Results 2,301-2,320 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Carbon Budget: Statements (11 Dec 2009)

John Gormley: It is true. I listened very carefully.

Carbon Budget: Statements (11 Dec 2009)

John Gormley: It is a serious subject. That is why there is no need for any shred of scepticism regarding climate change such as I heard expressed the other evening.

Carbon Budget: Statements (11 Dec 2009)

John Gormley: I beg the Deputy's pardon, but I did. The Deputy can check the record.

Carbon Budget: Statements (11 Dec 2009)

John Gormley: I will answer. What does the Deputy want to know.

Carbon Budget: Statements (11 Dec 2009)

John Gormley: I have no difficulty naming them if that is what the Deputy wants. I heard Deputy Durkan saying he did not believe in it. Deputy Ring had his own views and, indeed, Deputy Sherlock was very opposed to the idea of imposing a carbon levy on people who must commute. The Deputy cannot have it every way. That is the reality.

Carbon Budget: Statements (11 Dec 2009)

John Gormley: No. These are the facts. I commend Deputy Coveney on some of his actions on electric cars. I can assure the Deputy that my own Department has seized the initiative and has done outstanding work.

Carbon Budget: Statements (11 Dec 2009)

John Gormley: That will be seen by all next year when there is huge investment in the idea of electric cars. In reply to Deputy Tuffy's question, we have had to invest in carbon credits, but it is half of what we had first anticipated. We have made steady progress. There has been a 1% annual decrease, but we need to go further. We need to get on the road to a low carbon trajectory, something that will...

Carbon Budget: Statements (11 Dec 2009)

John Gormley: It pushes the boat out on climate change. I am proud of the Green Party's record on this. We will continue to push for the very highest standards. An 80% reduction by 2050 is what the scientists are telling us is required.

Carbon Budget: Statements (11 Dec 2009)

John Gormley: It will be tough, but it is absolutely necessary. The Green Party was the party that set up the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Change. I hope we can continue along this path and that we will get there. Let us all hope for a good result in Copenhagen.

Order of Business (11 Dec 2009)

John Gormley: As I indicated yesterday, it is proceeding.

Carbon Budget: Statements (11 Dec 2009)

John Gormley: It is a privilege to present to the House this, the third annual carbon budget. Since this process commenced two years ago, the carbon budget has continued to evolve and climate change is now very much at the heart of the Government's budgetary policy and decision making. This carbon budget comes at a crucial time not only for Ireland but for humanity in terms of our efforts to tackle...

Carbon Budget: Statements (11 Dec 2009)

John Gormley: I did not have time. The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Ryan, has outlined a major initiative in that regard.

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (10 Dec 2009)

John Gormley: The finalised Guidelines to Planning Authorities on the Planning System and Flood Risk Management, which I published on 30 November 2009, have been issued under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, which requires planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála to have regard to them in the performance of their functions. This includes taking appropriate account of these guidelines...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (10 Dec 2009)

John Gormley: I understand that payment has been approved and will issue in the coming days.

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (10 Dec 2009)

John Gormley: I recognize the hardship that has been caused in many parts of the country as a result of the serious flooding over recent weeks and I am appreciative of the professional and rapid response by local authorities and their staff and other agencies in dealing with the many difficult situations encountered. I also recognize that local authorities are of necessity incurring immediate and...

Written Answers — Local Government Elections: Local Government Elections (10 Dec 2009)

John Gormley: The Programme for Government, agreed in 2007, contains a commitment to the establishment of an independent Electoral Commission which will, inter alia, take responsibility for electoral administration and oversight and implement modern and efficient electoral practices. The Renewed Programme for Government, agreed in October 2009, reaffirms this commitment and states that within 12 months,...

Written Answers — Local Authority Charges: Local Authority Charges (10 Dec 2009)

John Gormley: The Non-Principal Private Residence charge is a self assessment measure as it is, in the first instance, a matter for the owner of the property in question to assess whether he or she is liable to pay the charge. The Local Government (Charges) Act 2009 places the collection of the charge under the care and management of local authorities. Liability to pay the charge in individual cases...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (10 Dec 2009)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 166 and 167 together. My Department takes seriously the governance arrangements of agencies under its aegis. Agencies are required to confirm that they comply with the up-to-date requirements of the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies (published May 2009), and are regularly reminded of the corporate governance provisions contained in both...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (10 Dec 2009)

John Gormley: The Waterville Water Supply and Sewerage Schemes are included for funding in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007 – 2009. The water main and sewer networks contract is substantially completed. Kerry County Council has submitted to my Department a tender recommendation to procure the water and wastewater treatment plants under a single Design Build Operate (DBO)...

Written Answers — National Parks: National Parks (10 Dec 2009)

John Gormley: During consideration of the dung catcher option, contact was made by an outside Health and Safety Advisor contracted to my Department with the Health and Safety Authority (HSA). The HSA advised that no specific guidance was available on dung catchers but suggested that a risk assessment by a competent person be carried out and that in addition, best practice from other jurisdictions be taken...