Results 3,861-3,880 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Planning Matters. (11 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: We recognise that fact and we all share the same objective in trying to stop bad development. We want to ensure good development and good quality housing that is properly planned. Not only are the Deputy's suggestions worthy of consideration, but I will also be bringing them forward. They are vital for people who have invested large amounts of time and money. In the Deputy's own part of...

Planning Matters. (11 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: To answer the Deputy's first question, it was not 10%; it is up 12%. On his second question, it is not in the Minister's gift — indeed, as the Leas-Cheann Comhairle said, it is illegal to comment on any application or to try to influence any application. However, in my role as Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, I have extended the special protection area for...

Planning Matters. (11 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: The short answer is "Yes". I hope we can comply with the 18-week period because the peak of applications has now gone. In the Dublin area in particular, we will be moving staff from local authorities to An Bord Pleanála. We will also reduce the quorum required for routine applications from three to two. All these measures will ensure that we actually comply with the 18-week period. We...

Planning Matters. (11 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: Regarding what the Deputy termed "malicious applications"——

Planning Matters. (11 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: They are difficult to determine because an individual can get another person to do it on their behalf. I have no doubt this happens but proving it in law may be difficult. This point has been made repeatedly to me but it is difficult to deal with it in legislation. The Deputy is correct that a template would be helpful to applications, streamlining the process and pointing out any potential...

Planning Matters. (11 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: People need to choose carefully and have a bit of cop on and common sense.

Planning Matters. (11 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: It is difficult to estimate the time but we are getting through it fairly quickly. However, cases have fallen by 16% compared to the same period last year. While I cannot give a precise time on clearing it, steady progress is being made.

Turbary Rights. (11 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 39, 75, 88, 172 and 182 together. 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 samples have been designated as special areas of conservation, SAC, under the habitats directive or natural heritage...

Turbary Rights. (11 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: The Deputy may be aware that his party colleague Deputy Connaughton organised a meeting with me and many of the families involved in the west. I am aware of the sensitives around this issue and I have spoken to those involved. It is an issue that goes back to 1999. I have done everything I can to ensure a fair resolution. The transition phase approach is probably the best. We need to be...

Turbary Rights. (11 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: I am not aware of the specific instance to which Deputy Crawford refers. However, we have tried to resolve the disputes that have arisen. There is a scheme in operation which involves the voluntary purchase of designated bogs and under which more than €7 million was paid out last year. The interdepartmental group to which I referred earlier will examine the additional measures necessary...

Turbary Rights. (11 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: I would be happy to investigate the claims made by the Deputy. However, the national parks and wildlife service, NPWS, is clear as to what is required. The NPWS liaises, at all times, with the Commission, which is adamant that we have overstepped the mark to a major degree and that we have been given a great deal of latitude. The cessation to which I referred earlier was unilaterally...

Planning Issues. (11 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: Under section 247 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, a person who has an interest in land and who intends to make a planning application may, with the agreement of the planning authority concerned, enter into pre-application consultations in respect of the proposed development. The section also provides that the planning authority must not unreasonably withhold its consent to a...

Planning Issues. (11 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: As indicated in reply to Questions Nos. 38 and 45, there is a lack of consistency among local authorities. I presume the Deputy is referring to the local government service indicators relating to pre-application consultations, which indicate that there is a major difference from local authority to local authority. In the context of the forthcoming legislation, I wish to ensure that some...

Planning Issues. (11 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: Yes, I am aware of this. The guidelines were supposed to deal with many of these issues. The guidelines are very clear and advise people of the requirements. People are told if, for example, there is a need for an environmental impact assessment, a necessity to obtain an IPCC licence or waste licence in certain cases and about the need to comply with other planning guidelines where...

Planning Issues. (11 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: Yes.

Planning Issues. (11 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: Yes, absolutely.

Planning Issues. (11 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: In reply to Deputy Crawford, I have already acknowledged that the constant changing of planners is causing difficulty for many applicants and is costing them a great deal of money. I was speaking to people in Kinsale recently who had very unfortunate experiences. They wasted a great deal of their time, energy and money because of this. There was no consistency. There were three different...

Planning Issues. (11 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: Yes, I acknowledge the Deputy's concerns. As I said to Deputy Crawford and others, that type of consistency is required across the board so people are left in no doubt. Sometimes planning is quite a subjective issue. We must move away from subjectivity so the applicants can understand where they stand and that if they do X, Y and Z, they have a chance of getting permission.

Regional Development. (11 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: The €300 million gateway innovation fund, GIF, was established, as part of the National Development Plan, NDP, 2007-2013, as a strategic targeted intervention to stimulate gateway development in the context of the national spatial strategy and thereby further the NDP cross-cutting objective for more balanced regional development. Following a call for proposals for funding from the GIF...

Regional Development. (11 Mar 2009)

John Gormley: It is clear that we have a serious financial situation and that we have had to cut back not just on current spending but that capital spending has had to be curtailed quite severely. I have tried to give the Deputy a comprehensive answer but, in essence, we do not have as much money as we would like.