Results 3,681-3,700 of 7,278 for speaker:Dick Roche

Written Answers — Register of Electors: Register of Electors (9 May 2006)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 497, 503 and 504 together. 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 co-operation of the public, the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the Register. I recently announced a package of measures, to be implemented over the coming months, aimed...

Written Answers — Wildlife Acts: Wildlife Acts (9 May 2006)

Dick Roche: The cutting of free-standing trees in a garden around a house would not be considered to be an offence under section 40 of the Wildlife Act 1976, as amended. However hedgerows are protected under section 40 (1) (b) and may be cut within the period 1 September to end February.

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (9 May 2006)

Dick Roche: The allocation for 2006 and payments for each of the years 2002 to 2005 to Kildare County Council under the Local Improvements Scheme are set out in the following table: Year Local Improvements Scheme Payments € 2002 102,416 2003 99,757 2004 110,236 2005 88,504 2006 (Allocation) 111,268 Funding for the Local Improvements Scheme is considered in the context of the...

Written Answers — Motor Taxation: Motor Taxation (9 May 2006)

Dick Roche: The amount of motor tax taken by each local authority and through the online motor tax service, operated by my Department, for 2005 and 2006 to-date (January to April) is set out in the following table. Motor Tax Receipts (including online) 2005 2006 to date Carlow 9,577,446 3,679,657 Cavan 10,925,797 4,126,081 Clare 18,764,979 7,067,542 Cork 75,681,713 28,143,376 ...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (9 May 2006)

Dick Roche: My Department does not collect information on the nature and extent and level of unauthorised developments that are granted retention permission by planning authorities. An application for retention permission is decided on the same criteria as a normal application for permission, that is, a planning authority must consider the application in the context of the proper planning and sustainable...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (9 May 2006)

Dick Roche: A number of regional water studies are being carried out by Dublin City Council with funding under my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2005-2007. These include investigations of potential additional short and long-term water sources for the region. I understand that the Dublin Water Supply Strategic Storage Study, also funded under the Water Services Programme, has recently...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (9 May 2006)

Dick Roche: Stage 1 of the West Wicklow Water Supply Scheme, which will provide an improved quality water supply for consumers in Blessington and surrounds, is approved for funding in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2005-07. The Preliminary Report for the scheme submitted to my Department by Wicklow County Council identified three sites as potentially suitable for the location of the...

Written Answers — Private Rented Accommodation: Private Rented Accommodation (9 May 2006)

Dick Roche: It is not proposed to sponsor legislation on these lines. Under section 18 of the Fire Services Act 1981, as amended by section 29 of the Licensing of Indoor Events Act 2003, a person who has control over premises used for the provision of sleeping accommodation, other than a dwelling house occupied as a single dwelling, has a statutory obligation to take all reasonable measures to prevent...

Written Answers — Town Councils: Town Councils (9 May 2006)

Dick Roche: The Local Government Act 2001 modernises the legislative framework, supports community involvement with local authorities in a more participative local democracy and underpins generally the programme of local government renewal. More than 80% of the Act has been brought into operation, on a phased basis, inter alia facilitating improved access, interaction, linkages and service provision for...

Written Answers — Election Management System: Election Management System (10 May 2006)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 104 and 105 together. Responsibility for the security and safe storage of manual voting electoral materials (such as ballot boxes, stamping instruments, and stationery) is a matter for the Returning Officers, who are statutorily responsible for conducting the polls. Accordingly, similar responsibility was assigned to Returning Officers to make the necessary...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (10 May 2006)

Dick Roche: Under the Waste Management (Farm Plastics) Regulations 2001, producers — i.e. manufacturers and importers — of farm plastics (silage bale wrap and sheeting) are required to take steps to recover farm plastics waste which they have placed on the market or alternatively to contribute to, and participate in, compliance schemes to recover the waste in question. The Irish Farm Film Producers...

Written Answers — Natural Heritage Areas: Natural Heritage Areas (10 May 2006)

Dick Roche: To date, nine eskers have been protected as candidate Special Areas of Conservation because of the presence of orchid-rich grassland, a priority habitat under the EU Habitats Directive. However eskers without this habitat have not been prioritised for such protection. Eskers with ancient trees may warrant protection by designation as Natural Heritage Areas. Interested parties may contact my...

Written Answers — Sport and Recreational Facilities: Sport and Recreational Facilities (10 May 2006)

Dick Roche: Section 67 of the Local Government Act 2001 empowers local authorities to promote the interests of the local community in relation to amenity, recreation and other functions. This includes the provision of sports, games and similar activities and general recreational and leisure facilities such as playgrounds. It is a matter for each local authority to determine the extent to which these...

Written Answers — National Parks: National Parks (10 May 2006)

Dick Roche: In March 2006 648.3 hectares (1,602 acres) at Luggala were acquired for Wicklow Mountains National Park by my Department for €1.725m. This was the first acquisition for the Park during the past five years. Over the years, the Government has pursued a policy of increasing the number and size of our National Parks where possible. This has resulted in a growth in the number of National Parks...

Written Answers — National Parks: National Parks (10 May 2006)

Dick Roche: There are currently 24 staff employed in Wicklow National Park, including temporary and seasonal staff, as shown in the table. Two positions are currently vacant, Divisional Manager and Temporary Guide, and will be filled shortly. The positions of Divisional Manager, Regional Manager, District Conservation Officer, Head Conservation Ranger and General Operatives also carry responsibilities...

Written Answers — National Parks: National Parks (10 May 2006)

Dick Roche: My Department is actively pursuing measures against the unlawful sale and use of glue traps, including in some instances where details were provided by the Irish Council Against Blood Sports. Actions include inspections by National Parks and Wildlife staff of shops or other outlets which may be offering these traps for sale.

Written Answers — Fire Service: Fire Service (11 May 2006)

Dick Roche: The provision of a fire service, including equipment, training and the employment of both full-time and retained fire-fighting personnel, is a statutory function of the individual fire authorities and my Department has no direct role in this matter. My Department supports the local fire authorities through the setting of general policy, the provision of capital funding, the issue of guidance...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (11 May 2006)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 193 and 194 together. The Kildare Town Sewerage Scheme is approved for construction in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2005-2007. While Kildare County Council has submitted contract documents for the upgrading of the sewage collection network, my Department needs to complete its appraisal of the scheme as a whole before authorising...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (11 May 2006)

Dick Roche: I refer to the reply to Question No. 426 of 6 April 2006.

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (11 May 2006)

Dick Roche: I refer to the reply to Question No. 428 of 6 April 2006.