Results 3,361-3,380 of 7,278 for speaker:Dick Roche

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (13 Jun 2006)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 448 and 449 together. In June 2005 I approved funding for the provision of new waste water facilities at seven locations in County Tipperary as a pilot programme to test a range of new, small-scale waste water collection and treatment systems under Irish conditions. The pilot programme, proposed by the National Rural Water Monitoring Committee, will also test...

Written Answers — Fire Service: Fire Service (13 Jun 2006)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 451 and 452 together. The provision of a fire service, including equipment, training and the employment of both full-time and retained fire-fighting personnel, is a statutory function of the individual fire authorities and my Department has no direct role in this matter. My Department supports the local fire authorities through the setting of general policy,...

Written Answers — Ministerial Responsibilities: Ministerial Responsibilities (13 Jun 2006)

Dick Roche: Since the last general election no order has been made in respect of my Department to formally delegate functions to Ministers of State. I refer to the reply to Question No. 230 of 18 May 2006 which sets out the present position in relation to the delegation of functions in my Department.

Written Answers — Heritage Centres: Heritage Centres (13 Jun 2006)

Dick Roche: My Department is involved in ongoing discussions with both the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and the Office of Public Works on the possible development of a visitor centre at Pearse's Cottage in Rosmuc. Important issues have arisen around development costs as well as the future running of such a centre. Further discussions are planned in the near future.

Written Answers — Community Development: Community Development (13 Jun 2006)

Dick Roche: All eligible projects submitted under the Social and Community Facilities Capital Scheme will be appraised against the assessment criteria which are set out in guidelines issued to local authorities. When this appraisal process is complete a number of projects will be selected for grant aid. It is envisaged that allocations will be made to successful projects by the middle of this year.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions. (13 Jun 2006)

Dick Roche: The national climate change strategy provides the basis for Government policy and action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the most efficient and equitable manner, and to ensure that Ireland meets its commitments under the Kyoto Protocol. A variety of measures adopted by the Government on foot of the strategy are already contributing to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. These include...

Greenhouse Gas Emissions. (13 Jun 2006)

Dick Roche: The Deputy makes a good point in regard to park and ride facilities. In Greystones, where I lived until recently, the huge park and ride facility is sadly and surprisingly little used. The great hope was that commuters would leave their cars there and take the DART into Dublin. I am not sure whether the limited uptake is because of the 200 m walk from the park and ride facility to the train...

Greenhouse Gas Emissions. (13 Jun 2006)

Dick Roche: One cannot adjudicate after only three or four years on the success or otherwise of a scheme that is designed to take place over a much longer timeframe.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions. (13 Jun 2006)

Dick Roche: The Deputy and I must agree to disagree on that point.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions. (13 Jun 2006)

Dick Roche: The Deputy is expressing a political opinion.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions. (13 Jun 2006)

Dick Roche: As the Deputy observed, there has been a remarkable increase in population in recent years. Who could have forecast the population would be more than 4 million in 2006 and a projected 5 million by 2020? I believe the latter figure may be a significant underestimation. Pressures will continue to arise in such an environment and issues will be raised in regard to the relationship between...

Greenhouse Gas Emissions. (13 Jun 2006)

Dick Roche: I acknowledge the Deputy's point. However, having laboured in the recent by-election in Meath, we are both aware that the main issue there was infrastructural deficits. Unfortunately, there are people willing to impede infrastructural developments. Meath, for example, needs an efficient road network more than any other county but people who are not representative of the populace are impeding...

Greenhouse Gas Emissions. (13 Jun 2006)

Dick Roche: I do not mean to be smart. It is far more important to be humble than smart in politics.

Seanad Elections. (13 Jun 2006)

Dick Roche: The Report on Seanad Reform, published by the Sub-committee on Seanad Reform in April 2004, sets out comprehensive recommendations for further consideration and action concerning the composition, functions and future role of Seanad Éireann. It recommends significant reform of the Seanad electoral system, involving rolling renewal of the Upper House and the introduction of direct election to...

Seanad Elections. (13 Jun 2006)

Dick Roche: The seventh amendment to the Constitution was put before the people in 1979 and many Ministers have stood in my place since then. The interesting point about the 1979 amendment is that it was originally introduced to facilitate the break-up of the NUI, which did not subsequently occur. I do not believe there is the necessary consensus to facilitate the change proposed by Deputy Gilmore within...

Seanad Elections. (13 Jun 2006)

Dick Roche: As I said, I have established a working group comprising representatives from all sides of the House.

Seanad Elections. (13 Jun 2006)

Dick Roche: Perhaps there is too much policy and not enough methodology.

Seanad Elections. (13 Jun 2006)

Dick Roche: Yes, but we have some way to go to achieve that. It is not simply a case of saying I support such change, we must achieve consensus across the political spectrum before taking action. I am not convinced such consensus exists.

Seanad Elections. (13 Jun 2006)

Dick Roche: No, the point in the question posed by Deputy O'Sullivan relates to a decision made, by way of referendum, to introduce universal suffrage among all graduates, whether from the National University of Ireland or Trinity College. As I explained, there are difficulties with that. I am not sure that the Deputy's point regarding bias is correct. The electorate of councillors reflects the reality...

Greenhouse Gas Emissions. (13 Jun 2006)

Dick Roche: The report of the European Environment Agency, EEA, was published 1 November last. Since then, I engaged in extensive discussions on the report at a subsequent meeting of the Joint Committee on Environment and Local Government. The report is based on 2003 data. While it showed Ireland to be approximately 12% above its Kyoto target, the latest EPA data for 2004 show that emissions were just...