Results 141-160 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Written Answers — Noise Pollution: Noise Pollution (18 May 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: There are various general legislative provisions applicable to noise nuisance, as well as a number of practical arrangements to reduce the instances of unnecessary noise from alarms and to tackle persistent incidence of such noise. Section 107 of the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992 provides local authorities with powers to require measures to be taken to prevent or limit noise. In...

Written Answers — Litter Pollution: Litter Pollution (18 May 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: Under the Litter Pollution Acts 1997 to 2003, primary responsibility for enforcement of the litter laws, including section 22 of the Litter Pollution Act 1997, which relates to dog fouling, rests with the local authorities. I am satisfied that the Acts give adequate penalties and enforcement powers to local authorities to deal with the problem of dog fouling.

Seanad: Tourism Industry: Motion. (18 May 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: I visited there last week.

Seanad: Tourism Industry: Motion. (18 May 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: I agree.

Seanad: Tourism Industry: Motion. (18 May 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: We grace the Chamber together for the first time.

Seanad: Tourism Industry: Motion. (18 May 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: It is always a pleasure to come to the Seanad. As the saying goes, I lost my feet and found my feet in this House. I welcome the opportunity to address Members on the important issues of competitiveness and tourism. I will begin by discussing tourism with particular reference to the latest American Express holiday cost of living index. This document is essentially a table of the reported...

Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (24 May 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: As stated in reply to Parliamentary Question No. 274 of 11 May 2005, Waterford County Council's proposals for a new fire station at Tallow are under consideration in my Department in the context of the fire services capital programme. The project will be considered for advancement under future programmes having regard to the council's priorities and competing national demands for capital...

Seanad: Water and Sewerage Schemes. (14 Jun 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: I thank Senator Finucane for raising this matter on the Adjournment. The 2004-06 water services investment programme of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, which was published in May 2004, includes funding for more than 20 schemes in County Limerick. Towns and villages like Adare, Patrickswell, Athea, Askeaton, Foynes and Glin can look forward to new or upgraded...

Social and Affordable Housing. (28 Jun 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: They are certainly not in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown anyway.

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

Batt O'Keeffe: The 1999 air quality daughter directive relates to limit values for various air pollutants in ambient air, including particulate matter, PM, and oxides of nitrogen, NOx. In accordance with Article 10, the directive was reviewed by the European Commission and a review report was issued in January 2005. The criterion for defining particulate matter in the 1999 directive is aerodynamic diameter....

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: The main purpose of this Bill is to implement the recommendations in the report of the independent Constituency Commission published in January 2004 on revisions to the Dáil constituencies for the next general election. A copy of the report was given to each Member of both Houses when it was presented to the Ceann Comhairle. It might be helpful for Seanad Éireann if I outline the principal...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: That is unacceptable. The machines are not prehistoric.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: A further review is taking place. Senator Bannon should deal with the facts.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: Save County Roscommon and to hell with County Leitrim.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: I thank Senators for their contributions, some of which were excellent. A number of issues were raised across the electoral horizon. While I wish to focus on issues arising from this Bill, I am happy to also address other issues raised by Senators. It is important to point out in the presence of Senator Leyden that the integrity of the Secretary General of my Department has been questioned,...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: It is important that I state categorically my belief that the commission acted with total impartiality. While I would be among the people who would not be happy with the outcome, I am completely satisfied with the independence and integrity of the commission. It is absolute. I want to make reference to Senators Bannon, McDowell and Minihan and to avail of the opportunity to address the...

Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (28 Sep 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1404 and 1405 together. New fire stations at Tallow and Kilmacthomas were included by Waterford County Council on its prioritised list of projects in the context of a review of fire station proposals under the fire services capital programme. A formal proposal for the new station at Tallow has been submitted to my Department and it will be considered for...

Written Answers — Civic Amenity Sites: Civic Amenity Sites (28 Sep 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1416 and 1417 together. The siting of civic amenity sites is a matter for each local authority. I have currently no proposals from Cork County Council for funding of civic amenity sites in Newmarket and Kanturk, County Cork.

Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (5 Oct 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: Tender proposals for the construction of a new fire station at Freshford, County Kilkenny, are under examination in the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and a decision will issue shortly.

Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (5 Oct 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has asked Kilkenny County Council for additional information on its tender proposal for the purchase of a new fire appliance. A decision will be made on the proposal on receipt of that information.