Results 2,701-2,720 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (4 Oct 2007)

John Gormley: Section 10(1) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 requires a development plan to set out an overall strategy for the proper planning and sustainable development of the plan area. Section 10(2) of the Act sets out the mandatory objectives of a development plan which include, inter alia, the conservation and protection of the environment. Furthermore, Section 9(6) requires that...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (4 Oct 2007)

John Gormley: Section 34 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 provides the statutory framework for the granting of planning permission by planning authorities for developments, including quarries, with or without conditions, or for the refusal of such permission. In relation to quarries in particular, section 261 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, which was commenced with effect from 28 April...

Written Answers — Building Regulations: Building Regulations (4 Oct 2007)

John Gormley: I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 1150, 1151, 1153, 1155 and 1167 of 26 September 2007, in which I comprehensively addressed this issue.

Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (4 Oct 2007)

John Gormley: I refer to the reply to Question No. 1133 of 26 September 2007, and will finalise the Regulations by the end of the year.

Fire Services: Motion (9 Oct 2007)

John Gormley: I propose to share time with the Minister of State, Deputy Killeen.

Fire Services: Motion (9 Oct 2007)

John Gormley: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following: "—extends again its deepest sympathies to the families of Brian Murray and Mark O'Shaughnessy whose deaths occurred in such tragic circumstances; extends its deepest sympathies to Brian and Mark's colleagues in the Wicklow fire service and to all members of the retained fire service countrywide;...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (9 Oct 2007)

John Gormley: A sewerage scheme to serve Blenheim and other areas was sixth on the list of water and sewerage schemes submitted by Waterford City Council in response to my Department's request to all local authorities in 2006 to undertake assessments of needs for capital works in their areas and to prioritise their proposals on the basis of these assessments. The priority lists were taken into account in...

Written Answers — Litter Pollution: Litter Pollution (9 Oct 2007)

John Gormley: Statistics on local authority enforcement action, including the number of litter fines issued and paid, are submitted by local authorities to my Department every six months; these figures are also available in the Oireachtas Library. The number of on-the-spot litter fines issued for the twelve months ended 31 December 2006 was 27,078. Of these 12,521 were paid.

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (9 Oct 2007)

John Gormley: My attention has been drawn to the quarry development referred to in the question. However, under section 30 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 I, as Minister, may only intervene in the planning process in respect of heritage matters, i.e., I may comment on planning applications or appeals, or give expert advice to planning authorities or an Bord Pleanála, in relation to the protection...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (9 Oct 2007)

John Gormley: Under Section 34 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 planning authorities may attach conditions to planning permissions in relation to appropriate naming and numbering of, and the provision of appropriate signage for, proposed developments. I have no plans to issue national guidance on this matter, which I consider is more appropriately dealt with at local authority level.

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (9 Oct 2007)

John Gormley: The Courtmacsherry and Timoleague sewerage scheme is included in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009 as a scheme to begin construction in 2009. My Department is awaiting the submission of a revised Preliminary Report for the scheme by Cork County Council. Following approval of the Preliminary Report the Council will be in a position to draw up Contract Documents.

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (9 Oct 2007)

John Gormley: The Kinsale Sewerage Scheme has been approved for construction under my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009 at a cost of €20 million. I understand that work has already begun on the upgrading of the collection system. Cork County Council's Tender Documents for the new wastewater treatment plant are being examined in my Department and are being dealt with as quickly...

Written Answers — Natural Heritage Areas: Natural Heritage Areas (9 Oct 2007)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 508 and 509 together. The Water Framework Directive is transposed into Irish National Law by the European Communities (Water Policy) Regulations 2003, as amended. The regulations require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish and maintain a Register of Protected Areas in accordance with Article 6 of the Directive. These 'protected areas'...

Written Answers — Natural Heritage Areas: Natural Heritage Areas (9 Oct 2007)

John Gormley: I understand that the Chief State Solicitor's Office has raised a legal query which needs to be resolved before the sale can be completed in this case. My Department is examining the matter, with a view to resolving it as early as possible.

Written Answers — Library Projects: Library Projects (9 Oct 2007)

John Gormley: I am aware of the current staffing needs identified by Fingal County Council in relation to the new library in Garristown 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 policy on public service employment generally. As part of...

Written Answers — Cross-Border Projects: Cross-Border Projects (9 Oct 2007)

John Gormley: The North/South Unit of my Department is responsible for coordinating matters relating to North/South and British-Irish co-operation in the environmental area in the framework of the Good Friday and St. Andrews Agreements. Since the restoration of the Northern Ireland Executive in May 2007 work has intensified regarding the preparations necessary for meetings of the North/South Ministerial...

Written Answers — National Parks: National Parks (9 Oct 2007)

John Gormley: While my Department does not have precise information on the number of wild deer in County Wicklow, estimates suggest a figure in excess of 40,000 animals. With regard to Wicklow Mountains National Park, which is managed by my Department, regular deer counts have been carried out since 1995 with the following results. Summary of Deer Populations in Wicklow Mountains National Park Year Area...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (9 Oct 2007)

John Gormley: The procedures for the appointment of ordinary members of An Bord Pleanála are set out in the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended by Sections 14-16 of the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act 2006. In addition, Article 11 of the Planning and Development Regulations, 2006 amended the list of prescribed bodies for the purposes of making nominations to the Board and...

Written Answers — Natural Heritage Areas: Natural Heritage Areas (9 Oct 2007)

John Gormley: From the information supplied my Department has been unable to identify the bog in question. There are two designated bogs near Ballinasloe — Eskerboy Bog (NHA 001264) and Kilnaborris Bog (NHA 000284) on which domestic turf cutting can continue until 2014 in areas in which the bogs are not being severely damaged.

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (9 Oct 2007)

John Gormley: Local authorities are required to recover the cost of providing water services, including water supply and waste water collection and disposal, from the users of those services, other than households using the services for domestic purposes. This is in accordance with the polluter pays principle and the requirements of the EU Water Framework Directive. The policy provides for full cost...