Results 6,121-6,140 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Departmental Agencies. (11 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: The authority was established in 1997 with the general duty to secure the social, economic and physical regeneration of the Dublin docklands area. Since its establishment, it has engaged in extensive business transactions involving the purchase, management, development and sale of lands in the area. The authority is self-financing, operating on the profits of its business dealings, and does...

Departmental Agencies. (11 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: The Deputy will be aware that a "Prime Time" programme was made on the Dublin Docklands Development Authority which referred to some of the issues he raised. I have appointed Mr. Gerry McCaughey, who has been described as a green entrepreneur, as the new chairperson to the authority . Mr. McCaughey understands the necessity of good regulation and I believe he will move the authority in the...

Departmental Agencies. (11 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: If the Deputy is familiar with the individual I have appointed, he will be aware of his rigour and his understanding of what is required of him. Mr. McCaughey has been fully briefed by my officials and the CEO of the authority, Mr. Moloney, on the potential for and difficulties with the site. I have no doubt that he will thoroughly investigate these matters and will come to his own...

Departmental Expenditure. (11 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: On publication of the public expenditure Estimates associated with Budget 2009 in October 2008, the Department's overall capital expenditure envelope amounted to €2.145 billion. Most of this funding related to capital expenditure grants for housing, infrastructural and other capital programmes, chiefly implemented by local authorities. At the end of February 2009, total capital...

Departmental Expenditure. (11 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: I will go through some of the issues raised by the Deputy. On a previous occasion Deputy Hogan asked about the housing capital programme. In broad terms, €1.4 billion of Exchequer capital funding is available for housing in 2009. We must work towards the fullest achievement of our broad range of housing objectives against the background of the significantly altered economic context. The...

Departmental Expenditure. (11 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: When all of the requests for capital borrowing are taken together, they exceed €500 million but these are beyond the requirements for this year. I envisage being able to accommodate half of this in 2009 with the rest spread over 2010 and subsequent years. I am finalising my consultation with the councils and the determining priority must be that we see how labour intensive projects are.

Departmental Expenditure. (11 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: I cannot give such an assurance because there was provision for a record amount of €560 million. We are looking at investment of over €500 million, which is still a substantial amount that represents an increase on last year. We have commitments related to the water framework directive and it is not just about compliance with our EU obligations, it is also a matter of putting in place...

Planning Matters. (11 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 38 and 45 together. An Bord Pleanála has a statutory objective to determine appeals and referrals within 18 weeks. Consideration of the performance of the board must take account of the legacy of record levels of case intake over recent years and the assumption of significant new functions under the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act...

Planning Matters. (11 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: The Deputy is right to make that distinction. People may say that while they like housing, they do not like developers but who builds the houses?

Planning Matters. (11 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: We recognise that fact and we all share the same objective in trying to stop bad development. We want to ensure good development and good quality housing that is properly planned. Not only are the Deputy's suggestions worthy of consideration, but I will also be bringing them forward. They are vital for people who have invested large amounts of time and money. In the Deputy's own part of...

Planning Matters. (11 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: To answer the Deputy's first question, it was not 10%; it is up 12%. On his second question, it is not in the Minister's gift — indeed, as the Leas-Cheann Comhairle said, it is illegal to comment on any application or to try to influence any application. However, in my role as Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, I have extended the special protection area for...

Planning Matters. (11 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: The short answer is "Yes". I hope we can comply with the 18-week period because the peak of applications has now gone. In the Dublin area in particular, we will be moving staff from local authorities to An Bord Pleanála. We will also reduce the quorum required for routine applications from three to two. All these measures will ensure that we actually comply with the 18-week period. We...

Planning Matters. (11 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: Regarding what the Deputy termed "malicious applications"——

Planning Matters. (11 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: They are difficult to determine because an individual can get another person to do it on their behalf. I have no doubt this happens but proving it in law may be difficult. This point has been made repeatedly to me but it is difficult to deal with it in legislation. The Deputy is correct that a template would be helpful to applications, streamlining the process and pointing out any potential...

Planning Matters. (11 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: People need to choose carefully and have a bit of cop on and common sense.

Planning Matters. (11 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: It is difficult to estimate the time but we are getting through it fairly quickly. However, cases have fallen by 16% compared to the same period last year. While I cannot give a precise time on clearing it, steady progress is being made.

Turbary Rights. (11 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 39, 75, 88, 172 and 182 together. Bogs are important natural habitats and are home to unique ecosystems containing rare flora and fauna. Both blanket bogs and raised bogs are protected habitats under European and Irish law and representative samples have been designated as special areas of conservation, SAC, under the habitats directive or natural heritage...

Turbary Rights. (11 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: The Deputy may be aware that his party colleague Deputy Connaughton organised a meeting with me and many of the families involved in the west. I am aware of the sensitives around this issue and I have spoken to those involved. It is an issue that goes back to 1999. I have done everything I can to ensure a fair resolution. The transition phase approach is probably the best. We need to be...

Turbary Rights. (11 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: I am not aware of the specific instance to which Deputy Crawford refers. However, we have tried to resolve the disputes that have arisen. There is a scheme in operation which involves the voluntary purchase of designated bogs and under which more than €7 million was paid out last year. The interdepartmental group to which I referred earlier will examine the additional measures necessary...

Turbary Rights. (11 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: I would be happy to investigate the claims made by the Deputy. However, the national parks and wildlife service, NPWS, is clear as to what is required. The NPWS liaises, at all times, with the Commission, which is adamant that we have overstepped the mark to a major degree and that we have been given a great deal of latitude. The cessation to which I referred earlier was unilaterally...