Results 5,981-6,000 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Recapitalisation of Allied Irish Banks and Bank of Ireland: Motion (12 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: We are working for longer-term change to ensure Ireland never again repeats these drastic errors.

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (12 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: The Courtmacsherry/Timoleague Sewerage Scheme is included for funding in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007 — 2009. My Department is examining Cork County Council's Preliminary Report and cost estimate for the scheme and they are being dealt with as quickly as possible.

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (12 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: I refer to the reply to Question Nos. 8, 18 and 33 of 27 November, 2008. In addition, in writing to the City Council following receipt of the Report, my Department asked, in relation to the odour limit prescribed in the tender document, that the City Council urgently examine the extent to which there may be any consequent liability on the part of any relevant parties and whether such...

Written Answers — Freedom of Information: Freedom of Information (12 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: My Department received 105 Freedom of Information requests in 2007 and 135 such requests in 2008. A monthly breakdown of the requests along with the number of requests granted, refused, withdrawn and part granted, is in tabular format as follows. 2007 January February March April May June July August September October November December Applications Received 11 5 10 5 3 12 7 16 4 12 12...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (12 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: The Athenry Sewerage Scheme is included for funding in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-09. Galway County Council's Design Review Report for the scheme is being examined in my Department and is being dealt with as quickly as possible.

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (12 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: Rates are local property taxes that are levied by local authorities on commercial properties that are rateable under the Valuation Act 2001. The determination of the annual rate on valuation which is applied to property valuation to calculate rates is a decision taken locally by the elected members of a local authority in their annual budget and I have no function in this matter. For 2009,...

Written Answers — Building Regulations: Building Regulations (12 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: My Department's Sectoral Plan, as provided for in section 36 of the Disability Act 2005, was developed in consultation with people with disabilities to assist the Department and local authorities in supporting an inclusive society with accessible buildings, facilities, services and information. There are statutory provisions, codes of practice and guidelines available to assist local...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (12 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: The discussion has been interesting, but it does not relate to any particular amendment. I appreciate the contributions that have been made and the concerns expressed. I am aware Senator Ellis is concerned with regard to his constituency and that is understandable. Other constituencies are equally affected by the deliberations of this particular commission. Deputies and Senators in the...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (12 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: This is a recommendation.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (12 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: We have spent quite a bit of time on this section but we are not discussing an amendment.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (12 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: It is an interesting debate. Senator Hannigan had tabled an amendment but he appears to have left the Chamber in a bit of——

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (12 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: One point needs to be made in response to a number of issues that have been mentioned, namely, that existing legislation states that in regard to general elections one cannot go above five seats. That is the sort of flexibility the commission would require, but there are genuine political difficulties in that regard because for obvious reasons the two biggest parties, namely, Fianna Fáil...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (12 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: Yes, but proportional representation is an excellent system. The concept behind it is that the people are proportionately represented by political parties of every hue. I ask Senators to read the report on the electoral commission because the ideas it contains offer a solution to the issues raised by Senator Ellis.

Written Answers — Election Management System: Election Management System (17 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: In so far as matters within the responsibility of my Department are concerned, I will shortly publish a Bill to introduce spending limits, which will be in force for the local elections that are to take place on 5 June 2009. The purpose of introducing spending limits is to create as level a playing field as possible to ensure that candidates of modest means are not put at a disadvantage in...

Written Answers — National Monuments: National Monuments (17 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: I refer to the reply to Question Nos. 439 and 458 of 10 February 2009. Information on the cost of the State's legal representation in these cases is a matter for the Chief State Solicitor's Office, and is not available in my Department.

Written Answers — Water Pollution: Water Pollution (17 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: The EU Nitrates Directive aims to protect all waters against pollution from agricultural sources. Particular care is required for the protection of public health in the case of waters which serve as the source of drinking water. The European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2006 and 2007 implement the Directive in Ireland and provide statutory...

Written Answers — Election Management System: Election Management System (17 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: The...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (17 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: The Programme for Government included a commitment in regard to a scheme of support for the replacement and upgrade of septic tanks older than fifteen years with newer systems. Having regard to current budgetary constraints, it is not possible to make provision for such a scheme in 2009, and the timeframe for pursuing this commitment will remain under ongoing review.

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (17 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: I am not aware that the Nitrates Directive is currently subject to review by the European Commission. However, the Commission will present an implementation report for the period 2004-07 to the Council and the European Parliament during 2010.

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (17 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: My Department does not provide grants in relation to the naming of residential estates, nor am I aware of any such grants paid by other Departments. Under Section 34 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, planning authorities may attach conditions to planning permissions in relation to appropriate naming and numbering of, and the provision of appropriate signage for, proposed...