Results 2,461-2,480 of 7,278 for speaker:Dick Roche

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

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 79 and 125 together. I welcome the publication of the Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change. The report offers a comprehensive review of the economic implications of climate change. Together with the substantial body of scientific evidence which is available through the UN system in relation to climate change, the Governments of the world now have...

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

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 80 and 110 together. Income to date from the plastic bag levy amounts to €64,988,365. The 15c levy on plastic bags, as provided for in the Waste Management (Environmental Levy) (Plastic Bag) Regulations 2001, has led to a dramatic reduction in use of plastic bags with a consequent positive environmental benefit. Plastic shopping bags accounted for 5% of...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (8 Nov 2006)

Dick Roche: I refer to the reply to Question No. 135 of 4 October 2006. I am arranging for the following documents to be made available in the Oireachtas Library: My Department's consolidated guidelines on procurement; a list of reference material on procurement that has been published on my Department's Intranet, together with the Internet weblinks to the original source material.

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (8 Nov 2006)

Dick Roche: The improvement and maintenance of non-national roads is a matter for local authorities to be funded from their own resources supplemented by State Grants provided by my Department. The results of a Pavement Condition Study on non-national roads, which was carried out by consultants and completed in 2005, have shown that there has been a very large growth in traffic volumes, including...

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

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 87 and 121 together. I am well aware of the importance of cross-border co-operation on environmental matters. On 2 October 2006 I met with my Northern Ireland counterpart Minister David Cairns to discuss issues of common interest, in particular biodiversity, waste management and spatial planning. We acknowledged the significant on-going North/South...

Written Answers — Architectural Heritage: Architectural Heritage (8 Nov 2006)

Dick Roche: Following a review of my Department's Built Heritage Capital Programme for 2006, I announced on 29 September that I had re-allocated identified savings within that programme to add to the provision of certain individual projects as follows: Heritage Council €1,650,000 Waterford City Walls €260,000; Local Authority Conservation Grants Schemes €1,067,000. The additional €1,650,000...

Written Answers — Local Government Policy: Local Government Policy (8 Nov 2006)

Dick Roche: I have noted the contents of the report referred to in the Question. With regard to local government funding in general, I consider that the present system of funding local government, put in place by this Government, has served us particularly well, and has placed local government in a much better financial position than in the past. This year I announced record levels of general purpose...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (8 Nov 2006)

Dick Roche: I refer to the replies to Questions No. 106 of 13 June 2006 and No. 225 of 4 October 2006, which set out the range of legislation on noise pollution already in place. Given these extensive controls on noise pollution from various sources, it is not proposed to introduce further legislation in this area.

Written Answers — Local Government Expenditure: Local Government Expenditure (8 Nov 2006)

Dick Roche: The table sets out the increases in local authority current expenditure since 1999. The data for 1999 to 2005 are based on outturn figures and the data for 2006 on budget data provided by local authorities. The increased expenditure by local authorities in the period is in response to the needs of an expanding population, growth in economic activity associated social and quality of life...

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

Dick Roche: I refer to the reply to Question No. 175 of 4 October 2006. The position is unchanged.

Written Answers — Wildlife Protection: Wildlife Protection (8 Nov 2006)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 98, 102, 106 and 323 together. On 18 October, the European Commission issued a Reasoned Opinion requiring Ireland to complete the task of publishing Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and transmit the final list of SACs to the Commission. It is accepted by both sides that while substantial progress has already been made in this regard, the process must...

Written Answers — Building Regulations: Building Regulations (8 Nov 2006)

Dick Roche: The definitive Action Plan for the Implementation of the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (2002/91/EC) in Ireland was published on I August 2006. Section 6 of the Plan set out proposals for a comprehensive consultation, promotion and information campaign to inform the general public and business industry. I understand that Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) has held and...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (8 Nov 2006)

Dick Roche: My Department is currently in consultation with the Environmental Protection Agency, the European Commission and other relevant Government Departments on a draft of regulations under section 59 of the European Protection Act 1992. The proposed regulations are to provide for the licensing of urban waste water discharges from treatment plants and to give further effect to provisions of the EU...

Written Answers — Library Projects: Library Projects (8 Nov 2006)

Dick Roche: The development of the public library service is, in the first instance, a matter for each library authority. Under the Public Library Capital Programme, my Department has grant aided new libraries up to 75% of the capital costs, with expenditure in excess of the grant aid a matter for the relevant local authority. According to information supplied to my Department by local authorities 49 new...

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

Dick Roche: Under the Air Pollution Act 1987, the occupier of any premises, other than a private dwelling, is required to use the best practicable means to limit and, if possible, to prevent emissions, including smoke emissions, from such premises. In addition, the occupier of any premises is prohibited from causing or permitting an emission in such a quantity or manner as to be a nuisance. The Act...

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

Dick Roche: Local Government Fund general purpose grants, which are financed from the proceeds of motor tax and an Exchequer contribution, will be notified to local authorities within the next month.

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

Dick Roche: From January 1997 to date twenty-five environmental infringement proceedings, in areas for which my Department has responsibility, have been brought to the European Court of Justice. Eleven of these cases have since been closed, the requirements of the judgement having been met. One of these had proceeded to Letter of Formal Notice and one to Reasoned Opinion under Article 228 of the Treaty...

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

Dick Roche: Section 32 of the Electoral Act 1997, as amended, specifies the maximum amounts of expenditure which may be incurred on behalf of a candidate at a Dáil election. The amounts are €25,394.76 in a 3 seat constituency; €31,743.45 in a 4 seat constituency; and €38,092.14 in a 5 seat constituency. Section 3 of the Act provides that these amounts may be varied, by order of the Minister for...

Written Answers — Housing Management Companies: Housing Management Companies (8 Nov 2006)

Dick Roche: Two recommendations in the recent National Consumer Agency Report are stated to be for action by my Department. Recommendation 25 refers to the completion of developments in accordance with the terms of the planning permissions and makes reference to section 35 of the Planning and Development Act 2000. Planning authorities already have substantial enforcement powers and duties under the...

Written Answers — Water Quality: Water Quality (8 Nov 2006)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 118 and 365 together. I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 326, 335 and 337 of 4 October 2006.