Results 8,161-8,180 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Local Government Reform. (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: It would be interesting to get an assessment of the effect of getting rid of the dual mandate. Many would argue we got rid of many experienced heads in local councils who could deal with managers, had an idea of where the local authority should move and took a national perspective. There are arguments for and against. There is a triple mandate in France, where politicians can be in the...

Local Government Reform. (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: That would be an interesting one.

Local Government Reform. (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: One could be mayor of Dublin and retain one's seat in this House. The current Minister for Transport, Deputy Noel Dempsey, took the decision in respect of these matters. I am not sure Deputy Tuffy can blame civil servants in this instance. The Minister took a view that did not gain acceptance in Fianna Fáil but prevailed with it. As a result of this decision, Deputies and Senators have...

Local Government Reform. (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: If we had regional government there is the possibility of interaction between regional parliaments and the Seanad. This should be explored.

Flood Relief. (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: The transposition of the water framework directive in 2003 saw the establishment of eight river basin districts on the island of Ireland, including the Shannon international river basin district. The regulations transposing the directive provided, for the first time, a basis for the management of water on a catchment basis. Implementation of the directive is being brought forward through...

Flood Relief. (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: This was the subject of discussion recently on "Primetime" and, as the Deputy observed, it was also raised at the Oireachtas committee. The Deputy is correct that there are several agencies with responsibility in this area, including the Office of Public Works, ESB, local authorities and the National Parks and Wildlife Service, which has a role in respect of special areas of conservation and...

Flood Relief. (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: On Deputy Tuffy's question, as I said in my reply, my Department has funded project offices in each of the seven river basin districts, one of which will deal with the Shannon river basin district management plan. That will span the administrative boundaries of counties Limerick, Clare, north Tipperary, Offaly, Westmeath, Longford and Roscommon as well as significant portions of counties...

Written Answers — Water Charges: Water Charges (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 16 together. On 10 December 2009, following a decision by the Government, I informed the House that I would be bringing forward proposals as a priority for the installation of water meters in households. These proposals, which my Department is currently finalising, will give effect to the commitment in the renewed Programme for Government to introduce...

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: As I have indicated in reply to Priority Question No. 1 earlier, I have already received the DDDA's report on corporate governance, together with the two supporting independent reports which were commissioned by the Authority to review internal practices and procedures within the Authority. The first of the supporting reports, a report by Declan Brassil and Associates, Chartered Planning...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: I have made no secret of my concerns regarding the potential implications of the large scale Poolbeg waste facility for a progressive approach to waste management, based on evolving policy and legislation in the areas of resource management and environmental protection. In particular, I remain concerned that the Dublin local authorities may not be able to meet the volumetric contractual...

Written Answers — Dublin Docklands Development Authority: Dublin Docklands Development Authority (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: Under the provisions of Section 30 of the Dublin Docklands Development Authority Act 1997, as amended, the Authority may, with the sanction of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, given with the consent of the Minister for Finance, borrow up to €127 million for current or capital purposes. Sanction was granted to the Authority in June 2001 by the Minister for...

Written Answers — Water Services: Water Services (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: There was no scheme in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009 specifically relating to water pipe replacement works in the Dalkey/Killiney area and there are no proposals for such works in the Dalkey-Killiney area with my Department at present. However, some work of this nature was carried out in conjunction with the Dun Laoghaire sewerage scheme in recent years. While...

Written Answers — Building Regulations: Building Regulations (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: The European Communities (Energy Performance of Buildings) Regulations 2006 – 2008 transposed the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive into Irish law. Article 8 of the Regulations requires a public body, in relation to a large building occupied by it on or after 1 January 2009, to secure and display a valid display energy certificate (DEC) which must be updated and renewed each...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: The introduction of a directly elected mayor of Dublin will deliver significantly strengthened leadership for the city and region, with enhanced accountability and a direct connection with the citizen. A general scheme of legislation to provide for the Mayor for Dublin was published on my Department's website yesterday, as an opportunity for further consultation before the Bill is finalised,...

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: I refer to the reply to Question No. 432 of 23 February 2009, in which I indicated that the making of a river basin management plan is a function reserved to local authorities. In December 2008, local authorities published craft River Basin Management Plans for each of the River Basin Districts. These draft plans were open to public consultation for a period of six months up to June 2009...

Written Answers — Election Management System: Election Management System (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 24 and 165 together. On 23 April 2009, I announced that the Government had decided not to proceed with implementation of electronic voting in Ireland. Since then, a process has been put in place to address the issues that arise from the decision. An interdepartmental task force, chaired by my Department, has been established to bring the project to an...

Written Answers — Election Management System: Election Management System (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: The programme for Government, agreed in 2007, contains a commitment to the establishment of an independent Electoral Commission which will take responsibility for electoral administration and oversight, implement modern and efficient electoral practices, revise constituency boundaries, take charge of compiling a new national rolling Electoral Register, take over the functions of the Standards...

Written Answers — Water Services: Water Services (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 27 and 40 together. The most recent figures for unaccounted water for each county and city council are set out in the Report Service Indicators in Local Authorities 2008 published last November by the Local Government Management Services Board. A copy is available in the Oireachtas Library. The report highlighted unaccounted for water losses ranging from...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: My Department understands that lead water distribution mains do not constitute a significant portion of the overall supply networks nationwide. At issue are lead connections to individual premises and internal lead plumbing that could affect drinking water quality and, therefore, have public health implications, necessitating replacement of the pipes involved. Only the replacement of lead...

Written Answers — Building Regulations: Building Regulations (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: The issue of pyrite was brought to the attention of my Department in mid 2007. Having consulted the statutory Building Regulations Advisory Body, my Department issued a circular letter (Ref. BC 6/2007) to each county manager and local building control authority on 16 August 2007 to bring the issue of pyrite to their notice and to request co-operation in the enforcement of the relevant...