Results 9,221-9,240 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Written Answers — Building Regulations: Building Regulations (8 Jul 2010)

John Gormley: Having regard to my overall Oireachtas and Ministerial business commitments, I have been considering the Joint Oireachtas Committee's invitation to meet with it to discuss the Building Control Act 2007, and I intend to reply shortly. The position in regard to practically trained architects under Part 3 of the Building Control Act 2007 has been set out in replies to previous questions and most...

Written Answers — Local Government Reform: Local Government Reform (8 Jul 2010)

John Gormley: I published the Green Paper on 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. A dedicated Cabinet Committee has been engaged in finalising the policy decisions for inclusion in the White Paper on Local...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (8 Jul 2010)

John Gormley: Since 1994, an integrated pollution control (IPC) licensing system has been administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This system anticipated the provisions of the 1996 Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) Directive and delivered substantial compliance with the Directive. A number of legislative changes were, however, necessary to complete Ireland's...

Written Answers — Local Authority Expenditure: Local Authority Expenditure (8 Jul 2010)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 527 together. Following the Government decision not to proceed with implementation of electronic voting in Ireland, an Interdepartmental Task Force, chaired by my Department, was established to bring the project to an orderly conclusion and to oversee disposal of the equipment and termination of storage arrangements. To date, the Task Force has met...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (8 Jul 2010)

John Gormley: The Castleblayney Sewerage Scheme is included in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2012 as a contract to start within the lifetime of the Programme. A Preliminary Report is required for the further advancement of the Castleblayney Sewerage Scheme and my Department is awaiting the submission of this report. The scope and format of the Programme for 2010 to 2012, is...

Written Answers — Register of Electors: Register of Electors (8 Jul 2010)

John Gormley: In law, the preparation of the Register of Electors is a matter for each local registration authority. It is their duty to ensure, as far as possible and with the cooperation of the public, the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the Register. The Programme for Government, agreed in 2007, contains a commitment to establish an independent Electoral Commission. The renewed Programme for...

Written Answers — Water Supply: Water Supply (8 Jul 2010)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 35 and 519 together. My Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2012, which is available in the Oireachtas library, sets out my plans for investment in major water services projects to meet key environmental and economic objectives, including increased treatment and storage capacity and network improvements where appropriate, over the coming...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (8 Jul 2010)

John Gormley: At my request, the Dublin Docklands Development Authority has undertaken a comprehensive review of its corporate governance procedures, commissioning two reports in relation to its planning and financial management processes. In an associated summary overview report, the Authority's Executive Board has outlined the extensive programme of actions to address specific recommendations made in...

Written Answers — Industrial Relations: Industrial Relations (8 Jul 2010)

John Gormley: The statement on my Green Party web site refers to my involvement as a member of Government and leader of the Green Party in discussions in relation to the Public Service Agreement 2010-2014 which has now been ratified by the Public Services Committee of the ICTU and provides a basis for stability and progress to the benefit of Public Servants and citizens alike. I am a member of the Cabinet...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (8 Jul 2010)

John Gormley: The main requirement of the Directive in relation to urban waste water is the provision of secondary waste water treatment and nutrient reduction, where appropriate, in designated sensitive areas. The Directive establishes the dates by which such treatment is to be provided, which varies depending on the size of the agglomeration concerned. Compliance with the requirements of the Directive...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (8 Jul 2010)

John Gormley: Groundwater is a valuable natural resource in Ireland, used in food and industrial processing, as well as being an important source of drinking water. The original Groundwater Directive (80/68/EEC) was transposed into national legislation through: - the Local Government (Water Pollution) Act, 1977 to 1990; - the Local Government (Water Pollution) Regulations, 1978; - the Protection of...

Written Answers — Noise Pollution: Noise Pollution (8 Jul 2010)

John Gormley: As part of the preparatory process towards the introduction of comprehensive legislation to address noise nuisance, extensive public consultation was undertaken during which over 200 submissions were received from the public and key stakeholders. After due consideration of these submissions, the General Scheme of a Noise Nuisance Bill was prepared and approved by the Government in May 2009....

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (8 Jul 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 made it clear that I want to see a sustainable, resource-based approach to waste management. This will involve a shift in focus, from residual waste management options such as landfill and incineration, to...

Written Answers — Water Charges: Water Charges (8 Jul 2010)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 46 and 47 together. Following the decision by the Government in December 2009, my Department is finalising proposals for the installation of water meters in households served by public water supplies. These proposals will give effect to the commitment in the renewed Programme for Government to introduce charging for domestic water in a way that is fair,...

Written Answers — Foreshore Licenses: Foreshore Licenses (8 Jul 2010)

John Gormley: The consulting engineers acting on behalf of the applicant have written to my Department to say that the application has been withdrawn.

Written Answers — Water Quality: Water Quality (8 Jul 2010)

John Gormley: The latest published report from the Environmental Protection Agency on urban wastewater discharges relates to the year 2007. At that stage, in population equivalent terms, 3.76% of discharges from agglomerations with a population equivalent of greater than 500 are reported to be without any treatment. My Department provides capital funding to Water Services Authorities for the provision of...

Written Answers — Criminal Prosecutions: Criminal Prosecutions (8 Jul 2010)

John Gormley: The latest available information on enforcement activities, including prosecutions, undertaken by the Environmental Protection Agency and local authorities under a range of environmental legislation, including in relation to waste, integrated pollution prevention and control, air pollution and water pollution, is set out in the Agency's report Focus on Environmental Enforcement in Ireland; A...

Written Answers — Waste Disposal: Waste Disposal (8 Jul 2010)

John Gormley: The collection of statistics on waste is a matter for the Environmental Protection Agency, and not one in which I have a role. Similarly, enforcement of waste legislation is a matter for the Agency or the relevant local authority, as the case may be.

Written Answers — Local Authority Staff: Local Authority Staff (8 Jul 2010)

John Gormley: The Environmental Enforcement Network is a network of authorities concerned with environmental regulation, both here and in Northern Ireland, co-ordinated by the Environmental Protection Agency, through its Office of Environmental Enforcement. The Network harnesses the collective resources and expertise available to those authorities, with a view to co-ordinating a consistent and more...

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (8 Jul 2010)

John Gormley: Having regard to available budgetary resources, priority is being given under the bog purchase scheme this year to those wishing to sell their interest in the 32 raised bog sites which were nominated for designation as Special Areas of Conservation between 1997 and 1999. For these sites the derogation by the Government, which allowed the continuation of turf cutting for personal domestic use,...