Results 3,481-3,500 of 7,278 for speaker:Dick Roche

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (25 May 2006)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 330, 332 and 333 together. The assignments that have taken place to date for each of my Department's four locations identified for decentralisation are set out in the following table: Wexford Kilkenny Waterford New Ross Total posts to be decentralised 249 62 225 125 Total staff assigned to date 52 24 12 10 of which are new recruits 18 14...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (25 May 2006)

Dick Roche: The decentralisation programme involves the relocation of my Department's operations to four locations in the South East viz, Wexford, Waterford, New Ross and Kilkenny. It is expected that the Department's offices in Wexford will be completed in the third quarter of 2008. Indicative construction dates for the remaining locations are Kilkenny — end 2008, New Ross in early 2009 and Waterford...

Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed). (25 May 2006)

Dick Roche: The Deputy was very constructive.

Written Answers — Community Development: Community Development (24 May 2006)

Dick Roche: The information as sought in the Question is not available in my Department. However, details of funding approved or paid to projects under the RAPID programme by my Department, which include expenditure both under the National Development Plan and additional to the Plan, are set out in the following table. A number of other RAPID projects are also under active consideration by my Department...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (24 May 2006)

Dick Roche: The provision of non-national roads and bridges in County Mayo is a matter for Mayo County Council to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State grants provided by my Department. Accordingly, progress with the advancement of the Achill Sound Bridge project is a matter for the Council. Under the 2005 EU Co-Financed Specific Improvements Grant Scheme, Mayo County Council was...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (24 May 2006)

Dick Roche: The Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment (WEEE) scheme has now been operating for nine months and its real benefits both for consumers and for the environment are now very apparent. WEEE is now being collected from over 180 collection points nationwide and very significant quantities are being returned for recycling. From 13 August 2005 to the end of February 2006, 14,587 tonnes were...

Written Answers — Natural Heritage Areas: Natural Heritage Areas (24 May 2006)

Dick Roche: The following table lists the hectares per county for all nature conservation sites i.e. Natural Heritage Areas (NHA), Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) or Special Protection Areas (SPA) currently protected under the Wildlife Acts 1976-2000 and the European Union (Natural Habitats) Regulations, SI No. 94/1997 as amended. County Designated Areas (Hectares) Carlow 6,561 Cavan 18,523...

Seanad: Local Authority Operations: Motion. (24 May 2006)

Dick Roche: I thank Senators for the contributions. I am somewhat surprised that the Opposition is not here as we try to deal with this issue.

Seanad: Local Authority Operations: Motion. (24 May 2006)

Dick Roche: Senator Bannon made a great contribution. I am surprised, however, that no one else in the Labour Party or Fine Gael cares about this issue. I welcome the opportunity to speak on this motion. I will deal with the four issues dealt with here: the taking in charge of estates, management companies for housing estates, preventing conflicts of interest in retired local officials and the question...

Seanad: Local Authority Operations: Motion. (24 May 2006)

Dick Roche: We did not hear it.

Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (24 May 2006)

Dick Roche: No.

Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (24 May 2006)

Dick Roche: I am quite prepared to allow some latitude because the Deputy was helpful to me.

Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (24 May 2006)

Dick Roche: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am pleased to have the opportunity to present this crucially important Bill to the House. When I presented the Bill to the Seanad, I declared it to be among the most important legislation to be introduced during this term. That is a point I want to emphasise again and with good reason. Simply put, this Bill is the key to delivering the...

Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (24 May 2006)

Dick Roche: I am acutely aware of the impact of delays in the judicial process on the delivery of infrastructure. l welcome the initiative being introduced in the High Court to improve the management and prioritisation of these cases and the designation of specific judges to manage the process. This initiative will achieve a similarly positive effect to that of the new commercial division of the High...

Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (24 May 2006)

Dick Roche: Deputy O'Dowd need not worry.

Written Answers — Genetically Modified Organisms: Genetically Modified Organisms (23 May 2006)

Dick Roche: I assume that the Question relates to the implementation of EU Directive 2001/18/EC on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms and the role of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in that process. Under the Directive, the national competent authority to which the notification for placing on the market is submitted is charged with leading the...

Written Answers — Local Authority Staff: Local Authority Staff (23 May 2006)

Dick Roche: Government policy on the control and regulation of numbers in the public sector, including local authorities, was announced in the Minister for Finance's Budget statement of 7 December 2005. Local authority staffing increased by over 25% in the period 1997 to 2003 and I am continuing to keep the overall employment position in the sector under regular review, having regard to the need to...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (23 May 2006)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 518 and 519 together. Local authorities are responsible for the provision of road traffic signs on non-national roads. However, in line with a commitment in the Programme for Government to put in place a new 5 year plan to ensure that non-national roads are properly signposted, my Department introduced a new Regional Roads Signposting Programme for...

Written Answers — Community Wardens: Community Wardens (23 May 2006)

Dick Roche: As indicated in reply to Question No. 448 of 15 December 2005, the pilot community warden service has now been put on a permanent footing in the five local authorities concerned in line with arrangements agreed by my Department. Practical issues concerning the extension of the service to other local authorities are currently being examined.

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (23 May 2006)

Dick Roche: Details of this company's status under the Companies Acts were not considered by my Department to be material to the assessment of tender proposals for the services being procured. In any case, the company was registered with effect from 11 December 2002, prior to the completion of tender assessments by my Department and to the finalisation of the formal contract on 26 February 2003....