Results 2,421-2,440 of 7,278 for speaker:Dick Roche

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (9 Nov 2006)

Dick Roche: I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 79 and 125 of 8 November 2006.

Written Answers — Register of Electors: Register of Electors (9 Nov 2006)

Dick Roche: In law, the preparation of the Register of Electors is a matter for each local registration authority. It is their duty to ensure, as far as possible and with the cooperation of the public, the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the Register. In April 2006, I announced a package of measures to assist local authorities in their work on preparing the 2007/8 Register. This included: a commitment...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (9 Nov 2006)

Dick Roche: The Skibbereen Sewerage Scheme has been approved for funding in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2005-2007 at an estimated cost of €13.4 million. I approved Cork County Council's contract documents for the collection system in June 2006 and it is a matter for the Council to advance the tender process for this element of the scheme. The wastewater treatment plant is being...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (9 Nov 2006)

Dick Roche: Under sections 18, 19 and 20 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended by the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2002, the making, amending or revoking of a local area plan is a reserved function of the elected members of the planning authority. The legislation requires a local area plan to be consistent with the objectives of the development plan and to consist of a written...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (8 Nov 2006)

Dick Roche: The Review of Local Government Financing by Indecon Economic Consultants estimated, on the basis of different methods of projecting expenditure, that by 2010 local authority expenditure will increase by €1 billion to €2 billion in nominal terms over 2004 levels. Funding this expenditure would be met by a combination of the buoyancy in the existing funding system, some additional funding...

Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (8 Nov 2006)

Dick Roche: Emissions from the transport sector in 2004 totalled 12.58 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, equivalent to 18% of total national emissions in 2004. Road transport accounted for 96% of transport emissions. Different treatment already exists for private motor vehicles on the basis of engine size through differentiated vehicle registration and motor tax rates. In addition, 50% relief on vehicle...

Written Answers — Waste Disposal: Waste Disposal (8 Nov 2006)

Dick Roche: Waste management services have traditionally been provided at a local level, with individual arrangements being locally determined and tailored to local circumstances. The present legal framework, as determined by the Oireachtas, reflects this. In accordance with section 52 of the Protection of the Environment Act 2003, the determination of waste management charges, and any associated waiver...

Written Answers — Recycling Policy: Recycling Policy (8 Nov 2006)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 21 and 78 together. One of the main barriers to an improved and sustainable recycling performance is the lack of stable and economically attractive markets and outlets for recyclable materials and products manufactured from recycled products. The need for the establishment of a Market Development Group, which would oversee the development of a Market...

Written Answers — Nuclear Plants: Nuclear Plants (8 Nov 2006)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 22, 84 and 126 together. I refer to the reply to Question No. 56 of 13 June 2006 regarding the European Court of Justice Judgment of May 2006. Ireland's international legal team, led by the Attorney General, continues to examine this complex judgment with a view to adapting Ireland's strategy in relation to Sellafield. The Irish authorities have also written...

Written Answers — Register of Electors: Register of Electors (8 Nov 2006)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 23, 63, 69, 94, 116, 117 and 353 together. In law, the preparation of the Register of Electors is a matter for each local registration authority. It is their duty to ensure, as far as possible and with the cooperation of the public, the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the Register. Local authorities must publish the draft Register on or before 1 November...

Written Answers — Election Management System: Election Management System (8 Nov 2006)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 24, 31, 34, 52, 62, 104, 122, 359 and 360 together. The Commission on Electronic Voting concluded in its Second Report on the Secrecy, Accuracy and Testing of the Chosen Electronic Voting System, which was published on 4 July 2006, that it can recommend the voting and counting equipment for use at elections in Ireland, subject to further work it has...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (8 Nov 2006)

Dick Roche: Section 9 of the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act 2006 amends section 35 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 to enable the planning authority to refuse permission to a developer who has been in substantial non-compliance with a previous planning permission. The applicant will have to apply to the High Court if he or she wishes to have the decision overturned....

Written Answers — Abolition of Dual Mandate: Abolition of Dual Mandate (8 Nov 2006)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 27 and 364 together. The Local Government Act 2001 (Section 237A) Regulations 2003, provide, inter alia, for the supply of specified documentation to Oireachtas members by the local authority such as local authority budget, draft development plan etc. In addition, equivalent systems, procedures and timeframes to those used in relation to correspondence from...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (8 Nov 2006)

Dick Roche: An Bord Pleanála have experienced sustained high volumes of case intake of the last few years, with cumulative increases of 24% between 2004 and 2005 over the 2003 intake. Based on the rate of intake at end October, it is anticipated that the Board will come close to taking in a record level of appeals in 2006, for the second year in succession. By end October the Board had received over...

Written Answers — Litter Pollution: Litter Pollution (8 Nov 2006)

Dick Roche: Statistics on local authority enforcement action, including the number of litter fines issued, are submitted by local authorities to my Department every six months; these figures are also available in the Oireachtas Library. Based on information received from local authorities, the number of litter fines issued for the first six months of 2006 — the most recent information available — is...

Written Answers — Fire Service: Fire Service (8 Nov 2006)

Dick Roche: The primary role of the local authority fire service in the event of a fire is to rescue people, save property and extinguish the fire. Fire brigades routinely prepare internal operational reports on fire incidents attended and these reports may include opinions as to the possible causes of the fires. However, fire authorities do not carry out formal investigations into the causes of fires....

Written Answers — Election Management System: Election Management System (8 Nov 2006)

Dick Roche: The current local electoral areas and the number of members of each county council assigned to each such area derive from the Electoral Area Boundary Committee Reports of 1998. The 2004 local elections took place on the basis of the existing local electoral areas. The next local elections are due to take place in 2009. Consideration can be given to reviewing local electoral areas in light of...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (8 Nov 2006)

Dick Roche: Article 9 of European Parliament and Council Directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste provides that packaging may not be placed on the market within the European Union unless it satisfies the provisions of the Directive. Annex II of the Directive explicitly provides that packaging shall be designed, produced and placed on the market in such a way as to permit its reuse or recovery,...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (8 Nov 2006)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 36 and 44 together. Establishing sustainable communities with a good quality of life is a key objective for my Department, and is being pursued through a range of policies and measures, which complement other Departments' and agencies' programmes. The Planning and Development Act 2000 which sets the legislative framework for the planning system requires that a...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (8 Nov 2006)

Dick Roche: My Department has not been notified by the EU Commission in connection with any complaints that may have been submitted to the Commission regarding the transposition of EU Directive 2002/96/EC on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) into Irish Law.