Results 4,621-4,640 of 7,278 for speaker:Dick Roche

Written Answers — Natural Heritage Areas: Natural Heritage Areas (19 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: Conservation work on the monuments on Skellig Michael began in the late 1970s. The work now being undertaken on the South Peak by the Office of Public Works in conjunction with my Department is a continuation of a long term programme. The primary focus of the works in relation to the monastic remains on the South Peak is preserving and securing these remains from a real danger of further...

Written Answers — Renewable Energy: Renewable Energy (19 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources reported in June 2005 on Non-ionising radiation from mobile phone handsets and masts. The Report made 11 recommendations, including a recommendation that planning guidelines and planning exemptions be examined with a view to ensuring that no 'electromagnetic emissions' or 'radio frequency emissions' emitting...

Written Answers — Natural Heritage Areas: Natural Heritage Areas (19 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: In July 2006 I announced that I had authorised the Office of Public Works to commission a new €3 million Visitor Centre for historic Nenagh Castle. I also agreed to the transfer of the Castle Field to Nenagh Town Council thereby giving local control over management, maintenance and security matters in the vicinity of the Castle and ensuring the continuity of this space as a public amenity...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (24 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: Provision for spouses' and children's pensions is provided for in Part III of the Local Government (Superannuation) (Consolidation) Scheme 1998. Chapters 5 and 6 of Part III of the 1998 Scheme cover the revised spouses' and children's pension arrangements which were introduced with effect from 1 September 1984. Membership of the spouses' and children's pension scheme is compulsory for all...

Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (24 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: Although not directly linked to any specific greenhouse gas emissions, the Government is already making an annual contribution equivalent to $3.25 million to assist developing countries in addressing climate change. This funding, which commenced in 2005 and will continue for a minimum of four years, is a separate matter to carbon allowances which the Government may purchase through the...

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (24 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: The matter referred to has not yet been determined in a judgment of the European Court of Justice. However the Advocate General's opinion on this case was delivered on 21 September 2006. In the case, the Commission put forward three complaints against Ireland of which one was withdrawn. The remaining two were (a) the absence of specific measures for the effective implementation of the system...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (24 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: The Coolgreany Sewerage Scheme has been approved for funding in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2005-2007 under the Serviced Land Initiative at an estimated cost of €1.5m. My Department is currently examining Wexford County Council's Contract Documents for the scheme. Once approved, the Council will be in a position to invite tenders so that works can start as soon as...

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (24 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: A draft species action plan for the freshwater pearl mussel, including the Nore pearl mussel (Margaritifera durrovensis) is being prepared. This work is at an advanced stage and I expect that the draft plan will be released for public consultation early in 2007. Work is also progressing on conservation assessments for freshwater pearl mussels throughout the State, and the outcome of this work...

Written Answers — Recreational Facilities: Recreational Facilities (24 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 682 and 691 together. Information on the number, names and location of public playgrounds in Ireland is not available in my Department. However, Service Indicators in Local Authorities 2005, published earlier this year by the Local Government Management Services Board, reported on performance across 42 indicators covering the broad range of local authority...

Written Answers — Local Authority Staff: Local Authority Staff (24 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: It is a matter for the manager of each local authority, under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, to make such staffing and organisational arrangements as may be necessary for the purposes of carrying out the functions of the local authorities for which he/she is responsible. As outlined in the reply to Question No. 570 of 10 October 2006, the management, custody, care and...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (24 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: My Department currently assists local authorities with capital costs in relation to leasing temporary accommodation for the purposes of processing archives. This funding is intended to subsidise the leasing of short-term accommodation used by a local authority in this regard. It is not proposed to extend this funding to the provision of permanent archive accommodation beyond the current...

Written Answers — Recycling Policy: Recycling Policy (24 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: Government support for local authority recycling measures is generally provided from the Environment Fund. Since 2002, some €90 million has been allocated to assist local authorities in the provision of greatly expanded recycling facilities. This has facilitated an increase in Bring Banks from 837 in 1998 to 1,929 in 2004 and in Civic Amenity sites from 30 in 1998 to 69 in 2004. In 2006,...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (24 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: Funding for a Preliminary Assessment of Phase I of Kerry County Council's Villages Sewerage Scheme Refurbishment proposals, which includes Tarbert, has been approved under my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2005-2007. My Department is awaiting submission of Kerry County Council's report on the Preliminary Assessment. I understand that the Council is also developing a...

Written Answers — National Parks: National Parks (24 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: A new management planning process is being put in place on a phased basis for all six of our National Parks, including the Burren National Park. Management Plans have already been published for Wicklow Mountains and Killarney National Parks. Preliminary work on the Burren National Park Management Plan will begin this year with a view to publication during 2007. My Department is in regular...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (24 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: The National Development Plan 2000-2006 commits expenditure of €2.43 billion to non-national roads in the Plan period — €1.08 billion in the BMW Region and €1.35 billion in the SE Region. My Department has provided grant assistance of almost €2.584 billion to local authorities in both regions over the period 2000 to 2005 — €1.057 billion in the BMW Region and €1.527 billion in...

Written Answers — Recreational Facilities: Recreational Facilities (24 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: Our planning framework takes extensive account of the needs of children and, in particular, the provision of recreational facilities and child care. At national and regional levels, the National Spatial Strategy and Regional Planning Guidelines identify improved social, amenity and cultural infrastructure as being key to achieving the objective of improving quality of life and providing...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (24 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 693 and 694 together. I met with the Gort Regional Alliance for Community and Environment during a visit to Galway on 6 June last. One of the issues raised was the access to Gort from the proposed new N18 by-pass. The access road to Gort town from the proposed by-pass would be a national road and accordingly responsibility would be a matter for Galway County...

Written Answers — Control of Dogs: Control of Dogs (24 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: The Control of Dogs Regulations 1998 place controls on the following ten breeds of dogs: American Pit Bull Terrier; English Bull Terrier; Staffordshire Bull Terrier; Bull Mastiff; Doberman Pinscher; German Shepherd (Alsatian); Rhodesian Ridgeback; Rottweiler; Japanese Akita; Japanese Tosa and to every dog of the type commonly known as a Ban Dog (or Bandog). The controls, which must be...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (24 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: Section 33 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 provides that regulations regarding applications for planning permission may be made requiring, inter alia, that planning authorities must notify prescribed bodies of the receipt of applications for certain classes of development. Article 28 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 lists the bodies prescribed for this purpose, and...

Written Answers — Polling Stations: Polling Stations (24 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: Under the Electoral Act 1992, the selection of buildings to be used as polling stations at an election or referendum is a matter for the returning officer. The Electoral (Amendment) Act 1996 provides that local authorities, in making polling schemes, shall endeavour to appoint polling places which allow the returning officer to provide at each place at least one polling station that is...