Results 7,781-7,800 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Written Answers — River Basin Management: River Basin Management (19 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: Flood risk management is a complex undertaking and desilting of rivers is only one of many measures that may be used to manage risk. Desilting in one location may have adverse consequences elsewhere in the catchment. Primary responsibility for flood risk management rests with the Office of Public Works, which has the lead agency role in relation to devising and implementing measures,...

Written Answers — Water Charges: Water Charges (19 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 903 and 904 together. As indicated in the reply to Questions Nos. 283, 287, 288 and 302 to 304, inclusive, of 17 December 2009, the renewed Programme for Government contains a commitment to introduce charges for domestic water use in a way that is fair, significantly reduces waste and is easily applied. I will bring forward detailed proposals to Government...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (19 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: The Human Resource Management System (HRMS) for the Civil Service was introduced in 2002. Information in respect of 31 January 2002, which is the first HRMS data available, is included in the following table along with the information requested for 2007 and 2010. Grade Title 31 January 2002 (FTE) 1 January 2007 (FTE) 1 January 2010 (FTE) Secretary General 1.00 1.00 1.00 Deputy Secretary...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (19 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: It is a basic principle of the planning system that it should be open to a person to submit a planning application. There are no proposals to amend planning legislation to restrict the number of planning applications that can be made on a site.

Written Answers — Water Services: Water Services (19 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: Details of all major water services schemes included for funding by my Department, along with the water conservation allocations for each local authority, are set out in the Water Services Investment Programme 2007–09, which is available in the Oireachtas Library. Additional information about the progress on individual contracts or water conservation works, including mains rehabilitation...

Written Answers — Water Services: Water Services (19 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: Validated claims for recoupment of expenditure to the value of €40 million in respect of schemes being financed under my Department's Water Services Investment Programme are being processed for payment to the local authorities involved this month. There are no undue delays in processing payments to local authorities under the Water Services Investment Programme. While greater time is...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (19 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: The information requested in relation to my Department's staffing at the end of 2007, 2008 and 2009 is set out in the following table. The information is broken down by Division. The preparation of information at section level would involve a disproportionate amount of time and work, as in the period since 2007, there has been significant structural and staff change in the Department as a...

Written Answers — Departmental Websites: Departmental Websites (20 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: The information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (20 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: The principal source of funding available to farmers to assist them in meeting the demands of farming within a designated area or commonage is the Rural Development Fund. This fund is administered by my colleague, the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. I understand that his Department is currently finalising arrangements for a new agri-environmental scheme that will be available to...

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (20 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: The derogation allowing a continuation of turf cutting on 32 Raised Bog SACs that were notified for designation in 1999 has now expired and a further extension is not possible. I am aware of the difficulties that may be faced by individuals in these areas. In the coming weeks, I expect to receive a report from the Working Group on the Cessation of Turf Cutting in Designated Areas. This will...

Written Answers — Emergency Management Framework: Emergency Management Framework (20 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 275 and 286 together. As part of an ongoing focus on major emergency preparedness and response, the Government, in 2006, published a Framework for Major Emergency Management. The purpose of the new Framework is to put in place arrangements that will enable the three principal response agencies, namely, An Garda Síochána, the Health Service Executive and the...

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (20 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: The Office of Public Works has responsibility for flood risk assessment and major flood relief works. Funding for such works are provided by the OPW. Following recent flooding in Co. Galway, a joint Office of Public Works/ Galway County Council Working Group was set up and is tasked with arranging for the collection of flood level data, assessing the damage caused by the flooding, and...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (20 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 279, 281 and 283 together. The Kinvara and Athenry Sewerage Schemes, and the Portumna Regional Water Supply Scheme were included for funding in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007 – 2009. All three schemes are in the planning phase. My Department awaits Galway County Council's revised Preliminary Report for the Kinvara and Athenry...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (20 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: The Gort Regional Water Supply Scheme was included for funding in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007 – 2009, and this scheme is at the planning stage. Last November, my Department approved Galway County Council's tender proposals to carry out remedial works at the existing treatment plant under the EPA Remedial Action List programme to deal with water quality issues...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (20 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: The Craughwell Sewerage Scheme was included for funding in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007- 2009. Galway County Council originally proposed to advance the Craughwell scheme as part of a four-scheme bundle, which also included the Carraroe, Claregalway and Milltown Sewerage schemes. My Department has received the Council's contract documents for the bundle....

Written Answers — Departmental Investigations: Departmental Investigations (20 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: I have initiated a review of the emergency response to the November 2009 flooding. The review will consider available information on the response to the flooding, consider if there are any improvements to be made to the response and make recommendations as to future action on the wider emergency management arising from the events. In relation to the flooding in Cork City, the Office of...

Written Answers — Water Services: Water Services (20 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: The Water Services Investment Programme has focused over the past ten years on improving the quality and capacity of water services infrastructure to meet the needs of the growing population and economic demand, and to address environmental compliance. The upgrading of existing water mains and the provision of new mains have arisen both in the context of new or upgraded infrastructure in...

Written Answers — Special Protection Areas: Special Protection Areas (20 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: Dublin City Council has prepared an ecological report on the possible impacts of locating a facility for scrambler motorcycling at a site adjacent to South Dublin Bay and River Tolka Estuary Special Protection Area. This report has been referred to my Department as part of an application for consent, and the report, including suggested mitigation measures to avoid disturbance to birds using...

Written Answers — Emergency Planning: Emergency Planning (20 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: In relation to the recent severe weather event, I arranged for the convening of the National Emergency Co-ordination Committee and ensured that it provided an appropriate forum so that national co-ordination between various Government Departments and statutory agencies operated in an efficient manner to respond to any measure which required a decision or direction at national level. Although...

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: I thank Senators Norris, O'Toole and Bacik for raising this issue and for their real engagement with Seanad reform. I listened very carefully to Senator Norris's very interesting speech. It was the first time I have ever seen him read a speech.