Results 5,621-5,640 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (11 Dec 2008)

John Gormley: The information requested in the question is set out in the following table. Name of Consultant Title of report Cost (Including VAT) Year € Indecon Independent Assessment of Proposed Acquisition by the Irish Heritage Trust Limited of Fota House and Gardens, Co Cork 14,520.00 2007 UCD ERG Energy Efficiency Regulations for New Dwellings & Options for Improvement 108,779 2007 NSAI...

Written Answers — Recycling Policy: Recycling Policy (11 Dec 2008)

John Gormley: The work programme for the Market Development Programme is outlined in the Market Development Programme for Waste Resources 2007 — 2011 which is available on my Department's website. The programme will run for a period of 5 years and commenced on 1 October 2008. As I have previously indicated, in light of recent developments in the market for recyclates, I have asked that the work...

Written Answers — Special Protection Areas: Special Protection Areas (11 Dec 2008)

John Gormley: In May of 2008, I proposed that three areas in Dublin Bay be designated as Special Protection Areas for birds and invited submissions on the proposals. Of the submissions received within the three month time-frame, only three included requests for areas within the proposed sites to be excluded from the designation. All three related to the proposed South Dublin Bay and River Tolka Estuary...

Written Answers — Dublin Bay Task Force: Dublin Bay Task Force (11 Dec 2008)

John Gormley: The Dublin Bay Task Force was established at my request by the Dublin Regional Authority, to prepare a draft Master Plan for Dublin Bay and make recommendations in relation to institutional arrangements for coastal zone management in the Bay. As outlined in the Programme for Government, I will consider legislation, if necessary, to implement the recommendations of the Task Force. Dublin City...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (16 Dec 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...

Written Answers — Hunting Licences: Hunting Licences (16 Dec 2008)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 392 to 394, inclusive, together. The Wildlife Acts 1976 and 2000 provide for the making of orders relating to the provision of open seasons for the hunting of protected birds. These orders are reviewed annually by my Department's National Parks and Wildlife Service, taking account of the conservation needs of the individual species. Any holder of a annual...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (16 Dec 2008)

John Gormley: The Oughterard Sewerage Scheme is included for funding under my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009. My Department has requested Galway County Council to amend their brief for the appointment of consultants and has provided detailed guidance to the Council in that regard. The amended brief will be dealt with as quickly as possible when it is submitted to the Department.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (16 Dec 2008)

John Gormley: I refer to the reply to Question No. 204 of 11 December 2008.

Written Answers — Regulatory Impact Analyses: Regulatory Impact Analyses (16 Dec 2008)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 398 and 399 together. Details of the Regulatory Impact Assessments (RIAs) conducted by my Department on Statutory Instruments, Bills and EU Directives since June 2008 are set out in the following table. Reasons for the decisions not to carry out a Regulatory Impact Assessment on relevant legislation are also set out. Following the Government decision of 21...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (16 Dec 2008)

John Gormley: General Purpose Grants amounting to some €935.2 million in 2009 have been allocated to local authorities including Donegal County Council. These allocations take overall account of the €40 million yield projected to accrue in 2009 from the €200 charge on non-principal private residences. I intend to bring forward legislation to implement the proposed charge as soon as possible, and...

Written Answers — Fire Services: Fire Services (16 Dec 2008)

John Gormley: The provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs, the provision of a premises and the making of such other provisions as it considers necessary or desirable, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under section 10 of the Fire Services Act 1981. Section 10 of the Act also...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (16 Dec 2008)

John Gormley: Selection of routes for national roads is a matter for the relevant road authority (in this case Westmeath County Council), subject to approval by An Bord Pleanála under the Roads Act 1993. Completion of an environmental impact statement (including in relation to any impacts on cultural heritage) is required under the related application process. Consultation with the National Monuments...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (16 Dec 2008)

John Gormley: In July 2007 I announced the extension of the social inclusion unit programme to nine more local authorities in line with a commitment in Towards 2016. This brings the total number of units to seventeen and has been accomplished well in advance of the deadline of the end of 2008. The successful local authorities were selected following an objective assessment process which was overseen by...

Written Answers — Equal Opportunities Employment: Equal Opportunities Employment (16 Dec 2008)

John Gormley: The review of the Code of Practice for Employment of People with Disabilities 1999 in the local authority service is underway and I expect it to be finalised shortly.

Written Answers — Disability Support Service: Disability Support Service (16 Dec 2008)

John Gormley: In line with the Sectoral Plan under the Disability Act 2005, local authorities are required to carry out an audit of all roads and streets, pavements and pedestrian crossings, public buildings, public parks, amenities and open spaces, heritage sites, public libraries and harbours within their control to identify what remedial action is necessary to make these buildings and facilities...

Housing: Motion (Resumed) (17 Dec 2008)

John Gormley: I thank the Opposition parties for giving us the opportunity to reflect on an area in which we continue to be highly innovative, highly effective and unstinting in our efforts to ensure that we have a coherent housing policy framework that can cater for housing needs as comprehensively as possible.

Housing: Motion (Resumed) (17 Dec 2008)

John Gormley: In short, it is a housing policy that sets out a vision to guide the transformation of the housing sector over the medium term by delivering more and better quality housing responses, and by doing this in a more strategic way, focussed on the building of sustainable communities. It is a housing policy that has, at its heart, a range of flexible and graduated housing supports to meet the full...

Housing: Motion (Resumed) (17 Dec 2008)

John Gormley: ——my colleague, the Minister of State with responsibility for housing, has already gone into detail on our solid record of achievement. There is no need for me to dwell further on that.

Housing: Motion (Resumed) (17 Dec 2008)

John Gormley: Fortunately, the Opposition motion also gives us the opportunity to compare our ambitious agenda for further reform to the Opposition's fairly bare cupboard. For example, while its motion seems to suggest that it has no future plans to cater for the needs of older people and people with a disability, we are committed to completing and publishing a national housing strategy for people with...

Housing: Motion (Resumed) (17 Dec 2008)

John Gormley: Opposition Deputies neglected to mention climate change. Perhaps they have found a solution to the greatest challenge humanity faces but, if so, they are keeping it to themselves. However, they have given us an opportunity to outline the leadership we are showing in ensuring that the residential sector plays its part in meeting our emissions reduction targets.