Results 5,941-5,960 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Written Answers — Election Management System: Election Management System (10 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: I have recently informed the Government that on foot of the public consultation in autumn 2008, on election postering, I intend to initiate pilot schemes in a number of local authority areas during the upcoming local and European elections. These pilot schemes will investigate how four options identified through the consultation process would work in practice. The pilot schemes will test...

Written Answers — Election Management System: Election Management System (10 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: Preparatory work to introduce spending limits for candidates at local elections is now at an advanced stage, and I expect to publish a Bill shortly. I intend to have the limits in place for the local elections to be held in June 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 — Electronic Voting: Electronic Voting (10 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 456 and 457 together. The total expenditure on the development and roll-out of the electronic voting system to date is €51.3 million, the bulk of which has been incurred in purchasing the voting machines and ancillary equipment. Of this, training costs amount to €272,500. Responsibility for the security and safe storage of manual voting electoral...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (10 Feb 2009)

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 — Turbary Rights: Turbary Rights (10 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: I understand that the contracts are being examined in the Office of the Chief State Solicitor, the necessary legal searches are being completed, and the contracts will be ready for signature in the near future.

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (10 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: Recoupments totalling €3.4 million have since been issued to Mayo County Council under my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-09. Further payments to the Council are being processed. My Department will continue to process all valid claims from the council as speedily as possible.

Written Answers — Natural Heritage Areas: Natural Heritage Areas (10 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: As I indicated in the reply to Question No. 1428 of 24 September 2008, a key initiative of my Department's UNESCO world heritage programme is the preparation of a UNESCO World Heritage Site nomination for the Burren. Significant work, including the development of a management plan, will have to be undertaken as part of the preparation of the nomination for the Burren. Consultation with all...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (10 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: The National Economic and Social Council Report Housing in Ireland: Performance and Policy, published in late 2004, highlighted the importance of active land management as one of the key elements of the policy framework required to respond to the challenges arising in the housing area, while indicating that a significant element of active land management already existed in practice. Active...

Written Answers — Community Facilities Audit: Community Facilities Audit (10 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: In keeping with the recommendation in the Task Force Report on Active Citizenship, an audit of community, sports and arts facilities at local level was commenced in the second half of 2008 by each county and city council, under the auspices of the relevant County/City Development Board and in line with guidelines issued by my Department. These guidelines were developed in consultation with...

Written Answers — Community Warden Scheme: Community Warden Scheme (10 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: The pilot community warden service, which was established in five local authorities in 2002, has since been placed on a permanent footing. Following a process of adjudication, the practical issues concerning the extension of the service to other local authorities have been settled. Accordingly, it is now open to other local authorities to introduce the scheme, having regard to local...

Written Answers — Community Warden Scheme: Community Warden Scheme (10 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: Under the Litter Pollution Acts 1997 to 2003, primary responsibility for developing and implementing responses to litter lies with local authorities. The appointment of litter wardens is a matter for individual local authorities within each authority's current authorised staffing level. Statistics on local authority enforcement action on litter, including the numbers of litter wardens...

Written Answers — Estates Management: Estates Management (10 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: Meath County Council has updated its policy on taking in charge of estates in accordance with my Department's Circular Letter PD 1/08 and the revised policy statement is available on the Council's website, www.meath.ie.

Written Answers — Local Authority Revenue: Local Authority Revenue (10 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: I propose to take Question Nos. 474 and 475 together. The information requested in the questions is set out in the table under, and has been compiled from the Annual Financial Statements of Meath County Council. Data for 2008 are not available at this time. Meath County Council Commercial Rates Non-Domestic Water Charges Year Amount Due for Collection* Collected Amount Due for...

Written Answers — Architectural Heritage: Architectural Heritage (10 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: Consultations on an appropriate land management regime for the site are taking place between my Department and the Office of Public Works, prior to further contact with Roscommon County Council.

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (10 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: The information requested in respect of my Department is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (10 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: Civil service posts at the levels of Assistant Secretary and Deputy Secretary are covered by a scheme of performance related awards. It does not apply to Secretaries General. Details of the procedures, the numbers covered by the scheme, the range of awards and the total amounts paid in Departments are outlined in the annual reports of the Committee for Performance Awards (available on the...

Written Answers — Building Regulations: Building Regulations (11 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: Part M of the Building Regulations, dealing with Access for People with Disabilities, applies to all new buildings and extensions to or material alterations of existing buildings to which the public have access and which commenced on or after 1 June 1992. Part M requires adequate provision to be made to enable people with disabilities to safely and independently access and use a building....

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (11 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 235 and 242 together. The combined Dromcollogher, Hospital, Pallasgreen and Bruff Sewerage Scheme is included for funding in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009. Further consideration is being given to Limerick County Council's Preliminary Report for the scheme following receipt of additional information from the Council in...

Written Answers — Local Authority Elections: Local Authority Elections (11 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: The provisions governing local authority membership and local authority employment are set out in sections 13 and 161 of the Local Government Act 2001. Under section 13 of the Act, a person employed by a local authority who is not the holder of an employment designated by order under section 161 is disqualified from being elected or co-opted to, or from becoming a member of, a local...

Written Answers — Water Quality: Water Quality (11 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: These Acts provide for a range of powers in relation to the protection of the environment. Section 13 of the Environmental Protection Agency Act confers powers on an authorised person to, inter alia, enter premises, take samples and inspect documents. Section 296 of the Fisheries (Consolidation) Act 1959 relates to the powers of an authorised person in the context of protecting salmonid...