Results 6,981-7,000 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Written Answers — National Parks: National Parks (9 Jul 2009)

John Gormley: I assume that the Question refers to the proposal from a local group to establish a 'North Midlands Peatlands Park' – formerly titled a 'National Wetlands Wilderness Park' – in the cutaway area of the Mount Dillon group of bogs in Longford and Roscommon, which is owned by Bord Na Móna. It is estimated that some 80,000 hectares of cutaway Bord Na Móna bog will become available by 2050....

Written Answers — Local Authority Status: Local Authority Status (9 Jul 2009)

John Gormley: No such application is currently before my Department.

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (9 Jul 2009)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 723 and 724 together. Details of all major water and sewerage schemes included for funding by my Department in South Tipperary are set out in the Water Services Investment Programme 2007 – 2009 which is available in the Oireachtas Library. Additional information in relation to progress on individual contracts under this Programme, or in relation to activity...

Written Answers — Natural Heritage Areas: Natural Heritage Areas (9 Jul 2009)

John Gormley: Having regard to available budgetary resources, priority is being given under the bog purchase scheme this year to those wishing to sell their interest in the 32 raised bog sites which were nominated for designation as Special Areas of Conservation in 1999. For these sites the derogation by the Government, which allowed the continuation of turf cutting for personal domestic use, expires in...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (9 Jul 2009)

John Gormley: There are no staff employed by my Department and based in office accommodation in County Louth.

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (9 Jul 2009)

John Gormley: The Office of Public Works (OPW) has responsibility for the provision of office accommodation under the decentralisation programme and it is managing the development of the Department's new headquarters on the Newtown Road in Wexford. I have been advised by the OPW that following recent discussions between OPW and the contractor, the building is expected to be completed in mid-Autumn 2009....

Written Answers — Public Service Review: Public Service Review (9 Jul 2009)

John Gormley: My Department made a submission to the Special Group on Public Service and Expenditure Programmes outlining the range of activities undertaken by my Department as well as providing detailed information on the associated funding and staffing arrangements. In addition, the Secretary General and senior officials met with the Group to discuss these matters. I understand that the Special Group is...

Written Answers — Closed Circuit Television Systems: Closed Circuit Television Systems (9 Jul 2009)

John Gormley: Under section 3 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, "development" means, except where the context otherwise requires, the carrying out of any works on, in, over or under land or the making of any material change in use of any structures or other land. It is a matter for a developer to ensure that a proposed development satisfies all statutory planning requirements. Certain development...

Written Answers — Special Protection Orders: Special Protection Orders (9 Jul 2009)

John Gormley: My proposal to designate South Dublin Bay and Tolka Estuary Special Protection Area was advertised on 28 May 2008. An appeal from Dublin Port Company concerning the inclusion of part of the site within the SPA was received on 25 August 2008. My Department met representatives of the Dublin Port Company on 13 January 2009 to discuss its appeal. Based on information provided by Dublin Port...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (9 Jul 2009)

John Gormley: The Roscommon Towns and Villages Sewerage Scheme is included for funding in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007 – 2009. I understand that work is under way on the collection networks element of this scheme. In addition, my Department approved Roscommon County Council's contract documents to procure the waste water treatment plants for the ten towns and villages under...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (9 Jul 2009)

John Gormley: I assume the question refers to the Arigna, Boyle-Ardcarne stage 2, Roscommon central and south Roscommon regional water supply scheme, which is included for funding in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007–09 at an estimated cost of €54 million. My Department awaits the submission of additional documentation from Roscommon County Council to enable the Department to...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (9 Jul 2009)

John Gormley: My Department issued approval last month to Roscommon County Council's tender report for the Roscommon group water supply scheme design build operate bundle that will involve the procurement of water abstraction and treatment facilities for six group water schemes and two public water schemes in Roscommon and one group water scheme in County Leitrim under a single design build operate...

Written Answers — Public Service Staff: Public Service Staff (9 Jul 2009)

John Gormley: To date, my Department has received 32 applications under the Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement. The final date for the receipt of applications under the scheme is 1 September 2009. Some 43 applications were received under the Special Incentive Career Break Scheme by the closing date of 1 July 2009. Two Civilian Drivers were made redundant following the reduction in the numbers of...

Written Answers — Special Areas of Conservation: Special Areas of Conservation (9 Jul 2009)

John Gormley: My Department has had extensive consultations regarding a number of sites of ecological interest along the possible route corridor, including both of the bogs mentioned, which are Special Areas of Conservation. A single route proposal is now expected, arising from the wider consultation process, and this will facilitate further consideration, as appropriate, including in regard to the need...

Written Answers — Environmental Impact Statements: Environmental Impact Statements (9 Jul 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, County Galway, were not preceded by environmental impact assessments which conformed to the requirements of Council Directive 85/337/EEC. My Department is engaged in ongoing discussions with the European Commission...

Written Answers — Quarrying Activity: Quarrying Activity (9 Jul 2009)

John Gormley: My Department understands from Meath County Council that there is no quarrying taking place on or near the Hill of Slane.

Written Answers — Environmental Information Service: Environmental Information Service (9 Jul 2009)

John Gormley: There are no plans to terminate the ENFO service, a sub-section of my Department, which has provided an excellent service to the public in its 20 years of operation. The service has been under review in light of technological advances, people's expectations of instant access to up-to-date information, the number of State and other bodies now providing environmental information, the growing...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (9 Jul 2009)

John Gormley: Details of all major water and sewerage schemes included for funding by my Department in Fingal are set out in the Water Services Investment Programme 2007-09, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas Library. Additional information in relation to progress on individual contracts under the programme, or in relation to activity generally under the small public schemes measure of the...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (9 Jul 2009)

John Gormley: My Department has received correspondence, and is aware of media reporting regarding the imposition by Dublin City Council of a condition relating to the direction of waste in recently issued waste collection permits. While, as Minister, I am precluded under the Waste Management Act from involvement in specific decisions of local authorities where a statutory function has been conferred on...

Written Answers — Constitutional Amendments: Constitutional Amendments (9 Jul 2009)

John Gormley: I refer to the reply to Question No. 455 of 7 July in connection with lowering the age limit for election to Dáil Éireann. Article 12.4.1 of the Constitution provides that a citizen must be 35 years of age to be eligible for election to the office of President. A lowering of the qualification age would require a constitutional amendment and there are no current proposals in this regard.