Results 2,201-2,220 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Written Answers — Special Protection Areas: Special Protection Areas (20 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: Dublin City Council has prepared an ecological report on the possible impacts of locating a facility for scrambler motorcycling at a site adjacent to South Dublin Bay and River Tolka Estuary Special Protection Area. This report has been referred to my Department as part of an application for consent, and the report, including suggested mitigation measures to avoid disturbance to birds using...

Written Answers — Emergency Planning: Emergency Planning (20 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: In relation to the recent severe weather event, I arranged for the convening of the National Emergency Co-ordination Committee and ensured that it provided an appropriate forum so that national co-ordination between various Government Departments and statutory agencies operated in an efficient manner to respond to any measure which required a decision or direction at national level. Although...

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: I thank Senators Norris, O'Toole and Bacik for raising this issue and for their real engagement with Seanad reform. I listened very carefully to Senator Norris's very interesting speech. It was the first time I have ever seen him read a speech.

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: Yes, he had much to get in and that is why-----

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: One never knows.

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: It was certainly read at a fast pace as well. The Senator probably broke all records for that one. I wish to respond to some of the points he made. While they might be considered to be incidental points, I agree with the thrust of what he said. There is just a small correction. He mentioned how he had initiated a Civil Partnership Bill in this House and mentioned how it had been taken up...

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: I concur with his analysis of what is occurring in the media. It is a very serious issue that was taken up by his colleague, Senator O'Toole. The way this is going I have no doubt fewer people will want to enter public life. This is a serious issue. I believe colleagues will agree with me when I say being a public representative is a very honourable profession. We should encourage more...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (19 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: Payments are made on the basis of approved farm plans. I understand that the applicant's plan is currently with his farm planner for finalisation. When the final plan is submitted, the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department will process the application and, if in order, payment will be made.

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (19 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: I will shortly bring proposals to Government, based on extensive review of national monuments legislation, and substantial stakeholder consultation, with a view to bringing forward a comprehensive and modernised Monuments Bill as quickly as possible.

Written Answers — Litter Pollution: Litter Pollution (19 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: Statistics on local authority enforcement action on litter, including the numbers of fines issued and paid for litter offences, are submitted by local authorities to my Department every six months; the latest figures available relate to the period January - June 2009 and are available in the Oireachtas Library.

Written Answers — Emergency Planning: Emergency Planning (19 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: I have initiated a review of the emergency response to the recent flooding event and a review will be undertaken on the operation of the co-ordination of the inter-agency arrangements during the recent severe weather event with a view to assessing the performance of the arrangements and to ascertain if any revisions are necessary.

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (19 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: 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 months old capable of breeding. The Bill proposes that all...

Written Answers — Foreshore Licences: Foreshore Licences (19 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: Following the enactment of the Foreshore and Dumping at Sea (Amendment) Act, 2009, my Department assumed responsibility on 15 January 2010 for a range of foreshore functions including all foreshore energy-related developments (including oil, gas, wind, wave and tidal energy). The foreshore application made by the ESB in respect of the project referred to is at an advanced stage of...

Written Answers — Emergency Planning: Emergency Planning (19 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: The National Emergency Response Co-ordination Committee is a non standing committee and it was convened for the recent flooding and severe weather events. Its primary purpose is to bring together a whole of Government approach, and to this end it facilitates the exchange of information, ensures co-operation between various Government Departments, statutory agencies, the Defence Forces and...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (19 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 842 and 881 together. The Local Government (Rates) Act 1970, rather than the Valuation Act 2001, is the relevant piece of legislation in relation to rates waiver schemes. Under the provisions of the Local Government (Rates) Act 1970, a rating authority may make and carry out a scheme providing for the waiver by the authority of all or a portion of...

Written Answers — Natural Heritage Areas: Natural Heritage Areas (19 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: Having regard to available budgetary resources, priority is being given under the bog purchase scheme to those wishing to sell their interest in the 32 raised bog sites which were nominated for designation as Special Areas of Conservation in 1999. For these sites the ten year derogation given by the Government, which allowed the continuation of turf cutting for personal domestic use, has now...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (19 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 846 and 854 together. I provided some €16.5m in supplementary funding to assist local authorities in the worst hit areas in meeting the immediate and exceptional costs incurred in dealing with the recent flooding crisis. My Department made payments to affected local authorities in the week before Christmas. On the basis of Clare County Council's...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (19 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: The total number of staff employed by my Department on 1 January, 2010 was 1,186 (full-time equivalents). My Department has an extensive policy, legislative and capital investment mandate, and employs staff with a wide range of professional qualifications. In addition, many administrative staff have degrees in a variety of subjects. However, while economists/statisticians are currently...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (19 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: There are currently no primary legislative provisions governing the designation or management of allotments. The issue of allotments and any rental costs arising is therefore a matter for any local authority which may operate such an allotment scheme. I am considering introducing amending provisions in the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009 to give planning authorities the...

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (19 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: Directives 2004/17/EC and 2004/18/EC, which were transposed into Irish law by regulations made by the Minister for Finance, allow for environmental and social criteria and conditions to be integrated into public procurement procedures. Such criteria and conditions may, therefore, be included in the selection of technical specifications and award criteria, and in contract performance clauses....