Results 3,941-3,960 of 7,278 for speaker:Dick Roche

Written Answers — Water Charges: Water Charges (4 Apr 2006)

Dick Roche: It is a requirement of water pricing policy that the cost of providing water services for the non-domestic sector should be fully recovered by local authorities by means of a meter based volumetric charge. This is an equitable approach which promotes maximum environmental efficiency and also incentivises non-domestic users, including schools, to conserve their use of water. The national water...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (4 Apr 2006)

Dick Roche: A reasoned opinion was received from the European Commission on 5 January 2005 regarding planning enforcement procedures for unauthorised developments for which environmental impact assessments (EIA) are required. A formal response issued to the Commission on 8 March 2005. The Department has not received any further formal communication from the Commission or the European Court of Justice. I...

Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (4 Apr 2006)

Dick Roche: I move amendment No. 1: To delete "now" and to add at the end of the motion "this day nine months". I wish to share my time with Deputy O'Connor. I hope to do the decent thing and I am taking the unusual step of proposing an amendment to postpone the acceptance of Second Stage of the Bill for a nine-month period. I had hoped to move this as a reasoned amendment outlining in the amendment the...

Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (4 Apr 2006)

Dick Roche: There is no need for Deputy Finian McGrath to be so elitist.

Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (4 Apr 2006)

Dick Roche: On a point of information, if the Deputy wishes to send me that information in writing I will provide him with a full legal response to it, point by point.

Written Answers — Architectural Heritage: Architectural Heritage (30 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: A scheme of conservation and structural consolidation works has been carried out at Carrigafoyle Castle. This cost €850,000, which was spent over the period 2001 to 2005. These works have facilitated safe public access and enhanced the visitor experience. Further restoration of the castle is not envisaged at this stage.

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (30 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: The Local Government Act 2001 modernises the legislative framework, supports community involvement with local authorities in a more participative local democracy and underpins generally the programme of local government renewal. The Act is being brought into operation on a phased basis; 199 of its 247 sections have been commenced. I am currently considering the steps necessary to commence the...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (30 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: The greater Dublin strategic drainage study was undertaken by Dublin City Council on behalf of the Dublin area local authorities. The study, which was completed in 2005 with funding from my Department's water services investment programme, included the Liffey catchment. The study is a high-level strategic assessment of regional waste water requirements. The selection of individual...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (30 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: I assume the question refers to the R245, the Milford to Carrigart road. The provision and improvement of non-national roads in County Donegal is a matter for Donegal County Council to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State grants provided by my Department. In August last year, my Department sought applications from road authorities for funding under the 2006 EU co-financed...

Written Answers — Election Management System: Election Management System (30 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: A programme of further assessment, testing and validation of the electronic voting and counting system is underway to address issues raised by the Commission on Electronic Voting and demonstrate that the system operates reliably, securely and accurately. The timing of the further use of the system is dependent on the progress made with this work and the ongoing work of the Commission on...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (30 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 263 and 264 together. The Dromcollogher and Bruff sewerage schemes, which are being advanced as part of a grouped project, have been approved to advance through planning in my Department's water services investment programme 2005-07. In June 2005, I approved Limerick County Council's brief for the appointment of consultants to prepare a preliminary report for...

Written Answers — Turbary Rights: Turbary Rights (30 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: The original offer to purchase this land, subject to contract, was made to the person named on 5 April 2005. The vendor then decided to sell turbary rights rather than the freehold title and a revised offer was made on this basis on 5 July 2005. However, a contract for sale on this basis has yet to be submitted to the Office of the Chief State Solicitor by the solicitor acting for the person...

Written Answers — Register of Electors: Register of Electors (30 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: 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 co-operation of the public, the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the register. Their work in this area includes the carrying out of house-to-house enquiries, delivery of registration forms and running local awareness campaigns. I...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (30 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: No such grants are available from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (30 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: Accounting for sequestered carbon in national inventories of greenhouse gas emissions must follow guidelines provided by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. At present, neither the Environmental Protection Agency, which is responsible for Ireland's national inventory, nor other EU national administrations treat landfill sites as carbon sinks in this context. However, I expect that the...

Written Answers — Election Management System: Election Management System (30 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: The franchise section in the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is responsible for a range of matters relating to the electoral system, including the relevant legislative codes; the provision of advice and guidance to registration authorities and returning officers, including relating to the register of electors; implementation of the electronic voting and counting...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (30 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: Since 2000, 14 organisations have been engaged by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to undertake consultancy work relating to the electronic voting and counting system, including assessment and testing of the system, and awareness and education activities. The cost of this work is €3.55 million. There are no specific proposals for further consultancy work at...

Written Answers — Local Authority Staff: Local Authority Staff (30 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: The conditions of employment of local authority employees are matters for the local authority in accordance with section 158 of the Local Government Act 2001. In the performance of their duties, local authority employees must have regard to and be guided by the Code of Conduct for Employees published in June 2004 which is an integral part of the ethical framework for the local government service.

Written Answers — Local Authority Staff: Local Authority Staff (30 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: As indicated in reply to Parliamentary Question No. 225 of 8 March 2006, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is gathering information from local authorities on the practical application of the arrangements for the supply of specified information to Oireachtas Members under the Local Government Act 2001 (Section 237A) Regulations 2003. Based on the information...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (30 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: I assume the question refers to the Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Sustainable Rural Housing which came into effect on 13 April 2005. These guidelines provide that reasonable proposals on suitable sites in rural areas for persons who are part of, contribute to or have links with the rural community should be accommodated. The guidelines thus affirm a presumption in favour of quality...