Results 2,621-2,640 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Written Answers — Nuclear Plants: Nuclear Plants (26 Sep 2007)

John Gormley: In March of this year the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government hosted a meeting of Environment Ministers from Iceland, Norway and Austria. They were joined by the Parliamentary State Secretary of the Environment for Germany, who also participated in the discussions on shared concerns in relation to nuclear energy, and its future role particularly in the context of climate...

Written Answers — Local Government Reform: Local Government Reform (26 Sep 2007)

John Gormley: The Local Government Act 2001 modernises the local government legislative framework and consolidates the position of county and city councils as the primary units of local government. Under the Act, there are 29 county councils, including South Dublin County Council, and 5 city councils, each of which is responsible for the widest range of local authority functions in their respective areas....

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (26 Sep 2007)

John Gormley: No Directive has issued from the European Commission on this matter. My Department received a Letter of Formal Notice dated 27 June 2007 from the Commission seeking our views as to whether specific elements of the "local needs" test contained in a number of County Development Plans for the granting of planning permission for one-off dwellings in rural areas are compatible with Articles 43...

Written Answers — Motor Taxation: Motor Taxation (26 Sep 2007)

John Gormley: The position on motor tax is that, provided a vehicle is used exclusively as an ambulance for the transport of animals, it is exempt from such tax. If the vehicle is used in any other capacity, it must be taxed at the appropriate rate. Responsibility for the administration of motor tax legislation rests with the relevant local motor tax office and, accordingly, the determination of the tax...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (26 Sep 2007)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1123, 1160 and 1165 together. Details of the revised housing adaptation grant schemes for older people and people with a disability were announced in February 2007 as part of the Government's new housing policy statement Delivering Homes, Sustaining Communities. Three new schemes are to be introduced: a Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability, a...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (26 Sep 2007)

John Gormley: The general purpose allocation from the Local Government Fund allocated to Meath County Council for 2007 is some €28.6 million. This is an increase of 9.5% over the corresponding allocation for 2006 and is well ahead of the average increase nationally. Indeed, over the last decade the Council has received increases in general purpose funding of over 190%, which is also in excess of the...

Written Answers — Archaeological Sites: Archaeological Sites (26 Sep 2007)

John Gormley: The archaeological excavation licence referred to in the Question issued on 21 September 2007.

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (26 Sep 2007)

John Gormley: The Athea, Askeaton, Foynes, Glin and Shanagolden Sewerage Scheme is included as a grouped project to start construction in 2009 in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009. My Department is awaiting submission of Limerick County Council's Preliminary Report for the project. The Mungret and Kilmallock Sewerage Schemes and the combined Adare and Patrickswell Scheme are...

Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (26 Sep 2007)

John Gormley: The report of the Working Group which was established to review the management of dog breeding establishments contained a number of recommendations, including the introduction of statutorily enforceable standards for the dog breeding industry in Ireland, and proposed the introduction of a registration system for dog breeding establishments. However, three of the members of the Working Group...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (26 Sep 2007)

John Gormley: The most complete and up to date statement of Kilkenny County Council's water services infrastructural requirements is set out in the Assessment of Needs produced by the Council in response to my Department's request to all local authorities in 2006 to carry out fresh assessments of the need for capital works in their areas and to prioritise their proposals on the basis of the assessments. I...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (26 Sep 2007)

John Gormley: The Castlefin Sewerage Scheme is included in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009, as a scheme to advance through planning, at an estimated cost of €1.7 million. My Department is awaiting a brief from Donegal County Council for the engagement of Consultants to prepare a Preliminary Report for the scheme.

Written Answers — Local Authority Staff: Local Authority Staff (26 Sep 2007)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1137 and 1159 together. I am aware of the current staffing needs identified by Fingal County Council in relation to the new library in Malahide and am more generally reviewing the overall employment levels in the local government sector having regard to the need to deliver front line services and achieve value for money within the parameters of Government...

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (26 Sep 2007)

John Gormley: Section 36 of the Wildlife Amendment Act, 2000 provides for the regulation of commercial shoot operators. No representations were received by my Department opposing the commencement of the section. This section, which is permission in scope, has not yet been commenced because of the increasing demands of other high priority nature conservation requirements, in particular those associated...

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (26 Sep 2007)

John Gormley: The contracts for this sale have been executed by my Department. I am hopeful that the case will be finalised by the Chief State Solicitor's Office shortly.

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (26 Sep 2007)

John Gormley: The Environmental Noise Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 140 of 2006) give effect in Ireland to EU Directive 2002/49/EC relating to the assessment and management of environmental noise. The Environmental Protection Agency is the national authority with overall responsibility for implementing the Regulations. Implementation at local level is a matter for local authorities concerned, Dublin Airport...

Written Answers — Waste Disposal: Waste Disposal (26 Sep 2007)

John Gormley: Waste management services have traditionally been provided at a local level, with individual arrangements being locally determined and tailored to local circumstances. The present legal framework, as determined by the Oireachtas, reflects this. In accordance with section 52 of the Protection of the Environment Act 2003, the determination of waste management charges, and any associated waiver...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (26 Sep 2007)

John Gormley: The purchase of this person's bog has been approved by my Department. I anticipate that the matter will be finalised by the Chief State Solicitor's Office shortly.

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (26 Sep 2007)

John Gormley: In selecting individual schemes for inclusion in the Water Services Investment Programme, which I published on 17 September 2007, account was taken of a number of factors, including: Compliance with relevant national and EU environmental, public health and drinking water quality statutory requirements and standards; Support for the National Spatial Strategy; Environmental Protection Agency...

Written Answers — Archaeological Sites: Archaeological Sites (26 Sep 2007)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1147 and 1148 together. The conservation study of the Rathcroghan archaeological complex, County Roscommon, was completed recently. The study aims to assist in the development of a conservation framework for the site, prioritising features of archaeological importance within the study area, and to suggest practical policies for the site's conservation. At...

Written Answers — National Parks: National Parks (26 Sep 2007)

John Gormley: As indicated in the reply to Question No. 766 of 26 June 2007 and previous Questions on this subject, the Mount Dillon land concerned is not prioritised for designation under the Wildlife Acts or the relevant European Directives and, accordingly, its management would not be appropriate to the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department. My Department will, however, be happy to...