Results 3,621-3,640 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (5 Feb 2008)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 666 and 667 together. As outlined in the reply to Question No. 1370 of 30 January 2008, the 20-year National Spatial Strategy (NSS) which was published in November 2002, aims to achieve a better balance of social, economic and physical development across Ireland, supported by more effective planning, and has designated nine gateways and nine hubs which have...

Written Answers — Electoral Boundaries: Electoral Boundaries (5 Feb 2008)

John Gormley: On 8 January 2008 I announced that I had established two committees to review local electoral areas. These committees are independent in the performance of their functions. I understand, however, from public notices that the committees have established a website (www.electoralareacommittees.ie) and have invited submissions which should be received no later than 14 March 2008.

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (5 Feb 2008)

John Gormley: The Kiltimagh 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 Mayo County Council's Tender Report for the scheme.

Written Answers — Motor Taxation: Motor Taxation (5 Feb 2008)

John Gormley: The Financial Resolution passed by Dáil Eireann on 5 December 2007 provides for motor tax increases of 9.5% for cars below 2.5 litres and 11% for cars above that threshold, with effect from 1 February 2008. The same motor tax rate applies to both new and imported cars.

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (5 Feb 2008)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 671 and 672 together. The information requested is set out in the table below. The budget figures listed refer to funding provided by my Department to the agencies. Some agencies are funded by local authority contributions or own resources from fees etc. A combination of income from the Department, local authorities and own resources would also apply in...

Written Answers — Water Quality: Water Quality (5 Feb 2008)

John Gormley: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) produces regular reports on municipal waste water discharges, including treatment standards, and on the quality of drinking water supplies in Ireland. The Agency's most recent reports "Urban Waste Water Discharges in Ireland – A Report for the Years 2004 and 2005" and "The Provision and Quality of Drinking Water in Ireland – A Report for the...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (5 Feb 2008)

John Gormley: Under the decentralisation programme, all Dublin based operations of my Department are being decentralised, with the exception of Met Éireann, ENFO, the Private Rented Tenancies Board and a small co-ordination section which it is proposed to retain in Dublin to assist with the Department's Dáil and other business. A total of 682 Dublin based posts will be transferred to four locations in...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (5 Feb 2008)

John Gormley: In 2007 my Department established a task force to examine the regulatory context around the siting and location of adult entertainment venues. The task force is chaired by my Department and comprises representatives from the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform; the Office of the Revenue Commissioners; An Garda Síochána; and Dublin City Council. The task force has met on a number...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (5 Feb 2008)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 676 to 678, inclusive, together. It is not feasible to separate taskforces from a variety of administrative arrangements such as working or action groups, steering committees or project teams which are routine and efficient mechanisms for the management of a range of projects and tasks and for the delivery of the business objectives contained in my...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (5 Feb 2008)

John Gormley: Details of the non-property cost of decentralisation incurred by my Department by end Quarter 3 2007 are set out in the table below. These costs, which have been incurred in relation to the establishment of an advance office in Wexford in June 2007, cover training, travel and subsistence, IT facilities and office administration. Year â'¬ 2005 Q3 4,622 Q4 4,400 2006 Q3 1,657 Q4...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (5 Feb 2008)

John Gormley: I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 1317, 1413, 1417 and 1418 of 30 January 2008 which provides the requested details in relation to the decentralisation of my Department.

Written Answers — Special Amenity Areas: Special Amenity Areas (5 Feb 2008)

John Gormley: Grantstown Wood and Grantstown Lough are State-owned nature reserves, managed by my Department, which undertakes routine management and maintenance works in the area. With the support of funding from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food under the Native Woodland Scheme works will begin shortly involving the replacement of non-native species with native species such as oak and the...

Written Answers — Special Amenity Areas: Special Amenity Areas (5 Feb 2008)

John Gormley: I refer to the reply to Question No. 1357 of 30 January 2008 which noted that a special amenity area order for the Liffey Valley from Lucan Bridge to the city boundary was confirmed by the Minister on 8 March 1990. That order offers extensive protection to the area, under the planning code, from inappropriate development. The Liffey Valley site is important because of the diversity of the...

Written Answers — Hunting Licences: Hunting Licences (5 Feb 2008)

John Gormley: 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 season. In my consideration of the licence...

Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (5 Feb 2008)

John Gormley: Work is underway in my Department on the preparation of regulations to implement the majority recommendations of the Working Group to Review the Management of Dog Breeding Establishments. The question of whether or not to provide exemptions for specific types of organisations, or breeding establishments, from the requirements of the proposed regulations is being considered in the context of...

Written Answers — Natural Heritage Areas: Natural Heritage Areas (5 Feb 2008)

John Gormley: The Wildlife (Amendment) Act, 2000 defines a Natural Heritage Area (NHA) as "an area which is worthy of conservation for one or more species, communities, habitats, landforms or geological or geomorphological features, or for its diversity of natural attributes". I do not propose to designate Spike Island as a Natural Heritage Area as there is no scientific basis on which to do so. In...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (5 Feb 2008)

John Gormley: Grant aid in respect of 161 playgrounds has been awarded to local authorities by my Department under the 2004, 2005 and 2006 playground schemes. Progress with the completion of these projects is a matter for the individual local authorities and time scales have varied considerably due to a range of planning and procurement issues locally. Consideration of a scheme in 2007 was deferred to...

Written Answers — Departmental Strategy Statements: Departmental Strategy Statements (5 Feb 2008)

John Gormley: The Action Plan on Green Public Procurement is still in preparation and will be published later this year.

Written Answers — Building Regulations: Building Regulations (5 Feb 2008)

John Gormley: I signed the Building Regulations (Amendment) Regulations 2007 on 24 December 2007, thus meeting my commitment under the Programme for Government in full. These new regulations amend Part L (Conservation of Fuel and Energy) of the Building Regulations to provide for a minimum of a 40% improvement in energy efficiency and a 40% reduction in CO2 emissions in new dwellings. The Regulations...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (5 Feb 2008)

John Gormley: I refer to the reply to Question No. 1339 of 30 January 2007. I intend to issue a public consultation draft of Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas in the very near future: the public consultation period will last 12 weeks. These draft guidelines will update and replace my Department's 1999 Residential Density Guidelines for Planning...