Results 9,461-9,480 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Waste Disposal (19 Oct 2010)

John Gormley: Irish ISPAT applied for and was granted an integrated pollution control licence by the EPA. However, the company went into liquidation before the conditions in the licence could be met. The liquidator applied to the High Court seeking to disclaim the integrated pollution control licence. Judgment occurred on 29 July 2004 and found the licence was granted after the company had ceased...

Waste Disposal (19 Oct 2010)

John Gormley: Yes. A complaint was received from the European Commission in May 2009, through the EU pilot pre-infringement process, concerning the regulatory status of the former Irish ISPAT site at Haulbowline. Ireland wrote to the Commission in October 2009 setting out the current position. A response from the Commission is still awaited under this process. The issue of the regulatory status of the...

Waste Disposal (19 Oct 2010)

John Gormley: There were more health effects and dangers posed to the population in the area when the actual plant was in operation. It was a Fine Gael-Labour Government that sold the place off for £1 without any regard to environmental or health implications.

Waste Disposal (19 Oct 2010)

John Gormley: More money has been spent by this Government trying to remediate the site than previously. When Fine Gael gets the opportunity, I would like to see how much money it would invest in this project.

Waste Disposal (19 Oct 2010)

John Gormley: I believe it would not spend a fraction of what this Government has spent.

Waste Disposal (19 Oct 2010)

John Gormley: We have dealt with it and are dealing with it. With regard to what has happened to date, my Department co-ordinated all legal actions relating to the site. It carried out a comprehensive site investigation to determine the levels of contamination and remediation and-or development options at the site.

Waste Disposal (19 Oct 2010)

John Gormley: We set up ongoing environmental monitoring at established monitoring points. We decontaminated and demolished the steel works. We also arranged for the site surface clearance contract with Hammond Lane Metal Company Limited-----

Waste Disposal (19 Oct 2010)

John Gormley: We contracted an independent company to carry out an investigation, which was peer reviewed so we could ensure its accuracy. That was to assure people in the area that there were no health effects from the site. All of that has been done and now an OPW-led team is continuing to carry out that work-----

Waste Disposal (19 Oct 2010)

John Gormley: If another Government could do as much, it would be doing a hell of a lot.

Written Answers — Dublin Docklands Development Authority: Dublin Docklands Development Authority (19 Oct 2010)

John Gormley: All interest accruing on the Becbay loans for which the Dublin Docklands Development Authority was liable was fully paid up to the end of 2008. According to the Authority's 2009 Annual Report and Accounts, the Authority's liability arising from its participation in the Becbay joint venture company at the end of 2009 comprised a principal guarantee of €29.1 million on its 26% share of the...

Written Answers — Severe Weather Events: Severe Weather Events (19 Oct 2010)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 72 and 117 together. The role of my Department during a severe weather event is to ensure that the local authorities are prepared to respond promptly to ameliorate the worst effects in relation to those aspects of an emergency for which they have direct responsibility, and that they act in co-operation with the other principal response agencies – An Garda...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (19 Oct 2010)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 73 and 108 together. Ireland signed the Aarhus Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters on 25 June 1998. Progress towards ratification of the Convention is closely aligned with work at EU level and, in that context, the European Union has adopted two Directives as part of the...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (19 Oct 2010)

John Gormley: The Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes was published in July 2009 and, since then, its recommendations have provided an important input to Government and Ministerial consideration of options for expenditure reduction. As far as my own Department is concerned, expenditure provisions for 2010 are set out in the Revised Estimates for Public...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (19 Oct 2010)

John Gormley: My Department published a request for tenders on www.etenders.gov.ie on 24 September 2010 with a view to establishing a panel of independent experts to assist as necessary in the review of planning legislation, policy and guidance within the development plan and development management systems at local level. Issues raised with my Department across a number of planning authorities, and the...

Written Answers — Electoral Commission: Electoral Commission (19 Oct 2010)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 78 and 87together. The Programme for Government, agreed in 2007, contains a commitment to the establishment of an independent Electoral Commission. The renewed Programme for Government, agreed in October 2009, reaffirms this commitment and identifies a range of responsibilities which the Commission will be mandated to fulfil. An independent Electoral...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (19 Oct 2010)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 79 and 81 together. From 2004 to 2009 my Department had an interim role in the management of this legacy site in a manner which is consistent with good practice and minimisation of risk to human health and the environment. Accordingly, my Department arranged for the decontamination and demolition of the buildings on site and, post-demolition, arranged for the...

Written Answers — Water Services: Water Services (19 Oct 2010)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 80 and 102 together. My Department is finalising proposals to give effect to the commitment in the renewed Programme for Government to introduce charges for water services in a way that is fair, significantly reduces waste and is easily applied. The proposals include the approach to be taken to the installation of water meters in households connected to public...

Written Answers — Electronic Voting Machines: Electronic Voting Machines (19 Oct 2010)

John Gormley: 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 five times, with its most recent meeting taking place in...

Written Answers — Turbary Rights: Turbary Rights (19 Oct 2010)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 83, 110 and 459 together. In May 2010, the Government confirmed the end of the 10 year derogation allowing a continuation of turf-cutting on raised bogs designated as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs). The Government also established an Interim Compensation Scheme to compensate those who have been cutting turf on the 31...

Written Answers — Local Government Fund: Local Government Fund (19 Oct 2010)

John Gormley: The 2011 Local Government Fund will be financed from the full proceeds of motor tax income in 2011 and an annual contribution from the Exchequer. The Exchequer contribution to the Fund will be announced in the context of Budget 2011. I will continue to contribute to the general purpose funding of local authorities to the best extent possible, having regard to the current pressures on the...