Results 6,241-6,260 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Written Answers — Motor Taxation: Motor Taxation (24 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: I am aware of the significant impact on the motor industry in Ireland and internationally due to the contraction in economic activity and I refer to the reply to Question Nos. 12 and 15 of 5 February 2009. The Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) has put a number of proposals to Government in relation to the car market and my Department met a delegation on the 4 February 2009. The core...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (24 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 877 and 891 together. The European Commission has submitted an application to the European Court of Justice (ECJ) seeking a declaration that Ireland has failed to fulfil its obligations under Council Directive 85/337/EEC (the EIA Directive) because, inter alia, of an alleged failure to ensure that, where Irish planning authorities and the Environmental...

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

John Gormley: Mountmellick Sewerage Scheme (Phases 1 and 2) is approved for funding under my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007 — 2009. Phase 1 works, which are at construction stage, involve improvement works to the existing wastewater infrastructure in the town. The Council has appointed consultants to prepare the Preliminary Report in relation to the Phase 2 works, which will...

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

John Gormley: The Athy Sewerage Scheme is approved for funding under the Serviced Land Initiative measure of my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007 — 2009 at a cost of €2.35 million. My Department will fund 40% of the approved scheme costs. The award of the contract for the scheme is a matter for the local authority.

Written Answers — Rate Waiver Schemes: Rate Waiver Schemes (24 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: Within the last five years, one application for consent to a rate waiver scheme was received by my Department in each of the years 2007 and 2008. There are two rate waiver schemes that have received Ministerial approval under the provisions of the Local Government (Rates) Act 1970 currently in place. These consents were given in 1988 and 1990 for voluntary and community sporting facilities...

Written Answers — National Parks: National Parks (24 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: Work on the fitting out of the Visitor Centre for Ballycroy National Park is being finalised at present. My Department is currently considering staffing options in relation to the new Centre having regard, inter alia, to potential opening arrangements and the need to achieve economies in staff payroll costs. Recruitment of any new staff from outside the Department that may be required for...

Written Answers — Waste Disposal: Waste Disposal (24 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: The statutory National Hazardous Waste Management Plan 2008 — 2012 (NHWMP), which has been prepared and published by the EPA, contains recommendations at Chapter 6.5 which state, inter alia, that the provision of landfill capacity for asbestos waste should be actively promoted. In support of the recommendations contained in the report the EPA will shortly commission a study to explore the...

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

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 887, 888 and 890 together. The Clifden Sewerage Scheme is included for funding in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007- 2009. My Department is awaiting submission of Galway County Council's Contract Documents for the scheme. The Clifden Regional Water Supply Scheme is included for funding in my Department's Water Services Investment...

Written Answers — Turbary Rights: Turbary Rights (24 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: I understand that this application to sell bogland to my Department under the Designated Bog Compensation Scheme is currently with the Chief State Solicitor's Office. It is not possible, at this stage, to indicate exactly when the transaction is likely to be completed.

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (24 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: Work has been ongoing for some time in my Department in drafting measures to provide for statutory regulation of dog breeding establishments within the dog control legislative regime. The issues involved are complex and required detailed consideration. This process has included discussions with a number of organisations, bodies, public agencies and interests active in this area. It is my...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (25 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: The procurement, operation and management of public waste water treatment and collection systems are the responsibility of the relevant local authority. Regulation 3(b) of the European Communities (Waste Water Treatment) (Prevention of Odours and Noise) Regulations, 2005, requires local authorities to ensure that their waste water treatment plants are operated and maintained so as to avoid...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (25 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: The combined Dromcollogher, Hospital, Pallasgreen and Bruff Sewerage Scheme is included for funding in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009. Further consideration is being given to Limerick County Council's Preliminary Report for the scheme following receipt of additional information from the Council in December 2008.

Written Answers — Archaeological Sites: Archaeological Sites (26 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: A licence for the proposed excavation issued on 18 March 2009.

Written Answers — Water Charges: Water Charges (26 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: The Water Framework Directive was adopted on 23 October 2000. Article 9(1) of the Directive requires Member States to take account of the principle of the recovery of the cost of water services, including environmental and resource costs. However, Article 9(4) of the same Directive stipulates that a Member State will not be in breach of the Directive if it decides, in accordance with...

Written Answers — Water Charges: Water Charges (26 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: The Government's Water Pricing Policy requires local authorities to recover the cost of providing water services from non-domestic users of these services. The Policy exempts domestic users from charges for water services. As such, landowners are only levied with charges if they are engaged in commercial activity on their property, for example, farming. The policy makes no distinction...

Written Answers — Natural Heritage Areas: Natural Heritage Areas (26 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: 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 Areas (NHA) under the Wildlife Acts. Ireland has some of the most...

Written Answers — Natural Heritage Areas: Natural Heritage Areas (26 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: The overall area of land designated for nature conservation purposes constitutes 14% of the terrestrial area of the State. The location and amount of land designated follows on from the application of scientific site selection criteria that have been determined to meet the requirements of the European Union Birds and Habitats Directives for sites of European importance i.e. Special Protection...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (26 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: The Tuam Town Water Supply and Sewerage Scheme Stage 2 is included for funding in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009. I approved Galway County Council's tender recommendation for the scheme in October 2008. Subsequent contract arrangements are a matter for the County Council.

Written Answers — Natural Heritage Areas: Natural Heritage Areas (26 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: I understand that this application is currently being progressed within the Chief State Solicitor's Office. However, it is not possible, at this stage, to be definitive as to when the transaction may be completed.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (31 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: As previously advised, the facility in question is provided for in the Dublin regional waste management plan for which the four Dublin local authorities have statutory responsibility under the Waste Management Acts. Section 60(3) of the Waste Management Act 1996 precludes the Minister from exercising any power or control in relation to the performance in particular circumstances by a local...