Results 41-60 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Hunting Licences. (9 Feb 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Minister and the officials in the Department do not know who is involved in the Ward Union Hunt.

Hunting Licences. (9 Feb 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: There is certainly no suggestion that they are interested in who is involved in the hunt. The Deputy raised a valid question about the series of questions asked by officials within the Department. I accept that the officials from the Department's wildlife section were carrying out their responsibilities in a conscientious manner by asking such questions and expressing their views.

Hunting Licences. (9 Feb 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: The questions they raised were carefully examined within the Department. The conclusion that was reached was that because the term "wild animal" was not found in section 26 of the Wildlife Act 1976, the operation of that provision could not be considered to be affected by the definition. When considering the issuing of licences, the Minister has no choice but to grant licences when it is...

Hunting Licences. (9 Feb 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: The first thing I will say is that the Deputy will not interpret for me. The question he has asked, whether the animals are wild or tame, does not arise——

Hunting Licences. (9 Feb 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: ——within the 1976 Act. If the Deputy had listened to my initial response, he would have——

Hunting Licences. (9 Feb 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: So do I.

Hunting Licences. (9 Feb 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: It does not arise within the terms of the 1976 Act. The Attorney General has expressed the clear opinion that the Ward Union Hunt is entitled to apply for a licence and the Department is entitled to issue a licence. There is no problem if the hunt stays within the remit of the licence under the Act, as it has done. It is important to note that the hunt has been monitored and it has been...

Hunting Licences. (9 Feb 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: If the Deputy had listened to the earlier statement, he would have heard his question answered.

Hunting Licences. (9 Feb 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: If the Deputy wants to be deaf to the actual answer, that is fine.

Environmental Policy. (9 Feb 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: The June 2002 voluntary agreement between my Department and the solid fuel trade group provided, inter alia, for the delivery of significantly cleaner standards for bituminous coal and petcoke on a phased basis. The agreement encompassed the extension of the coal ban to four new areas from October 2003 and an increase in market penetration of smokeless fuel in a further four areas. It was...

Written Answers — State Property: State Property (9 Feb 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 70 and 112 together. The policy of my Department, continuing that of successive Departments which have held responsibility for nature conservation, is to prohibit, on properties acquired for conservation purposes, any activities that would adversely affect the purposes for which the lands were acquired or would interfere with the enjoyment and safety of...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (9 Feb 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department is in the process of determining the grant allocations for a number of national anti-litter initiatives from the environment fund for the current year, including the An Taisce led national spring clean campaign of 2005, due to take place during the month of April. An Taisce, which organises the campaign, will submit details of the estimated costs of the 2005 campaign to my...

Written Answers — Air Quality: Air Quality (9 Feb 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: Air quality assessment is the responsibility of the Environmental Protection Agency and air quality management a matter for local authorities informed by air quality measurement data. The extent of local air quality monitoring and the adequacy of monitoring equipment is a matter for the relevant local authority in the first instance and in consultation with the agency in the overall national...

Seanad: Water Quality. (10 Feb 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: I thank Senator Quinn for raising the important issue of keeping the public informed about the quality of the water supply. Delivery of a quality customer service has been a central objective of the modernisation programme that has been under way in the local government sector for a number of years. A customer service group was established in May 2003 as part of the overall process. A list of...

Seanad: Water Quality. (10 Feb 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: Committee Stage will take place this term.

Domestic Refuse Charges: Motion (Resumed). (16 Feb 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: Waste is an inevitable consequence of human activity and its treatment in a sustainable manner is important for our well-being and that of the environment around us.

Domestic Refuse Charges: Motion (Resumed). (16 Feb 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: Ireland has witnessed a rapid moving away from circumstances in which we had little regard for the way in which we handled our waste. We are now progressing to a situation in which we will have waste management services that match best international practice. As my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Roche, stressed in the House last night, this comes at a price. Successive Governments have...

Domestic Refuse Charges: Motion (Resumed). (16 Feb 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: These factors combined inevitably mean the charges will reflect both local circumstances and the individual choices and this is as it should be.

Domestic Refuse Charges: Motion (Resumed). (16 Feb 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: The concern at the centre of this debate is the issue of waiver schemes. Let me be clear about the facts. Local authorities are empowered to provide such schemes where judged necessary.

Domestic Refuse Charges: Motion (Resumed). (16 Feb 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: Local authorities who provide a waste collection service directly have traditionally provided waivers.