Results 3,441-3,460 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Waste Management. (18 Dec 2007)

John Gormley: With regard to the Deputy's first question, the terms of reference for the review have been agreed and a steering committee has been appointed. I was anxious to ensure balance on the steering committee so I have appointed a number of people from non-governmental organisations, An Taisce and so forth, to sit on it. This will ensure the procurement process is correct and that we get a policy...

Waste Management. (18 Dec 2007)

John Gormley: That was incorrect. I received advice not only from the Attorney General, but also from an eminent senior counsel from outside the House, and both confirmed it was not possible. The question of whether it is possible in respect of other regional waste plans can be considered but a number of other options must also be investigated, such as financial arrangements for funding incineration. It...

Motor Taxation. (18 Dec 2007)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 69 and 102 together. At local motor tax offices, there will be no change in the arrangements for the processing of motor tax applications. The national vehicle and driver file, NVDF, which is managed centrally by the vehicle registration unit in Shannon, will be adjusted to provide for the application of CO2 based rates in respect of cars registered from 1...

Written Answers — Carbon Budget: Carbon Budget (18 Dec 2007)

John Gormley: I was pleased to be able to present Ireland's first ever carbon budget on 6 December. Its purpose is to show how Government decisions on spending and taxation measures affect Ireland's greenhouse gas emissions, to demonstrate that Government decisions on climate change are consistent with overall economic and budgetary policy and to give a clear indication of the progress that is being made...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (18 Dec 2007)

John Gormley: In August 2006, my Department published a consultation paper on options for future regulation of the waste sector. Submissions were invited on whether there is a need for a regulator for the sector, if so what model of regulator might be most appropriate and what powers any such regulator should be given. Following consideration of over fifty, many very detailed, submissions received which...

Written Answers — Election Management System: Election Management System (18 Dec 2007)

John Gormley: I am aware of recent developments in the Netherlands in relation to electronic voting, including an official report which recommends a move away from the current electronic voting system in operation in that country. I understand that the Dutch Parliament will debate the report in the New Year. My Department also maintains contact with other developments internationally in relation to...

Written Answers — Community and Recreational Facilities: Community and Recreational Facilities (18 Dec 2007)

John Gormley: I refer to the replies to Question No. 145 of 10 October 2007 and Question No. 284 of 7 November 2007. The adoption of development plans and local area plans is a reserved function of elected members. The Planning and Development Act 2000 sets out the steps that must be followed by the Council, the requirements for consultation with the public and key stakeholders, including the Minister for...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (18 Dec 2007)

John Gormley: Arising from previous research completed by the Institute of Public Administration on behalf of the Department in 2004, my Department commissioned further research by a Trinity College / Dublin City University joint team to establish a clear profile of formal systems for regulating lobbyists in public life in certain jurisdictions, thereby facilitating an assessment of their relevance to...

Written Answers — Local Government Reform: Local Government Reform (18 Dec 2007)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 76 and 99 together. In accordance with the Programme for Government, my Department will be publishing a Green Paper on local government reform early in the new year. 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 — Register of Electors: Register of Electors (18 Dec 2007)

John Gormley: In law the 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 cooperation of the public, the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the Register. In their work in this area, local authorities do not compile data which would permit specific conclusions to be drawn relating to levels of overall...

Written Answers — Election Management System: Election Management System (18 Dec 2007)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 78, 552 and 553 together. The Commission on Electronic Voting in its Final Report last year concluded that the electronic voting equipment chosen for use in Ireland could be used, subject to further work which it also recommended. I am at present considering the next steps to be taken in relation to this project. In this, I am taking into account the work of...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (18 Dec 2007)

John Gormley: I refer to the reply to Question No. 63 on today's order paper.

Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (18 Dec 2007)

John Gormley: I propose to answer Question Nos. 80 and 95 together. I refer to the reply to Question No. 61 on today's Order Paper. According to Article 2 of the Kyoto Protocol, the protection and enhancement of sinks and reservoirs of greenhouse gases and the promotion of sustainable forest management practices, afforestation and reforestation are among the policies the Parties may implement to meet their...

Written Answers — Housing Estate Completions: Housing Estate Completions (18 Dec 2007)

John Gormley: As Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government I have overall responsibility for the legislative and policy framework governing the planning system. The enforcement of planning control is a matter for individual planning authorities, who have substantial enforcement powers under the Planning and Development Acts 2000 – 2006. With regard to action against unauthorised...

Written Answers — Community and Recreational Facilities: Community and Recreational Facilities (18 Dec 2007)

John Gormley: A new initiative for the provision of skateboard facilities by local authorities was introduced in 2005. Each City and County Council was invited to submit expressions of interest for grant assistance towards the provision of a skateboard park in its area. Thirty-seven proposals from 25 local authorities were received by the deadline. All applications were assessed by my Department in...

Written Answers — Motor Taxation: Motor Taxation (18 Dec 2007)

John Gormley: The current basis of assessment for goods vehicles is unladen weight. It is not possible at this stage to apply an emissions based motor tax system to goods vehicles given that data on CO2 emissions are not available or captured on the vehicle registration tax (VRT) or the national vehicle and driver file (NVDF) databases.

Written Answers — Electoral Area Boundaries: Electoral Area Boundaries (18 Dec 2007)

John Gormley: Unlike for Dáil and European Parliament constituencies, there are no legal requirements in relation to the frequency of local electoral area reviews. The last review of local electoral areas was carried out in 1998; the next local elections are due to take place in 2009. I am at present considering the issues around a review of local electoral areas and I expect to be in a position to make...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (18 Dec 2007)

John Gormley: Article 168 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 requires a fee of €20 to be paid to a planning authority by a person or body making a submission or observation to the authority regarding an application for permission. The primary purpose of the fee is to contribute towards the enhanced service provided by planning authorities to persons who make formal submissions. Many...

Written Answers — Hunting Licences: Hunting Licences (18 Dec 2007)

John Gormley: I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 258 and 259 of 6 December 2007. I am completing any urgent consideration of this matter and will come to a definitive conclusion in the near future.

Written Answers — Codes of Conduct: Codes of Conduct (18 Dec 2007)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 90 and 101 together. The ethical framework that applies to councillors and relevant employees in local authorities is provided for in the Local Government Act 2001 and the Codes of Conduct published under that Act. The framework requires councillors and employees to act solely in the public interest at all times and prohibits them from influencing or seeking...