Results 5,081-5,100 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley
- Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (8 Oct 2008)
John Gormley: The civic amenity centre planned for the area in question was approved for grant assistance at the rate of 75% of approved costs under the terms of the Waste Management Infrastructural Grant Scheme, which was launched in 2002. One of the eligibility criteria for this scheme was that all expenditure had to be incurred by the local authority by 30 June 2008 in order to be guaranteed funding....
- Written Answers — Strategic Policy Committees: Strategic Policy Committees (8 Oct 2008)
John Gormley: The making, reviewing and varying of a development plan is a function of the elected members of the relevant local authority. It is the duty of such elected members to adopt the plan with the advice and guidance of their council officials and following extensive public consultation. Strategic Policy Committees, which are comprised of councillors and stakeholder interest groups, have an...
- Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (8 Oct 2008)
John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 302 to 312, inclusive, together. The principal recommendation in the Ninth Progress Report of the All-Party Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution (APOCC), on Private Property, was for the implementation of the central proposal of the 1973 majority "Kenny Report", a "designated area scheme" under which local authorities would be empowered to compulsorily...
- Written Answers — Local Authority Staff: Local Authority Staff (8 Oct 2008)
John Gormley: Under the Local Government Act 2001, and subsequent (Section 161) Order, 2004, local authority employees whose maximum remuneration does not exceed the maximum remuneration for the grade of Clerical Officer are eligible to be members of a local authority. Sitting councillors who wish to stand for election in 2009 will be subject to the above legislation. There are currently no plans for...
- Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (8 Oct 2008)
John Gormley: The information relating to the value of commercial rates and motor taxation is set out in the following table. 2006 2007 2008 â¬M â¬M â¬M Commercial Rates 1,191.61 1,245.22* 1,343.54* Motor Taxation 878.00 955.00 1,080.00** *2007 and 2008 Commercial rates figures are derived from local authority budget data. **2008 AEV. My Department has no role in forecasting the annual...
- Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (8 Oct 2008)
John Gormley: I recently received and responded to the correspondence referred to indicating that I would address any relevant planning matters in the context of my role as statutory consultee on draft local area plans under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. I am also aware that Meath County Council replied directly to the correspondence referred to addressing the issues raised. My...
- Written Answers — Local Authority Reports: Local Authority Reports (8 Oct 2008)
John Gormley: The information requested is not available in my Department.
- Written Answers — Natural Heritage Areas: Natural Heritage Areas (8 Oct 2008)
John Gormley: REPS 4 participants who farm land formally designated as a Natural Heritage Area (NHA) are paid, by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, at the higher NATURA 2000 payment rate in REPS 4. Land that is proposed for future NHA designation is paid at the standard REPS payment rate pending formal designation. There are currently no plans to remove the proposals to designate the...
- Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (8 Oct 2008)
John Gormley: I attended the event held at the Famine Memorial to mark the UN International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on 17 October 2007. Regrettably, due to prior commitments, it will not be possible for me to attend this year.
- Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (8 Oct 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...
- Order of Business (9 Oct 2008)
John Gormley: I am not responding.
- Overseas Development Aid. (9 Oct 2008)
John Gormley: I did not.
- Appointments to State Boards. (9 Oct 2008)
John Gormley: The Residential Tenancies Act of 2004 instituted a comprehensive reform of the private rental sector. It set out a modern legislative code which strengthens tenants' rights and supports a more professional approach by landlords. One of the central ingredients of the Act was the establishment of the Private Residential Tenancies Board, PRTB, which has a central role in the registration of...
- Appointments to State Boards. (9 Oct 2008)
John Gormley: I am also aware that, during the various debates in the House and the Seanad on the establishment of the HSE and Health Information and Quality Authority, Opposition parties, including the Labour Party, called for councillors to be represented on these bodies.
- Appointments to State Boards. (9 Oct 2008)
John Gormley: Neither of the two appointees participated in any tribunals of the board, that is, three person appeal hearings. They had, however, attended five board meetings between 4 July and September. While all decisions at the relevant meetings were taken by consensus and with an attendance well in excess of the quorum of five, the board took legal advice on the matter and, in the interests of legal...
- Appointments to State Boards. (9 Oct 2008)
John Gormley: ââand I am confident that the collective impact of these initiatives will provide a sound platform from which the board should be able to discharge its functions efficiently and effectively. I will take no lectures from the Deputy on cronyism. His party has practised it and brought it to a fine art.
- Appointments to State Boards. (9 Oct 2008)
John Gormley: We operate transparent decision-making in appointments. We have appointed three people associated with the Deputy's party to boards.
- Appointments to State Boards. (9 Oct 2008)
John Gormley: It is something that his party would not have the generosity or the foresight to do.
- Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (9 Oct 2008)
John Gormley: While it is not possible to compile definitive details of all invitations received and events attended in connection with homeless matters, I as the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, the Minister of State at my Department with delegated responsibility for housing matters, and officials of my Department engage with a wide range of interests in the homeless sector....
- Written Answers — Turbary Rights: Turbary Rights (9 Oct 2008)
John Gormley: At the present time, turf cutting for personal domestic use may continue on blanket bogs Special Areas of Conservation and Natural Heritage Areas, although the use of "sausage" cutting machines is not permitted. However, the conservation status of these designated peatlands is being kept under review.