Results 3,781-3,800 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (23 Mar 2011)

Phil Hogan: My Department approved €2,800 under the Environment Fund for Biodiversity Awareness 2010 to the Abbeyleix Bog Group in County Laois. Payment in 2010 was subject to the grant being drawn down by the end of November 2010. The paperwork to process payment was not received from the Abbeyleix Bog Group until 5 January 2011, and, accordingly, payment of this grant could not be met in 2010....

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (24 Mar 2011)

Phil Hogan: I have no plans to amend the Building Control Act 2007 along the lines suggested. Part 3 of the Act enables eligible persons engaged in the provision of architectural services to register for the use of the title architect. The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) has been designated as the registration body for the purposes of Part 3 of the Act. A number of routes to...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (24 Mar 2011)

Phil Hogan: The Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2012 , a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas Library, provides for the development of a comprehensive range of new water services infrastructure in County Kerry. The Waterville water and sewerage scheme (Design/Build/Operate Contract) is included in the programme amongst the list of contracts in the county to start in the period 2010...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (24 Mar 2011)

Phil Hogan: The Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2012 , a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas Library, provides for the development of a comprehensive range of new water services infrastructure in County Kerry. The Kilcummin sewerage scheme is included in the 2010 – 2012 programme as a scheme at planning. In view of the high unit cost of providing the scheme, Kerry County Council...

Written Answers — Motor Taxation: Motor Taxation (24 Mar 2011)

Phil Hogan: I am not in a position to confirm the matter raised in the question. Motor tax rates were last increased in the budget of 2009 and the increases took effect from 1 January 2009.

Written Answers — Building Regulations: Building Regulations (24 Mar 2011)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 62 to 64, inclusive, together. Appropriate measures necessary to prevent the use of pyritic material as hardcore filler in underground foundations in buildings have already been taken by my Department since the current pyrite problems first manifested themselves in mid-2007. These measures include: clear communication with local authorities, relevant public...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (24 Mar 2011)

Phil Hogan: Sections 34(4)(g) and 180(2)(b) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 provide respectively that a planning authority may attach conditions to a planning permission requiring the giving of adequate security for the satisfactory completion of a proposed development and, if a development is not subsequently completed satisfactorily, may apply a security, given under section 34, for the...

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (24 Mar 2011)

Phil Hogan: I assume that the question refers to flood mitigation works carried out by local authorities. Under existing arrangements funding to the authorities for such works is provided by the Office of Public Works (OPW) and issues arising in this context are a matter for my colleague the Minister for Finance who has responsibility for OPW.

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (24 Mar 2011)

Phil Hogan: The report Service Indicators in Local Authorities 2009 published by the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA), sets out the latest information on local authority performances in 2009 across a range of 46 service indicators, including taking estates in charge. The taking estates in charge indicator was first introduced as a new service indicator in the 2008 report. The service indicator...

Written Answers — Local Government Reform: Local Government Reform (24 Mar 2011)

Phil Hogan: A range of work is already under way or in planning arising from the Report of the Local Government Efficiency Review Group and I am reviewing the next immediate steps to augment this. I will also be considering wider proposals to renew and develop the local government system in line with the Government's programme and building on relevant research and analysis already undertaken in this...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (24 Mar 2011)

Phil Hogan: The introduction of a grants scheme for any purpose must be managed within current budgetary constraints. Insofar, as support for the upgrading of septic tanks is concerned, the matter is under review in my Department, including in the context of finalising proposals to respond to the 2009 judgment of the European Court of Justice regarding Ireland's failure to adopt the necessary legislation...

Written Answers — Waste Disposal: Waste Disposal (29 Mar 2011)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 144 to 146, inclusive, together. I am considering the Hennessy Report in consultation with the Attorney General, including issues relating to publication, and am working to conclude this consideration as soon as possible. I am aware that the parties to the contract in respect of the Poolbeg facility are in a period of review. The activation of any break...

Written Answers — Radon Gas: Radon Gas (29 Mar 2011)

Phil Hogan: Over a number of years Government, largely through the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII), has worked to assess the extent of the radon problem in Ireland, and to increase public awareness of the issue. Between 1992 and 1999, the RPII carried out a comprehensive National Radon Survey to measure radon concentrations in Irish homes. The principal objective was to assess the...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (29 Mar 2011)

Phil Hogan: Section 199 of the Local Government Act 2001 provides that local authorities may make bye-laws for or in relation to the use, operation, protection, regulation or management of any land, services, or any other matter provided by or under the control or management of the local authority, whether within or without its functional area or in relation to any connected matter. The making of such...

Written Answers — Genetically Modified Organisms: Genetically Modified Organisms (29 Mar 2011)

Phil Hogan: The responsibility for GMOs is spread across a number of Government Departments. My Department has responsibility for policy matters in relation to the deliberate release of GMOs into the environment and the contained use of GMOs. The Department of Health and Children has responsibility for policy matters concerning genetically modified food and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and...

Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (29 Mar 2011)

Phil Hogan: The provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of premises, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under section 10 of the Fire Services Act 1981 and 2003. My Department supports the local fire authorities through setting of general policy, training...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (29 Mar 2011)

Phil Hogan: Part B (Fire Safety) of the Second Schedule to the Building Regulations provides for the means of escape in case of fire in buildings. In particular, the requirement at B1 states: "A building shall be so designed and constructed that there are adequate means of escape in case of fire from the building to a place of safety outside the building, capable of being safely and effectively used."...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (29 Mar 2011)

Phil Hogan: The Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2012, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas Library, provides for the development of a comprehensive range of new water services infrastructure in Fingal. The Programme includes contracts under construction and to commence in the county to the value of some €130 million during the period of the Programme. While some network...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (29 Mar 2011)

Phil Hogan: I am giving early and urgent attention to the issue of turf cutting on protected habitats, and am currently working with my colleague, Mr Jimmy Deenihan, TD, who will have responsibility in this regard as Minister for Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht Affairs, in developing comprehensive proposals for Government reflecting the commitment in the Programme for Government. These proposals, to be...

Leaders' Questions (30 Mar 2011)

Phil Hogan: Deputy Martin should read his brief.