Results 4,861-4,880 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (9 Jul 2008)

John Gormley: Since the publication of the National Climate Change Strategy, work has continued across Government Departments on the development of further measures to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. I reported on these when I presented the Carbon Budget in December 2007 and this will be updated each year. The National Climate Change Strategy was focused primarily on the achievement of our targets...

Written Answers — Archaeological Sites: Archaeological Sites (9 Jul 2008)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 73 and 78 together. The decision to approve the M3 Motorway route was made by An Bord Pleanála in August 2003. Under the relevant provisions of the National Monuments Acts, the statutory functions of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in the matter relate only to the regulation of archaeological works associated with an approved...

Written Answers — Electoral Commission: Electoral Commission (9 Jul 2008)

John Gormley: The Programme for Government contains a commitment to establish an independent Electoral Commission which will take responsibility for electoral administration and oversight, implement modern and efficient electoral practices, revise constituency boundaries, take charge of compiling a new national rolling electoral register, take over the functions of the Standards in Public Office Commission...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (9 Jul 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 — Waste Disposal: Waste Disposal (9 Jul 2008)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 77 and 372 together. The Programme for Government contains a range of commitments in respect of waste management policy centred on the Government's continued support for the internationally recognised waste hierarchy which places major emphasis on the prevention, reuse and recycling of waste while minimising reliance on landfill and incineration. This...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (9 Jul 2008)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 79 and 91 together. The European Commission sent a letter of formal notice to Ireland in March 2007 concerning a number of technical issues regarding the transposition of the EU Landfill Directive. A detailed response to the issues raised was sent to the Commission in May 2007. In January 2008 a reasoned opinion was received from the Commission in relation to...

Written Answers — Election Management System: Election Management System (9 Jul 2008)

John Gormley: The Programme for Government contains a commitment to establish an independent Electoral Commission which will take responsibility for a range of electoral matters including the functions currently exercised by the Standards in Public Office Commission relating to election spending. The Electoral Commission will also examine the issue of financing of the political system.

Written Answers — Election Management System: Election Management System (9 Jul 2008)

John Gormley: I am at present considering the next steps to be taken in relation to the electronic voting project. In this, I am taking into account the work of the Commission on Electronic Voting, which has examined the system, relevant experiences and developments internationally, the need to maintain public confidence in the electoral process, as well as the provisions in the Programme for Government...

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (9 Jul 2008)

John Gormley: The concept of Universal Design centres on achieving a built environment that can be accessed, understood and used to the greatest extent possible by all people, regardless of their age, size or disability. The achievement of this objective is being greatly assisted by the ongoing work of my Department in developing new comprehensive guidance on interrelated housing and planning issues,...

Written Answers — Local Authority Customer Service Charter: Local Authority Customer Service Charter (9 Jul 2008)

John Gormley: The programme for Government contains a commitment to put customer service in local authorities to the forefront of local government reform. This was addressed in the Green Paper on Local Government Reform, which I launched in April 2008. The Green Paper is undergoing nationwide consultation, which will feed into a White Paper by the end of the year. In this regard, I look forward to...

Written Answers — Local Government Elections: Local Government Elections (9 Jul 2008)

John Gormley: On 16 June 2008, I received the reports of the two Boundary Committees I established last January to review local electoral areas. The reports were published on 17 June 2008. I am accepting the recommendations contained in both reports and will make the necessary orders to give effect to them in due course.

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (9 Jul 2008)

John Gormley: I refer to the reply to Question No. 929 of 17 June 2008. The position has not changed. I will announce details of the proposed energy efficiency standard for lighting, including arrangements for public consultation, as soon as they are finalised.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (9 Jul 2008)

John Gormley: I have noted the findings in the survey relating to carbon taxes. The Programme for Government includes a commitment to investigate fiscal measures to protect and enhance the environment, including the introduction of a carbon tax. I refer to the reply to Question No. 91 of 27 May 2008 in this regard. The survey was commissioned at the end of February 2008, the questionnaire was designed...

Written Answers — National Spatial Strategy: National Spatial Strategy (9 Jul 2008)

John Gormley: Following the Call for Proposals under the competitive €300 million Gateway Innovation Fund (GIF) which issued in June 2007, proposals from all nine National Spatial Strategy gateways, including Galway, were received by the closing date of 15 November 2007. These proposals, seeking some €720 million in total funding under the GIF, were evaluated against the criteria set down in the Call...

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (9 Jul 2008)

John Gormley: The position in relation to Haulbowline is an exceptional one in that my Department, on foot of a Government decision in this regard, has responsibility for the care and maintenance of this specific site. This is the only such site currently under the remit of my Department. In regard to the question of any other site in the country, my Department does not compile or maintain a list of such...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (9 Jul 2008)

John Gormley: There is no requirement by my Department for all new homes to have water meters installed.

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (9 Jul 2008)

John Gormley: I published the Green Paper, Stronger Local Democracy — Options for Change on 22 April 2008. Stronger Local Democracy presents a set of options which share a common theme of strengthening local democratic leadership. Stronger Local Democracy describes the current funding mechanisms, summarises those reviews of the resourcing of local government which have been completed in recent decades,...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (9 Jul 2008)

John Gormley: My Department has made a submission to the Commission on Taxation. It will be a matter for the Commission to make recommendations to the Minister for Finance on options for the future financing of local government.

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (9 Jul 2008)

John Gormley: The rebalancing of VRT and motor tax on cars registered from 1 July 2008 is designed to lower the levels of CO2 emissions from the use of private cars. It is generally accepted that a diesel-powered car has a lower level of CO2 emissions than its petrol equivalent. While historically diesel cars have had higher emissions of NOx and particulate matter than their petrol equivalents, the...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (9 Jul 2008)

John Gormley: The Department's accommodation is provided by the Office of Public Works (OPW) and any costs arising from the provision of car parking are met by that Office. The Department currently has 184 car parking spaces available for staff in its Dublin offices, 95 spaces in Wexford shared between 4 bodies including my Department, 94 spaces in Ballina shared between 5 bodies including my Department...