Results 8,741-8,760 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Written Answers — National Monuments: National Monuments (27 May 2010)

John Gormley: The Programme for Government 2007 - 2012 contained a commitment, re-affirmed in the renewed Programme for Government in October 2009, to update and consolidate the law on national monuments to improve the protection of our archaeological heritage. The Government has approved the detailed legislative proposals which I brought forward on foot of a comprehensive review of archaeological policy...

Written Answers — Public Procurement: Public Procurement (27 May 2010)

John Gormley: Directives 2004/17/EC and 2004/18/EC, which were transposed into Irish law by regulations made by the Minister for Finance, allow for environmental and social criteria and conditions to be integrated into public procurement procedures. Such criteria and conditions may, therefore, be included in the selection of technical specifications and award criteria, and in contract performance clauses....

Written Answers — Election Management System: Election Management System (27 May 2010)

John Gormley: Recognising that people with disabilities have particular needs, my Department endeavours to ensure that the voting process is as accessible and inclusive as possible. Currently there are two options available to assist voters with a visual impairment to vote at their local polling station; they may avail of companion voting or they may seek the assistance of the presiding officer. Other...

Written Answers — Illegal Dumping: Illegal Dumping (27 May 2010)

John Gormley: Enforcement actions against illegal waste activity are a matter for the local authorities and the Office of Environmental Enforcement (OEE). The 2005 report of the OEE, The Nature and Extent of Unauthorised Waste Activity in Ireland, identified the unauthorised collection and fly-tipping of waste as a problem area which needed to be further tackled. The extent of fly-tipping is not, however,...

Written Answers — Waste Disposal: Waste Disposal (27 May 2010)

John Gormley: On 22 February 2010 I appointed an authorised person pursuant to section 224 of the Local Government Act 2001 to prepare a report in relation to the nature and extent of the financial and related risks and consequences which may be faced by Dublin City Council in connection with its participation in, and performance of, the Agreement with Dublin Waste to Energy Ltd in a changing policy, legal...

Written Answers — Water Quality: Water Quality (27 May 2010)

John Gormley: River basin management plans are currently being adopted, in accordance with the requirements of the Water Framework Directive, for each of the seven river basin districts in the State. The plans will set out the current status of waters, the environmental objectives which are to be achieved in the first planning cycle to 2015 and the programmes of measures which will be required in order to...

Written Answers — Water Quality: Water Quality (27 May 2010)

John Gormley: During 2007, water services authorities were asked by my Department to review the operation of all water treatment plants (and associated infrastructure) and to ensure that the installation of continuous chlorine alarms and turbidity meters at appropriate locations at the treatment plant or in the distribution network (including at reservoirs) is progressed without delay. This request was...

Written Answers — Water Quality: Water Quality (27 May 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 — Genetically Modified Organisms: Genetically Modified Organisms (27 May 2010)

John Gormley: I am committed to the establishment of a GM free zone in Ireland as set out in the Programme for Government. No GM food products are currently cultivated in Ireland. In respect of the cultivation and sale of GM products, there is a community authorisation procedure in place, enabling the competent authority of each Member State to contribute to the decision-making process. In Ireland, the...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (27 May 2010)

John Gormley: Meeting the requirements of the Landfill Directive is a key national priority in respect of waste management and I am committed to implementing the measures necessary to ensure that Ireland meets the 2010, and subsequent, EU landfill diversion targets. Data from the National Waste Report 2008, published by the EPA, show that the quantity of biodegradable municipal waste disposed of to...

Written Answers — Carbon Fund: Carbon Fund (27 May 2010)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 52 and 53 together. Under the Carbon Fund Act 2007, a carbon fund mechanism was established to facilitate the purchase of carbon units and the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) was designated as purchasing agent for the State. The cost of carbon units purchased under this mechanism is met by the NTMA from the Central Fund and each drawdown must be...

Written Answers — Departmental Communications: Departmental Communications (27 May 2010)

John Gormley: My Department operates 32 websites. Maintenance costs for 2009 were €84,124.08. Information relating to the websites operated by Agencies under the aegis of my Department is a matter for the Agencies themselves.

Written Answers — Election Management System: Election Management System (27 May 2010)

John Gormley: In order to be able to vote at elections and referenda in this jurisdiction, a person's name must be entered in the register of electors for a constituency in the State in which the person ordinarily resides. Postal voting is provided for in electoral law in respect of certain categories of person who are entered in the register of electors. The Electoral Act 1992 provides for postal voting...

Written Answers — Local Authority Community Facilities: Local Authority Community Facilities (27 May 2010)

John Gormley: All thirty-four county and city councils have now completed the audit of community facilities and appropriate arrangements are being made by the county and city councils to make the audits publicly available including via their websites. The main purpose of the audit was to establish the current level of provision and inform future investment in facilities based on the outcome of the audit...

Written Answers — Motor Taxation: Motor Taxation (27 May 2010)

John Gormley: The proceeds of motor tax are paid into the Local Government Fund, which was established by the Local Government Act 1998. The Exchequer also contributes to the Local Government Fund. Payments made from the Fund include recoupments to the Department of Transport in respect of vehicle and driver licensing administration, expenditure on regional and local roads, and annual General Purpose...

Written Answers — Building Regulations: Building Regulations (27 May 2010)

John Gormley: The implementation of the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2009 which provide, inter alia, for a Regularisation Certificate, is the responsibility of the 37 local Building Control Authorities. While information is not currently available on the number of Regularisation Certificates issued since the operative date of 1 October 2009, authorities will be requested to include this...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (27 May 2010)

John Gormley: The Kildare Water Supply Scheme Phase 2 (Castlewarden to Ballygoran) is included in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2012 as a scheme at planning. Kildare County Council's contract documents for the scheme are awaited in my Department.

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (27 May 2010)

John Gormley: I refer to the replies to Questions Nos. 798 of 20 April 2010 and 128 of 6 May 2010. On 18 October 2005, Kildare County Council submitted a proposal, plan and cost estimate for the Ballyna Group Water Scheme. The proposed cost of the scheme was €11.3 million. The proposal was that the Ballyna Group Water Scheme would connect to the Johnstownbridge Wellfield Development at the outlet from...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (27 May 2010)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 215 to 217, inclusive, together. The Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2012, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas Library, provides for the development of a comprehensive range of new water services infrastructure over the next three years. This Programme is presented on a river basin district basis and lists the contracts to commence...

Interception of Gaza Humanitarian Flotilla: Motion (1 Jun 2010)

John Gormley: I rise with a heavy heart to speak on this motion. It is profoundly depressing to ponder the face of the Palestinian people. Like many other Irish people I have followed the events in the Middle East for many years and cannot but be moved by what is happening to the Palestinians. The close involvement of so many Irish people with an aid mission which was viciously and wantonly attacked by...