Results 6,641-6,660 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (16 Jun 2009)

John Gormley: The Castlecomer Sewerage Scheme was approved for funding under the Serviced Land Initiative Sub-Programme of my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007 – 2009 in December 2008. Following a review of the Serviced Land Initiative, I informed Water Services Authorities in April 2009 that all existing approvals for schemes in the sub-programme, where contractual commitments had...

Written Answers — Water Quality: Water Quality (16 Jun 2009)

John Gormley: The provision of new public water supplies and their operation, maintenance and management to ensure compliance with quality standards is the responsibility of each local authority, and of Clare County Council in the case of Clare schemes. Under the European Communities (Drinking Water) (No 2) Regulations, 2007, local authority drinking water supplies are subject to supervision by the EPA and...

Written Answers — Register of Electors: Register of Electors (16 Jun 2009)

John Gormley: In response to concerns expressed about uses of the register of electors and following consultation with the Data Protection Commissioner, the Electoral (Amendment) Act 2001 provided for an edited version of the register in addition to the full register. The relevant provisions are aimed at ensuring that the full register is used solely for electoral or other statutory purposes, while...

Written Answers — Maritime Heritage: Maritime Heritage (16 Jun 2009)

John Gormley: Detailed recording of the wreck and its cargo has been completed by my Department and the timbers are being protected. Archaeological analysis and related research is ongoing and a detailed report will be published by my Department on completion. Arrangements for longer term curation and display of the vessel are a matter for the National Museum of Ireland.

Written Answers — Register of Electors: Register of Electors (16 Jun 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. Individuals not on the Register can avail of the supplement to...

Written Answers — Services for People with Disabilities: Services for People with Disabilities (16 Jun 2009)

John Gormley: I understand from the company used by my Department to provide taxi services that 9% of its fleet is wheelchair accessible, which enables the company to provide such taxis when required. Expenditure for the Department on taxis amounted to €73,459 in 2008, and €23,906 to the end of May 2009. Details in relation to expenditure by bodies under the aegis of my Department are an operational...

Written Answers — Local Authority Procurement: Local Authority Procurement (16 Jun 2009)

John Gormley: Local authorities employ a variety of approaches in relation to obtaining legal services. Some local authorities employ legal professionals who are recruited in accordance with public sector recruitment rules. Other local authorities retain the services of a solicitor. Decisions in this context are a matter for individual local authorities having regard to their own circumstances and the...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (16 Jun 2009)

John Gormley: Planning authorities are empowered under section 34 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 to attach conditions to a planning permission requiring the giving of adequate security for the satisfactory completion of the proposed development. There is no legal obligation on a planning authority to attach such conditions to a planning permission. However, as stated in the reply to Questions 60...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (16 Jun 2009)

John Gormley: The Building Control Act 1990 assigns primary responsibility for complying with the Building Regulations to the owners and builders of buildings. Responsibility for enforcement of the Regulations is vested in the 37 local Building Control Authorities, who are empowered to carry out inspections of buildings, issue enforcement notices for non-compliance with the Regulations and initiate Court...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (16 Jun 2009)

John Gormley: The information requested is not collated by or available in my Department. The Environmental Protection Agency compiles the National Waste Report and the most recent report in respect of 2007 is available on its website, www.epa.ie.

Written Answers — National Parks: National Parks (16 Jun 2009)

John Gormley: A certain number of boatmen were already operating non-restricted routes on the lakes of Killarney (including Ross Castle to Muckross House) when the State acquired the Kenmare Estate from the McShain family in 1979. In the interest of competition, my Department has since provided for additional licences to operate fixed routes and it is open to any person to compete by public tender to...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (16 Jun 2009)

John Gormley: In its judgment of 3 July 2008, the European Court of Justice found, inter alia, that development consents given for a wind farm development and associated works at Derrybrien, Co. Galway, were not preceded by environmental impact assessments which conformed to the requirements of Council Directive 85/337/EEC. My Department has had discussions with the European Commission concerning...

Written Answers — Recycling Policy: Recycling Policy (16 Jun 2009)

John Gormley: My Department has been in correspondence with Wicklow County Council over several weeks regarding the recycling facility at Bray. Wicklow County Council has outlined to the Department the challenging financial position it faces and the need to make savings in all areas of its operations. In light of its particular difficulties, and to assure continuity of the recycling service in Bray,...

Written Answers — Water Fluoridation: Water Fluoridation (16 Jun 2009)

John Gormley: I refer to the reply to Question No. 526 of 20 November, 2007. The commitment in the Programme for Government to a study on total fluoride intake in the population is a matter for the Minister for Health and Children and the HSE. The Water Quality (Dangerous Substances) Regulations 2001 prescribe water quality standards in relation to certain substances, including fluoride, in surface...

Written Answers — Building Energy Rating: Building Energy Rating (17 Jun 2009)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 146 and 147 together. I am advised by Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) that arrangements are now in place to facilitate early registration for fully certified assessors who are still awaiting the receipt of their certificates from FETAC. There are currently over 2,700 persons registered with SEI as BER assessors for dwellings, a far higher number of assessors...

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (17 Jun 2009)

John Gormley: A list of the policies, strategies or initiatives published by my Department over each of the past five years is contained in the tables. In line with the principles of consultation and quality customer service, my Department is committed to providing opportunities for input into policy formulation and legislative development. This enables the widest possible range of views to be taken into...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (17 Jun 2009)

John Gormley: The Environment Fund was established by the Waste Management (Amendment) Act 2001 with effect from 17 July 2001. All plastic bag levy receipts are paid into the Environment Fund. In respect of landfill levy receipts, local authorities may deduct and retain up to 2%, subject to a maximum of €50,000 per annum, from levies payable in respect of privately operated landfill facilities to meet...

Written Answers — Noise Pollution: Noise Pollution (17 Jun 2009)

John Gormley: Under the provisions of Section 25 of the Control of Dogs Act, 1986, the District Court may act on a complaint by any person where a nuisance has been created by excessive barking by a dog. In general, it is advisable that the person affected by a barking dog raise the issue with the owner of the offending animal. Should this avenue fail, the person can proceed to court. A copy of the forms...

Written Answers — Turbary Rights: Turbary Rights (17 Jun 2009)

John Gormley: The case in question refers to a compensation claim made by an individual in relation to the restriction on commercial turf cutting on a designated raised bog. The matter has been settled. Agreed contracts were signed on my behalf on 30 April 2009 and the compensation consideration has been paid by the Department to the Chief State Solicitor's Office (CSSO). My Department has also provided...

Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (18 Jun 2009)

John Gormley: I propose to take Question Nos. 161 and 163 together. All relevant Government Departments are working on the development of further measures to reduce Ireland's greenhouse gas emissions. This work is overseen by the Cabinet Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security, which is chaired by the Taoiseach. I have been reporting progress to the Oireachtas on an annual basis when I present...