Results 4,021-4,040 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Recapitalisation of Allied Irish Banks and Bank of Ireland: Motion (12 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: The Minister, Deputy Brian Lenihan, will write to the head of this committee pushing maximum cuts and pay caps. The Green Party will continue to keep pressure up on this issue.

Recapitalisation of Allied Irish Banks and Bank of Ireland: Motion (12 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: The Green Party has always said that the law must be applied. We have continually said that the laws must be toughened and there must be closer bank supervision.

Recapitalisation of Allied Irish Banks and Bank of Ireland: Motion (12 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: We strongly believe there must be changes in management at the top and a totally new attitude and philosophy must be applied.

Recapitalisation of Allied Irish Banks and Bank of Ireland: Motion (12 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: This will take time. The Deputy is harping on; we did not take a cent from the banks, her party did. Her party took money from banks so she should keep quiet.

Recapitalisation of Allied Irish Banks and Bank of Ireland: Motion (12 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: The Green Party is in government.

Recapitalisation of Allied Irish Banks and Bank of Ireland: Motion (12 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: The country faces an unprecedented recession amid the world's worst ever economic downturn. The key aspect of our current malaise is an unstable banking system. People would not thank us for shirking the challenges ahead. We are working inside the system to have the current rules and procedures applied as fairly as possible in the interests of ordinary workers.

Recapitalisation of Allied Irish Banks and Bank of Ireland: Motion (12 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: We are working for longer-term change to ensure Ireland never again repeats these drastic errors.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (12 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: This is a recommendation.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (12 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: We have spent quite a bit of time on this section but we are not discussing an amendment.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (12 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: It is an interesting debate. Senator Hannigan had tabled an amendment but he appears to have left the Chamber in a bit of——

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (12 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: One point needs to be made in response to a number of issues that have been mentioned, namely, that existing legislation states that in regard to general elections one cannot go above five seats. That is the sort of flexibility the commission would require, but there are genuine political difficulties in that regard because for obvious reasons the two biggest parties, namely, Fianna Fáil...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (12 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: Yes, but proportional representation is an excellent system. The concept behind it is that the people are proportionately represented by political parties of every hue. I ask Senators to read the report on the electoral commission because the ideas it contains offer a solution to the issues raised by Senator Ellis.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (12 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: The discussion has been interesting, but it does not relate to any particular amendment. I appreciate the contributions that have been made and the concerns expressed. I am aware Senator Ellis is concerned with regard to his constituency and that is understandable. Other constituencies are equally affected by the deliberations of this particular commission. Deputies and Senators in the...

Written Answers — Building Regulations: Building Regulations (11 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: Part M of the Building Regulations, dealing with Access for People with Disabilities, applies to all new buildings and extensions to or material alterations of existing buildings to which the public have access and which commenced on or after 1 June 1992. Part M requires adequate provision to be made to enable people with disabilities to safely and independently access and use a building....

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

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 235 and 242 together. The combined Dromcollogher, Hospital, Pallasgreen and Bruff Sewerage Scheme is included for funding in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009. Further consideration is being given to Limerick County Council's Preliminary Report for the scheme following receipt of additional information from the Council in...

Written Answers — Local Authority Elections: Local Authority Elections (11 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: The provisions governing local authority membership and local authority employment are set out in sections 13 and 161 of the Local Government Act 2001. Under section 13 of the Act, a person employed by a local authority who is not the holder of an employment designated by order under section 161 is disqualified from being elected or co-opted to, or from becoming a member of, a local...

Written Answers — Water Quality: Water Quality (11 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: These Acts provide for a range of powers in relation to the protection of the environment. Section 13 of the Environmental Protection Agency Act confers powers on an authorised person to, inter alia, enter premises, take samples and inspect documents. Section 296 of the Fisheries (Consolidation) Act 1959 relates to the powers of an authorised person in the context of protecting salmonid...

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

John Gormley: Draft Guidelines for Planning Authorities on the Planning System and Flood Risk Management were issued for public consultation in September 2008. The draft Guidelines are aimed at ensuring a more consistent, rigorous and systematic approach to flood risk assessment and management in the planning system. The draft guidelines state that: development in areas at risk of flooding, particularly...

Written Answers — National Monuments: National Monuments (10 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 439 and 458 together. Following refusal of an application under the National Monuments (Amendment) Act 1987 for a licence to dive survey the wreck of the RMS Lusitania, the applicant sought judicial review of the Minister's decision in the High Court. In a complex judgment delivered in June 2005, the Court deemed that the refusal was ultra vires the powers of...

Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (10 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: Work has been ongoing for some time in my Department in drafting measures to provide for statutory regulation of dog breeding establishments within the dog control legislative regime. The issues involved are complex and required detailed consideration. This process has included discussions with a number of organisations, bodies, public agencies and interests active in this area. As indicated...