Results 1,341-1,360 of 1,441 for speaker:Ann Phelan

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (10 Dec 2015)

Ann Phelan: In relation to our 2020 greenhouse gas emissions reduction target, the latest EPA projections indicate that, while we may come close to meeting our cumulative emissions targets for the period 2013 to 2020, due in part to overachievement in the early years of the period, our actual emissions in 2020 will most likely fall short of the headline target figure of a reduction of 20%.  The...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Leader Programmes Expenditure (10 Dec 2015)

Ann Phelan: The original allocation of LEADER funding for the 2007-2013 programming period was just short of €400 million. The allocation was reduced in 2012 when the EU co-financing rate changed due to the financial crisis. To date, €276 million has been spent on projects, €12 million on animation expenses and €71 million on administration giving a total of €359...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Commercial Rates Valuation Process (10 Dec 2015)

Ann Phelan: The Commissioner for Valuation has sole responsibility for all valuation matters, including the global valuation of property of public utility undertakings under Part 11 of the Valuation Act 2001, as amended. The Valuation Act 2001 comes under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. The Valuation Act 2001, as amended, provides for global valuations of...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Illegal Dumping (10 Dec 2015)

Ann Phelan: Remediation of the former illegal landfill at Kerdiffstown is the Government’s priority landfill remediation project for the coming years. In September 2015 ,Minister Kelly briefed the Government on the matter, outlining the scale of this complex remediation project , including details of the timeframes and the estimated associated funding requirements. Some €11.78m has been...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Leader Programmes Administration (10 Dec 2015)

Ann Phelan: Ireland is conducting a two stage process for the selection of local development strategies to support the delivery of the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020. Stage one of the process is now complete and those successful at stage one have moved to stage two of the process, which is the preparation of local development strategies for their areas. The preparation...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Waste Management (10 Dec 2015)

Ann Phelan: It is a matter for individual waste operators to determine their own preferred waste treatment options having regard to market conditions as well as available infrastructure in Ireland and elsewhere in the EU primarily. In terms of the specific matter referred to, under section 60(3) of the Waste Management Act 1996, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government is...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Wind Energy Guidelines (10 Dec 2015)

Ann Phelan: Proposals for wind energy developments are subject to the statutory requirements of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, in the same manner as other proposed developments. Planning applications are made to the relevant local planning authority with a right of appeal to An Bord Pleanála. In the case of wind development proposals which meet the statutory threshold criteria...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Commercial Rates (10 Dec 2015)

Ann Phelan: The Commissioner for Valuation has sole responsibility for all valuation matters, including the global valuation of property of public utility undertakings under Part 11 of the Valuation Act 2001, as amended. The Valuation Act 2001 comes under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. The Valuation Act 2001, as amended, provides for global valuations of...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Waste Management (10 Dec 2015)

Ann Phelan: My Department is aware of the illegal stockpiling of tyres. Indeed, the recent issues experienced by a number of local authorities in the period before Halloween are simply part of much wider problems with waste tyres in Ireland. I am confident that Minister Kelly’s plans for the introduction of producer responsibility arrangements for waste tyres will deal with the problem identified...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Wind Energy Guidelines (10 Dec 2015)

Ann Phelan: In December 2013, my Department published proposed “draft” revisions to the noise, setback distance and shadow flicker aspects of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines.These draft revisions proposed: - the setting of a more stringent day and night noise limit of 40 decibels for future windenergy developments, - a mandatory minimum setback distance of 500 metres between a...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Security of the Elderly (10 Dec 2015)

Ann Phelan: My Department manages the Seniors Alert Scheme which encourages community support for vulnerable older people in our communities by providing grant assistance towards the purchase and installation of personal monitored alarms to enable older persons, of limited means, to continue to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind. Funding is available under the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Ministerial Meetings (10 Dec 2015)

Ann Phelan: A total of 3 representations were received by my Department from elected representatives on behalf of Task Alarms. In relation to the Deputy’s query regarding the meeting between Minister Kelly and Deputy Brendan Ryan on 10 December 2014 in relation to the Seniors Alert Scheme, the meeting request from Deputy Ryan did not state that any other people would be attending the meeting....

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (10 Dec 2015)

Ann Phelan: The extent of the challenge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, in line with our EU and international commitments, is well understood by Government, as reflected in the National Policy Position on Climate Action and Low-Carbon Development, published in April 2014, and in the Climate Action and Low-Carbon Development Bill 2015, expected to be enacted very shortly. The National Policy Position...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2015: Second Stage (10 Dec 2015)

Ann Phelan: I am glad to have the opportunity today to outline for the Members the provisions in the ninth Bill in the electoral area brought forward by this Government. This Short Bill contains four measures. Each is separate and distinct. The Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2015 provides, as the name suggests, for amendments to existing electoral law. The need for these amendments has become...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2015: Second Stage (10 Dec 2015)

Ann Phelan: I thank all the Senators for their positive remarks and their support for the Bill. We do not claim the Bill is the be-all and end-all to electoral ills but, nonetheless, the measures contained in it are very important. Senator Ó Domhnaill mentioned wider political reform. The Government has a fine record on political reform. In the area of political funding, we effectively banned...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (10 Dec 2015)

Ann Phelan: I signalled the amendments on Second Stage. They provide for the inclusion of the Local Authority Members Association in the register of nominating bodies for Seanad panel member elections in the same way as the Bill for provides for the Association of Irish Local Government to be included. The amendments will give equal recognition to the two local government representative bodies for the...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (10 Dec 2015)

Ann Phelan: I signalled this amendment on Second Stage and it provides for the amendment of section 4 of the Electoral Act 1997. The Act provides for the disclosure of donations by Members of the Oireachtas, MEPs, political parties and accounting units, election candidates and third parties. It also provides for the regulation of expenditure at Dáil, European and presidential elections by...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (10 Dec 2015)

Ann Phelan: Nice try, Senator.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (10 Dec 2015)

Ann Phelan: We have debated this particular issue at great length. I know Deputy Ó Cuív has a great interest in this issue. I have instructed the Department's officials to communicate with returning officers on the islands to see if a case could be made for same-day voting and the matter has received great consideration. Having listened to returning officers, we decided to err on the side...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (10 Dec 2015)

Ann Phelan: There are only two points I would like to make about this. Postal voters also vote early. The returning officers communicated with the islanders this week and the islanders said that they were happy with the situation. Other than that, I have nothing further to add.