Results 3,201-3,220 of 7,278 for speaker:Dick Roche

Political Donations and Planning: Motion. (21 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: The Green Party controls the majority on that council, not Deputy Andrews.

Political Donations and Planning: Motion. (21 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: We have focused on increasing overall supply to meet increasing demand and improve affordability. We have delivered that supply and we will continue to do so. We are building at a much higher rate than our EU colleagues — almost four times the western European average. More than one third of the country's homes have been built since 1996.

Political Donations and Planning: Motion. (21 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: In 1994, fewer than 27,000 homes were being built in Ireland but by 1997 this had increased to almost 39,000, an extraordinary rate of increase, and there has been unprecedented growth since. Last year was the 11th year of record house completions, with output of more than 80,000 units. Crucially, we are delivering where demand is most acute and have increased supply to 18,000 units in Dublin...

Political Donations and Planning: Motion. (21 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: The majority — 92% — of households surveyed during the last national survey of housing quality expressed satisfaction with the general condition of their accommodation, their area and their neighbourhood.

Political Donations and Planning: Motion. (21 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: All available indicators suggest high levels of housing output will continue to be required annually in the period to 2020. This will be a major challenge but one where this Government's track record justifies confidence. With the support of the other major political parties at local government level, we can achieve the housing output required. While we will continue to facilitate the strong...

Political Donations and Planning: Motion. (21 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: Accordingly, the provision of strong support for social and affordable housing remains a key objective of this Government. Record funding is being provided for social and affordable housing programmes this year. With the additional funding secured in the budget, the provision for 2006 will be in excess of €2 billion, more than double such expenditure in 2000.

Political Donations and Planning: Motion. (21 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: The Deputy should at least have the honesty to acknowledge that fact. We are using these resources to good effect. In the past three years, local authorities have started on average 5,100 units, 40% higher than the average number of units commenced between 1994 and 1997. During that period, the voluntary and co-operative sector supplied approximately 900 units per annum but this has increased...

Political Donations and Planning: Motion. (21 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: It will make much more sense than anything the Deputy has said. The delivery of housing under Part V of the 2000 Act is beginning to increase significantly. At the end of 2005, almost 1,400 units had been delivered during the year, 2,500 were under construction and a further 3,500 were proposed under agreements with developers.

Political Donations and Planning: Motion. (21 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: I expect 6,000 social and affordable units will be delivered under Part V between 2005 and 2007. Recognising the affordability issues in the Dublin area, the Government last year established a new agency, the Affordable Homes Partnership, to co-ordinate and add impetus to the delivery of affordable housing in and around the capital. The partnership is well established and is making good...

Political Donations and Planning: Motion. (21 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: I will conclude in a moment. I was harangued and harassed during my contribution. A more recently introduced measure was the supplementary development scheme.

Political Donations and Planning: Motion. (21 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: With regard to the designated areas scheme, I question whether the Green Party has ever read the 1973 Kenny report.

Political Donations and Planning: Motion. (21 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: If it had, it would see that Judge Kenny rejected the Green Party's stated objective of recovering most of the increased value of land attributable to rezoning.

Political Donations and Planning: Motion. (21 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: I will finish in a moment. The Kenny report stated explicitly that legislation which provided that a local authority could acquire lands at existing value plus some percentage of it——

Political Donations and Planning: Motion. (21 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: I will read it properly because it is worth reading out. The Kenny report states explicitly that legislation which provided that a local authority could acquire lands at existing use value plus some percentage of it when its price had been increased not by local authority works, but by planning decisions only, would be unjust and probably repugnant to the Constitution.

Political Donations and Planning: Motion. (21 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: I thought Deputy O'Dowd was offering me two minutes. I beg his pardon. I see no merit in the Green Party motion, just a great deal of hypocrisy.

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (21 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 833 and 836 together. Total receipts each year for the plastic bag levy on disposable shopping bags are set out in the following table: â'¬m 2002 7.101 2003 12.657 2004 13.498 2005 17.526 2006 to date 4.602 Total 55.384 Prior to the introduction of this levy, an estimated 1.2 billion plastic bags were given away free by...

Written Answers — Architectural Heritage: Architectural Heritage (21 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: Restoration works representing an investment of some €2 million have already been carried out at Maynooth Castle and have facilitated the provision of visitor access and a guide service. My Department is aware that further facilities, including the provision of toilets, would be required if there were to be a greater use of the castle. It is not feasible to provide these at the site...

Written Answers — Ministerial Guidelines: Ministerial Guidelines (21 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: My Department has commissioned a research study into apartment size and space standards to inform a review being undertaken of the Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Residential Density, published in 1999. The research study is examining, inter alia, the adequacy of current internal space provision in apartments and will recommend internal space standards relating to overall minimum floor...

Written Answers — Register of Electors: Register of Electors (21 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 837 and 868 together. In law, preparation of the register of electors is a matter for each local registration authority. It is their duty to ensure, as far as possible and with the co-operation of the public, the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the register. I share the concerns that have been expressed on the quality of the register. Comparison between the...

Written Answers — Vehicle Ownership Transfers: Vehicle Ownership Transfers (21 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: My Department intends to develop arrangements for on-line change of vehicle ownership for motor traders as an extension of the successful on-line motor tax system already in place for first time registration and for motor tax renewals. My Department is currently examining the appropriate approach in this regard. There are no proposals, however, for such a service for private transactions.