Results 5,181-5,200 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (15 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: I will announce my local government fund allocations to local authorities shortly to allow elected members and officials the time necessary to frame productive and prudent budgets for 2009. This Government has had to make very difficult choices——

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (15 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: ——in framing the national budget. Local authority members will face some of the same challenges as they seek to cope with the less favourable economic and financial position in their annual budget processes. It is important that local authority members of all parties show leadership at local level and do not shy away from the difficult choices required.

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (15 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: The fiscal position of the Exchequer is extremely difficult. We have had to examine carefully all spending lines and all potential revenue sources. Expanding the revenue base of local authorities is a progressive step.

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (15 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: The announcement in yesterday's budget that a new charge is to be introduced for non-principal private residences represents a significant step in the expansion of that base. What we have done is simple and equitable. It will share the burden more broadly and serve us well for the future.

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (15 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: A charge of €200 per annum is being introduced for all non-principal private residences. It will be levied and collected by local authorities and, on a conservative estimate, will yield €40 million per annum. The revenue stream will be used to contribute to the Exchequer funding to local authorities for operational costs. Liability for payment of the charge will lie with property...

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (15 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: We are charging them €200 per property.

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (15 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 61 and 62 together. I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 1412 and 1466 of 24 September 2008.

Written Answers — Departmental Contracts: Departmental Contracts (15 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: There is no record of my Department placing any contract with the company in question. My Department does not compile or hold information in relation to contracts placed by agencies under its aegis.

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (15 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: The Planning Code provides for extensive public notification of proposed development. It is a general requirement that a valid application for planning permission must be advertised by site notice and a notice in an approved local or national newspaper. These notices must state, inter alia, that the planning application may be inspected or purchased at the offices of the planning authority,...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (15 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: The reform agenda set out in the Government's housing policy statement Delivering Homes, Sustaining Communities has been actively pursued since its publication in February 2007 and a number of initiatives have already been undertaken, including preparation of a suite of guidance on planning and design matters. In March 2007, my Department published new design guidelines on housing delivery...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (15 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: The Irish Hare is listed in Annex V of the Habitats Directive (Council Directive 92/43/EEC). Under Article 17 of the Directive member states are obliged to report to the European Commission on the status of listed habitats and species every six years. In December 2007, Ireland submitted the first baseline assessments of conservation status for all 59 habitats and some 100 species that occur...

Written Answers — Icelandic Investments: Icelandic Investments (16 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: Banking and investment arrangements with financial institutions for the prudent management of money are matter for individual local authorities under section 98 of the Local Government Act 2001. Following enquiries made my Department, I am advised that local authorities and bodies that come under the aegis of my Department do not have funds invested in Icelandic financial products.

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (16 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: In July 2007 I met with Ms. Anne Butler, an environmental consultant acting on behalf of the proposers of the project. The purpose of this meeting, and of a separate meeting with my Department, was to outline a form of thermal treatment of waste which differs from conventional municipal waste incineration. There was, of course, no question of these discussions comprehending matters proper to...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (16 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: 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 — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (16 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: I am not aware of any proposals to build a crematorium in the north-west at this time. The establishment and operation of a crematorium would require planning permission under the Planning and Development Acts, 2000-2006 and may also be subject to the provisions of other environmental and health legislation.

Written Answers — Urban Renewal Schemes: Urban Renewal Schemes (16 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: The Urban and Village Renewal Grant Scheme operated by my Department was to support local authority projects designed to improve the quality of the environment for persons living, visiting and working in the area. The grant scheme did not relate to housing or the refurbishment of housing units: separate schemes are operated by the local authorities for refurbishment or repair of housing...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (16 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: In recognition of the key role An Bord Pleanála plays in relation to delivery of local and national infrastructure, the demands arising from sustained record levels of appeals over recent years and the implementation of the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) 2006 Act, sanction was given in 2007 for a considerable increase in the Board's staffing resources. The total...

Written Answers — Turbary Rights: Turbary Rights (16 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: A letter of offer issued to the vendor in October 2006 in this case. However, my Department is advised by the Chief State Solicitor's Office that contracts have not yet been received from the vendor's solicitor in response to this offer.

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (16 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: Any proposed changes to the fees payable to planning authorities in relation to the making of submissions or observations respecting applications would require the prior approval of the Oireachtas to regulations made under Section 262 of the Planning and Development Act 2000.

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (16 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: Part II of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, sets out the planning framework and processes at regional, city and county, and local area plan levels. These requirements take account of the aims and objectives of the National Spatial Strategy, the 20-year spatial planning framework published in 2002. The Act provides that Regional Planning Guidelines have a lifespan of not...