Results 7,501-7,520 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 55, 60 and 63 together. On 12 May 2009 I announced that the Government had decided to introduce a directly elected Mayor for the Dublin Region in 2010. This decision arises from the commitment in the Programme for Government to introduce a directly elected Mayor of Dublin, and from the considerations in the Green Paper on local government which I published in...

Written Answers — Electoral Register: Electoral Register (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: In law, the preparation of the Register of Electors is a matter for each local registration authority – the city and county councils. It is their duty to ensure, as far as possible and with the cooperation of the public, the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the Register. The focus of my Department's work in relation to the Register is to support and assist registration authorities in this...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: Full transposition and implementation of the Habitats Directive is a priority for me and my Department and a programme to achieve this aim is underway. This also involves other Departments with responsibilities in the area, and entails a considerable amount of work especially given the case law now emerging from the European Court of Justice which is expanding our understanding of the...

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

John Gormley: In accordance with the provisions of the Waste Management Act, the preparation and adoption of a waste management plan is the statutory responsibility of the local authority or authorities concerned, and under section 60(3) of the Act the Minister is precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to the performance by a local authority in particular circumstances of a statutory...

Written Answers — Climate Change Policy: Climate Change Policy (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: My Department is currently developing the Heads of a Climate Change Bill. This work has involved consultation with key Government Departments and State agencies as well as environmental NGOs. I want to ensure that this framework legislation will enshrine important underpinning policies and principles in Irish law which will underpin our commitment to the core national priority of combating...

Written Answers — Local Government Funding: Local Government Funding (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: It is a matter for each local authority to manage its own budget and prioritise its spending, within the resources available to it, across the range of services it provides. Local authorities are not immune to the effects of the downturn in the wider economy. There are pressures on resources at all levels. Therefore local authorities must introduce efficiencies where possible, prioritise...

Written Answers — Social and Economic Regeneration: Social and Economic Regeneration (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: The Dublin Docklands Development Authority has delivered substantially on its statutory duty to secure the social and economic regeneration of the Dublin Docklands Area. Since its establishment, it has completed a wide range of projects and undertaken a range of initiatives in creating a sustainable and integrated community at the heart of the City with: · more than €160 million invested...

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

John Gormley: The figure of €18 million was arrived at on the basis of a desktop exercise to assess risks that may be associated with the Dublin waste-to-energy project either proceeding or not proceeding. An evaluation was made on the basis of circumstances, or a combination of circumstances, which might result in Dublin City Council not being in a position to meet the volumetric contractual commitment...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: I propose to take Question Nos. 67 and 89 together. As additional water supply capacity through leakage control is a viable alternative to capital infrastructure provision, the Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009 includes a National Water Conservation Sub-Programme. This Sub-Programme, which includes the management of water supply systems, active leakage control and mains...

Written Answers — Local Authority Charges: Local Authority Charges (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: The Government has decided to broaden the revenue base of local authorities by introducing a charge on all non-principal private residences. The charge, which is set at €200 per annum, is payable by owners of private rented accommodation, holiday homes and any other residential property that is not the owner's sole of main residence. Section 4(6) of the Local Government (Charges) Act...

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

John Gormley: In terms of the capacity of the proposed incinerator 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 in respect of the facility. We have recently seen further increases in recycling rates in...

Written Answers — Cork Docklands Development: Cork Docklands Development (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: I propose to take Question Nos. 71 and 97 together. I refer to the reply to Question No. 962 of 6 October 2009. My Department, in conjunction with the Inter-Departmental Senior Officials Group established to consider the analysis and recommendations in the Cork Docklands Development Forum Report, and Cork City Council is considering what enabling measures can be put in place to further...

Written Answers — Urban Renewal Schemes: Urban Renewal Schemes (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: I refer to the reply to Priority Question No. 45 on today's Order Paper.

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: The total gross amount of motor tax, which includes driving licence duties and other related charges, collected for the year 2007 is €956.73 million, for the year 2008 is €1056.99 million, and for the year 2009 to the end of October is €918.32 million. The table sets out the gross receipts of motor tax in accordance with the tax class of the vehicle (excluding driver licence duties and...

Written Answers — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department is responsible for managing Killarney National Park for the enjoyment and benefit of all, including tourists. Local jarveys use the park to ply their trade for financial gain. The horse dung on the roads in the park is unsightly and smelly and is at odds with the national park ethos, conflicts with the beautiful landscape and...

Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: In the period 2008-2012, Ireland is required to meet a challenging greenhouse gas emission reduction target under the Kyoto Protocol; this target is binding in international law. In addition, by 2020, Ireland is committed under the EU climate and energy package agreed in December 2008 to achieve a 20% reduction on 2005 levels of greenhouse gas emissions in the sectors of the economy not...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: In areas for which my Department has responsibility, the European Commission is currently in correspondence in respect of 31 cases relating to transposition and implementation of EU environmental legislation. The following table lists the directives involved and indicates the various stages of proceedings in respect of these cases. The Commission made a decision on 29 October 2009 to refer...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: Meeting the requirements of the Landfill Directive is a key national priority in respect of waste management and I am committed to implementing the measures necessary to ensure that Ireland meets the 2010, and subsequent, EU landfill diversion targets. In the coming weeks, I will make regulations to bring an entirely new approach to the management of our food waste, which will take effect...

Written Answers — Election Management System: Election Management System (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: I propose to take Question Nos. 81 and 452 together. On 23 April 2009, I announced that the Government had decided not to proceed with implementation of electronic voting in Ireland. Since then, a process has been put in place to address the issues that arise from the decision. An interdepartmental task force, chaired by my Department, has been established to bring the project to an...

Written Answers — Water Management: Water Management (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 83 and 84 together. The capital provision and expenditure outturn for water services infrastructure in 2008 was €471.4 million and €496.4 million, respectively. A provision of €500 million is available for investment in water services infrastructure in 2009. Expenditure to date in 2009 amounts to €442.6 million; the full year provision will be spent...