Results 2,761-2,780 of 7,278 for speaker:Dick Roche

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (14 Feb 2006)

Dick Roche: I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 537, 538, 539 and 540 on 7 February 2005.

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (14 Feb 2006)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 147 and 158 together. Article 15 of the EU energy performance of buildings directive allows for the phasing in of the building energy rating, BER, of buildings not later than 4 January 2009. I understand that most EU member states are phasing in BER certification, over the period 2007 to 2009, under Article 15. I have already announced that I intend to phase...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (14 Feb 2006)

Dick Roche: I refer to the reply to Question No. 217 of 9 February 2006.

Written Answers — Election Management System: Election Management System (14 Feb 2006)

Dick Roche: A person in legal custody may be registered as an elector and, under section 11(5) of the Electoral Act 1992, such persons are deemed to be ordinarily resident in the place where they would have been residing but for their detention. Following a judgment of the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights in a UK case in October 2005, the Government has approved the drafting of a Bill...

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (14 Feb 2006)

Dick Roche: My Department is undertaking a number of actions to promote co-operation on North-South and east-west environmental issues. A North-South market development steering group — comprising representatives of my Department, the Department of the Environment Northern Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, the UK based Waste Resources Action Programme, WRAP, Invest Northern Ireland, the Environmental...

Written Answers — Election Management System: Election Management System (14 Feb 2006)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 154, 181, 201, 642, 659 and 660 together. The Government decision in February 2000 to move to electronic voting and counting in Ireland followed extensive research on electronic voting systems and experiences in other countries and input from a range of sources on legislative, financial and practical considerations, including from representative returning...

Written Answers — Retail Sector Developments: Retail Sector Developments (14 Feb 2006)

Dick Roche: My Department is aware from media reports that the company referred to has applied for planning permission for what it terms a smaller store of about 20,000 sq. m laid out over three levels in London, which the company says will be first in a series of such smaller stores in town centres across Britain. The company already operates a network of some 13 stores in the UK. Eight of these 13...

Written Answers — Litter Pollution: Litter Pollution (14 Feb 2006)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 156 and 214 together. Following the success of the plastic bag levy, consultants were appointed by my Department to make recommendations on the possible application of economic instruments, including environmental levies, to other items that are problematic from a litter perspective. With regard to chewing gum, the consultants recommended either a levy on the...

Written Answers — Social Inclusion: Social Inclusion (14 Feb 2006)

Dick Roche: The local authorities which have adopted the Barcelona Declaration, as advised to my Department by the National Disability Authority, NDA, are included in the table. The NDA has also advised that there is no target date for the adoption of the declaration by all local authorities. The aims and objectives of the declaration are also largely reflected in the national disability strategy. ...

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (14 Feb 2006)

Dick Roche: My Department is undertaking a number of actions to promote wider co-operation on North-South and British-Irish biodiversity strategies and plans. My Department is represented on the Northern Ireland biodiversity group and nominations are being sought for reciprocal representation on our biodiversity forum, the establishment of which I announced recently. These complementary structures are...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (14 Feb 2006)

Dick Roche: An effective basis for addressing our waste management responsibilities has been put in place through my Department's policy statements Changing Our Ways, 1998, Delivering Change, 2002, and Taking Stock and Moving Forward, 2004; through statutory waste management plans, largely prepared on a regional basis; and through the comprehensive regulatory framework now in place for waste. The...

Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (14 Feb 2006)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 165, 205 and 219 together. I have sought legal advice from the Attorney General about the matters raised in the questions. Until I receive this advice and have determined on an appropriate course of action, I do not propose to comment further.

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (14 Feb 2006)

Dick Roche: An effective basis for addressing our waste management responsibilities has been put in place through my Department's policy statements Changing Our Ways, 1998, Delivering Change, 2002, and Taking Stock and Moving Forward 2004; through statutory waste management plans, largely prepared on a regional basis; and the comprehensive regulatory framework now in place on waste. The Government is...

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (14 Feb 2006)

Dick Roche: I was pleased to note that Ireland is ranked at tenth place overall in the Pilot 2006 Environmental Index which is published by the Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy at Yale University. This reflects the generally high quality of our environment and the effectiveness of public and private sector actions on the environment. The index employs 16 indicators and, as with any index with...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (14 Feb 2006)

Dick Roche: It should be stressed that the Competition Authority did not note any significant anomalies in the amounts charged by private waste collectors throughout the country. However, it did suggest that a competitive tendering process might offer better options to customers by increasing competition in the market. As I have already indicated publicly, I am giving consideration to how the waste...

Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (14 Feb 2006)

Dick Roche: I refer to the reply to Question No. 7 of 29 November 2005. In terms of the purchase of carbon allowances by the State, the Kyoto Protocol commitment period does not commence until 2008 and the purchase of allowances in respect of greenhouse gas emissions in 2006 and 2007 does not arise. The purchase of allowances by Irish installations participating in the EU emissions trading scheme depends...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (14 Feb 2006)

Dick Roche: I am fully aware of the importance of timely transposition of EU environmental legislation, some 200 items of which, including more than 140 directives, have by now been transposed in this country. There are nine directives in my Department's area of responsibility which are outstanding for transposition. Details of these directives are set out as follows.

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (14 Feb 2006)

Dick Roche: The Air Quality Standards Regulations 2002 introduced requirements for development of air quality management plans by local authorities, in co-operation with the Environmental Protection Agency. Where the indicative level for any pollutant is exceeded, the 2002 regulations require the local authority concerned, following notification by the agency, to develop a long-term air quality...

Written Answers — Recycling Policy: Recycling Policy (14 Feb 2006)

Dick Roche: Government policy on waste management is firmly rooted in the waste hierarchy, an integrated waste management approach that places greatest emphasis on waste prevention, followed by minimisation, reuse, recycling, waste to energy and finally environmentally sustainable disposal of residual waste. National waste statistics in respect of all waste streams are published on an annual basis by the...

Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (14 Feb 2006)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 180, 627 and 628 together. I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 539 and 556 of 31 January 2006.