Results 3,721-3,740 of 7,278 for speaker:Dick Roche

Written Answers — Water Quality. : Water Quality. (3 May 2006)

Dick Roche: Primary responsibility for the monitoring of water quality in Ireland is assigned statutorily to local authorities and the Environment Protection Agency (EPA). My Department is in ongoing communication with the European Commission regarding the measures to be taken to comply with the wide-ranging judgment of the European Court of Justice in relation to implementation of the Dangerous...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (3 May 2006)

Dick Roche: Boolteens is included in the Kerry Villages Sewerage Scheme which is included in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2005-2007 as a scheme to commence construction in 2007. My Department is awaiting the submission by Kerry County Council of a revised Preliminary Report for the scheme. In the meantime, I understand that the Council is developing a countywide strategy for the...

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (3 May 2006)

Dick Roche: The offices of my Department in Lagduff, Ballycroy, Co Mayo are temporarily closed for upgrading to modern health and safety standards. The Office of Public Works have recently sought tenders for carrying out the works, the closing date for the receipt of which is 23 May 2006. The necessary works are expected to be completed by the end of 2006. Alternative arrangements have been made for the...

Written Answers — Site Acquisitions: Site Acquisitions (3 May 2006)

Dick Roche: Normal public procurement guidelines apply in respect of the engagement by a local authority of a private party to develop land owned by that authority. Under section 211 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, land acquired by a local authority may be sold, leased or exchanged. Subject to regulations made under subsection 211(3), the consent of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (3 May 2006)

Dick Roche: The issue of fire risk assessment is a matter for Dublin City Council as the fire authority for the area. The waste to energy facility in question is being procured by Dublin City Council acting on behalf of the four Dublin local authorities who are party to the Dublin regional waste management plan. I understand that the private sector partner selected by the Council is preparing...

Written Answers — Radon Gas: Radon Gas (3 May 2006)

Dick Roche: During the years 1992 to 1999, the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII) carried out a nationwide survey of radon gas in domestic dwellings. The survey involved the measurement of radon for a twelve month period in a random selection of homes in each 10 km x 10 km grid square throughout the country. The results of the survey were used to predict the percentage of houses in each...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (3 May 2006)

Dick Roche: The Mullingar Sewerage Scheme is included in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2005-2007 as a scheme to commence construction this year at an estimated cost of €72.11m. My Department approved the Preliminary Report for the scheme in June 2003 and is awaiting the submission of Contract Documents by Westmeath County Council. The Council will be in a position to invite...

Written Answers — Departmental Publications: Departmental Publications (3 May 2006)

Dick Roche: My Department publishes, and/or assists the publication of books, leaflets and other material on wildlife, habitats and species, and biological diversity within Ireland. A review of the Department's publication strategy in this area is being undertaken. In relation to the case referred to in the Question, my Department will communicate with the author shortly.

Written Answers — Building Regulations: Building Regulations (3 May 2006)

Dick Roche: Minimum thermal performance and insulation standards for new buildings are prescribed by Part L (Conservation of Fuel and Energy) of the national Building Regulations. These standards have been progressively increased since they were first introduced in 1991. The standards were last increased for new Dwellings with effect from 1 January 2003; and for new Non-Domestic Buildings with effect...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (3 May 2006)

Dick Roche: I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 948, 949, 951, 952, 973 and 980 of 25 April 2006. Officials from my Department, the Department of Agriculture and Food and Teagasc met on 20 April 2006 to clarify and elaborate aspects of the advice submitted by Teagasc to the Minister for Agriculture and Food with recommendations for amendment of the European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for...

Written Answers — Nuclear Safety: Nuclear Safety (3 May 2006)

Dick Roche: The Government's international legal proceedings against the United Kingdom under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea in relation to the Sellafield Mox Plant were suspended in 2003 pending resolution of jurisdictional issues in the dispute raised by the European Commission. These issues were the subject of proceedings by the European Commission against Ireland before the...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (3 May 2006)

Dick Roche: The Killorglin Water Supply Improvement Scheme 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 €1.37m. Kerry County Council's Preliminary Report for the scheme is under examination in my Department and is being dealt with as quickly as possible. In accordance with the streamlined procurement...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (3 May 2006)

Dick Roche: Kenmare Water Supply Scheme is approved for construction in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2005-2007, at an estimated cost of €8.7m. Kerry County Council's Preliminary Report for the scheme is under examination in my Department and is being dealt with as quickly as possible. The Council will be in a position to proceed with the preparation of Contract Documents when the...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (3 May 2006)

Dick Roche: Killarney Main Drainage Scheme is part of the Lough Leane Catchment Sewerage Scheme which has been approved for construction in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2005-2007. A Brief for the appointment of consultants to prepare a Preliminary Report for the scheme is under examination in my Department and is being dealt with as quickly as possible.

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (3 May 2006)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 550 and 551 together. The Waterville Water Supply and Sewerage Schemes have been approved for construction in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2005-2007. I recently approved Kerry County Council's contract documents for the water and sewerage networks and it is now a matter for the Council to proceed with the tender process for these works....

Written Answers — Control of Dogs: Control of Dogs (3 May 2006)

Dick Roche: I understand that the Office of Public Works (OPW) has received recent complaints in relation to inadequate dog control at a number of heritage properties under its management. While there are some site-specific Acts that provide for bye-laws, a general power to make bye-laws for the regulation of dog control does not exist for most built heritage properties managed by the OPW. My Department...

Written Answers — Environmental Assessments: Environmental Assessments (3 May 2006)

Dick Roche: Transposition of the SEA Directive (2001/42/EC of 27 June 2001) in respect of land-use planning is achieved through the Planning and Development (Strategic Environmental Assessment) Regulations 2004. With effect from 21 July 2004, Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is mandatory in the case of the preparation or review of Regional Planning Guidelines; City and County Development Plans;...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (3 May 2006)

Dick Roche: The majority of staff in my Department have Internet access (subject to appropriate controls) and the Department holds one corporate subscription, enabling concurrent access for up to 60 users to one on-line national daily newspaper; 63 staff at Principal Officer level and above receive one Irish national newspaper on a daily basis and one member of staff receives more than one such...

Written Answers — Noise Regulations: Noise Regulations (3 May 2006)

Dick Roche: The Environmental Noise Regulations 2006 transpose EU Directive 2002/49/EC relating to the assessment and management of environmental noise. The Regulations apply to all major roads which have more than three million vehicle passages per year.

Written Answers — Local Authority Reform: Local Authority Reform (3 May 2006)

Dick Roche: The Better Local Government reform programme has brought significant benefits to local government. These include constitutional recognition and fixed term local elections; enhanced levels of funding; strengthened political and management structures; an updated legal framework as well as an efficiency agenda focused on improved corporate planning, IT, human resources, customer service together...