Results 9,261-9,280 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Written Answers — Special Areas of Conservation: Special Areas of Conservation (8 Jul 2010)

John Gormley: The Voluntary Bog Purchase Scheme operated by my Department has generated substantial interest since it was launched in 1999. In excess of 2,000 applications and/or expressions of interest have been received over the intervening years. All offers to purchase by my Department are subject to contract. Delays have occurred as a result of the need for surveys, examination of title and the large...

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

John Gormley: Scientific reviews have already been carried out on designated raised bog sites. A number of reports commissioned by my Department clearly conclude that ongoing cutting on these sites, as well as the associated drainage, is causing significant loss of the European priority habitat, active raised bog. Under the EU Habitats Directive, Ireland is legally obliged to ensure the long-term...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (8 Jul 2010)

John Gormley: The general scheme of the legislation to provide for the Mayor was published on my Department's website in February 2010, as an opportunity for further consultation before its finalisation, and to facilitate early implementation of the Bill's provisions, once enacted. The Bill, to provide for the mayoral electoral process as well as the powers of the Mayor and Regional Authority, is a large...

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

John Gormley: Retirement lump sums for civil servants are calculated on the basis of 3/80ths of salary per year of service, subject to a maximum of 11⁄2 times the salary on which superannuation benefits are based. Under the terms of the Public Service Agreement (PSA), pay reductions which took effect in January 2010 are currently disregarded for the purposes of calculating superannuation benefits....

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (14 Jul 2010)

John Gormley: I wish to thank all Senators for their varied, interesting and positive contributions to the debate on this legislation. I am confident the Bill, as amended, will safeguard the welfare of dogs and dog-breeding establishments, will ensure a thriving greyhound industry over time and will create employment by enhancing the standards and reputation of dog breeding in Ireland. Every Member is...

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (14 Jul 2010)

John Gormley: We should move on.

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (14 Jul 2010)

John Gormley: Is that on amendment No. 1?

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (14 Jul 2010)

John Gormley: These amendments refer to the definition of a dog breeding establishment. The Bill as initiated defined it as a premises at which bitches are kept, not less than six of which are four months old and capable of being used for breeding purposes.

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (14 Jul 2010)

John Gormley: I asked the Acting Chairman for direction on that and-----

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (14 Jul 2010)

John Gormley: Some of the Senators are saying that amendment No. 1 in group 1 was not dealt with. I am in the Acting Chairman's hands and I will take the lead from her.

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (14 Jul 2010)

John Gormley: The stipulation of four months was to ensure that any bitch which fell pregnant no matter how young would be reckonable when defining a breeding establishment. The Dáil accepted the amendment to change the four months to six months in response to calls here in the Seanad; Members may recall we had a discussion on that. It is important to state this does not invalidate the rationale for...

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (14 Jul 2010)

John Gormley: No.

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (14 Jul 2010)

John Gormley: The reference to public trainer's licence is used to facilitate the exemption from registration fees to which the public greyhound trainer will be entitled. This will eliminate the costs associated with registration for trainers which was a cause of concern for the Irish Coursing Club whose members I wish to thank for their positive input to this Bill. The Senators will see that I, in turn,...

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (14 Jul 2010)

John Gormley: No.

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (14 Jul 2010)

John Gormley: This amendment refers to the regulations of 1961 which define a stipendiary steward as a "steward appointed by the Board to fulfil the duties of an authorised officer under the [1958] Act". I proposed that a stipendiary steward or veterinary practitioner may accompany a local authority veterinary inspector for the inspection of premises containing registered greyhounds under the amendment to...

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (14 Jul 2010)

John Gormley: Senators will appreciate the significant number of concessions I offered by way of amendment. I have consistently pointed out that this legislation is not intended to be harmful to dog breeding in Ireland. It is my firm belief that this Act will be seen in the long run as beneficial to the industry by enhancing its reputation at home and abroad. However, to further allay any concerns, I...

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (14 Jul 2010)

John Gormley: The idea behind the review is that we engage positively with stakeholders who include those who are involved with the breeding establishments, the Irish Greyhound Board and, most importantly, the welfare organisations. It is the firm view of the welfare organisations that tattooing for traceability purposes is not the best or the cheapest way. I will be very anxious to establish after...

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (14 Jul 2010)

John Gormley: Yes. Tattooing is done for a reason, as discussed in the Dáil. We want to establish a database, to which we will refer when dealing with other amendments, in order that a tattoo could be used to trace a dog. Senators may have seen media reports on "Six One News" about a stray greyhound, the origins of which could not be traced because the tattoo had faded. This would not occur with...

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (14 Jul 2010)

John Gormley: To give sufficient time to dog breeders and local authorities to familiarise themselves with the requirements of the legislation, the Dáil accepted this amendment to allow for a six month period from commencement of the legislation for dog breeding establishments to be registered. Dog breeding establishments can continue to operate during this six month period prior to registration.

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (14 Jul 2010)

John Gormley: The Senators will appreciate that this is an amendment to deal with the concerns raised by individual Senators and Deputies. No doubt the six-month period from commencement of the Act will allow people. In all sincerity, I cannot believe that they do not know of the existence of this legislation. They would have to be living in a bubble not to know about it.