Results 7,401-7,420 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Pre-budget Outlook: Statements (17 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: -----we do not revert to the old cycle of boom and bust.

Pre-budget Outlook: Statements (17 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: We urgently need fundamental reforms not as an add-on luxury, but as a central aspect of our future economic well-being. The reforms we make now must enable us not just to weather the next few years, but to adjust to the long-term challenges we face as a species.

Pre-budget Outlook: Statements (17 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: I am glad the Opposition finds this so funny. Declining energy and resource availability, together with climate change and biodiversity loss, constitute a radical challenge to the basis of our economic system, a challenge which the Green Party came into existence to address. We must be solvent both financially and ecologically. It will not be easy but we must undergo a transition to a...

Pre-budget Outlook: Statements (17 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: It is also why the forthcoming budget will contain a carbon levy among its provisions. We are now working on the details of these provisions.

Pre-budget Outlook: Statements (17 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: We need a carbon levy because we need to change our behaviour-----

Pre-budget Outlook: Statements (17 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: -----by using less energy and using it more efficiently. We need to tackle the disastrous effects of climate change-----

Pre-budget Outlook: Statements (17 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: -----and because it is a common sense policy which is now being adopted in many key Western economies. We will work to ensure that it is fairly applied. The proceeds will be ring-fenced to ensure that it does not add to fuel poverty and that energy-efficient projects are promoted. As set out in the programme for Government, we need to move to a site-value-based taxation system for land,...

Pre-budget Outlook: Statements (17 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: However, we have now begun to master our difficulties. The road ahead is daunting and difficult, but if we act together we can resolve our difficulties much sooner than we think. I urge everyone in this Chamber to make common cause.

Pre-budget Outlook: Statements (17 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: I urge everybody in this Chamber to make common cause. I appeal to the social partners to intensify efforts to find a plan for common action.

Pre-budget Outlook: Statements (17 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: Let us not fight with one another at this crucial time in our history. Let us combine to conquer our difficulties.

Written Answers — Dog Licences: Dog Licences (17 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: In 2008 revenue from the sale of dog licences to local authorities was €2.8m. This compares to a cost of administering the service of €5.7m. 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 draft Bill proposes to give statutory effect to the recommendations of the Working Group which was established to...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (17 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: I understand that the Dublin Docklands Development Authority secured valuations for its main property assets based on the long-term economic valuation approach set out in the draft National Asset Management Agency Regulations published in September; however, it is using "red book" valuations for valuing its assets in its 2008 Annual Accounts. The valuation of properties by other State...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (17 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 375 and 388 together. I refer to the reply to Question No. 207 of 16 June 2009. I expect to make a decision in this case shortly.

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (17 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: Several advertising campaigns have taken place, both in the newspapers and on radio, to inform people of the introduction of the charge on all non-principal private residences. Any further advertising which may be required is a matter for individual local authorities.

Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (17 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: The system used for calculating the carbon emissions from vehicles is set out in section 130 of the Finance Act 1992 (as amended) and is used for the purposes of both vehicle registration tax (VRT) and motor tax. I will continue to keep the basis of assessment for charging motor tax under review.

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (17 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: Under the Planning and Development Act 2000, planning permission is required for works unless they are specifically exempted under the Act or associated Regulations. There is no specific exemption relating to enclosed smoking areas. The interpretation of the Planning Regulations is a matter for the planning authorities in the first instance. Under Section 5 of the Planning and Development...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (17 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: I propose to answer Questions Nos. 379 and 397 together. Enforcement of planning control is a matter for the planning authority which can take action if a development does not have the required permission, or where the terms of a permission have not been met. Section 154(7) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 provided that no warning letter or enforcement notice may issue and no...

Written Answers — Urban Renewal Schemes: Urban Renewal Schemes (17 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: I propose to answer Questions Nos. 380 and 381 together. Currently there are no funds available from within my Department to finance the types of projects referred to in the questions. The grants scheme for improvement projects that was administered by my Department under the Urban and Village Regeneration Programme is closed; the last programme was operational from 2000 to 2006.

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (17 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: I propose to answer Questions Nos. 382, 383 and 393 together. Section 48 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 provides that planning authorities may levy development contributions in respect of public infrastructure and facilities provided by, or on behalf of, the local authority that benefit development in the area, including recreational facilities, public transport facilities and water...

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

John Gormley: I propose to answer Questions Nos. 384 to 386, inclusive, together. Information on tyre flows and the management of waste tyres has long been regarded as inadequate. To tackle this deficit and put in place a proper regulatory framework, I made the Waste Management (Tyres and Waste Tyres) Regulations 2007. These Regulations facilitate the comparison of quantities of waste tyres arising with...