Results 5,301-5,320 of 7,278 for speaker:Dick Roche

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (14 Dec 2006)

Dick Roche: A decision will be conveyed to Roscommon County Council very shortly.

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (14 Dec 2006)

Dick Roche: The purpose of this funding is to alleviate pressure on local authorities most affected by the additional operational costs arising in relation to the domestic element of new water services infrastructure. Allocations in respect of this funding will be notified to relevant local authorities shortly.

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (14 Dec 2006)

Dick Roche: I expect a decision to be conveyed to Roscommon County Council very shortly.

Written Answers — Natural Heritage Areas: Natural Heritage Areas (14 Dec 2006)

Dick Roche: The letter in question was first received in my Department on 8 November 2006 and acknowledged on that date. The subject matter of the query involved liaison between my Department and the Office of Public Works. A substantive reply to the letter issued on 12 December.

Written Answers — Architectural Heritage: Architectural Heritage (14 Dec 2006)

Dick Roche: The structure in question is in the ownership of Kildare County Council. As such, responsibility for the protection of the structure rests with the County Council to whom detailed queries should be addressed. However, I understand that the County Council has confirmed that while the lodge house alongside the structure named has been damaged (by the arson attempts which the Deputy refers to)...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (14 Dec 2006)

Dick Roche: The main income streams available to local authorities to finance loans raised for capital purposes are general-purpose grants from the Local Government Fund, commercial rates, and miscellaneous receipts from fees and local charges. Earlier this week, I announced record levels of general-purpose grants for local authorities for 2007. I allocated a total sum of €948m, representing an...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (14 Dec 2006)

Dick Roche: Adherence to the grazing restrictions prescribed in a commonage framework plan is a requirement of Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition and therefore a condition for receipt of Single Farm Payments. In the Owenduff/Nephinbeg Special Protection Area (SPA), it is a condition of the Notifiable Actions for the SPA that farmers be in an approved agri-environmental plan. This is necessary...

Written Answers — Local Authority Staff: Local Authority Staff (14 Dec 2006)

Dick Roche: The information requested is not available in my Department. Staffing returns received from local authorities do not contain the classification of employee referred to in the question.

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (14 Dec 2006)

Dick Roche: I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 103 and 107 of 12 December 2006.

Seanad: Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Bill 2006 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (14 Dec 2006)

Dick Roche: I welcome the opportunity to discuss this important legislation introduced in the Seanad by my colleague, Minister of State, Deputy Bat O'Keeffe, in June 2006. Senators present for that debate will recall that the main purpose of the Bill is to introduce a statutory basis for the operation of the business improvement district schemes in Ireland. I will now address the amendments made in the...

Seanad: Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Bill 2006 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (14 Dec 2006)

Dick Roche: I thank the Senators. Senator Brady made his point well. Local government is now big business. Close on €1 billion will be transferred under the heading of the general purposes grant from central government. The local authorities will raise approximately €600 million in development levies. It is important that councillors know exactly what they receive. Between current and capital...

Seanad: Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Bill 2006 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (14 Dec 2006)

Dick Roche: This amendment requires the rating authority to prepare a report on the submissions received by it following consultation on the business proposal under section 129(e). The objective of this amendment is to ensure reports are available to the public and members of the local authority. A key to the ultimate success of any BID proposal will be the extent to which there is meaningful...

Seanad: Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Bill 2006 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (14 Dec 2006)

Dick Roche: Senator Bannon made several good points. I agree that shopping locally makes good sense for a variety reasons. In addition to the argument put forth by Senator Bannon, it makes psychological sense because it means one does not drive oneself daft looking for a parking space. It is also better from an environmental perspective. Senator Bannon expressed particular concern that these proposals...

Seanad: Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Bill 2006 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (14 Dec 2006)

Dick Roche: This is a technical amendment which provides for the commencement of section 1, which is necessary for section 5 of the Bill, as passed by the Seanad, to come into effect. Section 5 provides that newly erected properties will be liable to pay a levy to local authorities from the date the properties are entered into. This ends the existing rating holiday whereby it is possible for a new...

Seanad: Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Bill 2006 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (14 Dec 2006)

Dick Roche: I have sympathy for those affected by the floods in the midlands. I have indicated to colleagues in the Lower House that I will assist in any way possible. On last night's Adjournment it was inquired whether the Army might be available to assist farmers with distributing fodder. Deputy Finneran was engaged with the Minister for Defence on this. I thank Senator Bannon for raising it even...

Seanad: Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Bill 2006 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (14 Dec 2006)

Dick Roche: I thank Senator Bannon and Senator Brady for their co-operation with this legislation. It was unfortunate that the time allocated for the Bill in the Lower House was less than that allocated in this House. It is hoped to get the scheme up and running quickly. I took on board some Opposition amendments because this is a good project. In future, the business community will look back on this...

Written Answers — Sustainable Development: Sustainable Development (31 Jan 2007)

Dick Roche: Comhar — the Sustainable Development Council is a forum for national consultation and dialogue on all issues relating to sustainable development. The members of the Council are drawn from fiver pillars; the State sector, economic sectors, environmental NGOs, social/community NGO's and the professional/academic sector. Comhar has as its mandate to advance the national agenda for...

Written Answers — Control of Dogs: Control of Dogs (31 Jan 2007)

Dick Roche: The Control of Dogs Acts 1986 and 1992 place statutory responsibility for dog control and licensing services on local authorities. The implementation of these Acts is vested in local authorities who have power to appoint dog wardens, to provide shelters for stray and other dogs, to impose on-the-spot fines for a number of offences and to take prosecutions. Information supplied by local...

Written Answers — Overgrazing of Livestock: Overgrazing of Livestock (31 Jan 2007)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1781 and 1782 together. Overgrazing of livestock has given rise to environmental problems, particularly loss of vegetation and soil erosion in commonages. In this regard, damage to the habitat of the Red Grouse in the Owenduff/Nephin Beg Complex Special Protection Area (SPA) in County Mayo, has been the subject of a continuing infringement case, under the...

Written Answers — Control of Dogs: Control of Dogs (31 Jan 2007)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1783, 1811 and 1835 together. The Control of Dogs Acts 1986 and 1992 place statutory responsibility for dog control and licensing services on local authorities. The implementation of the Acts is vested in local authorities who have power to appoint dog wardens, to provide shelters for stray and other dogs, to impose on-the-spot fines for a number of offences...