Results 3,861-3,880 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley
- Seanad: National Waste Strategy: Statements (Resumed) (27 Feb 2008)
John Gormley: Yes.
- Seanad: National Waste Strategy: Statements (Resumed) (27 Feb 2008)
John Gormley: I can collate that data to give Senators Coffey and O'Toole a better idea. We could speak about consistency in respect of many areas. We are trying to introduce new efficiency criteria and league tables across a range of issues in order that we can see how local authorities perform. Senator McFadden strayed somewhat from our brief and in answering questions I have ranged beyond the issue of...
- Written Answers — Recycling Policy: Recycling Policy (28 Feb 2008)
John Gormley: The Race Against Waste Campaign, which commenced in 2003, has been the most extensive waste information campaign ever run in Ireland. The campaign combined a multimedia national awareness campaign and a supporting communications strategy which aimed to stimulate the prevention, reduction, reuse and recycling of waste. It featured initiatives and practical measures that could be taken by...
- Written Answers — Ministerial Responsibilities: Ministerial Responsibilities (28 Feb 2008)
John Gormley: My Department has the lead role in promoting the co-ordinated implementation of the Water Framework Directive, which relates to all land areas and to coastal waters, and deals with those aspects of the OSPAR Convention which relate to marine pollution from land-based sources, including discharges of radioactive substances and to biodiversity. I also have powers under the European Communities...
- Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (28 Feb 2008)
John Gormley: I am not proposing to introduce a new tax or levy as the existing landfill levy has been in place since 2002. I have announced my intention to increase, by 31 March 2008, the levy from â¬15 per tonne to â¬20 per tonne for waste legally deposited, and â¬20 per tonne to â¬25 per tonne for waste illegally deposited. Landfill gate fees have fallen dramatically in recent years and this...
- Written Answers — Archaeological Sites: Archaeological Sites (28 Feb 2008)
John Gormley: I placed a temporary Preservation Order on the national monument at Rath Lugh, on 28th September 2007, under Section 4 of the National Monuments Act 1954 (as amended). To assess the stability of the esker on which the monument at Rath Lugh is located I commissioned a report from a firm of consultants with relevant expertise in this matter. The report I have received recommends that a number...
- Written Answers — Local Authority Staff: Local Authority Staff (28 Feb 2008)
John Gormley: Consultations are ongoing with the Department of Finance in relation to the current ceiling on local authority staff numbers including impacts in relation to increased servicing requirements in areas which have experienced high population growth.
- Written Answers — Noise Pollution: Noise Pollution (28 Feb 2008)
John Gormley: Section 107 of the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992 provides local authorities with powers to require measures to be taken to prevent or limit noise from commercial premises. Under the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992 (Noise) Regulations 1994, a person may also seek an order in the District Court to have noise giving reasonable cause for annoyance abated, including noise from...
- Written Answers — Noise Pollution: Noise Pollution (28 Feb 2008)
John Gormley: This is a matter for the owners and residents of apartment buildings. I have no function in this matter.
- Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2008: Financial Resolution (4 Mar 2008)
John Gormley: I move: That, for the purposes of any Act of the current session, provision be made to amend and extend the Finance (Excise Duties) (Vehicles) Act 1952 and the Finance (No. 2) Act 1992 in respect of certain duties or licences leviable or issuable thereunder, and for related matters.
- Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (4 Mar 2008)
John Gormley: Pension cover for spouses and children was first introduced for certain male employees of local authorities in 1969. This was extended to all employees, male and female, in 1984. The pension benefits and contributions payable under the local authority spouses and children's pension schemes are the same for male and female employees.
- Written Answers — Private Rented Accommodation: Private Rented Accommodation (4 Mar 2008)
John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 538, 573 to 577, inclusive, 579, 581 and 582 together. I refer to the reply to Question No. 16 of 27 February, 2008 in relation to standards for rental accommodation, obligations of landlords in that regard, enforcement of the standards regulations, penalties for offences in relation to the regulations and review of the regulations which is now at an advanced...
- Written Answers — Boundary Reviews: Boundary Reviews (4 Mar 2008)
John Gormley: Section 24 of the Local Government Act 1994 specifies that the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government may by order, subject to Part V of the Local Government Act 1991, divide a local authority area into local electoral areas. Under Part V of the Local Government Act 1991, the Minister is required, before deciding whether to make an order under section 24 of the 1994 Act...
- Written Answers — Boundary Reviews: Boundary Reviews (4 Mar 2008)
John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 540 and 553 together. The Constituency Commission presented its report on Dáil and European Parliament constituencies on 23 October 2007. Work is now underway on the drafting of the Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2008 which will, inter alia, provide for revision of Dáil and European Parliament constituencies in accordance with the Commission's report. The Bill...
- Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (4 Mar 2008)
John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 544 and 545 together. The development plans of the relevant local authorities provide the primary land use protection policies for the Liffey Valley. In addition, parts of the Valley are already covered by special designations. The area between Chapelizod and Lucan is protected by a Special Area Amenity Order, and part of the valley is designated as a...
- Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (4 Mar 2008)
John Gormley: My Department is currently examining options to strengthen legislation on noise pollution, with a view to meeting the Programme for Government commitment as a matter of priority. I intend to consult with key stakeholders, including local authorities, and will announce my preferred approach as soon as possible.
- Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (4 Mar 2008)
John Gormley: Record levels of case intake over successive years 2004 â 2006 and the assumption of significant new functions under the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act 2006 challenged An Bord Pleanála's ability to achieve its statutory objective. According to the Board's annual report for 2006, the 18-week statutory objective was met in 52% of all cases, compared to 78% in 2005....
- Written Answers — Election Expenses: Election Expenses (4 Mar 2008)
John Gormley: The Programme for Government contains a commitment to establish an independent Electoral Commission which will take responsibility for a range of electoral matters including the functions currently exercised by the Standards in Public Office Commission relating to election spending; the Electoral Commission will also examine the issue of financing of the political system. In this regard, a...
- Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (4 Mar 2008)
John Gormley: The Ennis Town Water Supply Augmentation Scheme is approved for construction under my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009. In 2005, my Department approved Clare County Council's proposals to lay the pipework for the scheme in conjunction with the Ennis Road By-Pass and progress thereafter is a matter for the Council.
- Written Answers — Water Pollution: Water Pollution (4 Mar 2008)
John Gormley: Responsibility for the management and operation of public water supplies rests with the local authorities, and my Department does not hold comprehensive data on operational matters, including boil notices, in relation to individual supplies. The Environmental Protection Agency is responsible for monitoring and reporting on drinking water supplies. Under the European Communities (Drinking...