Results 3,741-3,760 of 7,278 for speaker:Dick Roche

Seanad: Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages. (16 May 2006)

Dick Roche: We discussed this matter at some length on Committee Stage and it is a very interesting proposition. However, it is not one I have sympathy with for the simple reason that it would leave the particular Minister of the day open to all types of challenges as regards abuse of power etc. The amendment proposes to empower the Minister to give direction to the board to prioritise a particular...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages. (16 May 2006)

Dick Roche: I mentioned on Committee Stage that further consideration would need to be given to the electricity transmission consent procedures which are set out in sections 182A and 182B to ensure they would cover all of the infrastructural projects we have envisaged. At the request of the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, we have decided to make a number of clarifying...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages. (16 May 2006)

Dick Roche: In a sense, events have caught up with us. We have actually deleted the relevant section of the text to which the amendment applies. Obviously I cannot accept an amendment to deleted text. I am not being unkind. Disposed as I may have been to accept it, the relevant text no longer forms part of the Bill.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages. (16 May 2006)

Dick Roche: I appreciate the Senator's arguments on the issue of thresholds but I think it is unwise at the outset of a new consent process to lower the thresholds down to the extent he proposed. For example, to take the thresholds for windfarms down from 50 to ten would cause difficulties. I have given consideration to these amendments but on reflection I must conclude that the proposed thresholds are...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages. (16 May 2006)

Dick Roche: In responding to two Opposition amendments on Committee Stage, I agreed to give consideration, in consultation with the Parliamentary Counsel, to the clarification of the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and its ability to make orders when it determines a point of law arising from a judicial review. I have taken the comments made on board and hope Senators will support this amendment, which...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages. (16 May 2006)

Dick Roche: My amendment is in response to a proposal made by Senator Bannon. I did not accept his amendment on Committee Stage on the basis that the functions in question are, rightly, a matter for the board. It would not be appropriate, therefore, to include a reference to both the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the board. However, on further consideration, I have taken on...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages. (16 May 2006)

Dick Roche: The title is being corrected.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages. (16 May 2006)

Dick Roche: I am sorry, I am being overly generous.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages. (16 May 2006)

Dick Roche: Amendment No. 54 is being made instead of amendment No. 55.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages. (16 May 2006)

Dick Roche: I am accepting in amendment No. 54 what the Minister intended in amendment No. 55. It is a moral victory for the Senator.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages. (16 May 2006)

Dick Roche: No. Amendment No. 54 is being made instead of amendment No. 55.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages. (16 May 2006)

Dick Roche: On Committee Stage, I stated the reference in Senator Bannon's amendment to both the Minister and the board was inappropriate. I, therefore, tabled amendment No. 54. Senator Bannon proposes the insertion of the word "Heritage" in page 78, line 33, whereas the appropriate change should be made in page 78, lines 31 and 32. It is more appropriate to make the amendment in these lines.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages. (16 May 2006)

Dick Roche: I will make the change in the Dáil.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages. (16 May 2006)

Dick Roche: The amendments propose that the eight-week period for making an application for leave to apply for a judicial review should begin on the date of the making of the railway order or the date on which a copy of the relevant extracts from the railway order and the plan referred to therein are served on every, if any, occupier and every, if any, owner of the land. I do not propose to accept the...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages. (16 May 2006)

Dick Roche: We all agree that Ireland needs a new and improved infrastructure across a number of areas, for reasons we have all outlined in this House. We need to tackle bottlenecks in our economy, to enhance our effectiveness and to create infrastructure where it is needed. I thank Senator Bannon in particular for his contributions, but I thank all Members who have contributed throughout this lengthy...

Written Answers — Voting Procedures: Voting Procedures (17 May 2006)

Dick Roche: Persons whose names are on the register of electors are generally entitled to vote at elections and referenda, according to their citizenship. Detailed requirements in relation to registration, the right to vote and the procedure for voting are set out in electoral law: implementation of these is a matter for local registration authorities and returning officers, as appropriate. Under and...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (17 May 2006)

Dick Roche: Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Residential Density were published by my Department in 1999. These included a specific objective of reducing urban sprawl and promoting greater efficiency in the use of energy, transport and natural resources. The Guidelines also aim to assist in achieving high quality residential density of a suitable scale at appropriate locations, in conjunction with...

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (17 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 — County Boundaries: County Boundaries (17 May 2006)

Dick Roche: The procedures currently governing boundary alterations are set out in Part V of the Local Government Act 1991 and associated regulations. Under these provisions, it is open to a local authority to initiate a proposal for the alteration of its boundaries. This involves preparation of a formal boundary alteration proposal by the authority concerned including financial, organisational and other...

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (17 May 2006)

Dick Roche: The following tabular statement gives details of the combined capital allocation for disabled persons and essential repairs grants notified to each local authority in 2004 and 2005 and the combined expenditure on the schemes in 2004 by each local authority. In 2004 the capital allocation for these schemes was €73.1 million and actual expenditure notified to the Department by local...