Results 8,701-8,720 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Departmental Agencies (27 May 2010)

John Gormley: Obviously, I have spoken to the departmental representatives on the board of the DDDA. I already answered the Deputy's question about the Moylan report. I have no difficulty at all in publishing that report, which was sent to me as a matter of courtesy. It is the property of the DDDA but, as I said, I am in favour of its publication. However, these reports have been cited in newspaper...

Departmental Agencies (27 May 2010)

John Gormley: We do not publish advice from the Attorney General but I have received that advice and discussed it with him. I assume the Deputy is pleased with the outcome and that the issue is now being advanced. I have not yet had the opportunity to talk directly to the Minister for Finance about this but, as I said, I hope we can make progress as quickly as possible.

Legislative Programme (27 May 2010)

John Gormley: Electoral law is subject to ongoing review to make necessary changes to maintain and develop a robust and modern legal framework as a principal element of the operation of our democratic system. In the past five years, five separate electoral Bills have been enacted. In 2009 alone, two were enacted. Looking over the past ten years, an average of one electoral Bill per year was enacted by...

Legislative Programme (27 May 2010)

John Gormley: We will have the legislation published before the end of this session. I stated that definitively. I have stated, and announced the other evening, as Deputy Hogan will be aware, in response to his own Private Members' Bill, that I will be setting up the electoral commission on a non-statutory basis. The legislation that is required to set it up on a statutory basis is complex and will take...

Legislative Programme (27 May 2010)

John Gormley: The Leas-Cheann Comhairle has put it well. The fact is that we responded in detail to Deputy Hogan's Private Members' Bill.

Legislative Programme (27 May 2010)

John Gormley: Interestingly, when the Deputy considers these matters, I am not sure that he is in such a hurry to have a by-election in Dublin South.

Legislative Programme (27 May 2010)

John Gormley: I very much doubt if my good colleague in Fine Gael, Deputy McGinley, is too anxious to proceed so quickly with the by-election in Donegal.

Legislative Programme (27 May 2010)

John Gormley: Sometimes there is a great deal of posturing in this House. Fine Gael moved the writ for Waterford, but I will tell Deputy Hogan what my personal view on those matters is. I have said it on a number of occasions and I will repeat it again, my view is it makes sense from a cost effectiveness point of view to hold all of these elections together, be it the mayoralty election, the by-elections...

Local Government Elections (27 May 2010)

John Gormley: I intend to take Questions Nos. 7 and 43 together. The introduction of a directly elected mayor for Dublin will deliver significantly strengthened leadership for the city and region, with enhanced accountability and a direct connection with the citizen. The mayor will have a powerful role in setting out strategic policy across Dublin and oversight of operational implementation. He or she...

Local Government Elections (27 May 2010)

John Gormley: The Deputy will know that there is Government agreement because it is set out in the renewed programme for Government.

Local Government Elections (27 May 2010)

John Gormley: It clearly says 2010 there. As regards the Deputy's other question, I met with the chamber of commerce and they are the very people who have been calling for quite some time for the introduction of a mayor for the Dublin region. I am happy to be the Minister to deliver that. I wish to engage further with the Dublin Chamber of Commerce to ensure that it meets with their requirements. I...

Local Government Elections (27 May 2010)

John Gormley: We said that the major would have an overarching role. It is similar to the relationship that exists in London.

Local Government Elections (27 May 2010)

John Gormley: The London model has various boroughs with councillors in place and the mayor interacts with them, as well as interacting with an assembly that can question the mayor and hold him to account. The same sort of model will apply here.

Local Government Elections (27 May 2010)

John Gormley: I will be very clear about it. I have met with councillors on a number of occasions and I have said that I see the powers coming from the managers. That is clearly the case and I have stated so on a number of occasions. As to the Deputy's initial point, it is up to the political parties to decide when they want to campaign. They can select their candidates and start campaigning now if they...

Local Government Elections (27 May 2010)

John Gormley: I am happy to answer, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle. It shows that the Cabinet committee dealing with the White Paper is active and is doing a lot of work.

Local Government Elections (27 May 2010)

John Gormley: I was intrigued by the story. It is always interesting when one sees one's work being discussed in detail. I cannot comment on whether it is accurate because it is never a good thing to comment on leaks. I can say, however, that the White Paper will be a radical document. It may not find favour with all parties, including councillors, but it will be transformative. It is certainly...

Local Government Elections (27 May 2010)

John Gormley: It will. If one were to go on what Deputy Tuffy has said, we do have quite a number of town councillors. We actually increased the number of town councillors, believe it or not.

Dog Breeding Legislation (27 May 2010)

John Gormley: The Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009 proposes to give statutory effect to the recommendations of the working group that reviewed the management of dog breeding establishments. The working group was set up in September 2004 by the then Minister to consider the regulation of dog breeding establishments and to make recommendations on the proper management of such establishments. Dog...

Dog Breeding Legislation (27 May 2010)

John Gormley: I am happy to do so. It is certainly my intention to introduce amendments, but the question is whether we will do so in the Seanad, or whether we can do it in this House on Committee Stage. I think it is probably better if we do it in this House and then go back to the Seanad. I have listened very carefully to the contributions that were made by Deputies in all parties. It is interesting...

Local Government Reform (27 May 2010)

John Gormley: I propose to take Question Nos. 10 and 203 together. I published the Green Paper on local government, Stronger Local Democracy - Options for Change, in April 2008. That was followed by an extensive programme of national consultation for purposes of informing the preparation of the White Paper on local government. The environment has altered considerably since April 2008, not least due to...