Results 3,401-3,420 of 7,278 for speaker:Dick Roche

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (8 Jun 2006)

Dick Roche: I am not aware of discussions between my Department and local authorities, as referred to in the Question. The zoning of land for particular purposes is a function of local authorities within the development plan process, as set out in the Planning and Development Act 2000. My Department actively engages with local authorities on a range of initiatives towards community improvements. Local...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (8 Jun 2006)

Dick Roche: My Department has not received proposals from Kildare County Council in relation to a sewerage scheme at the location mentioned. Neither was such a proposal included in the list of schemes submitted by the Council in November 2003 in response to my Department's request to all local authorities to undertake assessments of the needs for capital works in their area and to prioritise their...

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (8 Jun 2006)

Dick Roche: Section 40 of the Wildlife Act 1976 made it an offence for a person to cut, grub, burn or otherwise destroy any vegetation growing in any hedge or ditch during the period from 15 April to 31 August. The Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000 extended this period by 6 weeks to cover the period from 1 March to 31 August and also included a provision that during this period the cutting, grubbing or...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (8 Jun 2006)

Dick Roche: In January 2001, my Department approved Kildare County Council's application for funding for a proposed sewerage scheme at Rathangan under the Serviced Land Initiative. The Council subsequently sought approval for the proposal as a major capital project under the Water Services Investment Programme where it would attract a higher level of Departmental funding. The proposal was ranked eighth...

Written Answers — Building Regulations: Building Regulations (8 Jun 2006)

Dick Roche: The title of Chartered Engineer is already protected under the Institution of Civil Engineers of Ireland (Charter Amendment) Act 1969 and the Building Control Bill 2005 does not alter this. It is hoped that the Committee Stage of the Bill will begin before the end of the current Dáil session.

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (7 Jun 2006)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 397 and 412 together. Ready, Steady Play: A National Play Policy, which was published in 2004, provides a framework for the development of public play facilities in Ireland, with the overall aim of ensuring that children have access to a range of quality play opportunities to enrich their childhood. As part of the implementation of this policy, my Department...

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (7 Jun 2006)

Dick Roche: Some €3.81 million has been allocated by my Department under the National Development Plan 2000-2006 for the construction of a new Visitor Centre to serve Ballycroy National Park, County Mayo, and a site has been acquired in the village of Ballycroy. Planning permission had been obtained by the Office of Public Works for the construction of the Centre. As it was not possible to proceed with...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (7 Jun 2006)

Dick Roche: The Gowran/Goresbridge/Paulstown Water Supply Scheme is approved for construction under my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2005-2007 at an estimated cost of €4 million. The Freshford/Johnstown/Goresbridge Sewerage Scheme is also included in the Programme as a scheme to advance through planning at an estimated cost of €3.2 million. In both cases, my Department is awaiting...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (7 Jun 2006)

Dick Roche: Details of the major water and sewerage schemes in County Limerick that have been approved for funding by my Department are set out in the Water Services Investment Programme 2005 — 2007, which is available in the Oireachtas Library. In addition, I have approved an allocation of €11.65 million for County Limerick under the 2006 Rural Water Programme. This is a devolved programme and...

Written Answers — Nuclear Plants: Nuclear Plants (7 Jun 2006)

Dick Roche: In 2001, the Government instituted legal proceedings against the United Kingdom before the arbitral tribunal provided for under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The dispute concerned the MOX plant at Sellafield, the international transfer of radioactive substances and the protection of the marine environment of the Irish Sea. Both the United Kingdom and Ireland...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (7 Jun 2006)

Dick Roche: The Limerick County Trunk Water Mains Schemes to serve Croom and Patrickswell are approved for construction in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2005 — 2007 at estimated costs of €5.67 million and €3.15 million, respectively. My Department is awaiting submission by Limerick County Council of Detailed Design and Contract Documents for the Croom project. The Council's...

Written Answers — Election Management System: Election Management System (7 Jun 2006)

Dick Roche: In law, the preparation of the Register of Electors is a matter for each local registration authority. It is their duty to ensure, as far as possible and with the co-operation of the public, the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the Register. I recently announced a package of measures, to be implemented over the coming months, aimed at assisting registration authorities improve the Register....

Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (7 Jun 2006)

Dick Roche: In 2003 my Department, in conjunction with the Local Government Computer Services Board, developed an electronic cataloguing system called Sharepoint, which allows for the issuing and recording of all circular letters issued to local authorities. At this stage the system contains approximately 1,100 circular letters issued to local authorities on a range of issues relating to the Department's...

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (7 Jun 2006)

Dick Roche: On 30 May, I announced my intention to proceed with implementation of the majority recommendations of the Working Group which was set up to review the management of dog breeding establishments. This decision followed the conclusion of an extensive public consultation process on the matter. The Dog Breeders Association were represented on the Working Group and have had many opportunities to...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (7 Jun 2006)

Dick Roche: The provision and improvement of non-national roads in County Louth is a matter for Louth County Council to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State grants provided by my Department. In March 2005, Louth County Council submitted an outline proposal to my Department in relation to a Drogheda Northern Cross Port Access Route. That document identified a number of possible sources...

Written Answers — Local Government Elections: Local Government Elections (7 Jun 2006)

Dick Roche: The provisions governing local authority membership and local authority employment are set out in section 13 and 161 of the Local Government Act 2001. Under section 13 of the Act, a person employed by a local authority who is not the holder of a class, description or grade of employment designated by order under section 161 is disqualified from being elected or co-opted to, or from being a...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (7 Jun 2006)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 415 and 416 together. The Government's water pricing policy framework requires the full recovery of water services costs from the non domestic sector based on metered use. Sanitary authorities have for many years metered non-domestic use to a varying extent with some 78,000 customers metered at the end of 2005. Authorities are currently advancing...

Written Answers — Commonage Framework Plans: Commonage Framework Plans (7 Jun 2006)

Dick Roche: Overgrazing has led to environmental problems, particularly loss of vegetation and soil erosion in commonages throughout the country, including the Nephin Beg range and this is subject to a continuing infringement case against Ireland in the European Court of Justice. Payments to farmers for destocking under Commonage Framework Plans were introduced from end of 1998 as an attempt to aid...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (7 Jun 2006)

Dick Roche: The Doneraile Sewerage Scheme has been approved for funding in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2005-2007 under the Rural Towns and Villages Initiative at an estimated cost of €2.53m. The approval incorporates Exchequer funding at the Serviced Land Initiative rate of 40% for sewer extensions to Skaghardgannon and Brough Cross. It is, accordingly, open to Cork County...

Written Answers — Air Pollution: Air Pollution (7 Jun 2006)

Dick Roche: Under the Air Pollution Act 1987, the occupier of any premises is prohibited from causing or permitting an emission in such a quantity or manner as to be a nuisance. The Act provides local authorities with powers to prevent or limit air pollution and penalties include fines and/or imprisonment upon conviction. The Waste Management Act 1996 places a general duty of care on the holder of waste...