Results 1,741-1,760 of 2,815 for speaker:Tony Killeen

Written Answers — Arts Funding: Arts Funding (12 Mar 2008)

Tony Killeen: Local authority arts officers are employed by, and operate under the direction of, local authorities. The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government participates in a Public Art Inter-Departmental Group, which is chaired by the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism and issues guidance to local authorities from time to time, where appropriate. Local authorities have...

Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (13 Mar 2008)

Tony Killeen: The provision of a fire service in a fire authority's functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs, the provision of premises and the making of such other provisions as it considers necessary or desirable, is a statutory function of the individual fire authority under section 10 of the Fire Services Act 1981. The...

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (13 Mar 2008)

Tony Killeen: In March 2007 the Government published an Expert Group Report entitled "Health Effects of Electromagnetic Fields". Following the publication of the Report, responsibility for the health effects of electromagnetic fields was transferred by Government decision to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in the short-term. The long-term intention is for one single agency...

Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (13 Mar 2008)

Tony Killeen: The provision of a fire service, including the provision of fire fighting and emergency equipment, is a statutory function of the individual fire authorities. The Department supports the local fire authorities through the setting of general policy and the provision of capital funding, including the recoupment of costs incurred by local authorities in relation to the purchase of fire fighting...

Electricity Generation. (8 Apr 2008)

Tony Killeen: My colleague, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Ryan, announced earlier today that he has appointed international consultants Ecofys to undertake the independent study on the comparative merits of overhead electricity transmission lines versus underground cables. The consultants were appointed following a tender process launched on 29 February on the...

Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (9 Apr 2008)

Tony Killeen: I wish to share time with Deputy Charlie O'Connor.

Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (9 Apr 2008)

Tony Killeen: I am pleased to have the opportunity to join colleagues in debating the EU reform treaty. It is very much in Ireland's interests that the EU perform efficiently and it is clearly in Europe's interests that it do so. It is clear the institutions which undoubtedly served the Union and its people well over a long period are not suitable in the new Union with 27 member states. It is frankly...

Traveller Accommodation (9 Apr 2008)

Tony Killeen: I thank Deputy Kathleen Lynch for raising this matter which I am taking on behalf of my colleague the Minister of State, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe. In dealing with the specific issue concerning the replacement of mobile homes for Traveller families in Cork city, it is worthwhile briefly to examine the accommodation position of Traveller families across all local authorities. The most recent annual...

Written Answers — Library Projects: Library Projects (9 Apr 2008)

Tony Killeen: The provision and improvement of library services in County Cork is a matter for the library authority, Cork County Council. In September, 2005, Cork County Council submitted an application to my Department for approval in principle for Mitchelstown Library. The Council was advised that as this proposal was not included in the Public Library Capital Expenditure Programme 2005-2007 and that...

Local Government Services (Corporate Bodies) (Confirmation of Orders) Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Second Stage (10 Apr 2008)

Tony Killeen: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." Before referring to the Bill, I wish to provide some background information on the Local Government Services (Corporate Bodies) Act 1971. The purpose of that Act was to enable the Minister, by order, to establish corporate bodies to provide for the local authorities and-or the Minister such services as are specified in the establishment...

Local Government Services (Corporate Bodies) (Confirmation of Orders) Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Second Stage (10 Apr 2008)

Tony Killeen: He is making money.

Local Government Services (Corporate Bodies) (Confirmation of Orders) Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Second Stage (10 Apr 2008)

Tony Killeen: I thank the Members who contributed to the debate for their constructive comments. I will try to respond separately in regard to the two separate provisions in the Bill, first, in regard to the attempt to address the perceived deficiencies in section 3 of the 1971 Act, and, second, on the issues raised concerning Limerick regeneration. Deputy Phil Hogan raised a number of concerns. There is...

Local Government Services (Corporate Bodies) (Confirmation of Orders) Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Referral to Select Committee (10 Apr 2008)

Tony Killeen: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, in accordance with Standing Order 120(1) and paragraph 1(a)(i) of the Orders of Reference of that committee.

Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (17 Apr 2008)

Tony Killeen: The provision of equipment such as defibrillators for use by fire service personnel is a matter for the individual fire authorities and the Department has no direct role in this matter unless capital funding is sought for the purchase of such equipment. I am aware that nearly all fire authorities have invested in training their fire fighters to Emergency First Responder level. Some...

Written Answers — Radon Gas Levels: Radon Gas Levels (22 Apr 2008)

Tony Killeen: The Government's approach in relation to radon measurement and remediation is similar to that of the majority of EU Member States. Our efforts, together with those of the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland are concentrated on increasing public awareness of the health risks posed by radon exposure in the home and workplace, and on advising householders and others to address the risk...

Written Answers — Water Pollution: Water Pollution (22 Apr 2008)

Tony Killeen: Responsibility for ensuring compliance with Directive 80/68 on the protection of groundwater against pollution caused by certain dangerous substances rests with the relevant local authority and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Geological Survey, a Division of this Department, assists Local Authorities in drawing up groundwater protection schemes. It is also involved in the...

Mining Industry. (23 Apr 2008)

Tony Killeen: I have no plans to introduce a specific scheme to provide for compensation to people suffering health problems as a consequence of working in underground mines. While mining requires a State mining facility lease or licence under the Minerals Development Acts 1940 to 1999, it is undertaken in this country by private enterprise. Accordingly any issue of compensation would be a matter between...

Mining Industry. (23 Apr 2008)

Tony Killeen: Deputy Coonan is correct in saying that previous Ministers have grappled unsuccessfully with this matter. I am not familiar with whatever undertakings he is referring to prior to the election, but I am sure he will make that information available to me at some stage. The fundamental difference between the situation in this country and in the United Kingdom is that the British mining...

Mining Industry. (23 Apr 2008)

Tony Killeen: I will certainly examine that element. There is a short time period within which the State had some responsibility in this regard — a more direct responsibility than employers in other instances. Unfortunately, if a solution is to be found on that narrow point, the information I have is that it would benefit no more than a handful of people, perhaps as few as two or three. Deputy Coonan...

Dublin Bay Development Plan. (23 Apr 2008)

Tony Killeen: I thank Deputy Bruton for raising this important matter to which I am responding on behalf of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy John Gormley. At the outset, I wish to make it clear that under section 30 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, the Minister is precluded from exercising any power or control concerning any individual planning application or...