Results 4,281-4,300 of 7,278 for speaker:Dick Roche

Local Government Modernisation Programme. (8 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: Deputy Murphy made a valid point in that there is nothing more liberating for a local authority than a good website because the potential savings are incredible. For example, millions of euro have been saved through the on-line motor taxation system. Local authorities can benefit by reducing expenditure on staff members and it is in everybody's interest at local level to be more proactive in...

Planning Issues. (8 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: I recently received a request from the Association of County and City Councils to introduce legislation to regulate the planning aspects of the adult entertainment industry. Members of the association expressed concern that the recent growth of this sector can have a marked effect on the perception and character of a particular location. I acknowledge that the establishment of adult...

Planning Issues. (8 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: I see the logic in the Deputy's point. If he recalls, I took a similar decision a while back with regard to off-licences. It was remarkable that planning permission was not required for an off-licence, but if a shop was being converted to a chip shop, for example, it was required. The same logic would apply in this case. I am considering the issue. I am surprised the planning process does not...

Planning Issues. (8 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: The Deputy's points are well made, and his latter point is attractive to me. Even if there is a short-term solution as well as one over the longer term, I will consider the matter. The Deputy may keep in contact with me on the issue. We in the House all agree that action should be taken. I agree that there is a lacuna and where there is one, we should look at existing law and consider how to...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (8 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: I will do my best to comment on the points raised by Senators in the four or five minutes remaining. To take the last point first, the proposals for the forest park are private and would not be affected by this Bill in any way. If Senator Leyden or any other Senator believes that any official in my Department has behaved improperly, there are ways other that the debate on this Bill to raise...

Written Answers — Building Regulations: Building Regulations (7 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: Part J of the building regulations requires that a heat producing appliance shall have adequate provision for the discharge of the products of combustion to the outside air; and that any heat producing appliance, flue pipe, or chimney shall be designed and constructed so as to reduce to a reasonable level the risk of the building catching fire as a consequence of its use. Technical guidance...

Written Answers — Noxious Weeds: Noxious Weeds (7 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: My Department's policy, set out as action 28 in the national biodiversity plan, is to prepare strategies, in consultation with the environmental authorities in Northern Ireland, to control introduced species and to prevent, or minimise, future — accidental or deliberate — introductions of alien species which might threaten biodiversity. My Department, jointly with the Environment and...

Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (7 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: The contribution of agricultural soils to greenhouse gas emissions arises from emissions of nitrous oxide from the use of nitrogenous fertilizers, animal manures and from crop residues. Crop residue emissions are calculated using known values for the nitrogen content of individual crop varieties. The cultivation of crops does not, in general, lead to the sequestration, but rather to emissions...

Written Answers — Election Management System: Election Management System (7 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: I am aware that the Nedap electronic voting machines have secured federal certification in the US to enable them to be used at elections in that jurisdiction. To comply with statutory electoral requirements in some parts of the US, the Nedap voting machine has a facility to connect to a separate printer, which is not supplied by Nedap, to enable paper records of votes to be printed, if...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (7 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: At present my Department is finalising planning and development regulations to make changes to the planning permission regulations which set out the detailed rules, requirements and procedures for the planning application process. I expect that I will be in a position to begin a review of certain other aspects of the regulations, including certain provisions of the exemption regulations,...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (7 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: My Department employs 50 people with disabilities, which represents 3.4% of staff. The Department adheres to the guidelines contained in the code of practice for the employment of people with disabilities in the Civil Service. Recruitment of civil servants, including the recruitment of persons with disabilities, is managed by the Public Appointments Service. In addition my Department has...

Written Answers — Irish Language: Irish Language (7 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: An Coimisiún Logainmneacha, the Placenames Commission, which is under the aegis of the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, has produced guidelines on the naming of roads, streets and housing estates in Irish. The guidelines set out the appropriate conventions for the Irish versions of the names of roads, streets and housing estates. My Department provided local authorities...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (7 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: The Burncourt water supply scheme and stage two of the Fethard water supply scheme are being advanced as a grouped project and have been approved for funding in my Department's water services investment programme 2005-07 under the rural towns and villages initiative at a combined cost of €14.05 million. My Department approved South Tipperary County Council's brief for the appointment of...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (7 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: A Law Reform Commission working group is currently examining legal aspects generally regarding management of multi-unit structures. The Government will consider the recommendations in its final report, including the need for any new legislation in this area. A recent report by an auctioneering and estate agency review group to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform recommended that...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (7 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 582 and 583 together Section 67 of the Local Government Act 2001 empowers local authorities to promote the interests of the local community in relation to amenity, recreation and other functions. This includes the provision of sports, games and similar activities and general recreational and leisure facilities such as playgrounds. It is a matter for each local...

Written Answers — Fire Services: Fire Services (7 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: Over the past 25 years, almost €240 million has been provided under the fire services capital programme for the provision of new and refurbished fire stations and the purchase of fire appliances and other equipment. At this stage, more than two-thirds of our fire stations, including almost all of the busiest stations, have been replaced, we have a modern fleet of front-line fire appliances...

Written Answers — Motor Taxation: Motor Taxation (7 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: The information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy shortly.

Written Answers — Motor Taxation: Motor Taxation (7 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: The total number of goods vehicles licensed for motor tax at 31 December 2005 is 286,548.

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (7 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: The nitrates directive aims to protect all waters against pollution from agricultural sources, which includes enhancing the protection of waters being abstracted for human consumption. The European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2005 implement the directive in Ireland and provide statutory support for good agricultural practice to protect waters...

Written Answers — Litter Pollution: Litter Pollution (7 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: Under section 7 of the Litter Pollution Act 1997 it is a matter for each local authority to ensure that public roads, including motorways in its functional area, are, so far as practicable, kept free of litter.