Results 4,381-4,400 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley
- Written Answers — Local Government Policy: Local Government Policy (22 May 2008)
John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 262 and 267 together. I published the Green Paper, Stronger Local Democracy â Options for Change on 22 April 2008. The Green Paper presents a set of options which share a common theme of strengthening local democratic leadership. For example, Stronger Local Democracy proposes a Regional Mayor for Dublin to meet the strategic challenges the city faces. The...
- Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (22 May 2008)
John Gormley: Under section 247 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 a person who intends to make a planning application to the planning authority may with the agreement of the planning authority concerned enter into preâapplication consultations in relation to the proposed development. My Department issued Development Management Guidelines to planning authorities in June 2007, which are a step by...
- Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (22 May 2008)
John Gormley: Substantial progress has been made to date on the modernisation of the financial and budgetary processes of local authorities. Following the roll out of full accrual based accounting, my Department is currently working in partnership with local authorities to develop and implement a new costing system which will deliver enhanced management information, particularly in relation to unit costs....
- Written Answers — Local Government Audit Service: Local Government Audit Service (22 May 2008)
John Gormley: Section 5 of the Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Act 2006 provides a framework for the establishment by local authorities of audit committees with an appropriate structure and remit. The functions of an audit committee under the new provisions are to review financial and budgetary reporting practices and procedures within a local authority, foster the development of best...
- Written Answers — Local Government Services: Local Government Services (22 May 2008)
John Gormley: The local authority service indicators initiative has been in place since 2004, and in line with the commitment given in the Programme for Government to build on the experience gained from the service indicators, the Local Government Customer Service Group recently completed a review of the indicators. This group is representative of the local government sector (elected members and...
- Written Answers — Public Service Staff: Public Service Staff (22 May 2008)
John Gormley: Under Section 10 of the Code of Conduct for Local Authority Employees, local authority employees must inform the appropriate authority before taking up employment outside the sector where the possibility of a conflict of interest may exist. Employees below Director of Services must inform the relevant County or City Manager. Employees at or above Director of Services level are required to...
- Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (22 May 2008)
John Gormley: Arising from previous research completed by the Institute of Public Administration in 2004, my Department commissioned further research by a Trinity College-Dublin City University joint team to establish a clear profile of formal systems for regulating lobbyists in public life in certain jurisdictions, thereby facilitating an assessment of their relevance to public life in Ireland. This...
- Written Answers — Public Service Charges: Public Service Charges (22 May 2008)
John Gormley: I greatly respect the contribution made by old folks associations to their local communities; however, it is not possible to exempt these or other community or voluntary organisations from water charges. Ireland has, under the EU Water Directive, secured an exemption but this is restricted to dwelling houses using water for ordinary household purposes.
- Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (22 May 2008)
John Gormley: In October 2006, the Department of Finance, which is responsible for public procurement rules, issued instructions requiring all traditional public works projects to use new forms of construction contracts from February 2007 onwards. The new forms of contract were introduced to achieve greater cost certainty, better value for money and more timely and efficient delivery of publicly funded...
- Written Answers — Local Authority Staff: Local Authority Staff (22 May 2008)
John Gormley: I refer to the reply to Question No. 513 of 2 October 2007. As indicated previously, while no formal study has been carried out, the views of local authorities, including authorities with rapidly expanding populations, have been taken into account in the context of the consultation between my Department and the Department of Finance. My Department continues to maintain appropriate contact...
- Written Answers — Water Supply: Water Supply (22 May 2008)
John Gormley: I refer to the reply to Question No. 1410 of 30 January, 2008. The position in unchanged.
- Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (22 May 2008)
John Gormley: Mayo County Council's application for Serviced Land Initiative funding for sewerage facilities at Ballyheane is being examined in my Department and a response will issue to the Council as quickly as possible.
- Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (22 May 2008)
John Gormley: The information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (22 May 2008)
John Gormley: A payment of â¬17,822 was made to Kerry County Council in 2007 in respect of the completion of a playground at Ballyheigue under the 2006 Scheme. As previously indicated, the playground scheme was deferred in 2007 in order to allow local authorities to make progress with over 80 outstanding projects.
- Written Answers — National Biodiversity Plan: National Biodiversity Plan (22 May 2008)
John Gormley: The production of biodiversity action plans under the National Biodiversity Plan by other Government Departments is a matter for those Departments. However, to support the process, my Department has developed and circulated guidelines on the development of sectoral biodiversity action plans to all Government Departments.
- Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (22 May 2008)
John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 281 and 286 together. In areas for which my Department has responsibility, the European Commission is currently in correspondence in respect of 29 cases relating to possible infringements of EU environmental legislation. The cases are at various stages of proceedings as listed in the following table. There is no case awaiting a fines decision against...
- Written Answers — Local Authority Staff: Local Authority Staff (22 May 2008)
John Gormley: My Department has not carried out an audit on the number of biodiversity officers employed by local authorities. However, from bilateral contacts, my Department is aware that biodiversity officers are currently employed in Fingal County Council, Clare County Council and Dublin City County Council. Biodiversity Officers, or indeed Heritage Officers who discharge the biodiversity function in...
- Electronic Voting. (27 May 2008)
John Gormley: As I have previously indicated to the House, I am at present considering the next steps to be taken in respect of the electronic voting project. In all of this, I am taking into account the work of the commission on electronic voting which has examined the system, relevant experiences and developments internationally and the need to maintain public confidence in the electoral process, as...
- Electronic Voting. (27 May 2008)
John Gormley: The report has been on my desk since 2007. The Deputy said it had been there since 2006.
- Electronic Voting. (27 May 2008)
John Gormley: Let us be very clear on this issue. Due to my involvement in very close election counts over the years, I have advocated the use of electronic voting. The most important thing is that we have public confidence in the system. The Deputy rightly points out that there have been reports from the Dutch Government. It recently issued a statement that it is currently not possible to guarantee...