Results 3,661-3,680 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Written Answers — Local Authority Staff: Local Authority Staff (12 Feb 2008)

John Gormley: I assume that the question is referring to the local authority service indicators initiative, which has been in place since 2004. A review of the service indicators was recently completed. There are now indicators across 46 headings as compared to the original 42. They cover a wide range of local authority functions including planning, housing, environment, recreation and amenity. An...

Written Answers — Special Protection Areas: Special Protection Areas (12 Feb 2008)

John Gormley: Special Protection Areas (SPA) are designated under the EU Birds Directive (79/409/EEC) as transposed into Irish Law by the European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations 1997. The Habitats Regulations allow a statutory time frame of 3 months in which parties with a legal interest can lodge an objection to a proposed designation. I have no proposals to extend that deadline. There has...

Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (12 Feb 2008)

John Gormley: The National Climate Change Strategy 2007-12 signalled a potential purchasing requirement of up to 18 million carbon allowances in part fulfilment of Ireland's obligations pursuant to the Kyoto Protocol. However, my intention is that Ireland will meet its obligations as far as possible by emission reductions through domestic action and achieve a 3% annual reduction on average over the...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (12 Feb 2008)

John Gormley: A comprehensive programme of activities is currently under way by my Department, the EPA, local authorities and other relevant bodies for full implementation of the Water Framework Directive. My Department has to date committed funding amounting to some €63 million for river basin district projects, led by local authorities, to support implementation of the Directive. The necessary...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (12 Feb 2008)

John Gormley: Part H of the Building Regulations (Drainage and Waste Water Disposal) and the relevant technical guidance document sets out the requirements for the treatment of effluent from wastewater systems. Wastewater treatment systems other than septic tanks are accepted as satisfactory provided they are fit for the use for which they are intended and for the conditions in which they are used. The...

Written Answers — Election Management System: Election Management System (12 Feb 2008)

John Gormley: 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 the Commission on Electronic Voting, relevant experiences and developments internationally, and the need to maintain public confidence in the electoral process, as well as the provisions in the Programme for Government relating to electoral reform generally.

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (12 Feb 2008)

John Gormley: The EU Directive on the Energy Performance of Buildings, which was transposed into Irish law in 2006 by Statutory Instrument S.I. No. 666 of 2006, introduced a requirement for a Building Energy Rating System, or BER as it is more commonly known. The intention of the BER system is that buildings will have an energy rating similar to the way in which white goods are rated and that its practical...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (12 Feb 2008)

John Gormley: City and county development plans set the objectives for the proper planning and sustainable development of their areas. Local area plans translate these objectives at local level. Extensive public consultation by planning authorities in relation to the making and variation of development plans and local area plans is provided for under Part II of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (12 Feb 2008)

John Gormley: The Report of the Competition Authority, Competition in Professional Services — Architects, was published in March 2006. The Report contained a number of recommendations in regard to the legislative proposals which were contained in the Building Control Bill 2005, which was then before the Oireachtas, for registration of the titles of building professionals, including that of "Architect"....

Written Answers — Light Pollution: Light Pollution (12 Feb 2008)

John Gormley: There is no environmental legislation pending or in force, at either EU or national level, on light pollution. The question of whether a facility is in compliance with any condition of its planning permission is a matter for the relevant local authority and I have no function in relation to any individual case. I do, of course, share the general concern that excessive or unnecessary...

Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (12 Feb 2008)

John Gormley: Contracts in this case have been executed and cheques will issue shortly to the Chief State Solicitor's Office, which will forward them, along with closing documents, to the vendor's solicitor.

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (12 Feb 2008)

John Gormley: There are no agency workers employed by my Department. Day to day operational matters, including the engagement of agency workers, in the agencies reporting to my Department are matters for the individual agencies concerned.

Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (12 Feb 2008)

John Gormley: I understand that the works in question are primarily the responsibility of the Office of Public Works (OPW). My Department received an application for consent from OPW on 3 September 2007 and replied on 14 September requesting further information. We will make a decision on the application following receipt and examination of the information requested.

Written Answers — Air Pollution: Air Pollution (12 Feb 2008)

John Gormley: The Limitation of Emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds Due To The Use of Organic Solvents in Certain Paints Varnishes and Vehicle Refinishing Products Regulations 2007 (SI 199 Of 2007), were made under section 3 of the European Communities Act 1972 (No. 27 of 1972) and sections 10, 13, 14 and 23 of the Air Pollution Act 1987 (No. 6 of 1987) for the purpose of giving effect to Council...

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (12 Feb 2008)

John Gormley: The Ecological Impact Statement (7 January 2008), Engineering Report (December 2007) and Hydraulic Model Study (December 2007) were received by my Department on 15 January 2008. Further information was received on 22 January 2008. The reports are currently being assessed. There is a priority habitat (alluvial woodland) involved in the scheme and further data are likely to be required before...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (12 Feb 2008)

John Gormley: My Department approved Clare County Council's tender recommendation for the Ennis town Water Supply/Treatment scheme in May 2007 and the construction and completion of the works is a matter for the Council. However, I understand that the contract signed in July 2007 anticipates a completion date of February 2009.

Written Answers — Water Charges: Water Charges (12 Feb 2008)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 618 and 619 together. Local authorities were advised by my Department's Circular Letter WSP1/08 of 9 January 2008 of the details of the transitional water charging arrangements applicable to recognised schools for 2007, 2008 and 2009. I am arranging to have a copy of this circular forwarded to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Purchase of Lands: Purchase of Lands (12 Feb 2008)

John Gormley: Contracts were executed on my behalf and cheques issued to the Chief State Solicitor's Office (CSSO) in October, 2007. I have requested the CSSO to complete this file as soon as possible, and have been assured that closing documents have been prepared and that this sale will close shortly.

Written Answers — Data Protection: Data Protection (12 Feb 2008)

John Gormley: The management or security of data in any of the agencies under the aegis of my Department is a matter for each agency concerned.

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (12 Feb 2008)

John Gormley: Work is underway in my Department in drafting regulations to implement the majority recommendations of the Working Group to Review the Management of Dog Breeding Establishments. The issues involved are complex and have required careful consideration. My Department has also been engaged in consultation with relevant stakeholders. It is my intention to have the regulations finalised as soon...