Results 3,981-4,000 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Seanad: Health Services (20 Mar 2008)

John Gormley: I will do that. The Senator is right to point out that I am not the Minister with direct responsibility for this issue. This is the second day in a row I am taking the Adjournment debates in the House. That is not a satisfactory situation for Senators, but I will pass on the message to the Minister for Health and Children. I also will impress upon my colleagues the need to be in the...

Seanad: Schools Building Projects (20 Mar 2008)

John Gormley: I thank the Senator for raising this matter as it provides me with an opportunity to outline to the Seanad the Government's strategy for capital investment in education projects and the current position regarding Gaelscoil Philib Barún, Tramore. All applications for capital funding are assessed in the modernisation and policy unit of the Department of Education and Science. The assessment...

Seanad: Physical Education Facilities (20 Mar 2008)

John Gormley: I thank the Senators for raising this matter because it provides me with the opportunity to outline to the Seanad the Government's strategy for capital investment in education projects and to indicate the current position in respect of the provision of a PE hall at Pobalscoil Gaoth Dobhair. It appears that Senator Doherty has already seen my reply but I will read it into the record in any...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (2 Apr 2008)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 933 and 979 together. Grant aid in respect of 161 playgrounds has been awarded to local authorities by my Department under the 2004, 2005 and 2006 playground schemes. Progress with the completion of these projects is a matter for the individual local authorities and time scales have varied considerably due to a range of planning and procurement issues locally....

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (2 Apr 2008)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 935 and 1004 to 1007, inclusive, together. The facility in question is provided for in the Dublin regional waste management plan for which the four Dublin local authorities have statutory responsibility under the Waste Management Acts. Section 60(3) of the Waste Management Act, 1996 precludes the Minister from exercising any power or control in relation to...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (2 Apr 2008)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 937 and 970 together. My Department is working with Limerick County Council to advance the sewerage schemes approved for Co. Limerick as quickly as possible. Details of these schemes are set out in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007 — 2009 which is available in the Oireachtas Library. The most up to date information in relation to...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (2 Apr 2008)

John Gormley: Responsibility for roads policy, including quality standards for roads and footpaths, is primarily a matter for the Minister for Transport and the National Roads Authority under the aegis of his Department. Insofar as my Department is concerned, on 10 February 2008 I published draft planning guidelines on Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas for public consultation, together...

Written Answers — Turbary Rights: Turbary Rights (2 Apr 2008)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 942, 959, 961, 962 and 983 together. Protection of conservation sites of European importance is required under the EU Habitats Directive 1992, which was transposed into Irish law by the European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations 1997, as well as the Wildlife (Amendment) Act, 2000. In accordance with the Directive, Ireland has nominated certain raised...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (2 Apr 2008)

John Gormley: The information requested in the question is given in the following tables. Raised Bogs nominated cSACs in 1999 No# Year SAC Site Name County Hectarage of SAC % of Raised Bog Habitat Sales Closed 1 1997 000231 Barroughter Bog Galway 174.02 53% 10 2 1997 000248 Cloonmoylan Bog Galway 554.42 71% 32 3 1997 000285 Kilsallagh Bog Galway 279.73 68% 10 4 1997 000296 Lisnageeragh Bog and...

Written Answers — Building Regulations: Building Regulations (2 Apr 2008)

John Gormley: I refer to the reply to Question No. 190 of 27 February 2008. As indicated in that reply, the certification of products is the responsibility of the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI). When the issue of pyrite arose, and following an intervention from my Department, the NSAI moved quickly to reconvene their Aggregates Panel to give urgent consideration to publication of...

Written Answers — Derelict Sites: Derelict Sites (2 Apr 2008)

John Gormley: I refer to the reply to Question No. 518 of 11 March 2008. Under section 28 of the Derelict Sites Act 1990 an offender, on summary conviction, is liable to a fine or fines not exceeding €1,250 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or, at the discretion of the court, to both fine(s) and imprisonment. On conviction on indictment, an offender is liable to a fine not exceeding...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (2 Apr 2008)

John Gormley: The Athea Sewerage Scheme, which is being advanced as part of a grouped project that also includes Askeaton, Foynes, Glin and Shanagolden, is included in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009 as a scheme to start construction in 2009. My Department is awaiting submission of Limerick County Council's Preliminary Report for the scheme.

Written Answers — Motor Taxation: Motor Taxation (2 Apr 2008)

John Gormley: The public consultation process on motor tax made it clear that the new CO2 based system would apply from a specified date and that cars registered before that date would continue to be taxed in future years under the existing motor tax system related to engine size. Retrospection prior to 2008 would not be practical as there are no authenticated CO2 data for the majority of the existing...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (2 Apr 2008)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 954 to 956, inclusive, 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 Liffey Valley are already covered by special designations. The area between Chapelizod and Lucan is protected by a Special Area Amenity Order (SAAO), and part of the valley...

Written Answers — Water Quality: Water Quality (2 Apr 2008)

John Gormley: The most recent designation of bathing areas by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government under the EU Bathing Water Directive 76/160/EEC was made in 2001. No designations have been made since that time having regard to proposals then being brought forward by the European Commission for revision of bathing water governance. In December 2000 the Commission adopted a...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (2 Apr 2008)

John Gormley: The Environmental Protection Agency maintains appropriate contact with my Department in relation to the discharge of its various regulatory and supervisory functions. In addition, my Department draws on the regular reports on Water Quality in Ireland by the Agency which present a review of water quality and suspected causes of pollution in various categories of water bodies. The Agency's...

Written Answers — National Biodiversity Plan: National Biodiversity Plan (2 Apr 2008)

John Gormley: My Department is co-ordinating the preparation of a new National Biodiversity Plan for Ireland, which will cover the period between 2008 and 2012. The implementation of the Plan will be the responsibility of a range of Government Departments and Agencies. As part of the process, my Department will be producing its own biodiversity action plan, incorporating relevant actions contained in the...

Written Answers — Waste Disposal: Waste Disposal (2 Apr 2008)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 965, 1000 and 1016 together. Actions against illegal waste activity are a matter for the local authorities and the Office of Environmental Enforcement (OEE). I am satisfied that appropriate powers are available to these enforcement authorities. The OEE's 2005 report, The Nature and Extent of Unauthorised Waste Activity in Ireland, identifies the unauthorised...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (2 Apr 2008)

John Gormley: Grant aid of up to €2,031.58 is available from county councils under the Rural Water Programme for the provision or necessary improvement of an individual water supply to a house that does not have access to either a public or group water scheme supply. The eligibility of individual proposals for grant purposes is a matter for the relevant local authority.

Written Answers — Private Rented Accommodation: Private Rented Accommodation (2 Apr 2008)

John Gormley: Under the Building Control Regulations, it is mandatory to obtain a Fire Safety Certificate prior to commencing construction of non-residential buildings, including apartment blocks. A Fire Safety Certificate certifies that the building, if constructed in accordance with the plans submitted, is in compliance with the requirements of Part B (Fire Safety) of the Building Regulations....