Results 7,461-7,480 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Nuclear Plants. (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: Ireland is a non-nuclear state. The Government does not believe nuclear power is the answer to our energy needs and would prefer to see greater emphasis on renewable energy sources. As a non-nuclear state, Ireland does not stand to receive any of the claimed benefits from the current wave of developments in nuclear energy but must still bear any trans-boundary risks that might arise from...

Nuclear Plants. (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: In response to the last question, no report has been received by me on the matter. As soon as I receive one, I will issue a response. On the question of groups which have met, I met colleagues representing the non-nuclear states in Vienna. I hope another meeting will be planned shortly. It is important that the non-nuclear states combine because they are all threatened in various ways...

Nuclear Plants. (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: The only meeting I attended was the one in Vienna to which I have referred. I have not received any other invitations from my Department to attend other meetings. However, I make it my business to attend such meetings on receiving invitations because I consider this to be a major issue. When I spoke on it recently, I also noted that many of the new reactor designs were still in their...

Nuclear Plants. (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: I will.

Water Pollution. (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 48 and 88 together. The European Court of Justice recently ruled that Ireland had failed to fulfil its obligations under Articles 4 and 8 of the 1975 waste directive as regards domestic wastewaters disposed of in the countryside through septic tanks and other individual wastewater treatment systems. The renewed programme for Government includes a commitment...

Water Pollution. (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: The task force has approximately two months to produce a set of proposals. It will comprise officials from my Department, the local authorities and the EPA. We must then go through a legislative process. Due to the pressure on us, rightly, because of the severity of the problem, I hope the legislation will be passed within a year. It is absolutely essential. According to the CSO, there...

Water Pollution. (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: There is nothing bizarre about the industry seeking regulation as it stands to benefit from such regulation. I have met industry representatives who have shown me the latest equipment, how it functions and how it can be installed quickly in an existing septic tank. There is much innovation in the industry, members of which are delighted that at long last there is a Minister interested in...

Water Pollution. (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: It is a fact. Various Administrations have failed to tackle the problem, although we have known about it for some time. However, this Government will tackle it. There is a real commitment to doing so. I have given that commitment today and gave it previously in the renewed programme for Government. The report of the joint committee on the issue was good. However, it makes a few...

Water Pollution. (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: I am glad the Deputy has referred to that innovation. I have spoken to people such as Éamon de Buitléar and others who believe we do not need hard engineering solutions but can use the reed bed technologies which work very effectively. It is something we will have to explore to a greater extent, particularly in small connurbations where they can be very effective. To refer to the Deputy's...

Water Pollution. (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: The Deputy did not mention it but the judgment was very interesting with regard to the position in County Cavan. It specifically mentions the county in a good way because it points out that it is the only county that has by-laws relating to this issue. We must first put such by-laws in place. Notwithstanding this, it is clear that we must introduce specific legislation to deal with the...

Local Authority Boundaries. (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: To support the implementation of the 2007 report by Mr. John Fitzgerald entitled, Addressing Issues of Social Exclusion in Moyross and Other Disadvantaged Areas of Limerick City, I made an order extending the boundary of Limerick City Council in February 2008 which extended the city area by approximately one third. The new boundary became effective from 1 March 2008. The extension was...

Local Authority Boundaries. (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: Deputy Hogan is aware that I referred to that issue when I visited Kilkenny recently. These are sensitive issues, which is why it took so long to approve the boundary extension which I announced in March 2008. The Deputy's analysis is correct in that much of this comes down to the rates base. Cities are the driving force in developing local government and regions, as recognised in all the...

Local Authority Boundaries. (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: I had an opportunity to visit Cork last Friday and Saturday and speak to the city manager. No such request has been received in my office. It would be a difficult issue to resolve. The short answer is no.

Local Authority Boundaries. (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: The interim report of the mid-west task force made a number of recommendations, including the setting up of a committee to examine boundary extensions. I will examine that proposal in detail and hope I can make an announcement on it in the near future.

Flood Relief: Statements. (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: Today's debate is opportune and I wish for a constructive debate on this most serious issue. The Government's primary concern is with the families and individuals who are suffering the effects of flooding of their homes and property and businesses whose viability and whose workers' livelihoods are put in jeopardy. I wish to record, and I am sure all Members of the House will agree, our...

Flood Relief: Statements. (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: The risks to water supply in flooding incidents arise either from direct flooding of water supply facilities which render operation impossible, or from a deterioration of the raw water quality which compromises the effectiveness of the treatment process. Both issues have arisen in some areas as a consequence of the flooding in the south and west. Cork City Council's water treatment plant at...

Flood Relief: Statements. (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: Yes, there is plenty about it.

Flood Relief: Statements. (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: As we address the disruption caused by the flooding, we must intensify our actions to mitigate the effects for the future. The current flooding and other recent flooding events sharply illustrate the questionable nature of some development decisions in the past and underline the necessity for action to avoid such developments in locations in which future flooding is predictable.

Flood Relief: Statements. (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: Part of that process will be the implementation of new guidelines for planning authorities on the planning system and flood risk management. These will be published shortly in conjunction with the Office of Public Works. The guidelines are aimed at ensuring a more consistent, rigorous and systematic approach to incorporate fully flood risk assessment and management into future regional...

Flood Relief: Statements. (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: My colleague, the Minister, Deputy Mary Hanafin, can address this in more detail. We will learn from the current flooding experience and will develop measures to mitigate the severe impact caused and take measures to reduce impacts of future flooding arising from inclement weather and physical development.