Results 8,141-8,160 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Waste Management. (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: I have not had any direct contact with the ESRI concerning its report on waste management. I have, however, noted the contents of the report and have expressed concerns as to the accuracy of certain material contained in it. It is my understanding that the institute is currently reviewing the report on foot of comments following its publication and will be issuing a response shortly. One...

Waste Management. (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: I can confirm that the principal author of the report, Dr. Dominic Hogg, author of the Eunomia report, has been in contact with the ESRI. He has compiled a very large response to the ESRI report, pointing out the major flaws contained in that report. I understand he will be making that information public. These are independent consultants, as are the ESRI and so I cannot force anybody to...

Waste Management. (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: This was outlined. The Dublin city manager and others were trying to confuse matters. It is unequivocal and we have pointed this out. I refer the Deputy to the renewed programme for Government, where the matter is highlighted.

Waste Management. (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: Yes and it is very clear. I am proceeding with the cap on incineration. I will consult on that matter and a strategic environmental assessment must be carried out. This requires a broad consultation with the key stakeholders. I am very clear in my view on incineration but I am not sure if the Deputy's party is entirely clear in its view. I note that Councillor Naoise Ó Muirí,...

Waste Management. (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: -----and I would like to hear the Deputy's view because I understand the Deputy and his party seem to be in favour of it and I have not heard anything to the contrary.

Social and Affordable Housing. (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: Yes.

Water and Sewerage Schemes. (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 and 42 together. Capital expenditure by the Exchequer between 2005 and 2009 on the provision of water supply infrastructure amounted to €1.5 billion. Some 73 such projects were completed under the water services investment programme. The first table that follows this reply sets out details of the public water supply projects completed under the water...

Water and Sewerage Schemes. (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: I thought I said €1.1 billion. That is how much we spent on 73 projects between 2005 and 2009.

Water and Sewerage Schemes. (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: The proposed water services investment programme for the years 2010 to 2012, which will be published over the coming weeks, will set out the new water supply contracts to be progressed over the period of the plan. I have not published it yet. I have already given the Deputy information on the nature of the expenditure that is incurred when investing in water supply infrastructure. I will...

Water and Sewerage Schemes. (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: No. The Deputy is right. I have already said we will ensure we spend considerable additional moneys on conserving water and repairing mains pipes. It makes sense to do so. I am aware of terrible water supply difficulties, particularly in my constituency, that are caused by leaking pipes and exacerbated by the cold weather. We have to deal with that. The new programme will be fully...

Water and Sewerage Schemes. (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: I do not think the issue raised by the Deputy is directly related to the questions before the House. Greater flexibility is being afforded to county managers as a result of our discussions with them on these issues. I do not think they are experiencing the same difficulties in respect of those levies as they did previously. The Deputy should address his questions to the managers in his...

Water and Sewerage Schemes. (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: The Deputy will appreciate this is a matter primarily for the Dublin local authorities. As a Dublin Deputy I too have an interest in the matter. It is essential information is posted on, say, websites so that people know when shortages and low pressure will occur. Most areas have been sorted. I know from the Sandymount area and others, that were left without water for a considerable time...

Water and Sewerage Schemes. (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: Although I cannot speak for the local authorities, there was record demand for water during the cold spell. People left taps running and reservoirs, subsequently, ran low. Local authorities had to cut back on water supplies, particularly at night time so as to cause the least amount of inconvenience. I understand the water pressure problem is worst in areas on high ground. I know in my...

Water and Sewerage Schemes. (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: Does the Ceann Comhairle want me to read the reply into the record?

Local Government Reform. (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 7, 25 and 36 together. I published the Green Paper, Local Government, Stronger Local Democracy – Options for Change, in April 2008. This was followed by an extensive programme of national consultation for purposes of informing the preparation of the White Paper on local government. This will set out policy on a wide range of local government issues and...

Local Government Reform. (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: The Green Paper was published in April 2008. As I said in my reply, circumstances have changed considerably since then. We have had a major economic downturn. That is why we must take into account the report of the Commission onTaxation, the McCarthy report and the renewed programme for Government. The latter refers to regional government and fits in with some of the recommendations of...

Local Government Reform. (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: It is an interesting idea and I am happy to examine any ideas that Deputies may communicate to me. I am not going to discount the idea but we must examine its implications and see how it would work in effect. Deputy Lynch seems to suggest it will be a Senator.

Local Government Reform. (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: There is a divide between local authorities and the Oireachtas and very often local councillors do not appreciate Members getting involved. They ask why we do not just stick to what we are doing in Dublin instead of bothering the local councillors. I imagine members of the Labour Party would not appreciate what they see as interference.

Local Government Reform. (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: The difficulty in our multiseat constituencies is that the councillor is trying to oust the Deputy and might not appreciate the Deputy interfering.

Local Government Reform. (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: I am happy to examine this idea.