Results 8,001-8,020 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (9 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 563 and 599 together. A total of 63 employees in my Department have availed of the Cycle to Work Scheme since its introduction - 45 in 2009, with a further 18 availing of the scheme to date in 2010. Some €13,375 has been spent by departmental employees under the scheme to date in 2010. This amount is being recouped from the individuals concerned as a...

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (9 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: I am advised that this proposal, while interesting, is not one that is normally eligible for funding by my Department. Funding is provided for projects under Interreg IV and the Peace and Reconciliation programme subject to projects meeting the criteria of the programmes. The programmes are managed by the Special EU Programmes Body. Its website, www.seupb.org, gives its contact details...

Written Answers — Special Areas of Conservation: Special Areas of Conservation (9 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: Having regard to available resources, priority is being given under the bog purchase scheme to those wishing to sell their interest in the 32 raised bog sites which were nominated for designation as Special Areas of Conservation in 1999. For these sites, the ten-year derogation given by the Government, which allowed the continuation of turf cutting for personal domestic use, has now expired....

Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (9 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: The Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009 completed Second Stage in the Seanad on 3 February 2010. I have received the submissions of the animal welfare organisations to which the question refers and I will continue to consider them in the context of the Bill passing through the Houses of the Oireachtas. Regulations will be introduced following the Bill's enactment and these will set out...

Written Answers — Departmental Procurement: Departmental Procurement (9 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 570 and 574 together. The information requested in relation to the one relevant contract entered into by my Department is as follows: a contract worth over €15 million was entered into with Powervote Ireland Limited and Nedap NV in 2003 for the purpose of the acquisition of electronic voting equipment and related services.

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (9 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: The information requested in relation to consultancies currently underway in my Department is set out in the table. Consultant Project/Work Aegis Archaeology Conservation Study in County Sligo David Hickie, Environmental and Planning Consultant Preparation of 4th Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity DKM Economic Consultants Quarterly and Annual Construction Industry research...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (9 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: Kildare County Council has advised my Department that the information sought has now been issued to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (9 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: The Lough Leane Catchment Sewerage Scheme (Kilcummin, Barraduff) was included in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007 – 2009. The Barraduff Sewerage Scheme is under construction. Kerry County Council's revised proposal for the Kilcummin scheme is under examination in my Department. A decision will be conveyed to the Council as soon as possible in the light of the...

Written Answers — Foreshore Licences: Foreshore Licences (9 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: Following the enactment of the Foreshore and Dumping at Sea (Amendment) Act 2009, my Department assumed responsibility on 15 January 2010 for a range of foreshore functions including all foreshore energy-related developments including oil, gas, wind, wave and tidal energy. Details of foreshore applications that are subject to Environmental Impact Assessment and under consideration are set...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (9 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: Responsibility for roads policy including road safety matters rests with the Minister for Transport, in the first instance. The issue of the adequacy or otherwise of local transport infrastructure to cater for new development, and inter alia in relation to schools infrastructure, is a matter for planning authorities and where relevant An Bord Pleanála in determining such planning...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (9 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: The European Court of Justice in July 2009 delivered its judgment in a case against Ireland in respect of the charging of VAT by public bodies on certain economic activities. The court ruled that public bodies must charge VAT on a range of services to avoid distorting the market between private and public operators. The judgment has implications for all public bodies in Ireland, including...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (9 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: It should be noted that planning permission granted since mid-2008 would generally remain valid for a period of five years, beginning on the date of the grant of permission. Section 42 of the Planning and Development Acts 2000–2009 provides that the duration of a planning permission may be extended, subject to certain conditions, where substantial works have been carried out before the...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (9 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: My Department is finalising its assessment of the Contract Documents for the waste water treatment plant element of the Gorey Sewerage Scheme which was included for funding in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009. A decision on the contract documents for this scheme will be notified to Wexford County Council as soon as possible in the light of the finalisation of the...

Written Answers — Health and Safety Regulations: Health and Safety Regulations (9 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: My Department is aware of the requirements for portable appliance testing and the keeping of records for such tests in accordance with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007. Where necessary, these requirements are addressed as part of overall compliance management processes, including through the adoption of safe operating procedures and the conduct of...

Written Answers — Turbary Rights: Turbary Rights (9 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 585 and 586 together. Following the end of 10-year derogation, turf cutting is now due to cease on 32 raised bog Special Areas of Conservation (SACs). Within the coming weeks, I expect to receive a report from the inter-departmental working group that I established last year to make recommendations on managing the cessation of turf cutting within these sites....

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (9 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: While there are no special planning requirements for the type of shops referred to in the Question, local authorities can use the powers currently available to them under the planning code, such as the development plan process, to ensure that late night and adult entertainment venues are not inappropriately located. The Minister of State with responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy...

Written Answers — Local Government Elections: Local Government Elections (9 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 589 and 596 together. The election for a regional Mayor for Dublin will be held this year. A date has not yet been fixed for the election. The necessary legislation to provide for the Mayor and to address the electoral arrangements involved is being advanced as a priority. I intend to publish the general scheme of the legislation for consultation purposes as...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (9 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: I expect to notify local authorities, including Mayo, of my Department's block grant allocations under the 2010 Rural Water Programme shortly. Responsibility for the administration of the Rural Water Programme, which includes funding for group water schemes, has been devolved to local authorities since 1997. Under the devolved arrangements, local authorities are responsible for the approval...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (9 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: I have received correspondence from a number of stakeholders regarding certain aspects of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009 and proposing specific amendments; these are under consideration in my Department. The Bill is currently at Second Stage in the Dáil and may be further amended as it passes through the remaining stages in the Houses of the Oireachtas. The interaction...

Written Answers — Cross-Border Co-operation: Cross-Border Co-operation (9 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: There is ongoing co-operation between my Department and the Department of Environment in Northern Ireland and other relevant agencies in a wide range of areas. Information on 12 such areas of activity is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.