Results 2,801-2,820 of 7,278 for speaker:Dick Roche

Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (4 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: While the use of thermal treatment of waste with energy recovery is recognised by Government policy as a key component of an integrated approach to waste management, the provision of such waste to energy plants is a matter for the relevant local authorities or the private sector. All such facilities are required to be licensed by the Environmental Protection Agency so as at a minimum to meet...

Written Answers — Carbon Dioxide Emissions: Carbon Dioxide Emissions (4 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: The National Climate Change Strategy proposed to implement a system of fuel economy labelling for new cars and the monitoring of carbon dioxide emissions rates for all newly registered cars. Since August 2001, regulations require all new passenger cars for sale to be individually labelled with fuel economy and carbon dioxide emissions information. A report on the implementation of the...

Written Answers — Recycling Policy: Recycling Policy (4 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: 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 Development Programme, was outlined in the Delivering Change...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (4 Oct 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...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (4 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: Stage 2 of the Castleisland Sewerage Scheme is included in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2005-2007 as a scheme to commence construction in 2007 at an estimated cost of €5.5m. Kerry County Council's Preliminary Report and Water Services Pricing Policy Report for the scheme are under examination in my Department and will be dealt with shortly. Approval of these reports...

Written Answers — Radon Gas Levels: Radon Gas Levels (4 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: The Government has, largely through the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII), committed significant resources to assessing the extent of the radon problem throughout the country and to increasing public awareness of radon. For example, the nationwide survey of radon in domestic dwellings carried out by the RPII in the 1990s enabled the RPII to identify and define high radon...

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (4 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 189 and 199 together. My Department is committed to encouraging consideration of environmentally friendly products and processes in the construction industry generally and particularly in the local government sector for which it has overall responsibility. In line with this approach, and with the co-operation of the industry, my Department has already...

Written Answers — Election Management System: Election Management System (4 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: The matter was considered by the Constitution Review Group in 1996 who recommended no change in the qualifying age for membership of Dáil Éireann. The All-Party Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution, in its Seventh Report on Parliament which was published in 2002, recommended that the minimum age of eligibility be reduced to eighteen years. While electoral law is subject to ongoing...

Written Answers — National Development Plan: National Development Plan (4 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 191, 197 and 224 together. I welcome the key findings of the EPA's Environment in Focus Report 2006 which, whilst highlighting the pressure points in our environment for the future, acknowledges that we are continuing to make steady progress in a wide range of environmental areas, including waste management, recycling, water and air quality. Without prejudice...

Written Answers — Water Services: Water Services (4 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: I assume that the question is referring to the provision of water services. I consider that the optimum approach to water services provision is the existing arrangement with local authorities providing public water services and group water schemes, in partnership with local authorities, providing water services in rural areas outside the catchment area of public schemes. This approach is...

Written Answers — Nuclear Plants: Nuclear Plants (4 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 194 and 217 together. The United Kingdom Government published the report on the UK Energy Review on 11 July 2006. The report sets out the UK strategy for ensuring its energy future and makes clear that the UK Government believes that nuclear has a significant role to play in the future electricity generating mix. The Green Paper on a European Energy Policy...

Written Answers — Building Regulations: Building Regulations (4 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: Under the Building Control Act 1990, the enforcement of the Building Regulations is primarily the responsibility of each local building control authority. According to enforcement statistics furnished by local building control authorities to my Department, the authorities carried out more than 22,000 inspections of 18,000 buildings in 2005 in order to check compliance with various Parts of...

Written Answers — National Spatial Strategy: National Spatial Strategy (4 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: At national level substantial progress is being made in implementing the National Spatial Strategy (NSS), which is having an increasing influence on policies and programmes across a range of Government Departments and agencies. At regional level, a key policy bridge between national development priorities and local planning has been put in place with the adoption of Regional Planning...

Written Answers — Public Procurement Policy: Public Procurement Policy (4 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: Public Procurement Directives 2004/17/EC and 2004/18/EC adopted on 31 March 2004 supersede those referred to in the Question. The circumstances under which tender specifications and award criteria may take account of environmental considerations are set out in these Directives which were brought to the attention of local authorities by circular letter issued by my Department in August 2004....

Written Answers — Water Quality: Water Quality (4 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: I refer to the reply to Question No. 117 on today's Order Paper. A comprehensive programme of activities is currently under way by my Department, the EPA, local authorities and other relevant bodies for full implementation of the Water Framework Directive. To date, all implementation deadlines set by the Directive have been achieved on time by Ireland. The River Basin Management Plans to be...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (4 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: Ireland signed the Aarhus Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters on 25 June 1998. Progress towards ratification of the Convention is closely aligned with work at EU level. To date, the European Union has adopted two directives as part of the ratification process for the Convention. These deal with public...

Written Answers — Departmental Strategy Statements: Departmental Strategy Statements (4 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: In accordance with the Performance Management framework for the Civil Service, business plans are prepared in my Department each year, which translate the goals and objectives set out in the Department's Statement of Strategy into a set of objectives for each business unit. In accordance with the Public Service Management Act 1997, the Department's Statement of Strategy and its Annual...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (4 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: The following table sets out the membership and payments (other than travel and subsistence expenses) made since 1997 to members of the state bodies/agencies currently under the aegis of my Department. The procedures for taxation of such payments are a matter for each of the bodies/agencies concerned subject to compliance with the Revenue Commissioners Statement of Practice SP — IT/1/04...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (4 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: It is not intended in short term to increase the existing landfill levy of €15 per tonne. However, I have initiated a public consultation seeking the views of stakeholders and the general public in regard to the future regulation of the waste management sector. Views have been sought on a range of relevant issues including the determination of an appropriate waste charging structure....

Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (4 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 78 and 101 of 13 June 2006. Following a public consultation by the Environmental Protection Agency, Ireland notified its National Allocation Plan for the 2008-2012 trading period to the European Commission on 13 July 2006. The notified Plan is available on the website of the Agency at www.epa.ie. A decision on the Plan is expected before the end of...