Results 1,621-1,640 of 2,815 for speaker:Tony Killeen

Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (1 Nov 2007)

Tony Killeen: I refer to the reply to Question No. 1132 of 26 September 2007. I am informed that the figure of €600,000 referred to in the question represented an early estimate of potential financial commitments in respect of the construction of a fire station in the town rather than an actual commitment under the Fire Services Capital Programme for 2007. The Department recently requested Waterford...

Written Answers — Fire Prevention: Fire Prevention (1 Nov 2007)

Tony Killeen: I am concerned about any increase in the number of chimney fires. A Community Fire Safety Programme is being advanced by the Department to enhance fire safety generally and to contribute to bringing about a safer society. A priority project under the Programme dealing with fire safety in the home is being implemented through educational and promotional campaigns. Chimney fire prevention is...

Written Answers — Fire Fatalities: Fire Fatalities (6 Nov 2007)

Tony Killeen: Information from 2002 to 2005 on fatal fire incidents attended by fire brigades is published in the Department's Fire Service Statistics Bulletin, copies of which are available in the Oireachtas Library, and is also available on the Department's website at www.environ.ie. Year No. Fires No. Fatalities 2002 37 48 2003 31 34 2004 ...

Written Answers — Radon Gas Levels: Radon Gas Levels (6 Nov 2007)

Tony Killeen: The issue of sales of radon measurement kits from the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII) is a commercial matter for the Institute and as Minister I have no function in the matter. Nevertheless the Department does strongly encourage people in at risk areas to have their premises tested. Test kits are available from private service providers such as hardware stores and from...

Written Answers — Litter Pollution: Litter Pollution (6 Nov 2007)

Tony Killeen: Statistics on local authority enforcement action, including the number of litter fines issued and prosecutions taken, are submitted by local authorities to the Department every six months; these figures are also available in the Oireachtas Library. The number of on-the-spot litter fines issued for the first six months of 2006 was 14,162. The number of prosecutions taken during that period...

Written Answers — Litter Pollution: Litter Pollution (6 Nov 2007)

Tony Killeen: The IBAL (Irish Business against Litter) League is an innovative national anti-litter programme. It has raised awareness of the litter problem in participating towns and cities and helped stimulate local business and community groups to do something about it. I assume that the question refers to the IBAL proposal that a litter commissioner should be put in place to manage litter in Dublin...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (6 Nov 2007)

Tony Killeen: The Government published the report of the Expert Group on the Health Effects of Electromagnetic Fields earlier in 2007. The Report examined a wide range of issues in relation to the potential health effects of electromagnetic fields, including those produced by electric appliances in the home and from electricity pylons. It answers many of the health risk questions raised by the public in...

Undocumented Irish in the United States: Motion (Resumed). (7 Nov 2007)

Tony Killeen: I would like to share time with Deputies Nolan and Curran.

Undocumented Irish in the United States: Motion (Resumed). (7 Nov 2007)

Tony Killeen: This important debate follows an all-party motion on this issue that was agreed in this House and the Seanad in October 2005. I agree with Deputies English and Lynch that it is critical that tonight's motion be agreed by Deputies on all sides of the House. We need to send a positive message that all parties are united on this issue, even if it is something that happens infrequently. It is...

Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (7 Nov 2007)

Tony Killeen: I refer to the reply to Question No. 187 of 27 September 2007. I understand from the Council that during the preparation of contract documents and detailed site investigation in early summer, a survey of the proposed site for the new fire station indicated contaminated soil in one of the boreholes tested. The Council is investigating the exact location and full extent of any contamination...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (8 Nov 2007)

Tony Killeen: My Department is funding a pilot programme, proposed by the National Rural Water Monitoring Committee, to test a range of new, small-scale waste water collection and treatment systems under Irish conditions. The objective of the pilot programme is to evaluate new approaches to meeting the waste water collection and treatment needs of rural communities and to examine the potential role for...

Electricity Generation. (13 Nov 2007)

Tony Killeen: I thank Deputy Rory O'Hanlon for the opportunity to comment on the issue of electromagnetic radiation associated with 400kv power lines. The Government published earlier this year the report of the expert group on the health effects of electromagnetic fields. The expert group was established by an inter-departmental committee that examined Government policy regarding the potential health...

Written Answers — Fire Service: Fire Service (13 Nov 2007)

Tony Killeen: The provision of a fire service is a statutory function of the individual fire authorities and the Department has no direct role in this matter. The Department supports the local fire authorities through the setting of general policy, the provision of capital funding, the issue of guidance to fire authorities in relation to fire prevention, training support and operational matters and other...

Written Answers — Fire Service: Fire Service (13 Nov 2007)

Tony Killeen: A full-time fire service operates in Cork City, Dublin City, Limerick City and Waterford City. Dublin City Council, in addition, provides a full time service on behalf of the other three Dublin authorities: — Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown, Fingal (excluding Skerries and Balbriggan which are covered by a retained fire service) and South Dublin County Councils. Galway County Council provides a...

Written Answers — Fire Service: Fire Service (13 Nov 2007)

Tony Killeen: Provisional statistics supplied to the Department by fire authorities indicate that there were 5,595 call-outs to domestic chimney fires in 2006. A Community Fire Safety Programme is being advanced by the Department to enhance fire safety generally and to contribute to bringing about a safer society. A priority project under the Programme dealing with fire safety in the home is being...

Written Answers — Fire Service: Fire Service (13 Nov 2007)

Tony Killeen: The provision of a fire service, including equipment, is a statutory function of the individual fire authorities and the Department has no direct role in this matter. The Department supports the local fire authorities through the setting of general policy, the provision of capital funding, the issue of guidance to fire authorities in relation to fire prevention and operational matters and...

Local Government (Roads Functions) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (14 Nov 2007)

Tony Killeen: I thank Deputies for their contributions to the debate on this Bill. Before I address some of the points raised, I emphasise that the Bill is technical in nature. It provides the legislative framework to facilitate the transfer of non-national roads and the national vehicle and driver file functions from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to the Department of...

Local Government (Roads Functions) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (14 Nov 2007)

Tony Killeen: Several Deputies raised issues about the level of funding for non-national roads. This year the fund is providing €520 million for this area. For 2008 and subsequent years, it will provide the same level of funding plus an element of the annual increase in buoyancy in motor tax receipts. Deputy Howlin and others highlighted the importance of various road schemes and the relationship...

Local Government (Roads Functions) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (14 Nov 2007)

Tony Killeen: Since the local government fund was introduced in 1999, annual allocations have increased from some €6 million to €30 million in 2007. This represents a 400% increase in funding in that time. Questions were also asked about the management of the local government fund. Deputy Howlin also spoke about the need for improved local government and the ring-fenced system of funding. I assure...

Local Government (Roads Functions) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Nov 2007)

Tony Killeen: The Minister outlined last night in his speech the rationale for the Government decision to transfer these functions. As I stated at the end of my summary on Second Stage, the functions relating to road safety, in particular, are a matter of very grave concern, as are the matters of having roads dealt with in one Department. That was the initial rationale for the decision. I thank Deputy...