Results 7,481-7,500 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Flood Relief: Statements. (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: I am very pleased with the way the response agencies have worked together on the ground using the framework for major emergency management. We will work quickly to alleviate distress and hardship.

Flood Relief: Statements. (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: Let me once again record my appreciation of the efforts of all those involved in dealing with the flooding crisis. I would also like to again express my sympathy with all those who are tonight dealing with flooding and its aftermath in their homes and businesses.

Flood Relief: Statements. (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: This is not Private Members' time.

Flood Relief: Statements. (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: Deputy Hogan raised the question of communication. I am glad his colleague, Deputy Coveney, put on record the situation regarding the ESB's Inniscarra station, which was clearly unprecedented. Deputy Coveney had a 90-minute meeting with the ESB representatives. Deputy Hogan will understand at this stage that his colleague's version is correct.

Flood Relief: Statements. (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: The Deputy is correct. There will be an assessment. The national director for fire and emergency management, Mr. Seán Hogan, will revert to me with his assessment of the situation. We will look at all aspects of this matter. Clearly, we must learn lessons every time such a situation arises, even though we have not experienced this sort of rainfall in the past. I do not agree with Deputy...

Flood Relief: Statements. (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: The fact is that while one cannot actually prove a causal link, it is clear that this is entirely consistent with all the scientific evidence we are now getting. I have produced report after report on that.

Flood Relief: Statements. (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: The training of insurance assessors has nothing to do with my Department. It is quite a separate matter.

Flood Relief: Statements. (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: I am trying to procure the information requested by the Deputy. The OPW does possess the pumps to which he refers. I will obtain for him a full assessment in respect of the other equipment that was requested. I have no knowledge of some of the claims the Deputy is making.

Flood Relief: Statements. (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: There is a certain implication in the Deputy's questions. I will be happy to procure for him the information he has requested. We will be carrying out an assessment in the coming days. Mr. Seán Hogan from the national directorate for fire and emergency management, who is present in the Chamber, will assist me in compiling the relevant information and forwarding it to the Deputy.

Flood Relief: Statements. (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: The Deputy has asked for a commitment to upgrade local authority housing.

Flood Relief: Statements. (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: I am not in a position to give commitments such as this on the floor of the House without making a proper assessment.

Flood Relief: Statements. (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: We have worked well with Met Éireann. Its staff are part of the emergency team and any resources required for emergency services have been provided and they will be provided in the future. The adaptation strategy will be published in 2010.

Flood Relief: Statements. (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: The provision of those funds is a matter for the Minister for Transport. Much of that money is provided from motor taxation.

Flood Relief: Statements. (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: Yes.

Flood Relief: Statements. (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: A water framework directive is in place and the river basin district management plans will be published soon. We have onerous targets to achieve by 2015. On the matter of the slatted sheds, Deputy McCormack referred to officials from my Department snooping around. I have no knowledge that. I am afraid it is another urban myth.

Flood Relief: Statements. (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: My colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh, will visit Athlone. I do not know what my commitments are yet, but I would like to go. I have been in the town with the Deputy discussing the issue of the River Shannon and how the local authority would take water from the river. Ironically, there is too much water in it now. I will speak to the Deputy later about this.

Flood Relief: Statements. (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: The Deputy's questions have a number of implications. His assessment differs from the one I received. We will get a thorough assessment, which will be conducted in the context of a successful operation carried out by all the emergency services. When I visited Ennis, for example, the Defence Forces were filling 200 sandbags an hour. It was a successful operation. If there were...

Flood Relief: Statements. (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: With regard to water infrastructure, I spoke directly to the managers in Cork on Friday evening and Saturday morning on the issue of the plant on Lee Road. I confirm that any damage that must be repaired will be dealt with and we will work with the local authorities in that regard. The Deputy's suggestion to have two sources of supply is constructive. However, these issues must be...

Written Answers — Waste Disposal: Waste Disposal (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: In terms of the capacity of the proposed facility it is my understanding that the quantities of residual waste currently being collected by the Dublin local authorities may not be sufficient to meet the volumetric contractual commitment which forms part of the public private partnership agreement between Dublin City Council and its private partner. We have recently seen further increases in...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: I propose to take Question Nos. 52 and 56 together. Following a High Court judgment in 2008 in relation to the planning process that governs granting of exempted development status in the Docklands area, I am aware the Authority completed an assessment of its planning procedures and introduced a number of changes to the process at the start of this year. The amendments to the process allow...