Results 2,981-3,000 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (6 Nov 2007)

John Gormley: Section 34 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 provides planning authorities with the discretionary powers to grant planning permission subject to conditions as appropriate to the individual project. Under the Strategic Infrastructure Act, 2006, An Bord Pleanála has powers to attach conditions in respect of applications made to it under the new strategic consent process. In relation to...

Written Answers — Noxious Weeds: Noxious Weeds (6 Nov 2007)

John Gormley: Nuttall's pondweed (Elodea nuttallii) has long, leafy underwater stems that are initially rooted in the substrate, but which subsequently become detached. Reproduction in Ireland is exclusively by fragmentation. It is tolerant of disturbance and can grow in moderately saline water. It forms very dense submerged stands, occupying the water column from top to bottom, posing a serious...

Written Answers — Wildlife Policy: Wildlife Policy (6 Nov 2007)

John Gormley: Mink found in the wild in Ireland are descended from animals that escaped from fur farms. They have been breeding in the wild since the 1950s and are now found throughout the country. As wild mink are not protected under the Wildlife Acts 1976 and 2000 my Department has no function in relation to them, and therefore there are no population figures available to me. My Department carries out...

Written Answers — Hunt Licences: Hunt Licences (6 Nov 2007)

John Gormley: My Department wrote to the Ward Union Hunt on 22 October 2007 seeking further clarification on a number of issues of serious concern to me. I am now considering the Hunt's response and I will make my decision on the licence application as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (7 Nov 2007)

John Gormley: In selecting schemes for inclusion in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009, 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 reports on drinking water,...

Written Answers — Water Services: Water Services (7 Nov 2007)

John Gormley: Local authorities are required to recover from non-domestic water consumers all costs incurred in the provision of water services to those consumers. The application of the polluter pays principle, as required by the EU Water Framework Directive, entails the metering of non-domestic consumers so that a volumetric charge can be applied, with the cost of meter installation being borne by the...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (7 Nov 2007)

John Gormley: The information requested is set out in the following table. The data show a decrease of €135,735 in the amount spent on Travel and Subsistence in the first nine months of 2007 compared to the same period in 2006, which represents a decrease of 5.7%. My Department also operates a Travel Pass Scheme for staff under which they purchase an annual bus or rail pass in a tax efficient manner...

Written Answers — End-of-Life Vehicles: End-of-Life Vehicles (7 Nov 2007)

John Gormley: Motor tax law requires notification by the registered owner of a vehicle that is scrapped or destroyed and a refund facility is available for motor tax on such vehicles. Application for a refund can be made on form RF120 to the local motor tax office. The refund form is completed by the registered owner (i.e. the person whose name is entered on the national vehicle record) and includes a...

Written Answers — Motor Taxation: Motor Taxation (7 Nov 2007)

John Gormley: In accordance with a long-standing approach provided in section 1 of the Finance (Excise Duties) (Vehicles) Act 1952 (and regulations made under this Act), the cost of motor tax is calculated on the basis of whole calendar months for periods of three, six or twelve months. In each case, the tax expires on the last day of a month. This approach greatly facilitates the administration of the...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (7 Nov 2007)

John Gormley: The Milltownpass Sewerage Scheme has been approved for funding under my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009, as part of the Rural Towns and Villages Initiative at an estimated cost of €2.3 million. Westmeath County Council's Design Review Report for the scheme is being examined in my Department and a reply will issue to the Council shortly. Once this report has been...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (7 Nov 2007)

John Gormley: The Athenry Sewerage Scheme is included in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009 as a scheme to start construction in 2008. My Department is awaiting submission of Contract Documents for the scheme by Galway County Council.

Written Answers — Community Recreational Facilities: Community Recreational Facilities (7 Nov 2007)

John Gormley: The Government's housing policy statement Delivering Homes, Sustaining Communities published earlier in 2007 sets out a vision to guide the transformation of the Irish housing sector over the next ten years, by delivering more and better quality housing responses, and by doing this in a more strategic way focused on the building of sustainable communities. This focus on sustainability will...

Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (7 Nov 2007)

John Gormley: Matters relating to animal welfare are the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. Local authorities undertake a range of dog control functions under the Dog Control Acts of 1986 and 1992. In addition my Department is drafting regulations to give effect to the recommendations of the Working Group to Review the Management of Dog Breeding...

Written Answers — National Monuments: National Monuments (7 Nov 2007)

John Gormley: The Stone Mansion at Sarsfield St., Kilmallock, Co. Limerick is a national monument owned by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government having been transferred from Limerick County Council in 2003. As with all national monuments, operational control is retained by the Office of Public Works (OPW) and a programme of works was completed in 2005 by OPW, including repair to...

Written Answers — World Heritage Status: World Heritage Status (7 Nov 2007)

John Gormley: Nominations to the World Heritage List are only considered if the nominated site has already been included on the tentative list. There are 8 sites on the current tentative list which can be considered for nomination. As indicated in the reply to Question No. 148 of 10 October 2007, my Department will be reviewing the tentative list of sites next year. The timeframe for nomination of a site...

Written Answers — Turbary Rights: Turbary Rights (8 Nov 2007)

John Gormley: I assume that the Question refers to Carrownagappul Bog, of which Gunnode is also a part. This bog is a candidate Special Area of Conservation. The derogation permitting a continuation of turf cutting for domestic purposes in SACs is due to expire in 2008. A recent review of the state of our bogs has revealed continuing damage due to domestic turf cutting. As a consequence, no extension to...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (8 Nov 2007)

John Gormley: Under Section 48 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, planning authorities may levy development contributions in respect of public infrastructure and facilities provided by, or on behalf of the local authority that benefit development in the area, based on a scheme of contributions adopted by the elected members of the authority. Subject to this, the types of public infrastructure that...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (8 Nov 2007)

John Gormley: The combined Adare and Patrickswell Sewerage Scheme is included in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009 to begin construction next year. Last month, my Department approved Limerick County Council's proposals to proceed separately with the Patrickswell element of the Scheme because of potential delays with land acquisition in Adare. I understand the Council is...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (8 Nov 2007)

John Gormley: The Planning Code provides for extensive public notification of proposed development. It is a general requirement that a valid application for planning permission must be advertised by site notice and newspaper notice. The site notice must state, inter alia, that the planning application may be inspected or purchased at the offices of the planning authority, and that submissions or...

Written Answers — Building Regulations: Building Regulations (8 Nov 2007)

John Gormley: I refer to the reply to Question No. 238 of 18 October, 2007.