Results 161-180 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Written Answers — Fire Services: Fire Services (11 Oct 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: The provision of a fire service, including appliances and equipment, is a matter for the local fire authority. My Department assists local fire authorities in providing funding for the purchase of fire appliances and rescue equipment. The building regulations 1997 to 2002 set down functional requirements for fire safety in high-rise buildings and technical guidance document B, issued under...

Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (13 Oct 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: Waterford County Council first submitted a proposal for a new fire station at Tallow in 1991. However, that proposal was not approved under the limited funding programme then in place. In September 2001, approval in principle was granted for a new fire station at Tallow and a detailed cost plan and drawings were submitted in November 2001. In 2002, the Department announced that new fire...

Decentralisation Programme. (19 Oct 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: On behalf of my colleague, the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Parlon, who has special responsibility for the Office of Public Works, I thank Deputy Walsh for giving me the opportunity to outline the position regarding the office accommodation for the decentralisation of the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources and Bord Iascaigh Mhara to Clonakilty...

Schools Building Programme. (19 Oct 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: I thank Deputies Ring and Cowley for giving me the opportunity to outline to the House the proposals of the Department of Education and Science regarding the provision of a new facility for Gaelscoil na Cruaiche, Westport, County Mayo. Modernising facilities in our 3,200 primary and 750 post-primary schools is not an easy task given the legacy of decades of underinvestment in this area and...

Schools Building Programme. (19 Oct 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Department will consider any proposal made by the school authority in this regard given the limitations on the existing arrangements. I thank both Deputies again for raising this matter.

Water and Sewerage Schemes. (19 Oct 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: I thank Deputy Sherlock for raising this issue and giving me the opportunity to clarify the position. My Department's water services investment programme 2004 to 2006, published in May 2004, includes funding for 97 schemes throughout County Cork. As a Corkman, I am proud that the entire county will benefit from the Government's extensive investment in new infrastructure under the national...

Water and Sewerage Schemes. (19 Oct 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue and I am glad to have the opportunity to respond to it. I visited Ennis a few weeks ago to see what the situation was on the ground and so have first-hand awareness of what residents and businesses have to contend with. I express my concern to the people of Ennis and surrounding areas who have been affected by the "boil water" notices and echo the...

Water and Sewerage Schemes. (19 Oct 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: While this undoubtedly seems lengthy, the contractors will have to draw up and price, from scratch, a detailed design and specification, a construction programme, and a long-term operational and maintenance strategy. They will be required to demonstrate that they can supply the people of Ennis with a consistently high quality drinking water supply for the next 20 years that will be delivered...

Seanad: Plant Diseases. (19 Oct 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: What was that?

Seanad: Plant Diseases. (19 Oct 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: I thank Senator Coghlan for raising this important matter. There have been a number of findings of the fungus phytophthora ramorum, which can cause damage to a range of plant species of rhododendron in Killarney National Park. The disease does not affect humans. Since first reported in the United States in the mid-1990s, a wide variety of tree and plant species have been damaged or killed in...

Avian Influenza. (25 Oct 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department is participating in the development of Ireland's precautionary response to the risk of avian 'flu. Against the background that migratory birds may transmit the disease between countries and regions, the National Parks and Wildlife Service is assisting and providing advice on wildlife-related issues to the Department of Agriculture and Food. The current focus of attention is on...

Avian Influenza. (25 Oct 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: We are very concerned and are on alert in regard to these matters. By way of background information, it appears the parrot that died in quarantine in the UK had tested negative for avian influenza. That was before the shipment from Surinam. It is important to note that the parrot was quarantined in shared air space with birds from Taiwan, some of which have since died. There is no evidence,...

Avian Influenza. (25 Oct 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: We have quarantine laws in place here. The European Union operates as an individual unit. A meeting of EU Ministers was held today on this issue and a decision may be taken today, which will be taken unanimously by that unit. That decision is imminent. As far as we are concerned, we are on red alert regarding these matters and will take all the necessary precautions across departmental boundaries.

Avian Influenza. (25 Oct 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: I confirm that no cases have been detected.

Avian Influenza. (25 Oct 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: There were some suspicions but from all the tests that have been carried out there is no evidence of the existence of avian influenza in Ireland.

Avian Influenza. (25 Oct 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: I do not have that information with me but I can relay it to the Deputy.

Avian Influenza. (25 Oct 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: In my earlier reply, I outlined the fact that various units of the organisation have been carrying out tests here and have also been monitoring exactly what is happening elsewhere internationally. They have acted in unison in negotiations with their European counterparts who are meeting today to decide what further measures may have to be taken regarding the importation of birds, including...

Avian Influenza. (25 Oct 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: Three foxes were also found dead in that location. A post mortem examination and virus isolation test are being carried out by the Department on a cygnet carcass. Nothing positive has been found and a final result of those tests will not be known for approximately ten days.

Avian Influenza. (25 Oct 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: I am quite happy with the current level of monitoring available. The tabulated information the Deputy requires is not to hand, but I will ensure it is made available to him.

Social and Affordable Housing. (25 Oct 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: Deputy Gilmore is not good at figures. There would not be much social housing in Dún Laoghaire.