Results 3,821-3,840 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (11 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: Ireland must meet challenging targets under the EU Landfill Directive for the diversion of biodegradable municipal waste from landfill. Meeting this obligation will entail doubling the existing level of diversion from landfill by 2010 and further increases in diversion in subsequent years. Following extensive consultation, the National Strategy on Biodegradable Waste was published in April...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (11 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 70 and 87 together. Local Authorities and other bodies under the aegis of my Department have been notified in general terms of the Government decision and announcement referred to in relation to the reduction in professional fees for services. Detailed advice in relation to the application of the reduction is being developed and the Department of Finance and...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (11 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: The EU Environmental Liability Directive has been transposed into Irish law by the European Community (Environmental Liability) Regulations 2008, copies of which are available in the Oireachtas library. While the Regulations transpose all of the Environmental Liability Directive, there are a number of discretionary provisions open to Member States to choose whether or not to adopt. It is my...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (11 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: Waste management services have traditionally been provided at a local level, with individual arrangements being locally determined and tailored to local circumstances. The present legal framework, as determined by the Oireachtas, reflects this. In accordance with section 52 of the Protection of the Environment Act 2003 the determination of waste management charges is a matter for the...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (11 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 73, 85 and 97 together. I am aware of the recent decision in the German courts in relation to the future use of electronic voting machines in the conduct of elections held in that country. Relevant experiences and developments in other jurisdictions are being taken into account in considering the next steps in relation to electronic voting and counting in...

Written Answers — Waste Disposal: Waste Disposal (11 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: Waste management data are compiled by the EPA and published in the National Waste Report, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas Library. In its Report for the year 2006, the Agency noted that the term mechanical biological treatment (MBT) is used to describe not one specific process, but rather a combination of different technologies, and that it was not possible to estimate from...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (11 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: I refer to the reply to Question No. 186 of 12 February, 2009. The position is unchanged.

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (11 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: Development plans provide the over-arching strategic framework for development within their areas, ensuring that all development is sustainable in economic, social and environmental terms. As such, the development plan must offer clear guidance on sustainable development policies and objectives, both national and local, which addresses the full range of sustainability issues such as climate...

Written Answers — Architectural Heritage: Architectural Heritage (11 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: The civic structures conservation grant scheme, which is administered by my Department, provides grants for the restoration and conservation of buildings of significant architectural heritage merit and which are in civic ownership or occupation and generally open to the public. The deadline for the receipt of applications under the 2009 grant scheme was 27 February 2009, and I understand...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (11 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: Waste management services have traditionally been provided at a local level, with individual arrangements being locally determined and tailored to local circumstances. The present legal framework, as determined by the Oireachtas, reflects this. In accordance with section 52 of the Protection of the Environment Act 2003, the determination of waste management charges, and any associated waiver...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (11 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: Ireland signed the Aarhus Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters on 25 June 1998. Progress towards ratification of the Convention is closely aligned with work at EU level and, in that context, the European Union has adopted two Directives as part of the ratification process. These deal with public access to...

Written Answers — Nuclear Plants: Nuclear Plants (11 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: Ireland has long been concerned about the risk to this country posed by the large and complex nuclear reprocessing site at Sellafield. The policies and actions of this Government continue to reflect the firm position that Sellafield's continued operation poses risks of real and legitimate concern to Ireland and that it should be decommissioned and closed in a safe and orderly manner. Since...

Written Answers — Dublin Bay Task Force: Dublin Bay Task Force (11 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: The Dublin Regional Authority established the Dublin Bay Task Force at my request in July 2008, essentially to prepare a draft master plan for Dublin Bay and to make recommendations in respect of the institutional arrangements for coastal zone management in the bay. The task force operates under the aegis of the regional authority. To date, the task force has held a series of meetings,...

Written Answers — Private Rented Accommodation: Private Rented Accommodation (11 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: Part E (Sound) of the Building Regulations sets out the requirements in relation to sound insulation in buildings, including dwellings. Technical Guidance Document E (TGD-E) provides guidance on how to comply with Part E. Responsibility for compliance with the Regulations is a matter for the owner or builder of a building. Responsibility for enforcement of the Regulations rests with the 37...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (11 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 176 to 178, inclusive, together. Water Services Authorities are required by my Department to undertake regular assessments of needs for new or upgraded infrastructure in their areas as an input to the overall strategy for meeting water services infrastructural requirements. In carrying out these assessments, authorities take a range of factors into account,...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (11 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 180 and 181 together. The Programme for Government includes a commitment to undertake a review of waste management policy. Consultants have been engaged to undertake a study to underpin this policy review. The study will address how better to implement waste prevention and minimisation in the particular context of the emergence of new technologies for waste...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (11 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: The Cork Lower Harbour Sewerage Scheme is approved for funding in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009 at an estimated cost of €73.5 million. My Department will complete its assessment of Cork County Council's Preliminary Report for this scheme following confirmation from the Council of the approval by An Bord Pleanála of the Environmental Impact Statement for the...

Written Answers — Business Improvement Districts: Business Improvement Districts (11 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: The establishment of a business improvement district scheme is a matter for local authorities. I have no function in the matter.

Written Answers — Compulsory Retirement Age: Compulsory Retirement Age (11 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: My Department currently has approximately 153 staff (88 male and 65 female) who are not subject to a compulsory retirement age of 65 in accordance with the provisions of the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2004.

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (11 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: I assure the Senator I was not falling asleep but was listening to every word he said.