Results 9,621-9,640 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (4 Nov 2010)

John Gormley: Following the evaluation of the report received by my Department on 8 October 2010 from the Office of Public Works (OPW), a meeting was held recently between my Department and OPW to clarify certain technical issues concerning the proposed work. The OPW since provided to my Department further information requested at the meeting and a response will issue shortly.

Written Answers — Turbary Rights: Turbary Rights (4 Nov 2010)

John Gormley: For projects requiring consent of planning authorities or national authorities, Directive 85/337/EEC as amended provides for environmental impact assessment (EIA) where there is likely to be a significant effect on the environment. Peat extraction is listed in Annex 2 of the Directive, making it a matter for Member States to determine the thresholds or criteria beyond which EIA is required...

Written Answers — Animal Welfare Regulations: Animal Welfare Regulations (9 Nov 2010)

John Gormley: The Dog Breeding Establishments Act was signed by the President on 21 July, 2010 following its passage through the Oireachtas. It is intended that the Act will commence in early 2011. Section 16 provides that it will be unlawful for the operator of a dog breeding establishment to keep a dog that is over 12 weeks old which is not implanted with a microchip. The time limit for microchipping...

Written Answers — Motor Vehicle Registration: Motor Vehicle Registration (9 Nov 2010)

John Gormley: To be taxed as a goods vehicle, a vehicle must be constructed or adapted for that purpose and used solely in the course of trade or business. Under section 2 of the Finance (Excise Duties) (Vehicles) Act 1952, if a vehicle is used in a condition or manner which would attract motor tax at a higher rate, tax then becomes payable at that rate. In other words, if a goods vehicle is used in a...

Written Answers — Emergency Planning: Emergency Planning (9 Nov 2010)

John Gormley: In keeping with international best practice, Ireland follows a generic approach to emergency management, which includes provision for severe weather emergencies. This is set out in A Framework for Major Emergency Management, which was approved by Government in May 2006 and details the processes and procedures for managing and co-ordinating preparedness for, and response to, Major...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (9 Nov 2010)

John Gormley: When coal is burned, it produces a range of pollutants injurious to human health and the environment including sulphur dioxide which relates to the sulphur content of the fuel burned. This pollutant can cause deterioration in ambient air quality standards, particularly in cities and towns, and contributes to the acidification of ecosystems. In order to improve air quality, the sulphur content...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (9 Nov 2010)

John Gormley: My Department operates an 1890 telephone number which provides access to its main offices, as well as standard geographic telephone numbers for all offices. My Department is aware that differences apply to the cost of the Lo-Call designated telephone numbers depending on a caller's service provider. It has been working with the Quality Customer Service Officers Network convened by the...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (9 Nov 2010)

John Gormley: I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 445, 448, 459 to 461, inclusive, and 463 of 12 October 2010, which outlines the position in regard to the preparation of the Heads of the Climate Change Bill.

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (9 Nov 2010)

John Gormley: 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 in County Cork. The West Cork Grouped DBO Scheme, which involves the construction of new wastewater treatment plants at Skibbereen, Dunmanway, Baltimore and Schull, is included in the Programme...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (9 Nov 2010)

John Gormley: A site has been identified for the location of the proposed wastewater treatment plant for the Kinvara Sewerage Scheme and is included in the Design Review Report for the Scheme which is currently being examined in my Department. A decision on the Report will be conveyed to Galway County Council as soon as possible. Once approved, the Council can then proceed with the preparation of...

Written Answers — Water Quality: Water Quality (9 Nov 2010)

John Gormley: I approved a grant of €427,500 last month under the Small Schemes Measure of my Department's Rural Water Programme towards improvement of the Castletownkinnagh water supply. This funding is being made available as part of the special funding provided by my Department to allow for remedial works to public water supplies identified by the Environmental Protection Agency as having potential...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (9 Nov 2010)

John Gormley: My Department received Galway County Council's revised design proposals for the Oughterard Sewerage Scheme on 26 October, 2010. These proposals are currently being examined in the Department and, once approved, the Council will then be in a position to proceed with the preparation of contract documents for the scheme.

Written Answers — Electoral Franchise Extension: Electoral Franchise Extension (9 Nov 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 — Daylight Savings Time: Daylight Savings Time (9 Nov 2010)

John Gormley: My Department's flexi-time clocks, phone systems, ICT devices, etc., and the clock faces in the Custom House clock tower, have all been centrally programmed to adjust when the time changes. Accordingly, there are no manpower costs associated with the changing of these clocks and time-dependent systems between summer and winter time. There are a small number of wall clocks in individual...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (10 Nov 2010)

John Gormley: I propose to take Question Nos. 243 and 244 together. Part 3 of the Building Control Act 2007 sets out the detailed requirements for registration of the title of "Architect". The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) is designated as the registration body under the Act. Membership of the RIAI is not a prerequisite for registration. I have no plans to amend the Building...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (10 Nov 2010)

John Gormley: 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 in County Kildare. A contract for the Ballymore Eustace Wastewater Treatment Plant (SLI) is included in the Programme amongst the list of contracts in the county to start in the period 2010...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (10 Nov 2010)

John Gormley: I propose to take Question Nos. 246 to 248, inclusive, and 253 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 in County Clare. The Programme includes contracts under construction and to commence to the value of some €38 million...

Written Answers — Noise Pollution: Noise Pollution (10 Nov 2010)

John Gormley: The Environmental Noise Regulations 2006 give effect in Ireland to EU Directive 2002/49/EC relating to the assessment and management of environmental noise. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is designated as the National Authority for the purpose of the Regulations. The Agency's role includes supervisory, advisory and coordination functions in relation to noise-mapping, action...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (10 Nov 2010)

John Gormley: As stated in the reply to Questions Nos. 207 and 215 of 3 November 2010 the adoption of individual development contribution schemes is a reserved function of the locally elected members of each planning authority. The publication of a draft development contribution scheme is an executive function of the local authority, and they are best placed to decide on the procedural arrangements that...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (10 Nov 2010)

John Gormley: Local authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes in accordance with the details entered in the valuation lists prepared by the independent Commissioner of Valuation under the Valuation Act 2001. The levying and collection of rates are matters for each individual local authority. Under section 2 of the Local Government (Rates) Act...