Results 4,761-4,780 of 7,278 for speaker:Dick Roche

Motor Taxation. (8 Nov 2006)

Dick Roche: I do not want to anticipate any changes of a fiscal nature that might be made, and motor taxation in general is of a fiscal nature, but the Deputy is correct. The national vehicle fleet including cars, vans etc. on our roads has increased steadily and as I said when Deputy O'Dowd was not listening——

Motor Taxation. (8 Nov 2006)

Dick Roche: ——the collection rate for motor tax has improved significantly. It is up 10% while the vehicle fleet grew only 6% last year. This could be done in a way that is revenue neutral or in a way that is not revenue neutral. The general point I am making is that it would be a good idea to move to charging a tax, which more directly reflects the emissions from the pipe of a vehicle. That is...

Motor Taxation. (8 Nov 2006)

Dick Roche: The Deputy knows I am not a shrinking violet; I am inclined to grasp difficult positions. I have listened to what he said.

Motor Taxation. (8 Nov 2006)

Dick Roche: I am grateful for that, although he does not always support me. I do not have figures on the largest number of individual vehicle miles. I will inquire if we have HGV figures but if he wants to put down a written question I will get them for the Deputy.

Waste Management. (8 Nov 2006)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 10, 13 and 119 together. Irish waste management policy is based on the internationally recognised integrated approach to waste management, the main emphasis of which is on waste prevention, reuse and recycling. Landfill is the least preferable option from an environmental perspective. It is planned to decrease its contribution over time as recycling levels...

Waste Management. (8 Nov 2006)

Dick Roche: Yes. I have initiated a process of public consultation on the future economic regulation of the waste management sector. That process has attracted over 50 submissions, including a submission from the industry body that was mentioned in one of the questions. The wide-ranging remit of the process of public consultation has been approved by the Government. The process will have regard to...

Waste Management. (8 Nov 2006)

Dick Roche: We have made €100 million available since 2002.

Waste Management. (8 Nov 2006)

Dick Roche: The Deputy is correct. I am familiar with the industry. I would like to strike a note of caution. Deputies are familiar with Adam Smith's comment that when two businessmen get together, they sometimes conspire against the public interest. A degree of special pleading is taking place, particularly on the part of the Confederation of European Waste-to-Energy Plants. The basic argument...

Waste Management. (8 Nov 2006)

Dick Roche: Such facilities make it much easier for people to recycle. A general review of the whole area of waste regulation is under way, as I have said. The self-serving arguments which are being made by some interests within the industry have to be balanced with the public good.

Waste Management. (8 Nov 2006)

Dick Roche: I agree with the central thesis of the Deputy's question, which is that we must get the balance right. We had 76 local authority landfills in Ireland as recently as 1998, but that is down to 34 today. We are not oversupplied with landfill. There is a five-year supply in Dublin, but if one looks at the lead time, that is very tight. The situation in the rest of the country is somewhat...

Waste Management. (8 Nov 2006)

Dick Roche: I do not wish to comment on anything that is in the planning process, but an extraordinary situation occurred where a company that had applied for planning permission and applied for an extension then suggested that it may not go ahead with the construction. I understand that the company has clarified the position recently. We must accept that we have to handle our own waste, including our...

Waste Management. (8 Nov 2006)

Dick Roche: There is planning permission down there for it. It makes sense that we have it because much of our key industry could be held hostage if we do not have the capacity. It is about getting the balance right. Where we have shown leadership, there has been a remarkable response, such as with the electronic waste. I could not have envisaged a situation 12 months ago in which Ireland would have...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (8 Nov 2006)

Dick Roche: The Review of Local Government Financing by Indecon Economic Consultants estimated, on the basis of different methods of projecting expenditure, that by 2010 local authority expenditure will increase by €1 billion to €2 billion in nominal terms over 2004 levels. Funding this expenditure would be met by a combination of the buoyancy in the existing funding system, some additional funding...

Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (8 Nov 2006)

Dick Roche: Emissions from the transport sector in 2004 totalled 12.58 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, equivalent to 18% of total national emissions in 2004. Road transport accounted for 96% of transport emissions. Different treatment already exists for private motor vehicles on the basis of engine size through differentiated vehicle registration and motor tax rates. In addition, 50% relief on vehicle...

Written Answers — Waste Disposal: Waste Disposal (8 Nov 2006)

Dick Roche: 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 of waste management charges, and any associated waiver...

Written Answers — Recycling Policy: Recycling Policy (8 Nov 2006)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 21 and 78 together. One of the main barriers to an improved and sustainable recycling performance is the lack of stable and economically attractive markets and outlets for recyclable materials and products manufactured from recycled products. The need for the establishment of a Market Development Group, which would oversee the development of a Market...

Written Answers — Nuclear Plants: Nuclear Plants (8 Nov 2006)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 22, 84 and 126 together. I refer to the reply to Question No. 56 of 13 June 2006 regarding the European Court of Justice Judgment of May 2006. Ireland's international legal team, led by the Attorney General, continues to examine this complex judgment with a view to adapting Ireland's strategy in relation to Sellafield. The Irish authorities have also written...

Written Answers — Register of Electors: Register of Electors (8 Nov 2006)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 23, 63, 69, 94, 116, 117 and 353 together. In law, the preparation of the Register of Electors is a matter for each local registration authority. It is their duty to ensure, as far as possible and with the cooperation of the public, the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the Register. Local authorities must publish the draft Register on or before 1 November...

Written Answers — Election Management System: Election Management System (8 Nov 2006)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 24, 31, 34, 52, 62, 104, 122, 359 and 360 together. The Commission on Electronic Voting concluded in its Second Report on the Secrecy, Accuracy and Testing of the Chosen Electronic Voting System, which was published on 4 July 2006, that it can recommend the voting and counting equipment for use at elections in Ireland, subject to further work it has...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (8 Nov 2006)

Dick Roche: Section 9 of the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act 2006 amends section 35 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 to enable the planning authority to refuse permission to a developer who has been in substantial non-compliance with a previous planning permission. The applicant will have to apply to the High Court if he or she wishes to have the decision overturned....