Results 7,801-7,820 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: Yes, he had much to get in and that is why-----

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: One never knows.

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: It was certainly read at a fast pace as well. The Senator probably broke all records for that one. I wish to respond to some of the points he made. While they might be considered to be incidental points, I agree with the thrust of what he said. There is just a small correction. He mentioned how he had initiated a Civil Partnership Bill in this House and mentioned how it had been taken up...

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: I concur with his analysis of what is occurring in the media. It is a very serious issue that was taken up by his colleague, Senator O'Toole. The way this is going I have no doubt fewer people will want to enter public life. This is a serious issue. I believe colleagues will agree with me when I say being a public representative is a very honourable profession. We should encourage more...

Local Authority Funding. (21 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: All local authority major emergency plans, including sub-plans for responding to severe weather events, are based on A Framework for Major Emergency Management, which became operative on 30 September 2008. The framework and the plans detail a co-ordination structure that enables the principal response agencies - local authorities, An Garda Síochána and the Health Service Executive - to...

Local Authority Funding. (21 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: Regarding the last question, as Deputy Hogan knows, I have already received responses from local authorities. Deputy Hogan referred to this being a first test, but the flooding also presented a test. We reacted immediately. I was in a helicopter the very next day and visited Cork, Ennis and Ballinasloe. On every occasion I met with the managers. It was clear to see that at local level...

Local Authority Funding. (21 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: I am not giving any such an undertaking at this stage.

Local Authority Funding. (21 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: I will answer if Deputy Hogan asks a question.

Local Authority Funding. (21 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: I do not agree with the Deputy. The roads function and funding for roads, as Deputy Hogan knows too well, transferred to the Department of Transport. Deputy Hogan referred to websites earlier. I have looked at websites of various councils and have seen the budgets for winter maintenance. I discovered that Fine Gael, which has a majority on many of these councils, decided in its wisdom to...

Local Authority Funding. (21 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: It is a cop-out on the part of Fine Gael. Even the small bit of responsibility it has, it cannot exercise.

Local Authority Funding. (21 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: You have a majority and you are not exercising that responsibility.

Local Authority Funding. (21 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: I am talking directly to the Leas-Cheann Comhairle.

Local Authority Funding. (21 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: I must try to be very careful in the presence of the Leas-Cheann Comhairle.

Local Authority Funding. (21 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: We will look at submissions but the most important issue is the water issue. I have examined some of Deputy Hogan's latest press releases, which state that we have cut water conservation grants. That is not the case; we will increase the amount of money for water conservation. I will make an announcement about that in the near future.

Planning Projects. (21 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: Separate judicial review proceedings challenging An Bord Pleanála's decision to approve part of the Galway city outer bypass project were taken by a residents' group, Hands Across the Corrib, and an individual, Mr. Peter Sweetman. The grounds for review included claims that the board had erred in law in giving its approval and had misinterpreted provisions of the habitats directive. The...

Planning Projects. (21 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: I am not in a position to outline for the Deputy the costs of the proceedings because, as he will be aware, they will take some time to quantify. This is a contentious point of law and we have to get it right because the habitats directive is extremely important. The case revolves around the interpretation of article 6 of the directive and involves the construction of a road through a...

Planning Projects. (21 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: No.

Planning Projects. (21 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: Deputy Hogan is certainly impugning my integrity.

Planning Projects. (21 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: He implied that I am in cahoots with someone who was a member of my party many years ago. That very serious allegation is completely untrue and I hope it is withdrawn.

Planning Projects. (21 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: What he is trying to say would be very clear to anybody listening to our discussion. An Board Pleanála is entirely independent. It makes decisions all the time and I would not agree with all of them. However, in terms of Ireland Inc., the board would be seen as representing Ireland in interpreting the habitats directive. We have to extricate ourselves from that difficulty. Following...