Results 241-260 of 7,278 for speaker:Dick Roche

Seanad: Book of Estimates 2005: Statements. (24 Nov 2004)

Dick Roche: I agree with the Senator. While I would never be complacent, as a nation we have achieved a great deal.

Seanad: Book of Estimates 2005: Statements. (24 Nov 2004)

Dick Roche: Senator O'Toole took the words out of my mouth. He also made a point earlier which rings true with me. Public servants have delivered and part of the reason we are in our current position is due to the politically courageous decisions we took and our excellent public service. I have little time for begrudgers who suggest benchmarking or the public service pay awards were not a good deal. Our...

Seanad: Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters and Payments Bill 2004: Second Stage. (7 Dec 2004)

Dick Roche: Senators will recall that when I was here on 17 November last, I gave notice during the debate on the amendment of the terms of reference of the planning tribunal that I intended to bring a short Bill before the Oireachtas. The Bill will give legal backing to the discretion granted in the amended terms of reference to the tribunal to decide which issues within its terms of reference to...

Seanad: Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters and Payments Bill 2004: Second Stage. (7 Dec 2004)

Dick Roche: No impact.

Seanad: Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters and Payments Bill 2004: Second Stage. (7 Dec 2004)

Dick Roche: I thank Senators Bannon, Kitt, McCarthy, Dardis and Brady for their contributions. Senator Bannon was a little unfair in suggesting I would not accept amendments. It must be pointed out that the amendments tabled were out of order for the good reason that neither he nor I tied the hands of this House when the legislation was enacted in 1998. The process is well understood. The tribunal...

Seanad: Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters and Payments Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (7 Dec 2004)

Dick Roche: I wish to be helpful and understand that Senator Bannon is anticipating my reply. I will not be as rude as Senator Brady has been by suggesting we should not hold our breath while waiting for Senator Bannon's party to return to government. I wish the Senator well. The Commissions of Investigation Act 2004 contains several features aimed at cost control and management based on the experience...

Seanad: Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters and Payments Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (7 Dec 2004)

Dick Roche: However, if we were to be the guardians and the judges of our own behaviour, the process would probably not have much validity in the public view. Perhaps in the longer term it will. While the architecture of processes and procedures in place is novel and largely untried, it certainly represents an improvement on the system in which there was either nothing or a tribunal. Now, one has a...

Seanad: Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters and Payments Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (7 Dec 2004)

Dick Roche: I thank Senators for their kindness, particularly Senator McCarthy. I remember that election trail and have often said that people who have the stamina for a Seanad campaign are made of very stern stuff indeed. When Éamon de Valera wrote the Constitution and envisaged the Seanad electoral system, it was in the days before the general availability of the car. The campaigners then must have...

Written Answers — Compensation Payments: Compensation Payments (26 Jan 2005)

Dick Roche: Payment for de-stocking compensation issued from my Department to the person named on 17 December 2004.

Written Answers — State Property: State Property (26 Jan 2005)

Dick Roche: I am advised by the Office of Public Works that the legal documents allowing Northburg Castle to be taken into State guardianship are still awaited from the solicitor acting on behalf of the castle's owner. All other action required by the State to progress the matter has been undertaken.

Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (26 Jan 2005)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1301 and 1345 together. The Government's comprehensive approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, including carbon dioxide, in the most efficient and equitable manner is set out in the national climate change strategy. This has been complemented by the implementation, from this month, of the pilot phase of the EU emission trading scheme which provides...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (26 Jan 2005)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1302, 1304, 1305, 1342, 1344 and 1347 together. In March 2004 my Department published draft guidelines for planning authorities on sustainable rural housing. I expect to be in a position to issue the guidelines in final statutory form shortly. The guidelines encompass the overall policy approach to be adopted in the making of local authority development plans...

Written Answers — National Parks: National Parks (26 Jan 2005)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1303 and 1346 together. At present there are six national parks in the State. These are in the Wicklow Mountains, Killarney, the Burren, Connemara, Ballycroy, County Mayo and Glenveagh. Ireland's national parks are State-owned and are managed in accordance with the guidelines set down by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. The IUCN, which...

Written Answers — Wildlife Protection: Wildlife Protection (26 Jan 2005)

Dick Roche: The freshwater pearl mussel, Margaritifera, is a protected species under the Wildlife Acts 1976 and 2000. Designation of special areas of conservation, or SACs, for margaritifera is also required by the EU Habitats Directive. Ireland has proposed 21 sites as candidate SACs for two sub-species of margaritifera. My Department commenced monitoring four margaritifera SACs last year and will be...

Written Answers — Urban Renewal Schemes: Urban Renewal Schemes (26 Jan 2005)

Dick Roche: A strategy document prepared by Kildare County Council under the urban and village renewal measure of the southern and eastern regional operational programme, 2000-06, proposes extensive works at the Square, Kilcock in 2006. The works proposed include significant improvements to footpaths and pedestrian areas, together with soft landscaping and provision of street furniture. Local authorities...

Written Answers — Genetically Modified Organisms: Genetically Modified Organisms (26 Jan 2005)

Dick Roche: The European Commission's proposal to authorise the import into the European Community of genetically modified oilseed rape GT73 for use as animal feed and for processing has not been rejected by the Environment Council. At the Council of 20 December 2004, there was, under the qualified majority voting procedures, insufficient agreement to either accept or reject the Commission's proposal....

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (26 Jan 2005)

Dick Roche: The Patrickswell/Adare sewerage scheme is included in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2004-06 as a scheme to commence construction in 2005. My Department has approved Limerick County Council's fee proposals for the appointment of consultants to prepare contract documents for the scheme. Once the contract documents have been submitted to and approved by my Department, the...

Written Answers — Historical Sites: Historical Sites (26 Jan 2005)

Dick Roche: My Department has no role in the development of a hotel at Trim Castle, County Meath. The then Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands made a contribution of €63,487 or IR£50,000 to Trim Town Council towards the cost of site acquisition and development for a public carpark which would serve visitors to Trim Castle. The greater portion of that site is no longer in the...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (26 Jan 2005)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1316 to 1318, inclusive, together. The Feakle, Scarriff and Quilty/Mullagh sewerage schemes, which are being procured as a grouped project, have been approved for construction in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2004-2006. Further consideration will be given by my Department to Clare Council Council's contract documents on receipt of a...

Written Answers — Natural Disasters: Natural Disasters (26 Jan 2005)

Dick Roche: I understand there is historical evidence that the south coast of Ireland experienced a tsunami following the Lisbon earthquake in the early 18th century and that there is also geological evidence that Ireland may have experienced the effects of similar tsunamis in pre-historic times. Issues relating to the potential risk of Ireland being hit by tsunamis in the future are currently being...