Results 8,181-8,200 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

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

John Gormley: The risk of cryptosporidium is one of the factors taken into consideration by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in compiling the "Remedial Action List" which identifies public water supplies which required detailed profiling to ensure that the supply is providing clean and wholesome water. Some 14 water supply schemes in County Galway have been included on the Remedial Action List by...

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

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 34 and 167 together. I refer to the reply to Question Nos. 48 and 292 of 21 January 2010. It is the responsibility of the relevant water services authority to deliver quality public water supplies to meet current and future needs. My Department co-ordinates and finances a major programme of investment in improved drinking water supply infrastructure, on which...

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

John Gormley: The programme for Government agreed in 2007 signalled a fundamental change of policy in relation to waste management. Reflecting the ambition of the programme commitment, I have repeatedly made clear that incineration can no longer be the cornerstone of Irish waste policy, and that it is the Government's intention not to support the provision of excessive incineration capacity but to...

Written Answers — Archaeological Sites: Archaeological Sites (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: I presume that the Question relates to an Office of Public Works site in the Hammond Lane/Church Street area where, in the final phase of archaeological excavations, evidence of a Viking house was identified. I understand that the archaeological excavations have now been completed, including recording and removal of archaeological features and deposits by the licensed archaeologist, and that...

Written Answers — Community Warden Service: Community Warden Service (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: I presume the question refers to the local authority community warden service. The pilot community warden service, which was established in five local authorities in 2002, has since been placed on a permanent footing. Following a process of adjudication, the practical issues concerning the extension of the service to other local authorities have been settled. Accordingly, it is now open...

Written Answers — Turbary Rights: Turbary Rights (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 39 and 43 together. Last year I established an Interdepartmental working group on the cessation of turf cutting in designated raised bogs. The group is nearing completion of its deliberations and I expect to receive its report in the very near future. I will conclude my consideration of the report and any recommendations it contains as rapidly as possible,...

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (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 providing, for the first time, for the management of water on a catchment basis. Implementation of the Directive is being progressed through River Basin District projects led by co-ordinating local authorities. A River Basin District project office, funded...

Written Answers — Litter Pollution: Litter Pollution (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: Enforcement actions against illegal waste activity are a matter for the local authorities and the Office of Environmental Enforcement, OEE. I am satisfied that appropriate powers and resources are available to these enforcement authorities. The 2005 report of the OEE, The Nature and Extent of Unauthorised Waste Activity in Ireland, identified the unauthorised collection and fly-tipping of...

Written Answers — Special Areas of Conservation: Special Areas of Conservation (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: The following table shows the landmass of Special Areas of Conservation and Natural Heritage Areas in County Galway compared to national totals. The figures for Connemara are not available. It should be noted that in many cases the designations overlap, and accordingly, the overall percentage of the county's area that is subject to designation cannot be deduced by adding the percentage...

Written Answers — Special Areas of Conservation: Special Areas of Conservation (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: Compensation may be payable to users/owners of land who have been refused consent to continue an operation or activity. Landowners, and/or the holders of turbary rights, who are entitled to cut turf for domestic purposes may also apply to sell their rights to the State, at standard rates, under the voluntary purchase scheme for designated raised bogs. Holders of turbary rights who have been...

Written Answers — Litter Pollution: Litter Pollution (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) was set up in 1996 as an alliance of companies that believe litter has a significant impact on our economic well-being. My Department provides grant assistance to IBAL each year but has no formal role in the operation of the IBAL Litter League, which commenced in 2002 and has been developed to mobilise local authorities into action on the subject of...

Written Answers — Registration of Title: Registration of Title (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: Section 261 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, which commenced with effect from 28 April 2004, introduced a once-off system of registration for all quarries, except those for which planning permission was granted in the five years prior to commencement of the section. Information was required to be supplied within a year, by 27 April 2005. The purpose of section 261 was to give a...

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

John Gormley: There is no review under way in relation to existing contracts under the water services investment programme, which continue to be funded as usual. Water services authorities were asked in July 2009 to submit an assessment of needs for water and sewerage services to my Department by 23 October 2009. In preparing these assessments, water services authorities were required to take into...

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

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 171 to 174, inclusive, together. Under the Waste Management Acts the statutory responsibility for waste management planning, including in respect of infrastructure provision, rests with local authorities, generally acting in regional groupings. Section 60(3) of the Waste Management Act 1996 precludes Ministerial involvement, in particular circumstances, in a...

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

John Gormley: My Department has requested local authorities, including Clare County Council, to submit applications to the Department by 3 March setting out their borrowing requirements to progress their water services projects in 2010. Decisions will be made on individual applications as soon as possible thereafter in the light of the overall amount of borrowing available for water services projects in...

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: This Bill seeks to ensure that we are dealing not just with the question of animal welfare, but that the dog breeding establishments will benefit. We already have a problem as we have a reputation for being the dog breeding capital of Europe, with all the animal welfare issues associated with that. This means that we are not held in high esteem, and one only has to read some of the articles...

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: I will try to cut this short but I do wish to respond to some of the points that were made. I thank Deputy Bradford-----

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: I was thinking of the future. I thank Senator Bradford for his measured contribution which stands in stark contrast with that of Senator Cummins. The latter's contribution was somewhat emotive and headline-grabbing in nature. It is important that we should have a balanced debate on this matter. In the context of what Senator Callely stated, this matter has nothing to do with the Ward Union...

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: It is unfortunate that people have sought to confuse these issues. This is a straightforward item of legislation which has been planned for over five years. I assure Senators that there are no hidden agendas or anything of that sort. Senator Callely also referred to amendments being put forward by members of his party. I was happy to attend the meeting of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary...

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: It is not a point of order and I did not write any such letter. I explained that on the first occasion on which I contributed to the debate on this Bill in the Seanad.