Results 2,821-2,840 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley
- Written Answers — Air Quality: Air Quality (14 Oct 2009)
John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 275 and 276 together. The monitoring, assessment and management of ambient air quality in Ireland is carried out according to the requirements of the EU Air Quality Framework Directive. This Directive became law through the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992, (Ambient Air Quality Assessment and Management) Regulations, 1999. Under further regulations...
- Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (14 Oct 2009)
John Gormley: The provision of a fire service, including equipment and personnel, is a statutory function of the individual fire authorities under section 10 of the Fire Services Act 1981. Issues relating to the recruitment and employment conditions of fire fighters are matters for the local authority under the Local Government Act 2001. The Department supports local fire authorities through the setting...
- Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (14 Oct 2009)
John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 282 and 288 together. The Programme for Government published in 2007 contained a commitment to establish new ambitious waste management targets for maximum prevention, re-use, recycling and modern waste treatment to ensure that we match the best performance in the EU for recycling with the objective that only 10% of waste or less is consigned to landfill and...
- Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (14 Oct 2009)
John Gormley: I refer to the reply to Question No. 402 of 8 July 2009, which sets out the overall position in relation to greenhouse gas emissions for purposes of Kyoto Protocol compliance over the period 2008 â 2012.
- Written Answers — Election Management System: Election Management System (14 Oct 2009)
John Gormley: On 23 April 2009, I announced that the Government had decided not to proceed with implementation of electronic voting in Ireland. Since then, a process has been put in place to address the issues that arise from the decision. An Interdepartmental Task Force, chaired by my Department, has been established to bring the project to an orderly conclusion and to oversee disposal of the equipment...
- Written Answers — Local Government Reform: Local Government Reform (14 Oct 2009)
John Gormley: Regulations made under the Local Government Act 2001 (Section 237A) Regulations 2003 established requirements for local authorities to ensure that information regarding local authority activities is provided to members of the Oireachtas. These include: the local authority budget, draft development plan etc. It is a matter for each local authority to deal with requests for access to...
- Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (14 Oct 2009)
John Gormley: Section 10(8) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 already contains a provision to the effect that there should be no presumption in law that any land zoned in a particular development plan should remain so zoned in any subsequent development plan. The Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill makes no change to this provision. As stated in reply to Question No. 146 on today's Order...
- Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (14 Oct 2009)
John Gormley: The draft Guidelines for Planning Authorities on the Planning System and Flood Risk Management are aimed at ensuring a more consistent, rigorous and systematic approach to flood risk identification, assessment and management within the planning system. The draft guidelines provide that: development in areas at risk of flooding, particularly flood plains, should be avoided unless there are...
- Election of Ceann Comhairle (13 Oct 2009)
John Gormley: On behalf of the Green Party, I warmly congratulate you on your elevation to the position of Ceann Comhairle. It is a privileged and responsible position and your task is onerous. You will carry out your duties with distinction and I wish you and your family well on this happy day for you all. I know you to be a quiet man of great courtesy, but I have also heard that, given your GAA days,...
- Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (13 Oct 2009)
John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 368 and 399 together. The Government has decided to broaden the revenue base of local authorities by introducing this charge on all non-principal private residences, including private rented accommodation, holiday homes and any other residential property that is not the owner's sole or main residence. The charge has been set at â¬200 per annum. The Local...
- Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (13 Oct 2009)
John Gormley: The amount spent on overtime by my Department in 2008 was â¬1,563,971 and the amount spent in 2009 up to 1 October was â¬646,027. Day to day operational matters in agencies under the aegis of my Department, including overtime costs, are a matter for the individual agencies concerned.
- Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (13 Oct 2009)
John Gormley: The amount spent on non-core pay by my Department in 2008 was â¬6,567,093 and the amount spent in 2009 up to 1 October was â¬3,845,313. Day to day operational matters in agencies under the aegis of my Department, including non-core pay costs, are a matter for the individual agencies concerned.
- Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (13 Oct 2009)
John Gormley: Under the Rural Water Programme the following grants are available to group water schemes and individual households on private water supplies for the provision of water treatment facilities to remedy deficiencies in water quality. A grant of 100% of the cost of essential treatment and disinfection facilities is available for group water schemes participating in bundled Design Build Operate...
- Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (13 Oct 2009)
John Gormley: My Department is continuing its assessment of the responses received from local authorities, including Wexford County Council's application for continued funding of the schemes in question, and expects to notify the relevant local authorities of the decisions on the schemes to progress, shortly.
- Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (13 Oct 2009)
John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 382, 386 and 394 together. The Government has decided to broaden the revenue base of local authorities by introducing a charge on all non-principal private residences. The charge is payable by the owners of private rented accommodation, holiday homes and any other residential property that is not the owner's sole or main residence. While detailed guidance...
- Written Answers — Local Authority Rates: Local Authority Rates (13 Oct 2009)
John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 384 and 385 together. Rates are local property taxes that are levied by local authorities on commercial properties rateable under the Valuation Act 2001. Local authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes in accordance with the details entered on the valuation lists prepared by the independent...
- Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (13 Oct 2009)
John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 387 and 388 together. The Kiltimagh Sewerage Scheme is included for funding in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007 â 2009. My Department has approved a budget of â¬9.197 million for the scheme. I gave Mayo County Council approval in June 2009 to place the contract for the Design/Build element of the Wastewater Treatment Plant with its...
- Written Answers — Puppy Farming: Puppy Farming (13 Oct 2009)
John Gormley: Work is underway in drafting an amendment to the Control of Dogs Acts and I hope to publish my proposals in the near future. The process has included discussions with a number of organisations, bodies, public agencies and interests active in the area. The draft Bill proposes to give statutory effect to the recommendations of the Working Group that had been established to review the...
- Written Answers — Election Management System: Election Management System (13 Oct 2009)
John Gormley: Under electoral law, returning officers are responsible for all matters in relation to the conduct of elections, including the provision of polling stations. The information requested is not available in my Department. The law provides that local authorities, in making polling schemes, shall endeavour to appoint polling places which allow the returning officer to provide at each place at...
- Written Answers — Election Management System: Election Management System (13 Oct 2009)
John Gormley: The primary role of my Department in electoral matters is to provide an appropriate policy and legislative framework for a modern and efficient electoral system. Within this framework, Returning Officers are responsible for all matters in connection with the conduct of elections and referenda, including the provision of premises for use as polling stations and for oversight of their...