Results 2,501-2,520 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

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

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 455 and 456 together. Local authorities were asked in July to submit their assessment of needs for water services infrastructure to my Department by 23 October 2009. These assessments, which are currently under examination in my Department, will form a key input to the development of the 2010 to 2012 Water Services Investment Programme, which it is...

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

John Gormley: I propose to take Question Nos. 458 and 459 together. Government policy in relation to waste management is grounded in the internationally recognised hierarchy of waste options. The most favoured option is waste prevention, followed by minimisation, reuse, recycling, recovery and the least favoured option of disposal to landfill. This commitment to the waste hierarchy has added significance...

Written Answers — National Development Plan: National Development Plan (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: The Programme for Government 2007 – 2012 and the recent renewed Programme for Government support the high level objectives relating to my Department in the National Development Plan. The financial provisions for 2010 for the implementation of programmes will be determined in the context of public expenditure provisions to be announced in Budget 2010.

Written Answers — Radon Gas: Radon Gas (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: The Government, largely through the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII), has for many years worked towards assessing the extent of the radon problem in Ireland. In July 2008 the RPII published the results of a three-year baseline study on the exposure of the Irish population to ionising radiation, which includes radon. This report, Radiation Doses Received by the Irish...

Written Answers — Irish Language: Irish Language (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: In accordance with the Official Languages Act 2003 and the principles of Quality Customer Service, my Department is committed to providing quality services in Irish and/or bilingually to its customers. The Department produces a broad range of documents across each of its policy areas. For the purposes of this reply, 'State documents' are being interpreted as core corporate documents,...

Flood Relief: Statements. (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: Deputy Hogan raised the question of communication. I am glad his colleague, Deputy Coveney, put on record the situation regarding the ESB's Inniscarra station, which was clearly unprecedented. Deputy Coveney had a 90-minute meeting with the ESB representatives. Deputy Hogan will understand at this stage that his colleague's version is correct.

Flood Relief: Statements. (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: The Deputy is correct. There will be an assessment. The national director for fire and emergency management, Mr. Seán Hogan, will revert to me with his assessment of the situation. We will look at all aspects of this matter. Clearly, we must learn lessons every time such a situation arises, even though we have not experienced this sort of rainfall in the past. I do not agree with Deputy...

Flood Relief: Statements. (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: The fact is that while one cannot actually prove a causal link, it is clear that this is entirely consistent with all the scientific evidence we are now getting. I have produced report after report on that.

Flood Relief: Statements. (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: The training of insurance assessors has nothing to do with my Department. It is quite a separate matter.

Flood Relief: Statements. (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: I am trying to procure the information requested by the Deputy. The OPW does possess the pumps to which he refers. I will obtain for him a full assessment in respect of the other equipment that was requested. I have no knowledge of some of the claims the Deputy is making.

Flood Relief: Statements. (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: There is a certain implication in the Deputy's questions. I will be happy to procure for him the information he has requested. We will be carrying out an assessment in the coming days. Mr. Seán Hogan from the national directorate for fire and emergency management, who is present in the Chamber, will assist me in compiling the relevant information and forwarding it to the Deputy.

Flood Relief: Statements. (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: Today's debate is opportune and I wish for a constructive debate on this most serious issue. The Government's primary concern is with the families and individuals who are suffering the effects of flooding of their homes and property and businesses whose viability and whose workers' livelihoods are put in jeopardy. I wish to record, and I am sure all Members of the House will agree, our...

Flood Relief: Statements. (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: The risks to water supply in flooding incidents arise either from direct flooding of water supply facilities which render operation impossible, or from a deterioration of the raw water quality which compromises the effectiveness of the treatment process. Both issues have arisen in some areas as a consequence of the flooding in the south and west. Cork City Council's water treatment plant at...

Flood Relief: Statements. (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: Yes, there is plenty about it.

Flood Relief: Statements. (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: As we address the disruption caused by the flooding, we must intensify our actions to mitigate the effects for the future. The current flooding and other recent flooding events sharply illustrate the questionable nature of some development decisions in the past and underline the necessity for action to avoid such developments in locations in which future flooding is predictable.

Flood Relief: Statements. (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: Part of that process will be the implementation of new guidelines for planning authorities on the planning system and flood risk management. These will be published shortly in conjunction with the Office of Public Works. The guidelines are aimed at ensuring a more consistent, rigorous and systematic approach to incorporate fully flood risk assessment and management into future regional...

Flood Relief: Statements. (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: My colleague, the Minister, Deputy Mary Hanafin, can address this in more detail. We will learn from the current flooding experience and will develop measures to mitigate the severe impact caused and take measures to reduce impacts of future flooding arising from inclement weather and physical development.

Flood Relief: Statements. (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: I am very pleased with the way the response agencies have worked together on the ground using the framework for major emergency management. We will work quickly to alleviate distress and hardship.

Flood Relief: Statements. (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: Let me once again record my appreciation of the efforts of all those involved in dealing with the flooding crisis. I would also like to again express my sympathy with all those who are tonight dealing with flooding and its aftermath in their homes and businesses.

Flood Relief: Statements. (24 Nov 2009)

John Gormley: This is not Private Members' time.