Results 6,441-6,460 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley
- Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (6 May 2009)
John Gormley: The European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations ('the Nitrates Regulations') implement the Nitrates Directive in Ireland and were first introduced in 2005 to protect waters from pollution from agricultural sources. Primary responsibility for the implementation of the Regulations has rested with the local authorities since 2005. The most recent...
- Written Answers — Radon Gas Levels: Radon Gas Levels (6 May 2009)
John Gormley: Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas found in variable amounts in rocks and soil. When it surfaces in the open air, it is quickly diluted. However, where it enters an enclosed space, such as an ordinary building, it can, under certain circumstances accumulate to reach unacceptably high concentration levels. Radon is a known carcinogen and contributes to the incidence of lung...
- Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (6 May 2009)
John Gormley: Following the embargo on public service recruitment, as announced on 27 March 2009, my Department sought Department of Finance sanction to employ seasonal staff to allow national parks and nature reserves to open and to provide visitor services. I welcome the fact that, as an exceptional measure, sanction has recently been conveyed to my Department to recruit a restricted number of temporary...
- Water Quality. (7 May 2009)
John Gormley: Some â¬1.6 billion has been invested by the Government in drinking water infrastructure in the period since 2000 and substantial additional funding is being provided this year from the total Exchequer provision of â¬500 million for the water services investment programme. In the period since 2000, additional drinking water treatment capacity and additional water storage capacity equivalent...
- Water Quality. (7 May 2009)
John Gormley: I agree with the Deputy that it is very important to invest in good quality drinking water. I consider this as an absolute necessity. In a country such as ours there is no reason for people to be drinking contaminated water. While I accept there have been boil notices, I am pleased that there has been a reduction in the number of such notices. The EPA has identified 341 public water...
- Water Quality. (7 May 2009)
John Gormley: That comes under the water framework directive. As the Deputy knows that directive is still out for consultation. As soon as it returns we will have further results in that regard and I would be happy to communicate that information to the Deputy at that time.
- Local Authority Funding. (7 May 2009)
John Gormley: In February, my Department set out details of the financial requirements for local authorities relating to the overall management of their capital and current accounts. These requirements flow directly from the requirements for Government finances as a whole to be managed in accordance with the Stability and Growth Pact established under the Maastricht treaty and the associated limitation on...
- Local Authority Funding. (7 May 2009)
John Gormley: There has been controversy in some quarters, but only four local authorities are affected in terms of development levies etc. The figure amounts to approximately 14% of total spend. As the overall capital spend is approximately â¬6 billion, I do not anticipate a significant impact. I will supply some details. The general state of the economy and the need for prudent management and control...
- Local Authority Funding. (7 May 2009)
John Gormley: The local authorities and their managers in particular are in constant contact with my Department. As this is done on an aggregate basis, it must be calculated to ensure that certain local authorities can borrow sufficiently and this probably constitutes a bigger problem. I understand that only four local authorities are in a position to spend those development levies. However, and I...
- Local Authority Funding. (7 May 2009)
John Gormley: I have been reading the highly interesting document on local government that Deputy Hogan published today on the Internet. However, the Government must abide by what has been set down in the Stability and Growth Pact under the Maastricht treaty. As the Deputy is aware, Ireland has received considerable latitude from Brussels in respect of exceeding the 3% limit, and we have gone far beyond...
- Economic Development. (7 May 2009)
John Gormley: Local authorities have a central role to play in supporting economic development and enterprise at local level. They do this in a number of ways including through their capital and current budgets, economic planning and development and the provision of goods and services, as well as community infrastructure. More recently, local authorities have taken direct action to reduce the burden on...
- Economic Development. (7 May 2009)
John Gormley: As for the Deputy's point on commercial rate increases, at my request commercial rates have been kept down and the increases for 2009 were approximately 1%.
- Economic Development. (7 May 2009)
John Gormley: Yes. It is significant that 34 local authorities held their rates at 2008 levels. This constitutes significant progress because, as the Deputy appreciates, the business sector is under extreme pressure and I am highly aware of that. I have undertaken a number of measures and some of the Deputy's suggestions are constructive. I have asked local authorities to examine rigorously their costs...
- Economic Development. (7 May 2009)
John Gormley: On the Deputy's last point, this matter can be addressed in the forthcoming planning and development Bill. However, this must be considered carefully. One cannot give a full blank cheque as all the existing permissions must meet the new energy standards. In addition, one also must consider carefully what constitutes good planning and whether such proposals fit in. Overall, however, and I...
- Water Quality. (7 May 2009)
John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 6, 26, 43, 120 and 121 together. As I indicated in reply to Question No. 1, my Department co-ordinates and finances a major programme of investment in improved drinking water supply infrastructure, active leakage control, telemetry and rehabilitation of water mains, on which some â¬1.6 billion has been invested by the Government in the period since 2000....
- Water Quality. (7 May 2009)
John Gormley: The previous reply I gave to the Deputy on the matter is correct. The Deputy put other questions, initially regarding the amount of money involved. The â¬500 million for 2009 is a substantial amount. Although there has been reference to a reduction of â¬60 million on the â¬560 million envisaged in the 2009 Estimates, it should be stated very clearly that the provision represents an...
- Water Quality. (7 May 2009)
John Gormley: I gave an interview after my speech to engineers. I was talking about rainwater harvesting and the recycling of water, which is essential, and the conservation of water. My comments were made in the context of climate change. The EPA report to which I referred indicates that as a result of climate change there will be higher precipitation in certain areas of the country and drought in...
- Water Quality. (7 May 2009)
John Gormley: I said exactly the opposite. As I informed the Deputy, the reply I gave to her on a previous occasion stands. The position remains the same.
- Water Quality. (7 May 2009)
John Gormley: He is never happy.
- Water Quality. (7 May 2009)
John Gormley: The Deputy is being deliberately disingenuous.