Results 4,281-4,300 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Written Answers — Special Areas of Conservation: Special Areas of Conservation (8 May 2008)

John Gormley: I understand that the Chief State Solicitor's Office have raised a number of pre-contract issues with the vendor's solicitor which must be resolved before the sale can be completed.

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (8 May 2008)

John Gormley: The information requested for the years 2005-07 is set out in the following table. Table: Amount of rents and number of tenancies [private and voluntary sector] funded by local authorities through the Rental Accommodation Scheme 2005-2007. County Councils (including Borough and Town Councils) 2005 2005 2006 2006 2007 2007 â'¬ â'¬ â'¬ Carlow 15,643 28 171,516 46 Cavan ...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (8 May 2008)

John Gormley: This matter, in so far as it concerns the operational programme for fisheries, is primarily a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. My Department has been consulted by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on the measures necessary to ensure compliance with the provisions of the EU Birds and Habitats Directive in the operation of fisheries and...

Written Answers — Energy Efficiency: Energy Efficiency (8 May 2008)

John Gormley: I refer to the reply to Question No. 430 of 8 April 2008 in which I stated that these efficiency initiatives are being implemented by local authorities in the context of ongoing management and maintenance of lighting. The position is unchanged.

Written Answers — Air Transport: Air Transport (8 May 2008)

John Gormley: I refer to the reply to Question No. 990 of 11 December 2007 in which I indicated that I am developing a carbon offsetting scheme for use by all Government Departments and bodies under their aegis. Work on the scheme is at an advanced stage and I expect to announce details shortly.

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (8 May 2008)

John Gormley: Arrangements for the establishment of the Commission are under consideration.

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (8 May 2008)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 605 and 607 together. Waste management services have traditionally been provided at a local level, with individual arrangements being locally determined and tailored to local circumstances. The present legal framework, as determined by the Oireachtas, reflects this. In accordance with section 52 of the Protection of the Environment Act 2003 the determination...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (8 May 2008)

John Gormley: Under the Waste Management Act, 1996 all major waste management facilities are subject to a stringent licensing system which is the statutory responsibility of the Environmental Protection Agency. The Agency's role is to ensure the application of high environmental standards with regard to the development, operation, closure and aftercare of such facilities. While this licensing system is...

Written Answers — Sustainable Development Strategy: Sustainable Development Strategy (8 May 2008)

John Gormley: Substantial additional resources have been made available to Comhar from the Environment Fund in 2008. This will enhance the capacity of Comhar to undertake additional research and policy analysis in line with its mandate and work programme. Arrangements for giving effect to the commitment to establish Comhar as a body within NESDO are being given careful consideration to ensure that the...

Written Answers — Noise Pollution: Noise Pollution (8 May 2008)

John Gormley: I refer to the reply to Question No. 551 of 4 March 2008 in which I indicated that 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 — Local Authority Audits: Local Authority Audits (8 May 2008)

John Gormley: A system of local authority service indicators was developed and introduced as part of the local government modernisation programme. These service indicators addressed such matters as provision of segregated waste collection, recycling, litter pollution, environmental complaints and enforcement, and compliance with drinking water standards. Revised service indicators have come into effect in...

Written Answers — Sustainable Development Strategy: Sustainable Development Strategy (8 May 2008)

John Gormley: Development plans, prepared by local authorities under Part II of the Planning and Development Act 2000, provide the over-arching strategic framework for development within their areas, ensuring that all development is sustainable in economic, social and environmental terms. As such, the development plan must offer clear guidance on sustainable development policies and objectives, both...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (8 May 2008)

John Gormley: Ireland signed the Aarhus Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters on 25 June 1998. Progress towards ratification of the Convention is closely aligned with work at EU level and, in that context, the European Union has adopted two Directives as part of the ratification process for the Convention. These deal with...

Written Answers — Environmental Protection Controls: Environmental Protection Controls (8 May 2008)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 613 and 624 together. The Programme for Government commits to initiate a study of all legislation relating to environmental fines as part of the review of the Environmental Protection Agency. I am at present considering how best to give effect to these undertakings.

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (8 May 2008)

John Gormley: The commitment in the Programme for Government to establish community-based "litter watch" systems was given in the context of protecting Ireland's scenic amenities and combating fly-tipping. The Protecting Uplands and Rural Environments (PURE) Project was a pilot project launched on 1 September 2006 to combat the escalating problem of fly-tipping and small scale illegal dumping in the...

Written Answers — Air Pollution: Air Pollution (8 May 2008)

John Gormley: Air quality assessment is the responsibility of the Environmental Protection Agency. The Agency's report on Air Quality in Ireland 2006 in October 2007 contains details of the monitoring and assessment of national air quality, and incorporates data from all air quality monitoring stations operated by the EPA. Monitoring in 2006 showed that air quality in Ireland is good and complied with the...

Written Answers — Water and Air Quality: Water and Air Quality (8 May 2008)

John Gormley: Air quality assessment is the responsibility of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA has a statutory duty under the Air Quality Standards Regulations 2002 to make information available on ambient concentrations of all pollutants under the scope of the Regulations. The EPA website provides real-time, publicly accessible, data from a number of monitoring stations nationally...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (8 May 2008)

John Gormley: I refer to the reply to Question No. 974 on 2 April 2008. My Department is working on the preparation of new regulations that will address recent developments in the case law of the European Court of Justice, to ensure that the transposition of the Birds and Habitats Directives is complete and fully up to date. I have also increased the allocation to the Biodiversity Fund from €500,000 in...

Written Answers — Heritage Sites: Heritage Sites (8 May 2008)

John Gormley: I recently approved a detailed programme of work in my Department towards the inscription on UNESCO's World Heritage List of those Irish heritage sites deemed to be of "Outstanding Universal Value". In this context, I attach a high priority to the nomination of Clonmacnoise heritage site for inscription on the List. At the invitation of my Department, Dr. Jukka Jokilehto, an...

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (8 May 2008)

John Gormley: The commitment in the Programme for Government to establish a National landscape Strategy is aimed primarily at the development and implementation of policies on landscape protection, management and planning. It builds on Ireland's ratification of the European Landscape Convention in March 2002. A steering group of key representatives, supported by a wider consultative panel, has been...