Results 5,221-5,240 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (21 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: Day to day operational matters, including the level of staff absenteeism, in the agencies reporting to my Department are matters for the individual agencies concerned.

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (21 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: Day to day operational matters, including ill health retirement and cost neutral early retirement, in the case of staff of the agencies reporting to my Department are matters for the individual agencies concerned. My sanction would be required to the application in these agencies of any other early retirement scheme and this has not arisen in the years 2005, 2006 and 2007.

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (21 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: Draft regulations to transpose Directive 2006/21/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 March 2006 on the management of waste from extractive industries, and amending Directive 2004/35/EC, were published for public consultation on 29 September 2008. Following consideration of any submissions received during the public consultation period, which ends on 7 November 2008, I...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (21 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: Since the Creggs proposal is not included in the current Water Services Investment Programme, Galway County Council is not required to furnish a Preliminary Report in respect of it. Schemes to be considered for a future capital investment programme will be assessed in relation to their relative priority and the resources available for the Programme in future years.

Written Answers — Natural Heritage Areas: Natural Heritage Areas (21 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs) are formally designated by Statutory Instrument under the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000. Proposed NHAs (pNHAs), have yet to be legally designated and as such are not protected under the Wildlife Acts. However, they may be afforded some protection under the Planning and Development Acts where their ecological value is recognised in the Development Plan of the...

Written Answers — Community Wardens: Community Wardens (22 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: Community wardens have a broad range of functions, which fall under three main headings, namely, community liaison; the enforcement of a range of local authority functions, including certain traffic offences, litter offences and casual trading; and the monitoring of housing estates, tourist attractions and public amenities and the reporting of breaches of environmental or planning...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (22 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: I refer to the reply to Question No. 393 of 7 October 2008. The Planning and Development Regulations 2007 provide exemptions from planning permission requirements in respect of certain classes of micro-renewable technologies for use in the home. The exemptions apply to solar panels and other micro-renewable technologies such as wind turbines, heat pumps and biomass, subject to certain...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (22 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: Development contribution schemes under Section 48 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 are drawn up by each planning authority and approved by the elected members following a public consultation process. It is also open to a planning authority to prepare a Supplementary Development contribution scheme under Section 49 of the Act. It is a matter for the members of the planning authority...

Written Answers — Toxic Waste: Toxic Waste (22 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: Following extensive unauthorised works by sub-contractors my Department re-engaged consultants, White Young Green, to carry out an independent and rigorous assessment of site conditions on Haulbowline, including assessment of any health or environmental risks posed by the work, assessing quality of surface water, marine sediment and mussel bivalves in the vicinity and ambient air monitoring....

Greenhouse Gas Emissions. (23 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: I refer to the reply to Question No. 68 of 9 July 2008 in which I indicated that, since publication of the current national climate change strategy, work has continued across Departments on the development of further measures to reduce national greenhouse gas emissions. I also pointed out that, under the direction of the Cabinet Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security, Departments...

Greenhouse Gas Emissions. (23 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: The work is ongoing and I introduced the concept of a carbon budget in order that the Opposition and outsiders could see the progress we are making on the climate change strategy. As the EPA is better resourced, it has more accurate projections. Despite that, we achieved a 1% reduction last year. My ambition is greater than that and I would like a 3% annual reduction but that is a start....

Greenhouse Gas Emissions. (23 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: The Deputy was vocal in his opposition to motor tax increases.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions. (23 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: Excise duty has reduced our CO2 emissions and the Deputy was vocal in his opposition to increases in this regard. This was also the case when energy efficient light bulbs were introduced. I still do not know the Deputy's position on the carbon levy. Perhaps he could outline that.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions. (23 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: The levy will be introduced in next year's budget. Reference was made to initiatives to encourage people to use bicycles. The Deputy is smirking again. Cycling is promoted in sophisticated European cities and it is a way of reducing emissions.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions. (23 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: I did not turn on the Deputy.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions. (23 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: The Deputy is correct that this is about collective Cabinet responsibility and we must act responsibly collectively. Everybody has a role to play and everybody must step up to the plate. The Deputy is correct to identify the agriculture and transport sectors. The agriculture sector is responsible for more than 28% of our emissions and 40% in the non-ETS sector, which is incredible. That...

Greenhouse Gas Emissions. (23 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: This is happening and it represents progress. As a cyclist, I also welcome the progress in cycling initiatives in Dublin. The investment in upgrading the cycle ways is welcome.

Election Management System. (23 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: The total expenditure on the development and roll-out of the electronic voting system to date is some €51.3 million, the bulk of which has been incurred on the purchase of the voting machines and ancillary equipment. In addition, based on figures received in my Department from returning officers, the total annual costs for storage of the electronic voting equipment, including the cost of...

Election Management System. (23 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: Given the Deputy's response, I am trying to imagine what would have occurred had I made the announcement. I do not doubt that Deputy Ciarán Lynch would have been on the plinth screaming about the waste of money. He is only awaiting the opportunity. It is a complex issue. I am pleased to report that the amount of money being expended has decreased, including significantly reduced storage...

Election Management System. (23 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: If so, the Deputy should know of my indication that the use of the machines for the forthcoming local and European elections was unlikely, but he is asking me the same question. We must consider all the issues and I have been in discussions on the matter. A report on the Electoral Commission is almost complete, which must also examine this issue. All of these concerns must be considered...