Results 2,441-2,460 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Flood Relief: Statements. (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: A water framework directive is in place and the river basin district management plans will be published soon. We have onerous targets to achieve by 2015. On the matter of the slatted sheds, Deputy McCormack referred to officials from my Department snooping around. I have no knowledge that. I am afraid it is another urban myth.

Flood Relief: Statements. (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: My colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh, will visit Athlone. I do not know what my commitments are yet, but I would like to go. I have been in the town with the Deputy discussing the issue of the River Shannon and how the local authority would take water from the river. Ironically, there is too much water in it now. I will speak to the Deputy later about this.

Flood Relief: Statements. (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: The Deputy's questions have a number of implications. His assessment differs from the one I received. We will get a thorough assessment, which will be conducted in the context of a successful operation carried out by all the emergency services. When I visited Ennis, for example, the Defence Forces were filling 200 sandbags an hour. It was a successful operation. If there were...

Flood Relief: Statements. (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: With regard to water infrastructure, I spoke directly to the managers in Cork on Friday evening and Saturday morning on the issue of the plant on Lee Road. I confirm that any damage that must be repaired will be dealt with and we will work with the local authorities in that regard. The Deputy's suggestion to have two sources of supply is constructive. However, these issues must be...

Written Answers — Waste Disposal: Waste Disposal (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: In terms of the capacity of the proposed facility it is my understanding that the quantities of residual waste currently being collected by the Dublin local authorities may not be sufficient to meet the volumetric contractual commitment which forms part of the public private partnership agreement between Dublin City Council and its private partner. We have recently seen further increases in...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: I propose to take Question Nos. 52 and 56 together. Following a High Court judgment in 2008 in relation to the planning process that governs granting of exempted development status in the Docklands area, I am aware the Authority completed an assessment of its planning procedures and introduced a number of changes to the process at the start of this year. The amendments to the process allow...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 55, 60 and 63 together. On 12 May 2009 I announced that the Government had decided to introduce a directly elected Mayor for the Dublin Region in 2010. This decision arises from the commitment in the Programme for Government to introduce a directly elected Mayor of Dublin, and from the considerations in the Green Paper on local government which I published in...

Written Answers — Electoral Register: Electoral Register (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: In law, the preparation of the Register of Electors is a matter for each local registration authority – the city and county councils. It is their duty to ensure, as far as possible and with the cooperation of the public, the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the Register. The focus of my Department's work in relation to the Register is to support and assist registration authorities in this...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: Full transposition and implementation of the Habitats Directive is a priority for me and my Department and a programme to achieve this aim is underway. This also involves other Departments with responsibilities in the area, and entails a considerable amount of work especially given the case law now emerging from the European Court of Justice which is expanding our understanding of the...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: In accordance with the provisions of the Waste Management Act, the preparation and adoption of a waste management plan is the statutory responsibility of the local authority or authorities concerned, and under section 60(3) of the Act the Minister is precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to the performance by a local authority in particular circumstances of a statutory...

Written Answers — Climate Change Policy: Climate Change Policy (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: My Department is currently developing the Heads of a Climate Change Bill. This work has involved consultation with key Government Departments and State agencies as well as environmental NGOs. I want to ensure that this framework legislation will enshrine important underpinning policies and principles in Irish law which will underpin our commitment to the core national priority of combating...

Written Answers — Local Government Funding: Local Government Funding (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: It is a matter for each local authority to manage its own budget and prioritise its spending, within the resources available to it, across the range of services it provides. Local authorities are not immune to the effects of the downturn in the wider economy. There are pressures on resources at all levels. Therefore local authorities must introduce efficiencies where possible, prioritise...

Written Answers — Social and Economic Regeneration: Social and Economic Regeneration (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: The Dublin Docklands Development Authority has delivered substantially on its statutory duty to secure the social and economic regeneration of the Dublin Docklands Area. Since its establishment, it has completed a wide range of projects and undertaken a range of initiatives in creating a sustainable and integrated community at the heart of the City with: · more than €160 million invested...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: The figure of €18 million was arrived at on the basis of a desktop exercise to assess risks that may be associated with the Dublin waste-to-energy project either proceeding or not proceeding. An evaluation was made on the basis of circumstances, or a combination of circumstances, which might result in Dublin City Council not being in a position to meet the volumetric contractual commitment...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: I propose to take Question Nos. 67 and 89 together. As additional water supply capacity through leakage control is a viable alternative to capital infrastructure provision, the Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009 includes a National Water Conservation Sub-Programme. This Sub-Programme, which includes the management of water supply systems, active leakage control and mains...

Written Answers — Local Authority Charges: Local Authority Charges (24 Nov 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 €200 per annum, is payable by owners of private rented accommodation, holiday homes and any other residential property that is not the owner's sole of main residence. Section 4(6) of the Local Government (Charges) Act...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: In terms of the capacity of the proposed incinerator it is my understanding that the quantities of residual waste currently being collected by the Dublin local authorities may not be sufficient to meet the volumetric contractual commitment which forms part of the public private partnership agreement in respect of the facility. We have recently seen further increases in recycling rates in...

Written Answers — Cork Docklands Development: Cork Docklands Development (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: I propose to take Question Nos. 71 and 97 together. I refer to the reply to Question No. 962 of 6 October 2009. My Department, in conjunction with the Inter-Departmental Senior Officials Group established to consider the analysis and recommendations in the Cork Docklands Development Forum Report, and Cork City Council is considering what enabling measures can be put in place to further...

Written Answers — Urban Renewal Schemes: Urban Renewal Schemes (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: I refer to the reply to Priority Question No. 45 on today's Order Paper.

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: The total gross amount of motor tax, which includes driving licence duties and other related charges, collected for the year 2007 is €956.73 million, for the year 2008 is €1056.99 million, and for the year 2009 to the end of October is €918.32 million. The table sets out the gross receipts of motor tax in accordance with the tax class of the vehicle (excluding driver licence duties and...