Results 2,061-2,080 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Written Answers — Local Authority Staff: Local Authority Staff (27 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: Since 1999, the Heritage Council, under the aegis of my Department, has developed a partnership programme with local authorities to facilitate the employment of heritage officers. Local authorities that participate in the programme are eligible for financial assistance from the Heritage Council towards the cost of employing a heritage officer. There are currently twenty-seven local...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (27 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: The Ardagh, Aughnacliffe and Ballinalee Sewerage Schemes were included in the Water Services Investment Programme 2007 – 2009. I understand that the Ballinalee Sewerage Collection Network is currently under construction. There are no proposals with my Department to extend the scope of the scheme. Local authorities were asked in July 2009 to submit an assessment of needs for water and...

Written Answers — Turbary Rights: Turbary Rights (27 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: The ten year derogation that allowed the continuation of turf-cutting on 32 Raised Bog Special Areas of Conservation notified for designation in 1999 has now expired. In the coming weeks I expect to receive a report from the Working Group on the Cessation of Turf Cutting in Designated Areas including recommendations for managing the cessation. I will conclude my consideration of these...

Written Answers — Building Regulations: Building Regulations (27 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: I refer to the reply by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to Questions Nos. 295 and 301 on today's Order Paper which deals with grant assistance for heating control systems available through Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI). Part L – Conservation of Fuel and Energy – of the Building Regulations addresses energy efficiency in dwellings. The current requirement...

Written Answers — Building Regulations: Building Regulations (27 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: Standard construction contracts provide for the laying of local authority water mains at depths that provide for sufficient natural insulation cover. However, the movement of earth that can arise following a thaw from a prolonged cold weather spell can, and did, lead to burst mains. There is a need to sustain our efforts in the provision of water services infrastructure and, in particular,...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (27 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: General-Purpose Grants from the Local Government Fund are the contribution that my Department makes to local authorities to meet the gap between the cost to them of providing a reasonable level of day-to-day services and the income they obtain from other sources. A total of €24,289,702 in General-Purpose Grants has been allocated to South Dublin County Council from the Local Government...

Severe Weather Emergencies: Motion (26 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: I refer to the two major areas referred to in the Opposition motion, namely, roads and water supplies. By and large our national roads, other key strategic roads and public transport routes were kept open for traffic during the 24 days that the severe weather lasted. These are the facts. With careful driving, most of our secondary road network remained passable throughout the period, with...

Severe Weather Emergencies: Motion (26 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: I believe the Deputy agrees with me on this, but he might have been forced into it. I do not know.

Severe Weather Emergencies: Motion (26 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: This Government's intention, which we announced in December, is to introduce charges for water in a way that is fair, significantly reduces waste and is easily applied. I will shortly bring detailed proposals to Government on a programme of metering of households on public supplies. It is envisaged that the installation of water meters will commence during 2011. International experience...

Severe Weather Emergencies: Motion (26 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: I will outline why I see no reason for the introduction of such a quango. Indeed, I can only conclude that Fine Gael wants to establish such an agency because the party wants to privatize our water services.

Severe Weather Emergencies: Motion (26 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: Such a move might be in line with Fine Gael's call for a fire-sale of State assets, but I am absolutely opposed to such a measure.

Severe Weather Emergencies: Motion (26 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: There is a clear structure in place-----

Severe Weather Emergencies: Motion (26 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: When I hear Deputy Coveney talking about a company not an authority, of course one immediately grows suspicious.

Severe Weather Emergencies: Motion (26 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: I am generally satisfied with the current arrangements which I believe will improve considerably with the implementation of a river basin approach to water management. The response arrangements of the statutory and voluntary agencies in dealing with the developing situation were substantially tested. The arrangements put in place did work, but there is some room for reflection and review of...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (26 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: The initial 30% instalment of payment for participation in the Hen Harrier Farm Plan Scheme was approved for the person in question on 21 January 2010. This payment will issue in the coming days. The remaining 70% instalment for year one and the initial payment for year two will be paid together on completion of the first year of the relevant plan.

Written Answers — Local Authority Staff: Local Authority Staff (26 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: My Department has a delegated sanction from the Department of Finance for implementation of the general moratorium on the filling of public sector posts in the Local Authority Sector, on the condition that the overall staffing levels in the local authority sector are to be reduced significantly by the end of 2010 in adherence with the Government's Policy on Staffing and Numbers in the Public...

Written Answers — Emergency Planning: Emergency Planning (26 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: The information on ministerial attendance at the National Emergency Response Co-ordination Committee (NERCC) meetings is as follows: NERCC on flooding- An Taoiseach, Mr. Brian Cowen – 21 November 2009. Minister for the Environment, Heritage & Local Government, Mr. John Gormley – 21 & 25 November 2009. Minister for Defence, Mr. Willie O'Dea – 25 November 2009. NERCC on Severe Weather...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (26 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 489, 480 and 506 together. I published the Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009 on 22 December 2009. The Bill contains provision to give statutory effect to the recommendations of the Working Group that reviewed the management of dog breeding establishments. A dog breeding establishment is defined in the Bill as a premises with not less than 6 bitches of 4...

Written Answers — Departmental Offices: Departmental Offices (26 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 481 and 495 together. The Office of Public Works (OPW) has responsibility for the provision of office accommodation under the decentralisation programme and it is managing the development of the Department's new headquarters on the Newtown Road in Wexford. I have been advised by the OPW that following recent discussions between it and the contractor, the...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (26 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: Local authorities are responsible for setting water charges in their functional areas. The Government's water pricing policy provides for full cost recovery without profit, with charges based on actual metered consumption. The cost of providing water services to the non-domestic sector includes elements of infrastructure provision including meter installation and operation and maintenance...