Results 781-800 of 7,278 for speaker:Dick Roche

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (13 Apr 2005)

Dick Roche: An effective basis for addressing our waste management responsibilities has been put in place through my Department's policy statements, Changing Our Ways, Delivering Change — 1998 and Taking Stock Moving Forward — 2004, statutory waste management plans largely prepared on a regional basis and the comprehensive regulatory framework now in place in relation to waste. The Government's...

Written Answers — Recycling Facilities: Recycling Facilities (13 Apr 2005)

Dick Roche: I refer to the reply to Question No. 49 of 30 September 2004 which sets out the background to the development of this facility. I understand that Drogheda Borough Council has issued tenders for the construction works and is currently in the process of recommending the appointment of a contractor to commence work. My Department is awaiting receipt of a detailed breakdown of the revised costs....

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (13 Apr 2005)

Dick Roche: The role of my Department in relation to local authorities is primarily to provide the policy, financial and legislative framework within which local authorities perform their functions. The enforcement of planning control is more directly a matter for the planning authority, which can take action where a development requiring planning permission has not obtained this permission or where...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (13 Apr 2005)

Dick Roche: I assume that the question refers to reports relating to a possible proposal by a private company to develop a solid waste treatment plant in Waterford Port on a commercial basis. Waste management facilities must comply with stringent planning and environmental standards and secure planning permission from the relevant local authority or An Bord Pleanála and environmental licensing from the...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (13 Apr 2005)

Dick Roche: The Health Research Board study on the effects of landfill and incineration was published in 2003. My Department, together with the Department of Health and Children and the Environmental Protection Agency, has been considering this report with a view to agreeing on a response to its findings. I accept that this process has taken longer than originally anticipated, due primarily to the need...

Written Answers — Nuclear Plants: Nuclear Plants (13 Apr 2005)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 86 and 122 together. On 17 February last, the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority, British Nuclear Fuels plc and Urenco (Capenhurst) Limited published details of the nuclear materials balance arising from the use of plutonium and-or uranium in their civil nuclear programmes during 2003 and 2004. Publication of these figures is a voluntary industry practice...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (13 Apr 2005)

Dick Roche: The Waste Management (Packaging) Regulations 2003 as amended, which revised and replaced previous regulations made in 1997, are intended to facilitate the achievement by Ireland of the 50% packaging waste recovery target by end 2005 as set out in Directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste. These regulations provide the necessary legal framework to facilitate the recovery and...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (13 Apr 2005)

Dick Roche: My Department issued development control and advice guidelines in 1982 which contain advice and guidelines of a general nature in relation to the development control functions of planning authorities. These guidelines are currently under review and I expect to issue draft development management guidelines for public consultation by mid 2005.

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (13 Apr 2005)

Dick Roche: An additional letter of formal notice was received from the European Commission in relation to controls on irregular waste movements and illegal waste trafficking in Ireland. A formal response to this letter issued to the Commission on 18 February 2005 in order to meet the extended reply deadline of 18 February 2005. It would not be appropriate to make a statement on this issue or to publish...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (13 Apr 2005)

Dick Roche: I am pleased to advise the Deputy that earlier today I launched the finalised Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Sustainable Rural Housing. The guidelines constitute statutory ministerial planning guidelines under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, to which planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála are required to have regard in exercising their planning functions....

Written Answers — Building Regulations: Building Regulations (13 Apr 2005)

Dick Roche: I understand that Part L of the Building Regulations for England and Wales requires the installation of condensing boilers in new dwellings with gas fired heating systems from 1 April 2005, and with oil fired systems from 1 April 2007. When replacing a boiler in an existing house, the decision on whether to install a condensing or non-condensing boiler will depend on the outcome of a...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (13 Apr 2005)

Dick Roche: My Department is co-operating with the Department of Finance, the decentralisation implementation group, DIG, and the Office of Public Works to ensure the Government's decentralisation programme is implemented efficiently and effectively. In accordance with the Government decision on the first phase of moves under the programme, the transfer of my Department's headquarters to Wexford is...

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (13 Apr 2005)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 94 and 105 together. My Department maintains an intensive programme in relation to the transposition and implementation of EU environmental legislation. Some 200 pieces of EU environmental legislation, including more than 140 directives, have by now been transposed. It is part of the role of the Commission to ensure that member states satisfactorily transpose...

Written Answers — Electronic Voting: Electronic Voting (13 Apr 2005)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 95 and 275 together. I refer to the reply to Question No. 55 of 9 February 2005. I am giving full consideration to the views of the Commission as set out in its first report, and I will ensure that its analysis will inform and guide my Department's programme of further assessment, testing and validation of the system. I intend therefore that all of the...

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (13 Apr 2005)

Dick Roche: My Department, together with the relevant Northern Ireland authorities, is continuing to take forward enhanced North-South co-operation and joint action in a range of areas including the following: work is continuing on the co-ordinated implementation of the EU water framework directive and in particular in relation to the development of common approaches for the typology, monitoring and...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (13 Apr 2005)

Dick Roche: National policy in regard to the management of hazardous waste, including hazardous clinical waste, is set out in the EPA national hazardous waste management plan which covers the period 2001-2006. The plan addresses the prevention and minimisation of hazardous waste, the recovery of hazardous waste, the collection and movement of hazardous waste and the disposal of such hazardous waste as...

Written Answers — Local Government Programme: Local Government Programme (13 Apr 2005)

Dick Roche: The Local Government Act 2001 was designed to modernise the legislative framework, support community involvement with local authorities in a more participative local democracy and underpin generally the programme of local government renewal, including the position of county and city councils as the primary units of local government. The Act takes account of the recommendations of the 1996...

Written Answers — National Spatial Strategy: National Spatial Strategy (13 Apr 2005)

Dick Roche: The Government has put a wide range of measures in place at national, regional and local levels to implement the national spatial strategy, NSS, and achieve its objectives over its 20 year timeframe. The initial phases of NSS implementation focused on embedding the policy approach of the NSS within key Government Departments, their agencies and in regional and local authorities. Significant...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (13 Apr 2005)

Dick Roche: Article 15 of Council Directive 1999/31/EC on the landfill of waste requires member states to send reports to the Commission at intervals of three years on the implementation of the directive. The report is being finalised by my Department and will be forwarded to the Commission within the coming days. This directive also requires member states of the European Union to achieve specified...

Written Answers — Quigley Report: Quigley Report (13 Apr 2005)

Dick Roche: Substantial progress has been made by my Department in implementing the recommendation regarding procurement contained in the Quigley report. Procurement guidelines and practices in the Department have been reviewed and a set of consolidated guidelines has been made available to all staff. Revised procedures have being put in place to strengthen monitoring and control of procurement and...