Results 5,701-5,720 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Written Answers — EU Funding: EU Funding (17 Dec 2008)

John Gormley: While my Department has had responsibility for the implementation of a number of capital expenditure programmes that qualified for EU funding over this period, the Department of Finance is responsible for drawing down associated European Regional Development and Cohesion funds which are then paid directly into the Central Fund as a capital receipt. Historic information on the extent to which...

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) (No. 2) Bill 2008: Second Stage (17 Dec 2008)

John Gormley: The primary purpose of this Bill is to give legislative effect to the increases in motor tax rates and trade plate licences contained in the financial resolution on motor tax passed by Dáil Éireann on budget day, 14 October 2008. The Bill provides for the same increases in motor tax as contained in the financial resolution, namely, an increase of 4% for cars below 2.5 litres, and CO2 bands...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (18 Dec 2008)

John Gormley: The Government announcement on 14 October 2008 confirmed that the decentralisation of my Department's Headquarters to Wexford (270 posts) will proceed as planned. However the transfer of posts to the three other locations in the South East — Waterford (225 posts), New Ross (125 posts) and Kilkenny (62 posts) — is being deferred pending the outcome of a review in 2011 in light of...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (18 Dec 2008)

John Gormley: Durrow is one of the towns in the Laois Grouped Towns Sewerage Scheme, which is included in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009 at an estimated cost of €39 million. Contract documents for the treatment plants element of the scheme are with my Department and will be dealt with as quickly as possible. Contract documents for the networks element of the scheme have not...

Written Answers — Ministerial Correspondence: Ministerial Correspondence (18 Dec 2008)

John Gormley: A reply to the correspondence referred to in the Question, dealing with the nomination of Clonmacnoise for inscription as a World Heritage Site, has recently issued from my Office. The preparation of a draft Management Plan for Clonmacnoise is nearing completion, and will then be made publicly available. Members of the Oireachtas, local public representatives, interest groups and the general...

Written Answers — Turbary Rights: Turbary Rights (18 Dec 2008)

John Gormley: Turf cutting may continue as normal on the vast majority of bogs in 2009. A small number of bogs are protected because they are nature conservation sites of European importance under the EU Habitats Directive. As such, these have been designated as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs). For 32 raised bog SACs, which were nominated for designation in 1999, turf cutting is due to come to an end...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (18 Dec 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 — Building Regulations: Building Regulations (18 Dec 2008)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 285 and 286 together. The position on this matter was most recently set out in reply to the Dáil Adjournment item on 5 June 2008 and in reply to Question Nos. 347, 348 and 349 of 9 July 2008. The National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) has published a new amended Standard Recommendation on the use of aggregates as infill for civil engineering and road...

Written Answers — Local Authority Staff: Local Authority Staff (18 Dec 2008)

John Gormley: While I am keeping the overall employment position in the local Government sector under regular review having regard to the need to deliver quality front line services, including in areas which have experienced high population growth, my ongoing consultations with the Department of Finance in this regard will take account of the Government position in relation to the reduction of the public...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (18 Dec 2008)

John Gormley: I intend to bring forward proposals in the near future for legislative change to allow for the introduction of spending limits at local elections. It is my intention to have the limits in place for the local elections to be held in 2009. The Programme for Government contains a commitment to examine spending limits at local elections as part of the Green Paper on Local Government. Submissions...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (18 Dec 2008)

John Gormley: I refer to Question No. 497 of 30 September 2008. The position is unchanged.

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (18 Dec 2008)

John Gormley: In accordance with electoral law, a person must be eighteen years of age or over in order to vote at local elections. This is consistent with the position in most countries, including the EU Member States. While electoral law is subject to ongoing review, there is no proposal at present to reduce the voting age in Ireland.

Written Answers — Litter Pollution: Litter Pollution (18 Dec 2008)

John Gormley: Under the Litter Acts, the primary management and enforcement response to littering, including the removal of chewing gum and graffiti, must come from local authorities. The role of my Department is to provide the legislative framework to combat litter pollution, and to motivate and energise anti-litter responses as necessary. It is a matter for each local authority to take the most...

Written Answers — Recycling Policy: Recycling Policy (18 Dec 2008)

John Gormley: I intend to make a formal announcement about the phased withdrawal of incandescent light bulbs from the Irish market in early 2009, as soon as I receive the necessary EU clearance for the introduction of the proposed national energy-efficiency and performance standard for light bulbs. No specific requirements are necessary for the disposal of tungsten filament incandescent bulbs. When the...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (18 Dec 2008)

John Gormley: Lixnaw 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. Further information is awaited from Kerry County Council to enable my Department to examine the Preliminary Report for Lixnaw. I understand that Kerry County Council is undertaking a strategic study with a...

Written Answers — Election Management System: Election Management System (18 Dec 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 City/County Location of Storage Premises Owners of the Premises Cavan-Monaghan Monaghan Town Martin Duffy Clare Ennis Voting Machines stored in courthouse. Premises for ancillary...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (18 Dec 2008)

John Gormley: I intend to bring forward legislation to implement the €200 charge on non-principal private residences as soon as possible, and this will set out the detailed measures necessary to give effect to it.

Written Answers — Technical Assessments: Technical Assessments (18 Dec 2008)

John Gormley: I assume the question refers to the pilot project by the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland (RIAI) which was carried out in advance of the commencement of statutory technical assessment of certain persons for registration under the Building Control Act 2007. Section 21 of the Act provides for the establishment of a Technical Assessment Board (TAB) which will have a majority of lay...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (18 Dec 2008)

John Gormley: I understand that the routine bacteriological sampling of the oyster beds in the lower Cork Harbour is carried out by the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority and as such is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. This sampling is done under the European Communities (Hygiene of Fishery Product and Fish Feed) Regulations 2006 rather than any regulations under...

Written Answers — Fishing Fleet Development: Fishing Fleet Development (18 Dec 2008)

John Gormley: My Department has been advised that there is currently no specific ban on the cultivation of mussels in Cork harbour due to PSP (paralytic shellfish poisoning). There have been temporary closure orders issued in the past but these closure orders were mainly for public information purposes as Cork Harbour is not designated for mussel cultivation and it is not permissible to commercially...