Results 5,321-5,340 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (29 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: I understand that the question relates to the Water Services Investment Programme. Expenditure in respect of individual schemes under the Programme is recouped by my Department following examination of the local authority's payment claim to determine the amount of eligible expenditure due to the authority in accordance with the approved budget for the particular scheme. Claims may include...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (29 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: I refer to the reply to Question No. 1423 of 24 September 2008 in which I set out the position in regard to this matter.

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (29 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: As an independent planning appeals body, An Bord Pleanála has a key role in ensuring that physical development, in particular major infrastructure projects, respect the principles of sustainable development and are planned in an efficient, fair and open manner. With effect from January 2007, the Strategic Infrastructure Act 2006 substantially extended the remit of the Board. The key policy...

Written Answers — Tribunals of Inquiry: Tribunals of Inquiry (29 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: The Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters and Payments was established on 4 November 1997. I understand that the Tribunal has substantially concluded its public hearings. Accordingly, it is now a matter for the three members to prepare the Tribunal's final report in an expeditious manner. The cost of the inquiry to date is €81.75 million.

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (29 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: I refer to the reply to Question No. 481 of 30 September, 2008. Payments under the scheme have not yet been made in respect of 2008. Day to day operational matters, including bonus payments, in the agencies reporting to my Department, are matters for the individual agencies concerned. The Committee for Performance Awards in the Local Government Sector was established to deal with the...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (29 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: My Department has received the correspondence referred to in the question. General purpose grants from the Local Government Fund are provided to supplement the income available to local authorities from local sources and from specific grants to enable them to provide an acceptable level of day to day services. Local variations in expenditure and in income sources are an inherent feature of...

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (29 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: I am satisfied that the appointment of members to An Chomhairle Leabharlanna in 2008 was in accordance with the Local Government (An Chomhairle Leabharlanna) Regulations 1997 and amendments thereto.

Written Answers — Election Management System: Election Management System (29 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: The following table sets out the information requested in respect of local storage arrangements, based on returns received in my Department from Returning Officers. Storage of Electronic Voting Equipment Location of Storage Premises Storage Costs 2007 (incl. VAT) Owners of the Premises â'¬ Cavan-Monaghan Monaghan Town 21,608.32 Martin Duffy Clare Ennis 3,600.00 Voting Machines...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (30 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: The Government has decided to broaden the revenue base of local authorities through the introduction of a charge on all non-principal private residences, and this will be used to support the provision of local services. I intend to bring forward legislation to implement the proposed charge as soon as possible, and this will set out the detailed measures necessary to give effect to it.

Written Answers — Special Areas of Conservation: Special Areas of Conservation (30 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: The European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations, 1997, specify that objections to the inclusion of lands within a candidate Special Area of Conservation (cSAC) must be made in writing within three months of public notification. The proposed boundaries for Magheradrumman Bog cSAC were advertised on 1 March 1997. This three months time limit has been appropriately applied since...

Written Answers — Turbary Rights: Turbary Rights (30 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: A small proportion of Ireland's peatlands is designated for conservation purposes under the Habitats Directive or the Wildlife Acts. Landowners and holders of turbary rights on blanket bogs within Special Areas of Conservation or Natural Heritage Areas can cut turf for their own domestic use. Since 1999, the use of sausage machines is not permitted in these areas. However, hoppers, or...

Written Answers — Special Areas of Conservation: Special Areas of Conservation (30 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: The EU Habitats Directive requires Member States to maintain or restore the favourable conservation status of specified habitats and species. This is done through designating appropriate sites as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and protecting them. Designation of a site as an SAC may have implications for landowners, as management and use of these lands must have regard to protection...

Written Answers — Special Protection Areas: Special Protection Areas (30 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: The EU Birds Directive requires Member States to maintain or restore the favourable conservation status of specified species of wild birds. This is done through designating appropriate sites as Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and protecting them. Designation of a site as an SPA may have implications for landowners, as management and use of these lands must have regard to protection of the...

Written Answers — Special Protection Areas: Special Protection Areas (30 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: A breakdown of proposed Special Protection Areas on a county by county basis accompanies this reply. Many sites cross county boundaries and may, therefore, feature on more than one county list. I expect that the completed suite of SPA sites will consist of one hundred and fifty two sites countrywide and that these should be advertised, notified to landowners and designated by Statutory...

Written Answers — Price Increases: Price Increases (30 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: Motor tax rates were increased, with effect from 1 February 2008, by 9.5% for cars below 2.5 litres and 11% for cars above that threshold. Goods and all other vehicles also increased by 9.5% with no increase for electric vehicles. In addition, trade plate licences were increased by 9.5%. Further motor tax increases, announced as part of Budget 2009, will come into effect from 1 January...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (30 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: Milltown is included for funding in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009 as part of a grouped sewerage scheme to service a number of towns and villages in Co Kerry. I understand that work on the waste water collection system for Milltown is in progress and that Kerry County Council expects to award the contract for the treatment plant contract shortly.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (4 Nov 2008)

John Gormley: I propose to take Question Nos. 379 and 386 together. The Government has decided to broaden the revenue base of local authorities through the introduction of a charge on all non-principal private residences, and this will be used to support the provision of local services. I intend to bring forward legislation to implement the proposed charge as soon as possible, and this will set out the...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (4 Nov 2008)

John Gormley: I have no function in relation to roads projects approved by An Bord Pleanála under the Roads Act 1993, as amended. My Department has issued guidelines to local authorities regarding the establishment and operation of effective customer complaints systems. Any person who is not satisfied with a service or action of a local authority should in the first instance make a formal complaint to...

Written Answers — Election Management System: Election Management System (4 Nov 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.

Written Answers — Health and Safety Issues: Health and Safety Issues (4 Nov 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....