Results 1,641-1,660 of 7,278 for speaker:Dick Roche

Written Answers — Genetically Modified Organisms: Genetically Modified Organisms (28 Sep 2005)

Dick Roche: Under EU legislation, it would not be permissible for EU member states to prohibit, restrict or impede the placing on the market of GMOs which have been authorised under relevant EU procedures. Given this framework, it would not be possible to make a designation as envisaged in the question.

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

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1370 to 1374, inclusive, and 1379 together. The primary purpose of the permitting system brought in under the Waste Management (Collection Permit) Regulations 2001 is to facilitate appropriate controls on commercial collection activities for the purposes of environmental protection and to facilitate the implementation of waste management plans and the...

Written Answers — State Property: State Property (28 Sep 2005)

Dick Roche: I understand that the Office of Public Works is drawing up plans for the refurbishment of Rathfarnham Castle. When these have been finalised and costed, consideration will be given to including the project in the built heritage capital programme.

Written Answers — Local Government Elections: Local Government Elections (28 Sep 2005)

Dick Roche: Unlike the situation regarding Dáil constituencies, there are no constitutional or statutory requirements in relation to the frequency of local electoral area reviews. The last review of local electoral areas was carried out in 1998. The June 2004 local elections took place on the basis of the existing local electoral areas and there are no proposals for examination of these areas. The next...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (28 Sep 2005)

Dick Roche: A total of €12.5 million was provided for the local improvements scheme, LIS, in 2005. Out of this total provision, a grant of €1,198,398 was allocated in June 2005 to Kerry County Council. All funds at my disposal for the LIS in 2005 have now been fully allocated. I will, however, take full account of the needs of all county councils, including Kerry County Council, when decisions...

Written Answers — Waiver Schemes: Waiver Schemes (28 Sep 2005)

Dick Roche: The determination of waste management charges is a matter for the relevant local authority, where it acts as the service provider, or for individual private service operators where these provide the service. Since January 2005, local authority and private providers of waste collection services are expected to introduce charges on a pay-by-use basis. This is intended to promote more...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (28 Sep 2005)

Dick Roche: The Rooskey sewerage scheme is an element of the Leitrim towns and villages sewerage scheme which is included in my Department's water services investment programme 2004 to 2006 as a scheme to commence construction this year at an estimated cost of €11.8 million. Leitrim County Council's tender documents for the scheme are under examination in my Department and are being dealt with as...

Written Answers — Vehicle Registration: Vehicle Registration (28 Sep 2005)

Dick Roche: I expect that information relating to the year of manufacture of vehicles will be included in vehicle registration certificates from the end of November this year.

Written Answers — Architectural Heritage: Architectural Heritage (28 Sep 2005)

Dick Roche: The scheme of architectural protection grants available to owners of protected structures is administered by local authorities and resourced by my Department. Funding for the scheme was increased from €3.9 million in 2004 to €6.85 million in 2005. This scheme is one of a number of supports for the built heritage. The conservation grants programme under the urban and village renewal scheme...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (28 Sep 2005)

Dick Roche: The Roscommon towns and villages sewerage scheme is included in my Department's water services investment programme 2004 to 2006 as a scheme to commence construction next year at an estimated cost of €19.3 million. Roscommon County Council's design review report is being examined in my Department in conjunction with the water services pricing policy report received from the council last...

Written Answers — Regional Road Network: Regional Road Network (28 Sep 2005)

Dick Roche: In March 2005, Sligo County Council submitted to my Department a copy of a report prepared jointly by Sligo, Mayo and Roscommon county councils regarding the condition of the R294 between Ballina and Boyle. The report proposed a number of both short and long-term improvement works to the route. The councils were informed on 21 March that it would be open to the relevant county councils to...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (28 Sep 2005)

Dick Roche: Creggs sewerage scheme was fourth on the list of sewerage schemes submitted by Galway County Council in response to my Department's request to local authorities in 2003 to produce updated assessments of the needs for capital works in their areas and to prioritise their proposals on the basis of the assessments. The assessments were taken into account in the framing of the water services...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (28 Sep 2005)

Dick Roche: Roscommon County Council has been asked to submit additional information required by my Department to facilitate a decision on the design review report, water services pricing policy report and implementation strategy for these water supply schemes which will serve Arigna, Boyle-Ardcarne and central and south Roscommon. The information will be examined as quickly as possible on receipt of the...

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

Dick Roche: I have accepted a recommendation from the nature conservation designations appeals advisory board to exclude the area under appeal from both the special protection area and the natural heritage area. Following digitising of the boundary revisions by my Department, the appellant was advised by letter dated 20 September 2005 of the successful outcome of the appeal, and was provided with maps...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (28 Sep 2005)

Dick Roche: Ireland signed the Aarhus Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters on 25 June 1998. Progress towards ratification of the convention is closely aligned with work at EU level. To date, the European Union has adopted two directives as part of the ratification process for the convention. These deal with public...

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

Dick Roche: The Environmental Protection Agency's report on water quality in Ireland 2001 to 2003 stated that the overall condition of Irish waters remains satisfactory and compares favourably with the position in other European countries. The report indicates that there is a further decline in the extent of serious pollution in rivers, a decline in the level of bacteriological contamination of...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (28 Sep 2005)

Dick Roche: The Costelloe regional water supply scheme, which will provide a new water supply source for these areas, and Carraroe sewerage scheme which protects the existing Carraroe water source are both approved for construction in my Department's water services investment programme for 2004 to 2006. I have approved Galway County Council's preliminary report for the first phase of the regional water...

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

Dick Roche: The question as to whether a particular development requires planning consent or not is primarily a matter for the planning authorities, or An Bord Pleanála on referral. They are empowered under section 5 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 to reach a determination as to whether a particular development falls to be considered as exempt. In making their determination, consideration would...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (28 Sep 2005)

Dick Roche: The Kilmallock sewerage scheme is approved for construction in my Department's water services investment programme for 2004 to 2006. My Department approved Limerick County Council's brief for the appointment of consultants to prepare detailed design and contract documents for the scheme last July. The Dromcollogher sewerage scheme, which is being procured in conjunction with a number of other...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (28 Sep 2005)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1399 and 1411 together. These schemes, which are being advanced as a grouped project, have been approved for construction in my Department's water services investment programme for 2004 to 2006. Further consideration will be given to Limerick County Council's fee proposals for the consultants selected to prepare the preliminary report on receipt of the...