Results 6,221-6,240 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (24 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: The Burncourt and Fethard Regional Water Supply Scheme is approved for funding under my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009 at an estimated cost of €14.5 million. My Department awaits the submission of South Tipperary County Council's contract documents for this scheme.

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

John Gormley: The total cost incurred in 2008 on the National Climate Change Campaign was €7,130,525. The table provides a breakdown of the areas covered by this expenditure. The budget for 2009 is €3.5 million. The campaign is designed to raise public awareness of climate change, its causes, impacts and implications for Ireland. It includes the change.ie website which features a carbon...

Written Answers — Land Purchases: Land Purchases (24 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: Contracts were prepared in respect of this application to sell bogland to my Department under the Designated Bog Compensation Scheme. However, recently it was found that the ownership of some of the land proposed for sale is in question. Consequently, the vendor's solicitor has asked to have the draft contract revised to exclude this land. My Department, through the Chief State Solicitor's...

Written Answers — Wildlife Act: Wildlife Act (24 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: The use of traps, snares and nets in relation to wildlife is governed by the Wildlife Act, 1976 (Approved Traps, Snares and Nets) Regulations 2003. Glue traps do not meet the requirements set by these Regulations and are, therefore, illegal. Accordingly, I do not intend to licence the use of these traps.

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (24 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: My Department operated the Social and Community Facilities Capital Scheme in 2006 and 2007. It is not proposed to introduce a new scheme at this time.

Written Answers — World Heritage Sites: World Heritage Sites (24 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: Last October I established an Expert Advisory Group to carry out a review of Ireland's 1992 Tentative List of potential sites for nomination for inscription on the World Heritage List. The Group has been asked to identify those sites in Ireland, for inclusion on a new Tentative List, which they consider best meet the UNESCO criteria for inscription on the World Heritage List. The Group is...

Written Answers — Recycling Policy: Recycling Policy (24 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: I am fully committed to achieving the highest possible levels of recycling for paper, cardboard and other materials, and to the continuing development of a national network of waste recycling facilities. Since 2002, over €100 million has been allocated by my Department to local authorities to assist in the capital costs of establishing and developing such facilities. The Government's...

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

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 850 and 851 together. There are no drivers employed directly by me. Under a long-standing arrangement, all Government Ministers are provided with a State car which is driven by a member of An Garda Síochána from a pool of Gardaí which are allocated on a full-time basis to Ministers. These Gardaí provide personal protection in addition to their driving...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (24 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 852 and 853 together. Section 10(2)(l) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 requires a development plan to include objectives for "the provision, or facilitation of the provision, of services for the community including, in particular, schools, crèches and other education and childcare facilities". This requirement is restated in my Department's...

Written Answers — Recycling Policy: Recycling Policy (24 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: Directive 94/62/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on packaging and packaging waste (the Packaging Directive) is based on the concept of producer responsibility, which effectively requires producers to contribute to the waste management costs of products which they have placed on the market at end-of-life. Under the original Directive, Ireland was required to achieve a 25%...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (24 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: I assume that the Question relates to suggested changes to the design of the M3 Motorway in a "Meath Masterplan" produced by a number of private individuals. I have no function in relation to this proposal which is the responsibility of the National Roads Authority.

Written Answers — Climate Change Strategy: Climate Change Strategy (24 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: The recent climate change package adopted by the European Union includes legally binding limits on the greenhouse gas emissions of each Member State for the period to 2020. I also support the concept of enshrining climate change targets in domestic legislation. However, as I have stated previously, I believe that the challenge we face, in terms of the necessary scale of emission reductions,...

Written Answers — Climate Change Strategy: Climate Change Strategy (24 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: I attended the recent meeting of the Environment Council in Brussels on 2 March 2009. In my interventions, I supported the comprehensive conclusions prepared by the Presidency in response to the European Commission communication 'Towards Copenhagen'. The agreed conclusions, inter alia, reiterate both the need to limit the increase in global temperature to less than 2°C compared with...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (24 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: The Athenry Sewerage Scheme is included for funding in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007 — 2009. 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 — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (24 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 860 and 875 together. Water services investments have been undertaken for a number of years on the basis of 3 year rolling capital programmes of schemes. The schemes included respond to environmental and social-economic developmental needs and priorities identified by local authorities having regard to overall criteria set at national level, and overall...

Written Answers — Local Authority Staff: Local Authority Staff (24 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: Based on data supplied by Local Authorities, there are 665 staff employed in Motor Tax Offices, dealing with motor taxation, driver licensing, certificates of roadworthiness, and other related functions. There are 4.6 full-time equivalent staff employed in the Motor Tax Section of my Department.

Written Answers — Register of Electors: Register of Electors (24 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: In law, the preparation of the Register of Electors is a matter for each local registration authority. It is their duty to ensure, as far as possible and with the cooperation of the public, the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the Register. Authorities were required to publish the final Register for 2009/10 by 1 February 2009 and this is now available for checking. Individuals not on the...

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

John Gormley: Draft nomination documentation for the Monastic City of Clonmacnoise and its cultural landscape was submitted by my Department to UNESCO in September 2008 to obtain feedback on the approach and the specific criteria being proposed for qualifying the site for inscription on the World Heritage List. At that time a presentation on the draft nomination was made to a meeting of Offaly County...

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

John Gormley: Day to day operational matters, including details as to the payment of fixed car allowances to individuals within the agencies under the aegis of my Department, are a matter for the agency or body concerned and the Department does not routinely collect information in this regard. The agencies have been reminded of the ongoing requirement to adhere to Department of Finance guidelines...

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (24 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: Japanese Knotweed was first introduced to Ireland over 100 years ago. It forms dense thickets along roadsides, waste-grounds and waterways, reproduces by vegetative means and is difficult to kill off once it becomes established. Best Practice Management Guidelines for Japanese Knotweed have been published by the all-Island "Invasive Species Ireland Project" and can be accessed on the...