Results 2,241-2,260 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

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

John Gormley: In the period 2008-2012, Ireland will meet its target for the purposes of the Kyoto Protocol through a series of national measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, supplemented as necessary by the purchase of carbon units on the international market. Government policy in this regard is set out in the National Climate Change Strategy 2007-2013. Since 2007, the Government has introduced a...

Written Answers — Turbary Rights: Turbary Rights (19 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: The ten year derogation on turf cutting on the 32 Raised Bog SACs that were notified for designation in 1999 has now expired. In the coming weeks, I expect to receive a report, and recommendations for managing the cessation, from the Working Group on the Cessation of Turf Cutting in Designated Areas, and I will conclude my consideration of these as rapidly as possible.

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

John Gormley: The national system of planning control in Ireland began with the commencement of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act 1963 on 1 October 1964 when a general obligation to obtain planning permission was introduced. Prior to this, the planning legislation in operation was the Town and Regional Planning Act 1934, as amended. Under this legislation, local authorities were...

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

John Gormley: My Department's Development Management Guidelines for Planning Authorities, published in June 2007 and available on my Department's website at www.environ.ie, advise that potential applicants should be made aware at pre-application stage of the necessity to ensure that the design implications of accessibility are addressed in housing and commercial development. The Guidelines further state...

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

John Gormley: All local authority major emergency plans are based on A Framework for Major Emergency Management and became operative on 30 September 2008. The Framework and the plans detail a co-ordination structure that enables the Principal Response Agencies (Local Authorities, An Garda Síochána and the HSE) to work together and to integrate with other services including the Defence Forces and...

Written Answers — Seanad Reform: Seanad Reform (19 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 882 and 901 together. The final meeting of the All-Party Group on Seanad Reform was held on Wednesday 4 November 2009; the aim of the Group was to establish the extent of cross-party agreement on the reform of the Upper House. I intend to report to Government shortly on the outcome of the Group's discussions.

Written Answers — Ethics in Public Office: Ethics in Public Office (19 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: Under the Ethics in Public Office Acts, 1995 and 2001, I have furnished a statement of registerable interests to the Standards in Public Office Commission each year. I have not received gifts over the value of €650 in the period referred to, and I fully comply with the Ethics Acts and Government guidelines in this area. From time to time, and in accordance with normal practice, I have...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (19 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: The landfill levy was increased from €20 per tonne to €25 per tonne with effect from 31 December 2009. I intend to increase the landfill levy by a further €5 per tonne with effect from the 1 of February 2010. This will bring the levy to €30 per tonne and will further assist in addressing the race to the bottom in landfill gate fees which currently acts as a barrier to achieving the...

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

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 888 and 902 together. The amounts collected as at 31 December 2009 under the non-principal private residence charge are outlined at Table A. The amounts collected and the net amounts due to each local authority as at 15 January 2010 are detailed in Table B. The net figures incorporate a reduction of approximately 1% on average to cover administration and...

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

John Gormley: The Table supplied in reply to Question No. 286 of 17 December 2009 provides the correct position with regard to candidate Special Areas of Conservation, Natural Heritage Areas and Special Protection Areas. The term "candidate" does not apply to the designation process for Natural Heritage Areas under the Wildlife Acts, or to the designation process for Special Protection Areas under the...

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

John Gormley: The information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

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

John Gormley: The Local Government (Charges) Act 2009, which sets out the detail of the €200 charge on non-principal private residences, is structured with a starting position of a universal liability for residential property in respect of the charge. It goes on to exempt certain buildings and owners from this liability, the most important exemption being where a property is occupied by the owner as his...

Written Answers — Motor Vehicle Registration: Motor Vehicle Registration (19 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: I refer to the reply to Question No. 207 on 5 February, 2009. The law relating to trade plates, for which my Department has responsibility, is provided in section 21 of the Finance (No.2) Act 1992 and the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 1992. Trade plates can be used by garages in very limited circumstances in respect of vehicles on which a licence...

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

John Gormley: I refer to the reply to Question No. 354 of 8 December 2009. The position is unchanged.

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (19 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: The renewed Programme for Government includes a commitment to introduce a scheme for the licensing and inspection of septic tanks and other on-site wastewater treatment systems. In October 2009, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) found that Ireland has failed to enact adequate legislation to deal with domestic wastewater from septic tanks and other on-site wastewater treatment systems. My...

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

John Gormley: My Department has a number of concerns with certain elements of the proposed works in the area in question as they impact on habitats and species. Accordingly, my Department will arrange to meet with the OPW to discuss their proposals.

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

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions No. 898 and 910 together. The Guidelines for Planning Authorities on the Planning System and Flood Risk Management which I published in November 2009 are aimed at ensuring a more consistent, rigorous and systematic approach to flood risk identification, assessment and management within the planning system. These guidelines provide, inter alia, that development in...

Written Answers — River Basin Management: River Basin Management (19 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: Flood risk management is a complex undertaking and desilting of rivers is only one of many measures that may be used to manage risk. Desilting in one location may have adverse consequences elsewhere in the catchment. Primary responsibility for flood risk management rests with the Office of Public Works, which has the lead agency role in relation to devising and implementing measures,...

Written Answers — Water Charges: Water Charges (19 Jan 2010)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 903 and 904 together. As indicated in the reply to Questions Nos. 283, 287, 288 and 302 to 304, inclusive, of 17 December 2009, the renewed Programme for Government contains a commitment to introduce charges for domestic water use in a way that is fair, significantly reduces waste and is easily applied. I will bring forward detailed proposals to Government...

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

John Gormley: The Human Resource Management System (HRMS) for the Civil Service was introduced in 2002. Information in respect of 31 January 2002, which is the first HRMS data available, is included in the following table along with the information requested for 2007 and 2010. Grade Title 31 January 2002 (FTE) 1 January 2007 (FTE) 1 January 2010 (FTE) Secretary General 1.00 1.00 1.00 Deputy Secretary...