Results 3,061-3,080 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Environmental Protection Agency. (14 Nov 2007)

John Gormley: Yes it is. I recently visited the place and Ms Mary Kelly, director of the EPA, pointed out to me the section that needed an extension and the importance of it. I cannot give the Deputy a specific start date for the extension. I told Ms Kelly that I recognised the importance of the EPA and the need to extend the building, which I also emphasised to the Minister for Finance. Unfortunately,...

Environmental Protection Agency. (14 Nov 2007)

John Gormley: No. Several players are involved, including the Department of Finance, my Department and the EPA. I hope we get improvements in capital spending which would enable the EPA to continue its work, as well as in current spending which would enable us to get more front-line staff. Both of these are equally important. Once we get more staff in, we will require more space. Sometimes when...

Written Answers — Litter Pollution: Litter Pollution (14 Nov 2007)

John Gormley: The Litter Pollution Acts, 1997 to 2003, prohibit the leaving or throwing of litter in a public place or in any place that is visible from a public place. This includes the creation of litter in the carrying on of a business, trade or activity or in the loading, transporting or handling of items. The legislation also places an onus on occupiers of public places to keep the place free of...

Written Answers — Hunting Licences: Hunting Licences (14 Nov 2007)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 45 and 60 together. Section 26(1) of the Wildlife Act 1976 provides that I may grant to the master or other person in charge of a pack of stag hounds, a licence authorising the hunting of deer by that pack, during such period or periods as is or are specified in the licence. The Ward Union Hunt applied to my Department for a hunting licence for the 2007/2008...

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (14 Nov 2007)

John Gormley: The integration of environmental considerations into policy formulation has been central to policy making for a number of years. The specific commitments in the Programme for Government to introduce arrangements for the representation of environmental issues in Social Partnership, to increase the resources available to Comhar-Sustainable Development Council and to establish it as a body...

Written Answers — Election Management System: Election Management System (14 Nov 2007)

John Gormley: The Report on Seanad Reform by the Seanad Sub-Committee on Seanad Reform, published in April 2004, sets out comprehensive recommendations for further consideration and action concerning the composition, functions and future role of Seanad Éireann. The Report recommends significant reform of the Seanad electoral system, involving rolling renewal of the Seanad and the introduction of direct...

Written Answers — Election Management System: Election Management System (14 Nov 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...

Written Answers — Waste Disposal: Waste Disposal (14 Nov 2007)

John Gormley: I refer to the reply to Question No. 35 on today's order paper, in which I again confirmed that I have not made any statement in regard to the number of municipal waste incinerators which may be required. In accordance with the provisions of waste management legislation decisions in respect of the number of municipal waste incinerators which may be required are the responsibility of local...

Written Answers — Recycling Policy: Recycling Policy (14 Nov 2007)

John Gormley: While statutory responsibility for the making and implementation of regional waste management plans, including in respect of the provision of recycling infrastructure, rests with the local authority or local authorities concerned, I am determined to further develop the national recycling infrastructure so as to meet the ambitious target set out in the Programme for Government that only 10% of...

Written Answers — Services for People with Disabilities: Services for People with Disabilities (14 Nov 2007)

John Gormley: Following the completion of accessibility audits, local authorities are required to draw up implementation plans setting out programmes to give effect to the commitments and objectives contained in the Disability Act 2005 and the Department's related Sectoral Plan. Each implementation plan will be published and placed on the authority's website. I understand that nine such plans have been...

Written Answers — Local Government Policy: Local Government Policy (14 Nov 2007)

John Gormley: The Programme for Government contains a commitment to publish a Green Paper, which will examine a number of issues in relation to the organisation of Irish local government, with the objective of making local government more transparent and responsive. Areas to be examined in the Green Paper include the issue of directly elected Mayors. The consideration of the provision of directly elected...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (14 Nov 2007)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 57, 82, 227 and 228 together. As indicated in reply to Question Nos. 149 and 156 of 10 October 2007, the principal recommendation in the Ninth Progress Report of the All-Party Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution (APOCC), on Private Property, was for the implementation of the central proposal of the 1973 majority "Kenny Report", a "designated area scheme"...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (14 Nov 2007)

John Gormley: The Agreed Programme for Government contains a commitment to the establishment of an independent Electoral Commission which will take responsibility for electoral administration and oversight, implement modern and efficient electoral practices, revise constituency boundaries, take charge of compiling a new national rolling electoral register, take over the functions of the Standards in Public...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (14 Nov 2007)

John Gormley: The Programme for Government clearly sets out the approach to waste management that will be reflected in national policy in the years ahead. It is firmly grounded in a continuing commitment to the waste hierarchy with a renewed drive towards the achievement of international best practice in the reduction, re-use and recycling of our waste. This, coupled with an increasing emphasis on...

Written Answers — Community Development: Community Development (14 Nov 2007)

John Gormley: I refer to the reply to Question No. 145 of 10 October, 2007.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (14 Nov 2007)

John Gormley: Measures have been introduced by my Department to combat motor tax evasion, and other enforcement initiatives are being developed in conjunction with the Garda Síochána. The increase of some 8% in motor tax revenue to end October 2007, compared with 2006, reflects a range of factors, including the impact of anti-evasion measures and increased payment levels in respect of motor tax arrears....

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (14 Nov 2007)

John Gormley: My Department has prepared a Screening Regulatory Impact Analysis of the options for transposing the Environmental Liability Directive. This document is available on my Department's website (www.environ.ie), and the views of interested parties have been sought on it. Preparatory work on drafting the legal instrument for transposing the Directive is underway and will be informed, inter alia,...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (14 Nov 2007)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 66, 231, 233, 234, 235, 238 and 240 together. Each local authority was asked by my Department in 2006 to carry out a detailed assessment of the needs for capital water services infrastructure in their area and to prioritise their assessments, taking account, inter alia, of: national and EU environmental and public health requirements and standards, including...

Written Answers — Local Government Reform: Local Government Reform (14 Nov 2007)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 67 and 80 together. In accordance with the Programme for Government, my Department will be publishing a Green Paper on local government reform in the coming months. The Green Paper will examine a number of issues with the objective of making local government more transparent and responsive, and will set out options for reform in advance of a subsequent White...

Written Answers — Water Quality: Water Quality (14 Nov 2007)

John Gormley: I refer to the reply to Question No. 226 of 24 October, 2007.