Results 7,141-7,160 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (13 Oct 2009)

John Gormley: My Department is continuing its assessment of the responses received from local authorities, including Wexford County Council's application for continued funding of the schemes in question, and expects to notify the relevant local authorities of the decisions on the schemes to progress, shortly.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (13 Oct 2009)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 382, 386 and 394 together. The Government has decided to broaden the revenue base of local authorities by introducing a charge on all non-principal private residences. The charge is payable by the owners of private rented accommodation, holiday homes and any other residential property that is not the owner's sole or main residence. While detailed guidance...

Written Answers — Local Authority Rates: Local Authority Rates (13 Oct 2009)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 384 and 385 together. Rates are local property taxes that are levied by local authorities on commercial properties rateable under the Valuation Act 2001. Local authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes in accordance with the details entered on the valuation lists prepared by the independent...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (13 Oct 2009)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 387 and 388 together. The Kiltimagh Sewerage Scheme is included for funding in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007 – 2009. My Department has approved a budget of €9.197 million for the scheme. I gave Mayo County Council approval in June 2009 to place the contract for the Design/Build element of the Wastewater Treatment Plant with its...

Written Answers — Puppy Farming: Puppy Farming (13 Oct 2009)

John Gormley: Work is underway in drafting an amendment to the Control of Dogs Acts and I hope to publish my proposals in the near future. The process has included discussions with a number of organisations, bodies, public agencies and interests active in the area. The draft Bill proposes to give statutory effect to the recommendations of the Working Group that had been established to review the...

Written Answers — Election Management System: Election Management System (13 Oct 2009)

John Gormley: Under electoral law, returning officers are responsible for all matters in relation to the conduct of elections, including the provision of polling stations. The information requested is not available in my Department. The law provides that local authorities, in making polling schemes, shall endeavour to appoint polling places which allow the returning officer to provide at each place at...

Written Answers — Election Management System: Election Management System (13 Oct 2009)

John Gormley: The primary role of my Department in electoral matters is to provide an appropriate policy and legislative framework for a modern and efficient electoral system. Within this framework, Returning Officers are responsible for all matters in connection with the conduct of elections and referenda, including the provision of premises for use as polling stations and for oversight of their...

Written Answers — Electoral Register: Electoral Register (13 Oct 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. In working to compile the Register for 2007/08, local authorities undertook and completed, with assistance from my Department, the most extensive...

Written Answers — Cultural Heritage: Cultural Heritage (13 Oct 2009)

John Gormley: The Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, which was adopted in 2003 relates to the intangible cultural heritage or living heritage. The ratification of the convention is a matter in the first instance for the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism in conjunction with the Department of Foreign Affairs. I have no function in this matter.

Written Answers — Motor Taxation: Motor Taxation (13 Oct 2009)

John Gormley: The surcharge on non-annual discs was designed to cover the higher administrative costs involved. Current surcharge levels are lower than the maximum permitted under motor tax law, and were slightly reduced in 2001. My Department is currently examining the legislation governing the operation of the motor tax system with a view to ensuring that the system can operate as efficiently and...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (13 Oct 2009)

John Gormley: The Government has decided to broaden the revenue base of local authorities by introducing in this Act a charge on all non-principal private residences, including private rented accommodation, holiday homes and any other residential property that is not the owner's sole or main residence. The charge has been set at €200 per annum. A person who owns a property in this country which is not...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (13 Oct 2009)

John Gormley: The combined Athea, Askeaton, Foynes, Glin and Shangolden Sewerage Scheme is included for funding in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009 and a Preliminary Report in respect of the scheme has been submitted to my Department. Local authorities were asked in July 2009 to submit an assessment of needs for water and sewerage services to my Department by 23 October 2009....

Written Answers — Building Control Measures: Building Control Measures (13 Oct 2009)

John Gormley: I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 998, 1024, 1057 and 968 of 16 September 2009. I have no plans to suspend Part 3 of the Building Control Act 2007, which implements relevant Articles of the European Directive 2005/36/EC on the recognition of professional qualifications in respect of the architectural profession. Failure to implement Part 3 of the Act could leave the State in breach of...

Written Answers — Water Quality: Water Quality (13 Oct 2009)

John Gormley: Donegal County Council has submitted an application to my Department to carry out pipe replacement works on elements of the Rosses Regional Water Supply pipe network, including the Crolly area, under the Water Conservation Sub-Programme of my Department's Water Services Investment Programme. This proposal is under examination and will be dealt with a quickly as possible.

Written Answers — Turbary Rights: Turbary Rights (13 Oct 2009)

John Gormley: I understand the concerns of families who rely on turf-cutting for their domestic fuel supplies. There is no intention to restrict this activity on the vast majority of bogs within the State, where cutting may continue as before. The restrictions on domestic turf cutting on designated Raised Bogs affect only about 4% of the total area of bogland available for cutting. These restrictions are...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (13 Oct 2009)

John Gormley: The initial 30% instalment of payment for participation in the Hen Harrier Farm Plan Scheme was approved for the person in question on 8 October 2009. The remaining 70% instalment for year one and the initial payment for year two will be paid together on completion of the first year of the relevant plan.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (13 Oct 2009)

John Gormley: The Government has decided to broaden the revenue base of local authorities by introducing this charge on all non-principal private residences, including private rented accommodation, holiday homes and any other residential property that is not the owner's sole or main residence. The charge has been set at €200 per annum. The Local Government (Charges) Act 2009 is premised on a universal...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (13 Oct 2009)

John Gormley: My Department awaits additional information from South Tipperary County Council in order to complete its examination of the Council's Preliminary Report for the Clonmel Town and Rural Water Supply Scheme, which is included for funding in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007 – 2009. Local authorities were asked in July 2009 to submit an assessment of needs for water and...

Written Answers — Noise Pollution: Noise Pollution (13 Oct 2009)

John Gormley: There is a commitment to introduce comprehensive legislation on noise pollution within the lifetime of this Government. Earlier this year, following an extensive consultation process, the General Scheme of a Noise Nuisance Bill was prepared in my Department and approved by the Government. The Noise Nuisance Bill is included in Section A of the Government Legislation Programme published on 16...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (13 Oct 2009)

John Gormley: Primary responsibility for the implementation of the Nitrates Regulations has rested with the local authorities since 2005. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food also checks for compliance with the Regulations during the cross-compliance inspections carried out as part of the Single Farm Payment scheme. Discussions are ongoing between my Department, the Department of Agriculture,...