Results 4,041-4,060 of 7,278 for speaker:Dick Roche

Political Donations and Planning: Motion. (21 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: I will read it properly because it is worth reading out. The Kenny report states explicitly that legislation which provided that a local authority could acquire lands at existing use value plus some percentage of it when its price had been increased not by local authority works, but by planning decisions only, would be unjust and probably repugnant to the Constitution.

Political Donations and Planning: Motion. (21 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: I thought Deputy O'Dowd was offering me two minutes. I beg his pardon. I see no merit in the Green Party motion, just a great deal of hypocrisy.

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (21 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 833 and 836 together. Total receipts each year for the plastic bag levy on disposable shopping bags are set out in the following table: â'¬m 2002 7.101 2003 12.657 2004 13.498 2005 17.526 2006 to date 4.602 Total 55.384 Prior to the introduction of this levy, an estimated 1.2 billion plastic bags were given away free by...

Written Answers — Architectural Heritage: Architectural Heritage (21 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: Restoration works representing an investment of some €2 million have already been carried out at Maynooth Castle and have facilitated the provision of visitor access and a guide service. My Department is aware that further facilities, including the provision of toilets, would be required if there were to be a greater use of the castle. It is not feasible to provide these at the site...

Written Answers — Ministerial Guidelines: Ministerial Guidelines (21 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: My Department has commissioned a research study into apartment size and space standards to inform a review being undertaken of the Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Residential Density, published in 1999. The research study is examining, inter alia, the adequacy of current internal space provision in apartments and will recommend internal space standards relating to overall minimum floor...

Written Answers — Register of Electors: Register of Electors (21 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 837 and 868 together. In law, 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. I share the concerns that have been expressed on the quality of the register. Comparison between the...

Written Answers — Vehicle Ownership Transfers: Vehicle Ownership Transfers (21 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: My Department intends to develop arrangements for on-line change of vehicle ownership for motor traders as an extension of the successful on-line motor tax system already in place for first time registration and for motor tax renewals. My Department is currently examining the appropriate approach in this regard. There are no proposals, however, for such a service for private transactions.

Written Answers — Development Applications Tracking System: Development Applications Tracking System (21 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: The development applications tracking system, DATS, is designed to provide staff of my Department examining archaeological, architectural and wildlife heritage aspects of development proposals referred by planning and other regulatory authorities with an integrated workflow, document management and geographic information system. The pilot phase of DATS was launched last November to test it in...

Written Answers — Spatial Data Infrastructure: Spatial Data Infrastructure (21 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: To facilitate the implementation of an Irish spatial data infrastructure, ISDI, my Department is currently preparing a draft policy framework document for consideration by Government later this year. The framework will deal with a wide variety of issues related to the establishment of an ISDI, including basic principles, standards, data issues, finances, legal matters, including intellectual...

Written Answers — Register of Electors: Register of Electors (21 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: In law, preparation of the register of electors is a matter for each local registration authority. It is their duty to determine the detailed arrangements to be adhered to in the preparation of the register. I understand that, while authorities increasingly make available an on-line register search facility and the relevant forms can be downloaded from registration authority websites,...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (21 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: As stated in the reply to Question No. 245 of 2 March 2006, peat extraction below ten hectares in area is exempt development except where it could have significant effects on the environment. The threshold has been set at a level that ensures that the vast majority of sub-threshold peat extractions will not have a significant effect on the environment. However, the planning code recognises...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (21 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: The improvement of non-national roads in counties Louth and Monaghan is a matter for Louth and Monaghan county councils, respectively, to be funded from their own resources supplemented by grants provided by my Department. Grants totalling €542,938 were paid to Louth County Council from 1999 to 2005 in respect of improvement works on the R178, and in 2006 a grant of €300,000 was allocated...

Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (21 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: The group concerned has been advised that Galway County Council's preliminary report for the Kinvara sewerage scheme is under examination in my Department and that additional information is awaited from Galway County Council in that context. Following approval of the preliminary report the scheme can then be advanced to construction without further reference to my Department in accordance...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (21 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: The Quilty, Scariff and Feakle sewerage scheme, which includes Mullagh, has been approved for construction in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2005-2007. However, Clare County Council is currently reviewing the scheme, including the extent of the catchments to be served and the treatment capacities in each location, with a view to devising proposals that represent more...

Written Answers — Register of Electors: Register of Electors (21 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: Each year, my Department undertakes an advertising campaign to coincide with the publication of the draft register of electors to encourage electors to check the draft and ensure that they are correctly registered. Over recent years, the advertising campaign has included elements specifically targeted at young people. Electoral law has been amended on an ongoing basis to make voting more...

Written Answers — Tribunals of Inquiry: Tribunals of Inquiry (21 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: At the end of February 2006, the overall cost of the Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters and Payments amounted to €47,206,948. Legal fees paid to the legal team engaged by the tribunal are as follows. Legal Team Member Amount â'¬ Senior Counsel John Gallagher * 2,860,694.84 Desmond O'Neill 3,219,015.76 Patrick Quinn 1,924,277.66...

Written Answers — Swimming Pool Safety: Swimming Pool Safety (21 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 858 and 859 together. Safety recommendations for swimming pools were issued by my Department in 1986. At the request of my Department, the Irish Water Safety Association is reviewing those recommendations with a view to producing more modern and comprehensive guidance.

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (21 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: I understand that an offer to purchase will issue from my Department in this case very shortly.

Written Answers — Nuclear Plants: Nuclear Plants (21 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: The Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland receives data on a quarterly basis from the UK Environment Agency on radioactive discharges from the Sellafield plant. The figures provided show monthly discharges and cover a total of 30 different radionuclides. The data available to the institute show that the level of discharges of some radionuclides has remained constant, others show an...

Written Answers — Asbestos Remediation Programme: Asbestos Remediation Programme (21 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: No such grants are available from my Department.