Results 3,961-3,980 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Seanad: Sustainable Residential Development: Motion (19 Mar 2008)

John Gormley: We have no parks policy in this country.

Seanad: Sustainable Residential Development: Motion (19 Mar 2008)

John Gormley: I am considering it.

Seanad: School Transport (19 Mar 2008)

John Gormley: As Senators will be aware, I will speak on a number of issues which do not come within my brief. I am, therefore, not in a position to respond or comment on questions they may ask. I thank the Senator for raising this matter as it provides me with an opportunity to clarify the position regarding an increase in the school transport charges. Before I address the issue of charges, I will give...

Seanad: Schools Amalgamation (19 Mar 2008)

John Gormley: I thank the Senator for raising this matter, which he brought up in a more general vein on 4 March last. The Minister of State, Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher, deputised for the Minister for Education and Science on that day and subsequently informed her of the views enunciated by Senator Phelan in this matter. The Minister of State outlined the background in detail of proposals to...

Seanad: Schools Amalgamation (19 Mar 2008)

John Gormley: It is unfortunate and regrettable that I am not in a position to comment. I am sure the comments made by Senator John Paul Phelan are valid, and he is correct in pointing out there are no officials from the relevant Department here — although there are officials here — which is not satisfactory. They could have had an opportunity to convey the Senator's sentiments. I hope the Acting...

Seanad: Services for People with Disabilities (19 Mar 2008)

John Gormley: I wish to emphasise the Government's commitment to providing a high-quality service to all people with disabilities. This commitment is illustrated by the substantial investment we have been making in disability services in recent years. The national disability strategy, which was launched in September 2004, reinforces equal participation in society of people with disabilities and provides...

Seanad: Services for People with Disabilities (19 Mar 2008)

John Gormley: I will be back with the Seanad again.

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (20 Mar 2008)

John Gormley: I will put this on the record because this was discussed on Committee Stage in the Dáil. The Bill is drafted on the basis that rates under the CO2-based system will apply to tax discs taken out for licence periods commencing on or after the introduction of the new CO2-based system on 1 July 2008. This applies to all new cars, whether they are registered after July 2008 or between January...

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (20 Mar 2008)

John Gormley: I can give the Senator an example. A motor tax exemption clause was extended in April 2001 to include mountain and cave rescue vehicles. The tax exemption did not come into effect until the motor tax for any such vehicle was due for renewal. A precedent has been set. I am operating on precedent. What the Senator has suggested would be unprecedented.

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (20 Mar 2008)

John Gormley: At local motor tax offices there will be a change in the arrangements for the processing of motor tax applications. The national vehicle and driver file, referred to as the NVDF, which is managed centrally by the vehicle registration unit in Shannon, will be adjusted to provide for the application of CO2-based rates. The changes associated with the introduction of CO2-based motor tax...

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (20 Mar 2008)

John Gormley: Yes, precisely.

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (20 Mar 2008)

John Gormley: The surcharge is to cover the higher administrative costs involved. The current surcharge levels are lower than those permitted under motor tax law. It was slightly reduced in 2001. My Department will continue to keep the level of surcharge under review in light of the expansion of the on-line system to which the Senator referred.

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (20 Mar 2008)

John Gormley: It is not possible. I was quite clear in the Dáil and the Seanad that we are talking about revenue raising.

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (20 Mar 2008)

John Gormley: Of course there is a conflict. The Senator's colleagues in the Dáil and the Seanad are, in many cases, speaking out of both sides of their mouths. They are referring to the need to fund local government, but accusing me of being anti-family because we are taxing cars and accusing me of being anti-rural. The system for funding local government that I inherited is, by any standard, novel....

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (20 Mar 2008)

John Gormley: The United Kingdom will go to 13 bands in April 2009. We must keep under review how to progress. I must take the labelling system I want to introduce into account in the new environment (miscellaneous provisions) Bill. Regarding rural transport, obviously we will require more buses, but it is important to point out that we must ensure people use the buses. Many of the comfortable buses...

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (20 Mar 2008)

John Gormley: It is an interesting suggestion.

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (20 Mar 2008)

John Gormley: I refer to the end of life motor vehicle directive, which addresses many of the issues raised. There are some difficulties pertaining to it and I have received a number of deputations stating that certain people are favoured in this regard and seeking to ensure an even playing field. However, such issues are being addressed and the type of car on the road has improved immensely because of...

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (20 Mar 2008)

John Gormley: I assure the Senator that I will do so.

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (20 Mar 2008)

John Gormley: I thank all Members for their contributions to this debate. As I said at the outset of the deliberations on this legislation and reiterated in the Dáil, the Bill is intended to address a number of issues. The need to expand funding for local governments is the reason behind the increase of 9.5%, and 11% in respect of larger cars. More importantly, it will move motor taxation to aCO2...

Seanad: Health Services (20 Mar 2008)

John Gormley: I thank Senator Ross for raising this issue as it gives me the opportunity to reaffirm the Government's commitment to services for older people and to outline the context in regard to the Irish Osteoporosis Society. Osteoporosis can affect men, women and children of all ages. As many cases of osteoporosis remain undetected until a fracture is sustained, it is difficult to give the exact...