Results 1,361-1,380 of 7,278 for speaker:Dick Roche

Written Answers — Water Quality: Water Quality (28 Jun 2005)

Dick Roche: In general, where any person carries out an activity that involves a risk to groundwater, that person carries primary responsibility for protecting the groundwater against pollution. Among public authorities, responsibility for the protection of groundwater is assigned principally to local authorities under the Local Government (Water Pollution) Acts and related regulations. In addition,...

Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (28 Jun 2005)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Question Nos. 77, 118 and 128 together. The European Environmental Agency, EEA, report, Annual European Community Greenhouse Gas Inventory 1990-2003 and Inventory Report 2005, published on 21 June 2005, collates latest available greenhouse gas emissions figures from all EU member states. Collectively, emissions of all greenhouse gases rose by 1.5% from 2002 to 2003 across...

Written Answers — Waste Disposal: Waste Disposal (28 Jun 2005)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 78 and 125 together. The Health Research Board report was commissioned as a literature review which is a recognised research tool. This is particularly so where original research is precluded, as in this case by the absence in Ireland of facilities for the thermal treatment of municipal waste. My response to the report was put on hold to allow regard to be had...

Written Answers — Local Authority Staff: Local Authority Staff (28 Jun 2005)

Dick Roche: The employment of staff is a matter for each local authority. It is open to the authorities to provide short-term summer employment for students. Such employment could meet relevant requirements of the local government sector, as well as offering work experience of benefit to the students concerned. The cost of any such summer employment would be met from the authorities' own resources and...

Written Answers — Freedom of Information: Freedom of Information (28 Jun 2005)

Dick Roche: The table gives the information requested by the Deputy. Category of Requestor 2005 Jan-June 2004 Jan-June 2003 Jan-June 2002 Jan-June Media 26 11 48 22 Business/ Interest Groups 12 16 35 31 Oireachtas/ Public Reps 6 3 20 14 Staff 1 3 1 1 General Public 24 30 105 87 Totals 69 63 209 155

Written Answers — Natural Heritage Areas: Natural Heritage Areas (28 Jun 2005)

Dick Roche: Draft amending regulations to the habitats regulations 1997 are being finalised in my Department to include greater powers to control activities that may adversely affect protected sites such as the use of quad bikes. I also understand that some local authorities have made or are in the process of making by-laws to regulate such activities in upland or other vulnerable habitats.

Written Answers — Local Authority Staff: Local Authority Staff (28 Jun 2005)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 82 and 778 together. Following the recommendation of the review body on higher remuneration in the public sector, in its September 2000 report, a scheme of performance related awards was introduced in the local authority sector for managers, assistant managers and directors of services, commencing with the calendar year 2003. The operation of the scheme is...

Written Answers — Litter Pollution: Litter Pollution (28 Jun 2005)

Dick Roche: The city neighbourhoods competition was established in 2003 on a two year pilot basis. The aim was to replicate the success of the national Tidy Towns competition in the five cities, by encouraging city communities, in partnership with business interests and local authorities, to actively engage in maintaining and enhancing their local environment. On completion of the pilot phase this year,...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (28 Jun 2005)

Dick Roche: The Planning and Development Regulations (No. 2) 2005 are at an advanced stage of preparation and will be published as soon as possible.

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (28 Jun 2005)

Dick Roche: I am fully aware of the importance of timely transposition of EU environmental legislation, some 200 items of which, including more than 140 directives, have by now been transposed in this country. There are seven directives in my Department's area of responsibility which are outstanding for transposition. These are: 2000/53/EC — end-of-life vehicles: this directive was due for...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (28 Jun 2005)

Dick Roche: As indicated in my previous reply, formal statistics on the number of child care places that have been delivered in accordance with the planning guidelines for child care facilities are not collated by my Department. However, a sample survey of a number of planning authorities was recently conducted by my Department to determine the number of child care facilities and child care places being...

Written Answers — Local Authority Functions: Local Authority Functions (28 Jun 2005)

Dick Roche: Local authorities have a role in controlling emissions to air and water. With regard to emissions to air, under the Air Pollution Act 1987, primary responsibility for monitoring air quality, as well as the nature, extent and effects of emissions, rests with local authorities. Statutory responsibility for the enforcement of the Act is vested in local authorities which are empowered to require...

Written Answers — Recycling Policy: Recycling Policy (28 Jun 2005)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 91 and 111 together. Under the Waste Management (Farm Plastics) Regulations 2001, producers — that is, manufacturers and importers — of farm plastics, silage bale wrap and sheeting are required to take steps to recover farm plastics waste which they have placed on the market or alternatively to contribute to, and participate in, compliance schemes to...

Written Answers — Water Services: Water Services (28 Jun 2005)

Dick Roche: The Government's water services pricing policy framework requires the metering of all non-domestic customers by December 2006. The metering of the non-domestic sector is essential to ensure a transparent and equitable process for the full recovery of non-domestic water services costs. All relevant local authorities have indicated that metering of non-domestic customers will be achieved within...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (28 Jun 2005)

Dick Roche: I expect to issue the draft development management guidelines for public consultation shortly.

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (28 Jun 2005)

Dick Roche: Under the provisions of Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000, planning authorities must prepare housing strategies which take account of existing and likely future needs for housing. Any development plan made by a planning authority must include a housing strategy for the area of the development plan. In exercising these functions it is a matter for each planning authority to...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (28 Jun 2005)

Dick Roche: I refer to the reply to Question No. 311 of 22 June 2005.

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (28 Jun 2005)

Dick Roche: Outline proposals for the development of a links golf course at Inch, County Kerry, were presented to my Department in 2003. Having regard to the Department's responsibilities under the EU habitats directive, the implications for the conservation of the site were thoroughly assessed. After careful consideration of the matter, my Department's response was that the development of a golf course...

Written Answers — Water Services: Water Services (28 Jun 2005)

Dick Roche: The Government's water services pricing policy framework provides for the full recovery of water services costs from all non-domestic customers on the basis of average operational and marginal capital costs and, to this end, the metering of the non-domestic sector by December 2006. The policy framework also reaffirms the prohibition on charging for domestic water services provided under the...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (28 Jun 2005)

Dick Roche: It is a matter for the relevant individual local authorities and the Office of Environmental Enforcement to investigate any instances or reports of illegal disposal of waste and consider appropriate action in such cases. While I have no direct function in regard to these matters, I have recently issued a policy direction under section 60 of the Waste Management Act which inter alia seeks to...