Results 1,021-1,040 of 7,278 for speaker:Dick Roche

Seanad: Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines: Statements (Resumed). (12 May 2005)

Dick Roche: I did his inaugural lecture.

Seanad: Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines: Statements (Resumed). (12 May 2005)

Dick Roche: There is some doubt about that in today's newspaper editorials.

Seanad: Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines: Statements (Resumed). (12 May 2005)

Dick Roche: I thank all the Senators for contributing to what has been one of the fullest debates I have attended in this House. It was also thought-provoking because Senators understand the pulse of reality in rural Ireland, along with the wishes and concerns of councillors. Accordingly I considered it important that I sit through the debate and I am grateful that I could do so for most of it. I will...

Seanad: Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines: Statements (Resumed). (12 May 2005)

Dick Roche: This is improper and dishonest. In fact, Senator McCarthy made the same point when he spoke about the rogue agents who blame local council planners for the problems that arise from poorly or incompetently prepared planning applications. The unfortunate clients are, as Senator O'Rourke said, then advised to go to their local representative. These same people will then talk about corruption in...

Seanad: Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines: Statements (Resumed). (12 May 2005)

Dick Roche: It is extraordinary if one thinks about it. The very same people who are getting themselves into a lather of sweat about one-off guidelines and the concept of the hoi polloi living in rural Ireland are those who would want to protect the great houses. I want to protect the great houses. I have a good track record in that regard but I also want to give an even break to people who have come...

Seanad: Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines: Statements (Resumed). (12 May 2005)

Dick Roche: The Act is about orderly development. What I am doing in these guidelines is adding a little bit of humanity and, I hope, a little bit of common sense.

Seanad: Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines: Statements (Resumed). (12 May 2005)

Dick Roche: I again thank Senators for their contributions.

Written Answers — Turbary Rights: Turbary Rights (17 May 2005)

Dick Roche: In July 2004 my Department concluded an agreement with the farming pillar under Sustaining Progress which involved increased rates of compensation for the cessation of turf cutting in bogs that have been proposed as designated conservation areas. This agreement incorporates retrospective provisions benefiting landowners who participated in the original 1999 scheme for disposal of raised bogs...

Written Answers — Election Management System: Election Management System (17 May 2005)

Dick Roche: My Department is developing, in parallel with the continuing work of the Commission on Electronic Voting, a programme of further assessment, testing and validation which is intended to address the concerns raised in the Commission's interim and first reports with regard to the secrecy and accuracy of the electronic voting and counting system. As part of this work programme, regard will...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (17 May 2005)

Dick Roche: The Castleisland sewerage scheme, stage 2, 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 received the required water charging policy report for the scheme from Kerry County Council within the past few days. This will allow consideration of the council's preliminary...

Written Answers — Local Government: Local Government (17 May 2005)

Dick Roche: One of the objectives of the Local Government Act 2001 was to strengthen current town local government and to provide for linkage and co-operation with the county in the delivery of more integrated and improved service to the public, for both the town and its surrounding areas. The Act modernises the law relating to former town commissioners and provides appropriate powers, flexibility and...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (17 May 2005)

Dick Roche: The Shanagolden and Foynes sewerage schemes, which are being advanced as part of a grouped project, are included in my Department's water services investment programme 2004-2006 as schemes to commence construction this year. My Department is awaiting the submission by Limerick County Council of a preliminary report for the schemes.

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (17 May 2005)

Dick Roche: The Milltownpass sewerage scheme has been approved for funding under the rural towns and villages Initiative of my Department's water services investment programme 2004-2006, at an estimated cost of €4.3 million. The preliminary report for the scheme was approved in November 2003. The water services pricing policy report submitted by Westmeath County Council is under examination in my...

Written Answers — Hazardous Substances: Hazardous Substances (17 May 2005)

Dick Roche: Asbestos cement piping complying with the specifications of Irish Standard 188 which, inter alia, requires bitumen lining and coating, was widely used in the provision of new local authority water mains for more than 30 years. It has also been extensively used and is a well-established and accepted product for this purpose, internationally. The main health risk associated with asbestos...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (17 May 2005)

Dick Roche: The Glasson-Ballykeeran-Coosan sewerage scheme has been approved for funding under the rural towns and villages initiative of my Department's water services investment programme 2004-2006, at an estimated cost of €3.6 million. My Department recently approved Westmeath County Council's brief for the appointment of consultants to prepare contract documents for the scheme and is now awaiting...

Written Answers — Departmental Charges: Departmental Charges (17 May 2005)

Dick Roche: A review has been initiated on the adequacy of the legal basis for charges and fees levied by my Department and by authorities and other agencies under legislation for which my Department is responsible. This review is in progress.

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (17 May 2005)

Dick Roche: Omeath sewerage improvement scheme was included in the list of water services schemes submitted by Louth County Council in response to my Department's request to all local authorities to undertake fresh assessments of the needs for capital works in their areas and to prioritise their proposals on the basis of the assessments. The priority lists were taken into account in the framing of the...

Written Answers — Fire Service: Fire Service (17 May 2005)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 397 to 399 inclusive together. My Department has implemented a number of the important recommendations of the report, Review of Fire Safety and Fire Services in Ireland. These include the enactment of the Licensing of Indoor Events Act 2003, which addressed a number of legislative changes called for in the review. In addition, the high level of capital...

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (17 May 2005)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 400 and 405 together. There were no assets worth more than €100,000, land or buildings disposed of by my Department during the periods in question.

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (17 May 2005)

Dick Roche: The making of waste service charges is a matter for individual local authorities engaged in the direct provision of waste collection services and for private providers of such services. Similarly, the type of pay-by-use system used is principally a matter for service providers, having regard to Government policy. My Department has not previously collated information in respect of waste...