Results 3,901-3,920 of 7,278 for speaker:Dick Roche

Greenhouse Gas Emissions. (13 Jun 2006)

Dick Roche: The Deputy makes a good point in regard to park and ride facilities. In Greystones, where I lived until recently, the huge park and ride facility is sadly and surprisingly little used. The great hope was that commuters would leave their cars there and take the DART into Dublin. I am not sure whether the limited uptake is because of the 200 m walk from the park and ride facility to the train...

Greenhouse Gas Emissions. (13 Jun 2006)

Dick Roche: One cannot adjudicate after only three or four years on the success or otherwise of a scheme that is designed to take place over a much longer timeframe.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions. (13 Jun 2006)

Dick Roche: The Deputy and I must agree to disagree on that point.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions. (13 Jun 2006)

Dick Roche: The Deputy is expressing a political opinion.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions. (13 Jun 2006)

Dick Roche: As the Deputy observed, there has been a remarkable increase in population in recent years. Who could have forecast the population would be more than 4 million in 2006 and a projected 5 million by 2020? I believe the latter figure may be a significant underestimation. Pressures will continue to arise in such an environment and issues will be raised in regard to the relationship between...

Greenhouse Gas Emissions. (13 Jun 2006)

Dick Roche: I acknowledge the Deputy's point. However, having laboured in the recent by-election in Meath, we are both aware that the main issue there was infrastructural deficits. Unfortunately, there are people willing to impede infrastructural developments. Meath, for example, needs an efficient road network more than any other county but people who are not representative of the populace are impeding...

Greenhouse Gas Emissions. (13 Jun 2006)

Dick Roche: I do not mean to be smart. It is far more important to be humble than smart in politics.

Seanad Elections. (13 Jun 2006)

Dick Roche: The Report on Seanad Reform, published by the Sub-committee on Seanad Reform in April 2004, sets out comprehensive recommendations for further consideration and action concerning the composition, functions and future role of Seanad Éireann. It recommends significant reform of the Seanad electoral system, involving rolling renewal of the Upper House and the introduction of direct election to...

Seanad Elections. (13 Jun 2006)

Dick Roche: The seventh amendment to the Constitution was put before the people in 1979 and many Ministers have stood in my place since then. The interesting point about the 1979 amendment is that it was originally introduced to facilitate the break-up of the NUI, which did not subsequently occur. I do not believe there is the necessary consensus to facilitate the change proposed by Deputy Gilmore within...

Seanad Elections. (13 Jun 2006)

Dick Roche: As I said, I have established a working group comprising representatives from all sides of the House.

Seanad Elections. (13 Jun 2006)

Dick Roche: Perhaps there is too much policy and not enough methodology.

Seanad Elections. (13 Jun 2006)

Dick Roche: Yes, but we have some way to go to achieve that. It is not simply a case of saying I support such change, we must achieve consensus across the political spectrum before taking action. I am not convinced such consensus exists.

Seanad Elections. (13 Jun 2006)

Dick Roche: No, the point in the question posed by Deputy O'Sullivan relates to a decision made, by way of referendum, to introduce universal suffrage among all graduates, whether from the National University of Ireland or Trinity College. As I explained, there are difficulties with that. I am not sure that the Deputy's point regarding bias is correct. The electorate of councillors reflects the reality...

Written Answers — Nuclear Safety: Nuclear Safety (13 Jun 2006)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 60, 62 and 72 together. I refer to the reply to Priority Question No. 56 on today's Order Paper.

Written Answers — House Prices: House Prices (13 Jun 2006)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 61, 69, 110, 130, 142 and 420 together. I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 53 and 55 on today's Order Paper. As indicated in that reply, the Government have taken action on a wide front to maximise access to home ownership, particularly through measures to promote adequate supply of housing to meet very strong demand. In particular, we have supported first...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (13 Jun 2006)

Dick Roche: The United Nations has labelled electrical & electronic waste as one of the world's fastest growing and most dangerous waste streams. The European Union was so concerned about this form of waste that it enacted the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive aimed at bringing the problem under control in 2002. On 13th August 2005, Ireland became one of only 3 EU Member States to fully...

Written Answers — Waste Disposal: Waste Disposal (13 Jun 2006)

Dick Roche: The project in question is being advanced by Dublin City Council, acting on behalf of the local authorities in the Dublin region whose regional waste management plan identifies the need for the facility concerned. The initial costings drawn up in 1997 related to outline assessment of the thermal treatment option. The site in Ringsend had not been identified at that stage. The 1997 projections...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (13 Jun 2006)

Dick Roche: National policy on waste management is based on the internationally accepted waste hierarchy. This places the prevention and minimisation of waste at the top of the hierarchy followed by reuse and recycling, with energy recovery from waste preferred to the least environmentally desirable outcome of landfilling. In line with this approach, my Department is actively supporting local authorities...

Written Answers — Species Action Plans: Species Action Plans (13 Jun 2006)

Dick Roche: There are two types of freshwater pearl mussel in Ireland, one of which (Margaritifera durrovensis) is unique to a short stretch of the River Nore. The other (Margaritifera margaritifera) is more widespread. My Department has designated nineteen special areas of conservation for freshwater pearl mussel species. Freshwater pearl mussels demand the highest level of water quality, and even...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (13 Jun 2006)

Dick Roche: Final compilation is being completed in my Department of detailed information received from planning authorities on their policy on attaching planning conditions relating to management companies. I will forward this information to the Deputy shortly. Some 90% of respondents have indicated that they do attach conditions to planning permissions requiring management companies in the case of...