Results 6,201-6,220 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: The amendment attempts to extend the parameters within which the Minister makes the order setting the spending limit period. Bearing in mind the proximity of the forthcoming local elections, 60 days is the maximum period that can be realistically set for the 2009 elections. This period effectively will be more than double that currently for Dáil and European Parliament elections. It also...

Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: The Deputy will appreciate that we cannot legislate for those who are media savvy. I understand a very media savvy person may be running for Fine Gael in the forthcoming by-election in Dublin South. Perhaps he could confirm whether this rumour, which has been circulating around the House for quite some time, is true. I will provide the background to the legislation, which has been in...

Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: A research report on local election spending limits was published by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, in which the Deputy's party was represented and its members made their points of view known. This is what is causing me surprise. They were in broad agreement with what I was doing and they said that consistently. The Deputy will see this if...

Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: Going back to Deputy Lynch's point, it is not accurate to say that someone categorised as homeless has no right to vote. A homeless person faces particular difficulties in engaging with the electoral process, including his name being entered on the register of electors. Current law provides that persons shall be registered where they are ordinarily resident. The question arises of the best...

Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: I fully understand the intent of the amendment which I have discussed with my officials. We have looked at examples, including the Kilkenny People. The Deputy mentioned Tuesday afternoon, but the newspaper comes out on Wednesday, and Friday is the date referred to on the masthead. Those are difficult matters. I understand what the Deputy is trying to get at in the same way as I understood...

Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: I thank the Deputy for his amendment and he is right to say that campaigns can be exhausting. In particular, if a candidate has lost an election, his or her enthusiasm for taking down posters can be somewhat diminished.

Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: However, the seven day period has worked well. The best way for any candidate to approach this matter is to ensure that, if he or she has a team that is paid to put up posters, the contract includes their removal also. That is happening increasingly and it seems to work fairly well. I have been impressed by the way in which all political parties have approached this matter. For the most...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (12 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: The Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009 states that any public servant who is a member of a public service pension scheme, is entitled to a benefit under such a scheme, or receives a payment in lieu of membership in such a scheme, is subject to a deduction from their remuneration. In 1996, changes were introduced to the superannuation scheme affecting Non Officers,...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (12 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: No money has been provided from my Department for this website.

Written Answers — Local Government: Local Government (12 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: I am currently finalising the content of the White Paper on local government, for Government consideration and subsequent publication. In this context I will be dealing with a range of matters, including the issue of establishment of new town councils and the broader matter of democratic representation in towns which do not have town councils.

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (12 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: The Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009 states that any public servant who is a member of a public service pension scheme, is entitled to a benefit under such a scheme, or receives a payment in lieu of membership in such a scheme, is subject to a deduction from their remuneration. In 2008, retained firefighters were given the option of joining the Local Government...

Written Answers — Election Management System: Election Management System (12 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: I am aware of the recent decision in the German courts in relation to the future use of electronic voting machines in the conduct of elections held in that country. Relevant experiences and developments in other jurisdictions are being taken into account in considering the next steps in relation to electronic voting and counting in Ireland. As part of this process, I am also taking into...

Written Answers — Departmental Licences: Departmental Licences (12 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: Details of licences or permits issued by my Department are listed in the following table. Licences or permits issued by bodies under the aegis of the Department are an administrative matter for the bodies themselves, and the Department holds no records on these. Name of Licence Purpose of Licence No. of Licences Issued/Renewed Revenue Accruing Each Year Last Time Licence Fee was Increased...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (24 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 829, 831 and 836 together. The Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009 states that any public servant who is a member of a public service pension scheme, is entitled to a benefit under such a scheme, or receives a payment in lieu of membership in such a scheme, is subject to a deduction from their remuneration. In 2008, retained...

Written Answers — Water Quality: Water Quality (24 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: According to the most recent EPA report on water quality, published in November 2008, there has been a slight improvement in the overall quality of river waters and the level of serious pollution continues to be low. Nutrient enrichment continues to be the biggest threat to water quality, primarily from agricultural and municipal sources. Implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive is...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (24 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 832 and 835 together. The National Development Plan 2007-2013 provides for expenditure of €4.75 billion on water services infrastructure over the period of the Plan. Expenditure in 2007 and 2008 on water services infrastructure is set out in the table. Year Exchequer Non-Exchequer Total € million € million € million 2007 496.678 90.0 586.678 2008...

Written Answers — Underground Power Cables: Underground Power Cables (24 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: In March 2007 the Government published the report of the Expert Group on the Health Effects of Electromagnetic Fields (EMF). Following the publication of the Expert Group Report the responsibilities then held by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in relation to the health effects of EMF were transferred to my Department. The Expert Group Report examined a wide...

Written Answers — Heritage Council: Heritage Council (24 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: Since 1999, the Heritage Council, under the aegis of my Department, has developed a partnership programme with local authorities to facilitate the employment of Heritage Officers. To date, my Department has provided funding of €4.4 million to the Heritage Council for the programme and the initial intake of three Heritage Officers under it has now grown to twenty eight. The employment of...

Written Answers — Ministerial Transport: Ministerial Transport (24 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: Neither I, nor my advisors, have used the Government jet at any stage since June 2007.

Written Answers — Ministerial Transport: Ministerial Transport (24 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: Neither I, nor my advisors, have used Government helicopters at any stage since June 2007.