Results 361-380 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Waste Management: Motion (Resumed). (21 Jun 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: The continental EU member states who achieve very high levels of recycling also rely heavily on incineration, with energy recovery. These approaches are not mutually exclusive, but complementary.

Waste Management: Motion (Resumed). (21 Jun 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: Those who raise concerns about the health or the environmental impact of waste infrastructure conveniently ignore that Ireland has one of the most stringent regulatory systems in the world. These projects require both planning permission and waste licences. These are matters for the agencies, An Bord Pleanála and the EPA, which have demonstrated their independence.

Waste Management: Motion (Resumed). (21 Jun 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: I stress in particular that both the health and the environmental impact concerns have been addressed. In the case of incineration, for example, EU standards which are the benchmark are devised with absolute regard for the best available scientific standards. I will refer to two important statements by Deputy Quinn, who questioned the Poolbeg incinerator. The test of value is whether the...

Seanad: Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: I am pleased to have the opportunity to open the debate in this House on the Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Bill 2006. The primary purpose of the Bill is to provide the legislative framework for the operation in Ireland of business improvement district schemes, or BIDS as they are more commonly known. The Bill also proposes to make two technical amendments to the rating and...

Seanad: Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: Awash with money.

Seanad: Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: I thank all the Senators for their contributions to the debate and express my appreciation on what has been a useful and constructive exchange of views. While there will be some points of detail which will engage us as the Bill progresses, and on which we may sometimes have different perspectives, I welcome the generally positive reception from all sides of the House to the concept of the...

Seanad: Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: County Longford has seen its general purpose grant allocation increase by 170% since 1997. This is well in excess——

Seanad: Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: —— of the national average.

Seanad: Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: This scheme is working very effectively. Local authority costs are driven by economic and population growth, the costs of maintaining an expanding public infrastructure, community and social needs, higher environmental standards and higher quality of life expectations. The Government is aware of the demands on the commercial sector and the need for continued and improved competitiveness to...

Seanad: Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: Longford County Council increased its rates for 2006 by only 2%.

Seanad: Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: I hope the Senator agrees with me that this was largely due to the increase in funding from the Government.

Seanad: Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: In any debate on the contribution by the commercial sector to local government, we must not lose sight of the fact that this Government has reduced the corporation tax rate from 40% in 1993 to 12.5% today.

Seanad: Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: Local authority charges take account of local circumstances and priorities.

Seanad: Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: We can anticipate Senator Bannon.

Seanad: Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: Senator Kitt asked whether local authorities would have their central funding cut if the BID scheme got up and running. A key to the success of a BID is that the projects, works or services are fully additional to any such projects, works or services that are carried out by a local authority and that the relevant responsibilities of both parties to a BID agreement — the proponents of a BID...

Seanad: Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: Senators Tuffy and O'Rourke asked what happens when a business does not want to pay. The concept behind BID schemes is that they proceed when the majority of the business community votes for it to proceed. Once it commences all businesses in the area must pay their fair share based on valuation. There can be no room for free riders or otherwise the ethos of the proposal would be breached and...

Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Order for Report Stage. (4 Jul 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: I move: "That Report Stage be taken now."

Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage. (4 Jul 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: Deputy Gilmore has said he has no problem with that aspect of the Bill.

Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage. (4 Jul 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: Will the Deputies get their policies together?

Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage. (4 Jul 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: I am only pointing out the differences that exist already in policy.