Results 3,501-3,520 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (12 May 2009)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 359 and 361 together. Section 26(1) of the Wildlife Act 1976 provides that I may grant to the master or other person in charge of a pack of stag hounds, a licence authorising the hunting of deer by that pack, during such period or periods as is or are specified in the licence. The Ward Union Hunt Club was granted a licence on 8 September 2008 for the 2008/2009...

Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (12 May 2009)

John Gormley: The use of traps, snares and nets in relation to wildlife is governed by the Wildlife Act, 1976 (Approved Traps, Snares and Nets) Regulations 2003. The "Nooski Animal Trap" does not meet the requirements set by these Regulations and is, therefore, illegal. Staff from my Department's National Park and Wildlife Service are currently in contact with the supplier of these traps in order to...

Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (12 May 2009)

John Gormley: The number of dogs put to sleep in local authority dog pounds in 2008 was 10,066 which is a 20% decrease on the 2007 figure of 12,649. Further details are available on my Department's website. Figures for 2009 will not be available until early 2010. Details are not breed specific and there are no plans to alter these arrangements.

Written Answers — Water Quality: Water Quality (7 May 2009)

John Gormley: Under the terms of the Government's decision on implementation of savings in public service numbers no public service post, however arising, may be filled by recruitment, promotion, or payment of an allowance for the performance of duties at a higher grade. This decision is effective from 31 March 2009 and stands until the end of 2010. My Department has, accordingly, written to all local...

Written Answers — Sewage Treatment Systems: Sewage Treatment Systems (7 May 2009)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 and 40 together. The results of the last Census of Population indicated that about 418,000 houses, or 32% of the total stock of just over 1.3 million houses, were served by septic tanks in 2006. The Programme for Government includes a commitment in regard to a scheme of support for the replacement and upgrading of septic tanks older than fifteen years with...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (7 May 2009)

John Gormley: Under the provisions of the Waste Management Acts the relevant local authorities have responsibility for making the statutory waste management plans, including in respect of infrastructure provision. Under section 60(3) of the Waste Management Act I am precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to the performance in particular circumstances by a local authority of a statutory...

Written Answers — Election Management System: Election Management System (7 May 2009)

John Gormley: I indicated on a number of occasions that I was considering the position in relation to the electronic voting and counting project. On 23 April 2009, I announced that the Government have decided not to proceed with the implementation of electronic voting in Ireland. A process will now be put in place, including discussions with the supplier, to address the disposal of the electronic voting...

Written Answers — Building Regulations: Building Regulations (7 May 2009)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 22 together. The EU Directive on the Energy Performance of Buildings, which was transposed into Irish law by the European Communities (Energy Performance of Buildings) Regulations 2006 - 2008, introduced a requirement for a Building Energy Rating (BER) system. The BER system was implemented on a phased basis as follows:- · in the case of new dwellings,...

Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (7 May 2009)

John Gormley: In my Carbon Budget presentation in October 2008, I included projections published by the EPA in September 2008. As these projections were based on economic growth forecasts which were quickly overtaken by events, the EPA was asked to apply a sensitivity analysis which might better reflect the changed economic situation. This analysis, based on the ESRI's Economic Shock scenario, was...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (7 May 2009)

John Gormley: A planning scheme under Section 25 of the Dublin Docklands Development Authority Act 1997 indicates the manner in which the Authority considers the relevant area should be redeveloped, and sets out policies in relation to land use, distribution and location of development, overall design, transportation, the development of amenities, and conservation. In preparing a planning scheme, the...

Written Answers — Turbary Rights: Turbary Rights (7 May 2009)

John Gormley: Bogs are important natural habitats and are home to unique ecosystems containing rare flora and fauna. Both blanket bogs and raised bogs are protected habitats under European and Irish Law and representative examples have been designated as Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) under the Habitats Directive or as Natural Heritage Areas (NHA) under the Wildlife Acts. Ireland has some of the most...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (7 May 2009)

John Gormley: Planning authorities have a range of powers under the Planning and Development Acts 2000 – 2008 that may be used to ensure the timely completion of housing estates in accordance with relevant planning permissions. A planning authority may attach a condition to a planning permission requiring the giving of adequate security for the satisfactory completion of the proposed development and, if...

Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (7 May 2009)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 28, 37, 38 and 45 together. The National Climate Change Strategy 2007 – 2012 includes a commitment to develop a national adaptation strategy by 2009, the objective of which will be to improve our resilience to deal with the impacts of climate change. It will provide a framework for integration of adaptation issues into decision-making at national and local...

Written Answers — Policy on Local Government: Policy on Local Government (7 May 2009)

John Gormley: I am currently finalising the content of the White Paper on Local Government, for Government consideration and subsequent publication.

Written Answers — Local Government Elections: Local Government Elections (7 May 2009)

John Gormley: Article 8 of the Local Elections Regulations 1995 provides that the cost of local elections is met by each local authority. The information requested is not available in my Department.

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (7 May 2009)

John Gormley: I refer to the reply to Question No. 81 of 11 March 2009. Development plans provide the over-arching strategic framework for development within their areas. As such, the development plan must offer clear guidance on sustainable development policies and objectives, both national and local, which address the full range of sustainability issues such as climate change, waste management,...

Written Answers — Waste Disposal: Waste Disposal (7 May 2009)

John Gormley: The National Hazardous Waste Management Plan is the statutory responsibility of the EPA under the Waste Management Acts. The National Waste Prevention Committee, which operates under the aegis of the EPA, is the oversight body responsible for the coordination of actions to implement the National Hazardous Waste Management Plan. In general terms my policy approach is to promote waste...

Written Answers — Waste Disposal: Waste Disposal (7 May 2009)

John Gormley: The report on the assessment of site conditions on Haulbowline by White Young Green (WYG) was made publicly available on my Department's website in December 2008. Hard copies were also made available where requested. Furthermore, Professor Phillip Morgan (Sirius Geotechnical & Environmental Ltd) and Dr. Marcus Trett (Physalia Limited, Consultant & Forensic Ecologists) carried out a peer...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (7 May 2009)

John Gormley: I refer to the reply Question No. 20 of 27 November 2008. The Planning and Development Act 2000 updated and modernised planning legislation and introduced a range of measures to ensure sustainable development through the forward planning and development management processes and the enforcement of planning legislation. Development plans, prepared and adopted by local authorities under Part II...

Written Answers — Register of Electors: Register of Electors (7 May 2009)

John Gormley: 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 cooperation of the public, the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the Register. In working to compile the Register for 2007/08, local authorities undertook and completed, with assistance from my Department, the most extensive...