Results 981-1,000 of 7,278 for speaker:Dick Roche

Written Answers — Recycling Policy: Recycling Policy (10 May 2005)

Dick Roche: Continual improvements in levels of recycling are being achieved. About 28% of municipal waste is now being diverted from landfill, which is a substantial improvement on the situation in 2001 when the recycling rate stood at under 10%. Kerbside collection has a key part to play in this, but I also remain committed to enhancing the network of bring centres and civic amenity sites, which often...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (10 May 2005)

Dick Roche: The Castleisland sewerage scheme stage II is included in my Department's water services investment programme 2004-2006 as a scheme to commence construction in 2006, at an estimated cost of €5.5 million. My Department is awaiting submission of a water services pricing policy report by Kerry County Council to allow consideration of the council's preliminary report for the scheme to be finalised.

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (10 May 2005)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 472, 473, 474 and 476 together. Under section 60 of the Waste Management Act 1996, the Minister may, whenever he or she thinks proper, give general directions in writing to the EPA, or each local authority as to policy in relation to aspects specified in section 60(1). Section 60(2) requires the agency or each local authority concerned, as the case may be, in...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (10 May 2005)

Dick Roche: An allocation of €1.395 million was made in April 2004 towards the construction of a civic amenity site in Drogheda, pending the submission of total estimated costs. Tenders have now been received, and, as costs are significantly greater than originally anticipated, Drogheda Borough Council is seeking additional funding. This will be considered when the council submits its report on the...

Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage (Resumed). (11 May 2005)

Dick Roche: It is even worse for Ministers.

Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage (Resumed). (11 May 2005)

Dick Roche: The figure was 36%.

Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage (Resumed). (11 May 2005)

Dick Roche: It has been in use since 1909.

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (11 May 2005)

Dick Roche: The upgrading of the Mullingar wastewater treatment plant is an element of the Mullingar sewerage scheme which is included in my Department's water services investment programme 2004-2006 as a scheme to commence construction this year at an overall estimated cost of €66.4 million. My Department approved the preliminary report for the scheme in June 2003 and is now awaiting the submission of...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (11 May 2005)

Dick Roche: The improvement of non-national roads at the location concerned is a matter for Westmeath County Council. Non-national road schemes are funded from the local authorities' own resources supplemented by grants from my Department. In 2004, my Department sought applications from road authorities for funding under the 2005 EU co-financed specific improvement grants scheme. While Westmeath County...

Seanad: Road Network. (11 May 2005)

Dick Roche: I thank Senator Cummins for raising this issue. This is one of those happy occasions when a Minister can tell the House a problem has been solved. However, I must wait for tomorrow's newspaper headlines to see how well I have solved it. Earlier today I issued directions to Waterford City Council requiring the protection of the Viking and early medieval site at Woodstown, County Waterford, on...

Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage (Resumed). (12 May 2005)

Dick Roche: I thank Deputies from all sides of the House for their contributions to this debate. They have raised many issues across the political horizon but, as my time is limited, I will focus on some points arising from the Bill. Other matters can be discussed in more detail on Committee Stage. Some Deputies suggested alternatives to the schemes of constituencies proposed by the commission and set...

Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage (Resumed). (12 May 2005)

Dick Roche: I listened to the rants by the last two Deputies and they both traduced good people. I did not interrupt them and I would be grateful——

Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage (Resumed). (12 May 2005)

Dick Roche: ——if they assigned me the same courtesy. They shredded the personalities of good people and it was a disgraceful performance.

Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage (Resumed). (12 May 2005)

Dick Roche: The Bill contains rules that were put before us by distinguished personnel whose independence and integrity are beyond question. It is a scandal to suggest otherwise. I welcome the acknowledgement of the integrity of the commission, which was evident in the contributions of Deputies O'Dowd, Gilmore, Curran, Cuffe and many others. I consider suggestions to the contrary to be totally unacceptable.

Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage (Resumed). (12 May 2005)

Dick Roche: Deputy Cowley's claim that the commission was involved in political gerrymandering — he used those words — is a disgrace. It is offensive and he should withdraw that slur on the character of good people. I am surprised that Deputy Harkin found anything to support in Deputy Cowley's statement. I recognise her as a politician who likes to deal with issues rather than personalities.

Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage (Resumed). (12 May 2005)

Dick Roche: Deputy Cowley accused the members of the commission, who do not have a voice in this House, of political gerrymandering. I have a responsibility to protect those people and I will do so. Having said all that, I do not see that it is our role, on this side of the House, to defend the recommendations of the commission without equivocation. Naturally, Deputies will have feelings about different...

Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage (Resumed). (12 May 2005)

Dick Roche: Unlike Deputy Cowley, Deputy Ellis did not come into the House and traduce the character of members of the commission.

Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage (Resumed). (12 May 2005)

Dick Roche: You certainly did. You got your opportunity and you used the words——

Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage (Resumed). (12 May 2005)

Dick Roche: He used the words "political gerrymandering" to describe the work of the commission. That is a disgraceful slur on an identifiable group of individuals who served this House and this country. He should withdraw those remarks.

Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage (Resumed). (12 May 2005)

Dick Roche: I can see that the commission had no option but to recommend some changes in the Sligo-Leitrim constituency, as the -11.01% variance below the national average representation of its 2002 population to seats ratio is more than 3% greater than the largest variance recommended by the commission in the history of the State. In other words, this is because of the political and demographic...