Results 2,401-2,420 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley
- Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (2 Dec 2009)
John Gormley: There is a commitment to introduce comprehensive legislation on noise pollution within the lifetime of this Government. Earlier this year, following an extensive consultation process, the General Scheme of a Noise Nuisance Bill was prepared in my Department and approved by the Government. The Noise Nuisance Bill is included in the Government Legislation Programme published on 16 September,...
- Climate Change: Statements (1 Dec 2009)
John Gormley: At the request of the Chairman of the Joint Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security, I recently met the committee to brief it on final preparations for the 15th conference of the parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the fifth meeting of the parties to the Kyoto Protocol, which will take place in Copenhagen from 7 to 18 December. The Copenhagen conference is...
- Climate Change: Statements (1 Dec 2009)
John Gormley: I would hope so. I believe the usher has them. In the international negotiations, questions have been raised recently about the EU's commitment to the Kyoto Protocol, suggesting that the EU is somehow trying to walk away from it. I want to assure the House that nothing could be further from reality. The EU has always been and remains firmly committed to the Kyoto Protocol, its structure...
- Climate Change: Statements (1 Dec 2009)
John Gormley: There are people who believe that in view of the economic downturn, action on climate change should be deferred or given a lower priority in the shorter term. Such views are misguided and damaging. The Council is perfectly clear on this point within the EU. I welcome and fully support the Council's decision to underline the opportunity and the need to build on the synergies between action...
- Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (1 Dec 2009)
John Gormley: The Human Resource Management System (HRMS) for the Civil Service was introduced in 2002. The information requested from 2002 in being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible. The compilation of the pre-2002 data would involve a disproportionate amount of time and work.
- Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (1 Dec 2009)
John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 278 and 279 together. I recently notified land-owners and the public of my intention to re-designate six existing sites in Dublin as Special Protection Areas further to Ireland's obligations under the 1979 Birds Directive. I have also proposed that one additional new site, Dalkey Islands, be designated. Five of the seven sites are island sites on which there...
- Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (1 Dec 2009)
John Gormley: As I indicated in my statement to the House on 24 November in relation to the recent flooding events, my Department has undertaken a range of measures and has instigated inter-agency co-operative initiatives to deliver a co-ordinated emergency response at both national and local level, through the local authorities' severe weather emergency plans. In respect of land use planning, I am...
- Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (1 Dec 2009)
John Gormley: I published, yesterday, finalised Guidelines to Planning Authorities on the Planning System and Flood Risk Management, which are aimed at ensuring a more consistent, rigorous and systematic approach to the full incorporation of flood risk assessment and management into the planning system. The Guidelines contain a commitment to review the exempted development planning regulations, which...
- Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (1 Dec 2009)
John Gormley: Under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each County and City Manager is responsible for staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authorities for which he or she is responsible. Pensions of retired members of the Local Government Superannuation Scheme are generally increased in line with pay increases granted to serving staff....
- Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (1 Dec 2009)
John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 284 and 285 together. Under section 42 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, a planning permission must, on application, be extended for a period of up to 5 years, provided that the development commenced before the expiration of the planning permission and that substantial works were carried out during the period of the permission. Section 23 of the...
- Written Answers — Nuclear Safety: Nuclear Safety (1 Dec 2009)
John Gormley: The European Nuclear Safety Regulators Group (ENSREG) was established by the European Commission in July 2007. The Group is composed of senior officials from national regulatory or nuclear safety authorities. Ireland is represented on ENSREG by Dr Ann Mc Garry, CEO of the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII), Dr Tom Ryan, Director of Regulatory Services at the RPII and other...
- Written Answers — Architectural Heritage: Architectural Heritage (1 Dec 2009)
John Gormley: Under the provisions of the Planning and Development Act 2000, each planning authority is required, for the purpose of protecting structures including bridges, or parts of structures which are of special architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical interest, to include in its development plan a Record of Protected Structures for its functional...
- Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (1 Dec 2009)
John Gormley: Section 179 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 and the associated Part 8 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 set out the legal requirements in relation to local authority own development which does not require environmental impact assessment. Where a local authority proposes to engage in development specified in Part 8 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, which...
- Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (1 Dec 2009)
John Gormley: My Department understands that the closure of this green waste facility is under consideration by South Dublin County Council but that the civic amenity facility at Ballymount continues to accept green waste and will remain in operation. The decision is an operational matter for South Dublin County Council. Since 2002 my Department has provided grant assistance of over â¬100 million to...
- Written Answers — Library Projects: Library Projects (1 Dec 2009)
John Gormley: Limerick County Council invited me to open this new facility, including the branch library which has been grant aided by my Department in the amount of â¬1,000,000. Unfortunately, due to other pressing engagements on the day, I was unable to accept this invitation and conveyed my regret and best wishes to the local authority for a successful event.
- Written Answers — Turbary Rights: Turbary Rights (1 Dec 2009)
John Gormley: A detailed response to the correspondence in question was issued earlier today.
- Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (1 Dec 2009)
John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 292 and 297 together. It is my intention to provide for a legal definition of 'landscape' in the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009 which is currently at Report Stage in Seanad Ãireann. This will be based on the definition set out in the European Landscape Convention, as ratified by Ireland in March 2002. I will also be bringing proposals in...
- Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (1 Dec 2009)
John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 294 and 301 together. My Department will shortly ask the local authorities for reports on the consequences of the flooding and an assessment of the remedial works required. I will circulate these reports to other Government Departments and Agencies for consideration and appropriate action. I have today announced the provision of supplementary funding...
- Written Answers — Local Authority Charges: Local Authority Charges (1 Dec 2009)
John Gormley: The charge, on all non-principal private residences, which is set at â¬200, is payable by owners of private rented accommodation, holiday homes and any other residential property that is not the owner's sole or main residence. If a person resident in another country owns a residential property here that is not his or her sole or main residence, he or she would be liable for the charge in...
- Written Answers — Local Authority Charges: Local Authority Charges (1 Dec 2009)
John Gormley: The Government has decided to broaden the revenue base of local authorities by introducing a charge on all non-principal private residences. The charge, which is set at â¬200, is payable by owners of private rented accommodation, holiday homes and any other residential property that is not the owner's sole or main residence. Section 3(2) of the Local Government (Charges) Act 2009 provides...