Results 281-300 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Building Control Bill 2005: Second Stage (Resumed). (2 Mar 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Roche, and I have listened with great interest to Deputies' valuable Second Stage contributions. We acknowledge the non-partisan approach adopted by Deputies, who have welcomed the Bill and supported its broad objectives while raising legitimate issues and queries about the details of the Bill's seven parts and 68...

Building Control Bill 2005: Referral to Select Committee. (2 Mar 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on the Environment and Local Government in accordance with Standing Order 120(1) and paragraph 1(a)(i) of the Orders of Reference of that committee.

Written Answers — Biological Records Centre: Biological Records Centre (8 Mar 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: The establishment of an Irish biological records centre was pledged in the national biodiversity plan. The Heritage Council is now undertaking this project. The council has entered into an agreement with Waterford Institute of Technology to locate the centre on campus and a premises is being fitted out there for the purpose. The Heritage Council will, before the summer, be tendering for the...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (8 Mar 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: On a point of clarification, I may have grey hair, but I am not the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Roche.

Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (21 Mar 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: The tender process for the new fire station at Westport has not yet been completed.

Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (21 Mar 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: North Tipperary County Council has submitted a proposal to my Department for the provision of a new fire station at Cloughjordan, County Tipperary. This proposal is under consideration in the context of the 2006 fire services capital programme, which has not yet been finalised, having regard to the existing facilities, the level of activity, the proximity of other fire stations, the fire...

Seanad: Water and Sewerage Schemes. (5 Apr 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: I thank Senator Burke for raising what is obviously a very important issue. My Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2005-07, published last December, includes some 60 major water and sewerage schemes, with a value of over €451 million for Galway. Over the years the Department has delegated more and more responsibilities to local authorities to speed up the procurement of new...

Seanad: Water and Sewerage Schemes. (5 Apr 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: I want to thank Senator Kitt for raising this issue and for his ongoing interest in matters such as these in his Galway constituency. My Department continues to invest heavily in modern water services infrastructure to support social and economic development. The Water Services Investment Programme 2005-07 includes some 60 major water and sewerage schemes with a value of over €451 million...

Seanad: Water and Sewerage Schemes. (5 Apr 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: Obviously, it is of extreme importance that Galway County Council prioritises this scheme and makes its case on the basis of the importance of the CLÁR scheme. If that is done, the Department will look very favourably on it in terms of including the scheme in the next programme.

Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (25 Apr 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has received no request from Kildare County Council regarding works at Athy fire station.

Electoral Registration Commissioner Bill 2005: Second Stage (Resumed). (26 Apr 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: We have had a good and positive discussion and it is heartening that there is general consensus among the parties on the need for short-term action to make the electoral register more accurate and comprehensive. Many members have acknowledged the value and immediacy of the programme of action being put in place by Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Deputy Gilmore,...

Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (3 May 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: Waterford County Council first submitted a proposal for a new fire station at Tallow in 1991. However, that proposal was not approved under the limited funding programme then in place. In September 2001 approval in principle was granted for a new fire station at Tallow and a detailed cost plan and drawings were subsequently submitted. In 2002 the Department announced that new fire stations at...

National Development Plan. (9 May 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Minister for Finance apologises for not responding to this debate. Ireland will draw down its full entitlements under the Structural Funds for each region. This means that investments will continue to take place in both regions leading to further improvements in living standards. These large-scale co-financed investments have occurred in roads, water services, child care, enterprise, and...

Citizenship Applications. (9 May 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: I thank the Deputy for raising a very important humane issue. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, who cannot be present, has asked me to respond to the matter raised by the Deputy. The average processing time for applications for certificates of naturalisation is 24 months. The lengthy processing time for such applications is primarily due to the significant increase in the...

Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (9 May 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: Provision has been made under the Fire Services Capital Programme for Monaghan County Council's proposal for a new fire station at Clones to be advanced to construction by the end of 2006. My Department has recently conveyed approval to the local authority to invite tenders for this project.

Seanad: Waste Management: Statements. (17 May 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: I thank the House for this opportunity to address Members. This is an extremely important topic and one of major concern to all of the stakeholders involved, be it the Government, the wider political system, the statutory authorities, the waste management industry or the general public. Waste management is truly a collective, shared responsibility which requires a significant degree of...

Seanad: Waste Management: Statements. (17 May 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: They are telling lies.

Seanad: Waste Management: Statements. (17 May 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: Just imagine the colours — green, red and blue. What a concoction.

Seanad: Waste Management: Statements. (17 May 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: That is why Fine Gael is so high in the polls at the moment.

Seanad: Waste Management: Statements. (17 May 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: I ended my earlier contribution by anticipating that the debate would be informative and beneficial, which it has proved to be. The contributions from Senators were knowledgeable and constructive and demonstrated an understanding of the importance of waste management and the challenges our society faces. All societies generate waste but one of the hallmarks of a sustainable society is its...