Results 1,841-1,860 of 7,278 for speaker:Dick Roche

Written Answers — Nuclear Plants: Nuclear Plants (25 Oct 2005)

Dick Roche: I assume that the question refers to recent reports of plans by the UK Nuclear Decommissioning Authority to introduce competition into the decommissioning process by using contractors and encouraging competition to carry out decommissioning contracts. The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority is a public body established by the UK Government. The objective of the authority is to deliver safe,...

Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (25 Oct 2005)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 106, 114, 126, 152 and 160 together. On 11 October 2005, my Department made available a report by consultants that sets out preliminary updated projections of national greenhouse gas emissions during the Kyoto Protocol commitment period 2008-2012. These projections are part of Government preparations for the second phase of the EU emissions trading scheme,...

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (25 Oct 2005)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 107 and 203 together. Ireland, through the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, RPII, is actively participating in the World Health Organisation's international radon project and will continue to support this work. Exchanges of information on national experiences are an ongoing part of the international radon project and RPII would have contributed...

Written Answers — Nuclear Plants: Nuclear Plants (25 Oct 2005)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 108, 124 and 177 together. I met the British Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, Mr. Alan Johnson, in London on 19 October. The meeting focused on the THORP incident and on issues regarding the continued operation of the Sellafield plant. While our meeting was cordial, there was an extremely frank exchange of views. I made very clear to the Secretary of...

Written Answers — Building Regulations: Building Regulations (25 Oct 2005)

Dick Roche: Thermal performance and insulation standards for new dwellings under part L of the building regulations have been progressively increased since their introduction in 1992 and are due for further upward adjustment by 2008. The national climate change strategy, NCCS, proposed that 1997 part L standards, operative since 1 July 1998, be significantly increased in two phases in mid-2002 and 2005....

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (25 Oct 2005)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 115, 125, 140, 149 and 187 together. I welcome the publication of this report which also sets out an action plan to deal further with unauthorised waste activity in Ireland. The Office of Environmental Enforcement, through its national enforcement network, will co-ordinate the implementation of this plan. The network has, for example, on 18 and 19 October 2005...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (25 Oct 2005)

Dick Roche: The European Commission has communicated with my Department in relation to potential costs associated with completion of a statutory declaration in respect of the first time registration of Community voters who wish to vote in European Parliament elections in Ireland. Detailed consideration of the matter is now at an advanced stage in my Department and a substantive reply will issue shortly...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (25 Oct 2005)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 120, 601 and 602 together. My Department has regard to the appropriate Department of Finance guidelines on engaging consultants. In addition, following the Quigley report, procurement guidelines and practices in the Department were reviewed in March 2005 and a set of consolidated guidelines has been circulated to all staff. Briefings on these have been...

Written Answers — Election Management System: Election Management System (25 Oct 2005)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 121, 154, 170, 592, 657, 676 and 680 together. Following an open procurement process, my Department appointed consultants in July 2005 as part of a programme of further assessment, testing and validation of the electronic voting and counting system. The brief is to undertake a security and risk assessment of all aspects of the system and to devise a programme...

Written Answers — Water Supply Contamination: Water Supply Contamination (25 Oct 2005)

Dick Roche: The Water Services Bill 2003, which is before the Dáil, provides for a comprehensive legislative code to underpin the delivery of water services. Enforcement provisions in the Bill are being reviewed at present and I will be prepared to facilitate on Committee Stage any reasonable provisions to strengthen current arrangements which may be considered necessary.

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (25 Oct 2005)

Dick Roche: The Planning and Development Act 2000 was the culmination of a comprehensive review of planning legislation and apart from the strategic infrastructure Bill which is now being drafted, I do not have any current plans to review the general statutory provisions relating to the planning process.

Written Answers — Tribunals of Inquiry: Tribunals of Inquiry (25 Oct 2005)

Dick Roche: The Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters and Payments is empowered by relevant Oireachtas resolutions to carry out such preliminary investigations in private, as it thinks fit. My Department has co-operated with all requests by the tribunal to make files available. However, it would not be appropriate to disclose details of material provided in this way to the tribunal, on a...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (25 Oct 2005)

Dick Roche: I am satisfied that current planning processes facilitate to the development of renewable energy infrastructure. Wind is a primary source of renewable energy in Ireland. To assist local authorities and An Bord Pleanála in planning for wind energy and in processing applications for facilities for wind farms, I intend to publish final revised guidelines to planning authorities on wind energy...

Written Answers — National Spatial Strategy: National Spatial Strategy (25 Oct 2005)

Dick Roche: The national spatial strategy, NSS, is a 20-year strategic planning framework published in 2002 aimed at achieving more balanced regional development. Substantial progress has by now been made at national level with the strategy, which is having an increasing influence on policies and programmes across a number of Departments and agencies such as the Department of Finance, Department of...

Written Answers — Building Regulations: Building Regulations (25 Oct 2005)

Dick Roche: The basic regulations governing the energy efficiency of boilers in Ireland are the European Communities (Efficiency Requirements for New Hot Water Boilers Fired with Liquid or Gaseous Fuels) Regulations 1994 which require that domestic boilers installed on or after 1 August 1994 meet minimum efficiency requirements laid down by EU Council Directive 92/42/EC of 21 May 1992. Encouraging the...

Written Answers — Architectural Heritage: Architectural Heritage (25 Oct 2005)

Dick Roche: I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 525 and 531 of 11 October 2005. No application for consent under section 14 of the National Monuments Act 2004 was received or sought in my Department in relation to the development in question.

Written Answers — Nuclear Plants: Nuclear Plants (25 Oct 2005)

Dick Roche: In January 2001, the UK Health and Safety Executive's nuclear installations inspectorate issued British Nuclear Fuels with a specification to formalise a programme to reduce the level of highly active liquid waste stored at Sellafield to a buffer stock limit of 200 m3 by 2015. This specification, which is a legal requirement, required that the maximum permitted holding of this liquid waste...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (25 Oct 2005)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 134 and 184 together. Extensive investigations have already been undertaken by Wicklow County Council and other enforcement agencies in relation to the instances of illegal dumping that have come to light in County Wicklow in recent years. As a result both civil and criminal actions have been pursued, are under way or are pending. In relation to the...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (25 Oct 2005)

Dick Roche: In areas for which my Department has responsibility Ireland has not had to deal to date with any costs arising from cases as referred to in the question. Fines have not been ordered by the European Court of Justice in relation to any case taken against Ireland. In the period 1995 to 2005, there have been nine judgments against Ireland in areas for which my Department has responsibility. The...

Written Answers — Climate Change Strategy: Climate Change Strategy (25 Oct 2005)

Dick Roche: The 11th conference of the parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the first meeting of the parties to the Kyoto Protocol will take place in Montreal from 28 November to 9 December. I plan to attend the conference and to lead the Irish delegation during the high level segment. My Department, together with other Departments with sectoral responsibility for...