Results 2,821-2,840 of 7,278 for speaker:Dick Roche

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

Dick Roche: The Building Control Act 1990 and the related Building Control Regulations 1997 provide for the issue of Fire Safety Certificates (FSC) for the designs of new non-domestic buildings and apartment blocks in advance of the commencement of work on the relevant building projects. However, projects have in the past started in advance of the seeking or granting of a FSC; and local building control...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (4 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: All specific non-national road projects, grant aided by my Department, must comply with eligibility criteria and conditions of grant schemes. Outputs and value for money are monitored on an ongoing basis by my Department based on returns submitted by local authorities and site visits.

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

Dick Roche: I refer to the reply to Priority Question No. 56 of 13 June 2006. The position remains unchanged.

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

Dick Roche: In Ireland as in other countries, a diverse range of plastic materials are in use; these fall into different categories, including low density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), high density polyethylene (HDPE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Factors influencing the recycling of plastics include the market price for the polymer in question,...

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

Dick Roche: In areas for which my Department has responsibility, the European Commission is currently in correspondence in respect of 34 cases relating to possible infringements of EU environmental legislation. There were 49 such cases in December 2005. This considerable improvement illustrates the positive outcomes from my intensive efforts to resolve issues in dialogue with the Commission and...

Written Answers — Noise Pollution: Noise Pollution (4 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: I refer to the reply to Question No. 106 of 13 June 2006, which sets out the range of legislation on noise pollution which is already in place. Given these extensive controls on noise pollution from various sources, I have no plans to introduce further legislation in this area.

Written Answers — Census of Population: Census of Population (4 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: I welcome the release by the Central Statistics Office of the preliminary results of the 2006 census which shows strong population growth on a national basis. This population growth augurs well for the sustainable development of the country. The National Spatial Strategy forecasted a continuing population growth. The Regional Planning Guidelines (RPGs) for the Greater Dublin Area 2004-2016...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (4 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: My Department issued Circular Letter PD 1/06 in January of this year which required each planning authority to establish, as a priority, a policy on taking in charge of housing estates to be approved by the elected members. The circular also required that progress on the implementation of the policy would have to be reported on to the members on a regular basis and at least once annually....

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

Dick Roche: My Department provides regular expenditure reports to the Department of Finance, including financial tables, that are used by that Department in the publication of monthly Exchequer statements on aggregate levels of receipts and expenditure. The Exchequer Statement for the period ended 30 September 2006, was published on 3 October. In addition, in accordance with the Public Service...

Written Answers — Election Expenditure: Election Expenditure (4 Oct 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 — Tribunals of Inquiry: Tribunals of Inquiry (4 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: At end-September 2006, the overall cost of the Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters and Payments amounted to €58,401,332.

Written Answers — Communications Masts: Communications Masts (4 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: In general, planning permission must be sought for the erection of an antenna support structure or mast. In July 1996 my Department issued Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Telecommunications Antennae and Support Structures. Their purpose was to assist planning authorities, An Bord Pleanála, operators of mobile telecommunications services and the general public by providing guidance...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (4 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: I assume that the Question refers to recently released figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO). These show that in the second quarter of 2006 a total of 19,097 residential units were granted planning permission, which was a decrease of 33% on the equivalent figure for the second quarter in 2005, that is, 28,818. However figures taken over 4 quarters, that is the year up to June...

Written Answers — Local Authority Charges: Local Authority Charges (4 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: Local authorities are required to recover the cost of providing water services from all users of these services, with the exception of householders. The intention is that the cost of providing water services to the non-domestic sector will be recovered by local authorities by means of a meter based volumetric charge. Wavier provisions in relation to local government services are designed...

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

Dick Roche: The proposed sewerage works at Carrigaline form part of the Cork Lower Harbour Sewerage Scheme which 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 €71.4 million. My Department is awaiting submission of a Preliminary Report for the scheme by Cork County Council. Following approval of the...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (4 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: In the context of new Planning and Development Regulations to be finalised shortly I intend to make the Irish Rural Dwellers Association (IRDA) a nominating body for An Bord Pleanála.

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (4 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: An Taisce is an independent non-governmental organisation and I have no detailed information regarding its membership. In general terms it is a matter for non-governmental organisations to regulate their own affairs, without Government involvement. However, general provisions have been included in Section 10 of the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act 2006 for the...

Written Answers — Light Rail Project: Light Rail Project (4 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: My Department has not made a submission to the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) in regard to the Luas Line B2 from Cherrywood to Bray, and there are therefore no papers from the Department in this regard which I could release to the Deputy. However, I should point out that, in my role as constituency representative, I have written to and met with the RPA in relation to the proposed extension...

Written Answers — Third Level Courses: Third Level Courses (4 Oct 2006)

Dick Roche: The architectural degree courses referred to have only recently commenced and, consequently, are not specified as recognised architectural qualifications for the purpose of registration of the title of "architect" in Section 11 of the Building Control 2005, introduced last December. Following the enactment of the 2005 Bill, I will consider making Regulations under Section 11 (5), providing...

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

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 326, 335 and 337 together. Drinking water quality in public and private water supplies is monitored and reported on by the Environmental Protection Agency. The most recent EPA report The Quality of Drinking Water in Ireland — A Report for the Year 2004 is available in the Oireachtas Library and confirms the fundamentally good quality of drinking water...