Results 4,141-4,160 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Proposed Legislation. (5 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: Precisely. That will have its own effect because postering is quite expensive. I understand that some parties have already printed their posters — including some in Northern Ireland, but we will not go there. I understand that people need to make preparations. The sort of dialogue we are engaged in with the local authorities will ensure that a common sense approach is adopted.

Proposed Legislation. (5 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: How many times do I need to repeat myself in this House?

Proposed Legislation. (5 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: If they are repeated ad nauseam they can become tedious. I have said a common sense approach is being adopted. This measure is not restricting postering. Deputy Tuffy's colleague, Deputy Ciarán Lynch, made a submission on the matter, which indicates his interest in it. The restriction will come from the restriction on spending. My party has never had a billboard as far as I know. We do...

Greenhouse Gas Emissions. (5 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: I refer to the reply to Question No. 1 on today's Order Paper, in which I outlined the range of work under way across all sectors towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the review being undertaken to ensure that emission projections reflect the changing economic circumstances. The National Climate Change Strategy 2007-2012 sets out the measures on foot of which Ireland will meet its...

Greenhouse Gas Emissions. (5 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: I did not mention it in my reply.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions. (5 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: If you want me to answer it, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle——

Greenhouse Gas Emissions. (5 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: I would be happy to reply. The Deputies opposite know that transport continues to be the dominant growth sector. Emissions in that sector were approximately 4.7% higher in 2007 than in 2006. If we are going to achieve a reduction we need a radical transformation of our public transport system.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions. (5 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: Fine Gael has a very different view from that of the Labour Party on public transport.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions. (5 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: Fine Gael wants to build more roads and privatise.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions. (5 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: Dublin Bus requires radical reform to meet the needs of bus users. The company made a profit of approximately €4.7 million in 2007, but it lost €10 million last year and is forecast to lose €31 million this year unless action is taken. I am sure Deputies will recall that unfortunately, there have been archaic work practices in that organisation. Even the slightest change is resisted....

Greenhouse Gas Emissions. (5 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: I am now being accused of being well prepared.

Proposed Legislation. (5 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: My Department is currently preparing proposals to strengthen the existing legislation on noise pollution, in line with the commitment in the programme for Government. A public consultation process has been completed, and account is being taken of submissions received from the public and key stakeholders. While there is already a wide range of measures in place to deal with noise from a...

Proposed Legislation. (5 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: I would hope to have this legislation published before the summer. We have embarked on a comprehensive consultation process. A total of 235 submissions were received which shows there is significant public interest in this issue. We are becoming an increasingly urbanised society. Stricter laws governing noise are in force in European countries and it is time we got our act together to...

Proposed Legislation. (5 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: Those are issues that should have been dealt with during the planning process. When major construction projects, such as the East Link bridge, were taking place in my constituency, part of the consultation process was that people received double glazing. This is an issue that should be dealt with during the planning process. The introduction of annual noise reporting mechanisms is...

Proposed Legislation. (5 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: I stayed in Senator Boyle's house on occasion and I got a good night's sleep. I am not quite sure of the import of the Deputy's question. Is he saying we should be taking measures now to deal with this?

Proposed Legislation. (5 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: I would be happy to deal with that as a separate question.

Proposed Legislation. (5 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: No. The Deputy should not exaggerate the issue. We are consulting with many of the alarm companies. It seems it is easier to fix that problem from outside a house. It may be the case that the Garda Síochána will require new powers but it is not our intention to have gardaí wrapped up in dealing with such problems because they have enough to be getting on with.

Planning Issues. (5 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 11, 24 and 28 together. The fee for making submissions or observations to An Bord Pleanála for development under the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act 2006 is €50. The board is legally obliged to consider all submissions or observations before making a decision. Third parties also have the right to be notified of any new significant...

Planning Issues. (5 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: I indicated in my reply that the European Commission issued Ireland with a reasoned opinion to the effect that the €20 fee for the making of a submission on a planning application for a development which requires environmental impact assessment was contrary to the public participation provisions. The Commission was of the view that the directive makes no express provision for the payment...

Planning Issues. (5 Feb 2009)

John Gormley: I am relying on what the European Court of Justice said.