Results 2,721-2,740 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Written Answers — Archeological Sites: Archeological Sites (9 Oct 2007)

John Gormley: On 29 June 2007, my Department received an Additional Reasoned Opinion from the European Commission raising, inter alia, the issue of whether or not EIA is required in certain circumstances for demolition works. Specific reference was made in this context to Ministerial directions of 12 June, 2007 under the National Monuments Act, 2004 in relation to a National Monument discovered at...

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

John Gormley: I am not aware of any damage caused to the monument to which the question refers. Having regard to its archaeological importance, I placed a temporary Preservation Order on the national monument at Rath Lugh on 28 September 2007. The Order has been put in place as an interim protective measure and is effective for a period of six months. Upon its expiration the Order may be renewed, or...

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

John Gormley: The Ennis/Clarecastle Sewerage Scheme is included in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009 as a scheme to begin construction in 2009. My Department approved Clare County Council's Preliminary Report for the scheme in September 2006. The Council, in consultation with my Department, is now finalising a brief for the appointment of consultants to prepare the necessary...

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

John Gormley: The Ennis Town Water Supply Augmentation Scheme is being funded under my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009. My Department approved Clare County Council's proposals to lay the pipework for the scheme in conjunction with the Ennis Road By-Pass in 2005 and I understand that the works will be completed later this year.

Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy (10 Oct 2007)

John Gormley: Ba mhaith liom comhbhrón a dhéanamh le muintir Seán Keegan. While I did not know Seán Keegan, from those remaining in the House who served with him I know he was very highly regarded and epitomised the very best qualities of public service and dedication to his country and his constituents. He was a committed local politician who served the people of Westmeath diligently throughout his...

Archaeological Sites. (10 Oct 2007)

John Gormley: Under the provisions of section 4 of the National Monuments (Amendment) Act 1954, a temporary preservation order may be placed on a national monument that appears to me to be in immediate danger of injury or destruction. Such orders are invoked as an interim protective measure to deal with immediate threats to monuments and have a finite duration of six months. Upon their expiration, such...

Archaeological Sites. (10 Oct 2007)

John Gormley: I thank Deputy Phil Hogan for his good wishes and wish him well in his new portfolio. I also wish well the Labour Party spokespersons, Deputies Joanna Tuffy and Ciarán Lynch. My primary function as Minister responsible for heritage is to protect our archaeological heritage and this is what I intend to do. On taking office, I said I would not only conduct an archaeological review but also...

Archaeological Sites. (10 Oct 2007)

John Gormley: He probably was. He was part of the Discovery Programme for quite a long time and it was he who came to me to offer advice regarding Rath Lugh. Rath Lugh is on a quite large esker. Professor Newman's immediate concern was that the construction works could undermine the esker despite its being outside the road take. He also discovered that the national monument was probably closer to the...

Archaeological Sites. (10 Oct 2007)

John Gormley: I appreciate that the Deputy's party is in favour of construction of the M3 motorway. It was a central plank of the Deputy McEntee's by-election campaign. The construction of a motorway is a matter for the National Roads Authority in the first instance. The authority has said that, as far as it is concerned, there is no potential for damage to the national monument, but I, as Minister...

Archaeological Sites. (10 Oct 2007)

John Gormley: The matter is dealt with by my Department. It has the best qualified staff and they are doing an excellent job. I decided to add to this by——

Archaeological Sites. (10 Oct 2007)

John Gormley: Not at all. They are doing excellent work. This is not just a matter of archaeology as it relates to the esker itself.

Election Management System. (10 Oct 2007)

John Gormley: An official report has recently been published in the Netherlands about the Nedap electronic voting system which is in operation there. An official English translation of the report is not yet available. The House will appreciate that I do not propose to comment until I have received the report and had an opportunity to consider it. I understand the committee which prepared the report was...

Election Management System. (10 Oct 2007)

John Gormley: I have no intention of hiding behind any report. I said when I was in Opposition that I was in favour of electronic voting, in principle. I do not know Fine Gael's stance, in principle, on electronic voting. We need to ascertain whether electronic voting is effective and whether we can gain public confidence in it. I hope the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government...

Election Management System. (10 Oct 2007)

John Gormley: I need further evidence. I will not be bounced into a decision on this matter or give a knee jerk reaction to it. I would like electronic voting to work. After the recount of my votes in 1997, I was very clear that I wanted electronic voting.

Election Management System. (10 Oct 2007)

John Gormley: Electronic voting has the capacity to deliver more efficient voting. The Deputy is well aware how surpluses——

Election Management System. (10 Oct 2007)

John Gormley: There are advantages and there are also possibilities of added value, for example, that people could vote from anywhere in the country and would not necessarily have to be in their own constituency. I would like to explore these possibilities. However, it may not be possible to do all of this. If I find that nothing can be done about these particular machines, we will have no alternative...

Election Management System. (10 Oct 2007)

John Gormley: I hope we will do it as quickly as possible.

Political Donations. (10 Oct 2007)

John Gormley: The Agreed Programme for Government contains a commitment to the establishment of an independent electoral commission which will take responsibility for a range of electoral matters including, inter alia, the functions currently exercised by the Standards in Public Office Commission relating to election spending. The electoral commission will also examine the issue of financing of the...

Political Donations. (10 Oct 2007)

John Gormley: Deputy Tuffy appears to be obsessed with the Green Party. I am anxious to get on with the business of government. It would be disappointing if Deputy Tuffy dismissed the electoral commission. Its establishment will be a huge advance. An electoral commission would deal with the issues she raises. There is a problem regarding expenditure limits at local elections. No limits currently...

Political Donations. (10 Oct 2007)

John Gormley: It is not only Mr. Justice Smith who calls for scrutiny and transparency. The Warsaw-based Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights was invited by the Department of Foreign Affairs to observe this year's general election. It concluded that the Electoral Act, which governs election spending, was rendered obsolete by its narrow scope. I am aware of that. Much spending takes place...