Results 6,681-6,700 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley
- Written Answers — Building Energy Regulation: Building Energy Regulation (23 Jun 2009)
John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 421 and 424 together. There are currently some 2,700 persons registered with Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) as Building Energy Rating (BER) assessors for dwellings with some 270 registered as BER assessors for buildings other than dwellings. At present there are some 50,000 Building Energy Rating (BER) certificates in place in respect of dwellings and...
- Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (23 Jun 2009)
John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 422 and 423 together. In the period 2008-2012, Ireland is required to meet a challenging greenhouse gas emission reduction target under the Kyoto Protocol; this target is binding in international law. In addition, by 2020, Ireland is committed under the EU climate and energy package agreed in December 2008 to achieve a 20% reduction on 2005 levels of...
- Environmental Policy. (24 Jun 2009)
John Gormley: When the process and timeline for the review of the programme for Government are agreed, I will be discussing with my colleagues in government the environmental policy priorities which we will continue to pursue so as to ensure that the Government's ambitious agenda in this regard is delivered and indeed enhanced. We have made significant progress on our environmental priorities in the two...
- Environmental Policy. (24 Jun 2009)
John Gormley: As much as I would like to reveal to the Deputy the elements of the review, I think he will understand that these are matters for the respective parties in government and much of the review process will have to remain confidential and the process and the timeline have not yet been agreed. One aspect that has been flagged already and I have spoken about it is the idea of a climate change...
- Environmental Policy. (24 Jun 2009)
John Gormley: I have stated in the House on previous occasions that I believe there are flaws in the legislation as proposed by the Labour Party and I have outlined some of those flaws to the House. It is our intention to continue to strengthen environmental legislation. The Deputy asked about the White Paper on local government. I agree this will have to be published following the consultation with the...
- Environmental Policy. (24 Jun 2009)
John Gormley: I ask the Acting Chairman to remind me to answer Question No. 23 when the time comes.
- Waste Disposal. (24 Jun 2009)
John Gormley: Under the Waste Management Acts the statutory responsibility for hazardous waste management planning, including such wastes generated by incineration, rests with the Environmental Protection Agency, which has recently published the National Hazardous Waste Management Plan 2008-2012. The plan sets out the scope of legislative controls in relation to hazardous waste management and contains...
- Waste Disposal. (24 Jun 2009)
John Gormley: I am not sure what Deputy Hogan means when he speaks about the signing of contracts. The contracts to which he refers were signed two years ago.
- Waste Disposal. (24 Jun 2009)
John Gormley: The Deputy is talking about hazardous waste facilities. This is a matter for the EPA and for the contractor, whichever company that may be. As I outlined, the EPA has done extensive work on this. The National Hazardous Waste Management Plan 2008-2012 is a statutory document prepared by the EPA in accordance with the Waste Management Acts 1996-2008. It also satisfies the Hazardous Waste...
- Waste Disposal. (24 Jun 2009)
John Gormley: I do not understand what the Deputy means when he speaks about making a statement.
- Waste Disposal. (24 Jun 2009)
John Gormley: I did not say that.
- Waste Disposal. (24 Jun 2009)
John Gormley: Local residents must be informed. Developments must go through the normal planning and licensing procedures. I do not understand what the Deputy is saying about making statements. Planning legislation requires that cognisance be taken of the policy of the Minister/Government.
- Waste Disposal. (24 Jun 2009)
John Gormley: That is what I said. I have quoted that.
- Waste Disposal. (24 Jun 2009)
John Gormley: I am happy that a comprehensive review is almost completed. It will deal in detail with the best options for the future. The most important thing is that we divert biodegradable waste from landfill. That is our biggest task in the context of the Landfill Directive. The best way to do that is to issue the new food regulations. I hope Ireland will be one of the leading countries in doing...
- Local Authority Levies. (24 Jun 2009)
John Gormley: In February 2009, my Department set out details of the financial requirements for local authorities relating to the overall management of their capital and current accounts. These arise from the ongoing 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 budget...
- Local Authority Levies. (24 Jun 2009)
John Gormley: There is a requirement for clarity. The Deputy referred in his question to a prohibition on the spending of development levies. There is no such prohibition. Our intention is to ensure we have as much flexibility as possible. I am conscious of the needs of the local authorities and, indeed, I have spoken to the managers. I understand how difficult the situation is. However, it should be...
- Local Authority Levies. (24 Jun 2009)
John Gormley: I have them here.
- Local Authority Levies. (24 Jun 2009)
John Gormley: Yes.
- Local Authority Levies. (24 Jun 2009)
John Gormley: No, I am not saying that. There is no prohibition on it being spent but it requires the council to speak directly to my Department to see if it is possible under the circumstances. I will supply the Deputy with all the details. He asked about county and city councils and the figures are detailed in the reply. There is no blanket ban on these councils spending money. That is simply not...
- Local Authority Levies. (24 Jun 2009)
John Gormley: At the risk of repeating myself, the Deputy states in his question that there is a prohibition on spending of all development levies. That is not the case, there is no such prohibition in place. However, we must comply with the Maastricht criteria and we are doing that through intensive dialogue with the various local authorities. My officials are working intensively on that.