streams are published at three yearly intervals by the Environmental Protection Agency with the most recent national waste database report being in respect of 2001. While the database reports do not provide an overall recycling figure for Ireland, recycling rates in respect of individual waste streams are supplied. In the intervening period,...