Results 4,301-4,320 of 7,278 for speaker:Dick Roche

Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (7 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: My Department has no role in the operation of the ISPCA. The ISPCA maintains and operates a guard dog register in accordance with the Control of Dogs Act 1986 (Guard Dogs) Regulations 1988. My Department makes an annual payment to the society in respect of the costs incurred on this task. In 2005, the payment amounted to €40,000. In addition, under the Control of Dogs Act 1986 each local...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (7 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: In line with the recommendations of the Indecon report on the financing of local government, which I published last week, I have been considering appropriate regulatory arrangements which could apply in respect of the emerging waste management sector where key roles are played by both the public and private sectors. I shall develop proposals in this regard for presentation to Government. I...

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

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 592, 594 and 595 together. My Department has not commissioned specific research on the use of a site or land value tax or into means of replacing the commercial rates system. In 2004, my predecessor commissioned Indecon International Economic Consultants, in conjunction with the institute of local government studies at the University of Birmingham, to carry...

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

Dick Roche: I have no plans to introduce legislation allowing for directly elected mayors of local authorities. The provision for the direct election of mayors was repealed by section 7 of the Local Government (No. 2) Act 2003.

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

Dick Roche: My Department is not aware of any prospective legal proceedings by the EU Commission in the matter referred to.

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

Dick Roche: As indicated in reply to Questions Nos. 114 and 161 of 14 February 2006, the forthcoming draft guidelines for planning authorities on the preparation of development plans, will indicate that in addressing the issue of flooding, development plans should identify areas that experience or are at risk from flooding, drawing as appropriate from a process of flood risk mapping currently being...

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

Dick Roche: Cork County Council recently submitted a proposal to my Department to upgrade the trunk mains between Boola water treatment plant and the storage reservoirs in Youghal under the serviced land initiative measure of my Department's water services investment programme 2005-07, at an estimated cost of €2.3 million. This proposal is being examined in my Department and is being dealt with as...

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

Dick Roche: The Cobh-Midleton-Carrigtwohill water supply scheme is included in my Department's water services investment programme 2005-07 as a scheme to commence construction this year at a cost of €9.84 million. My Department is awaiting submission by Cork County Council of revised contract documents for the scheme that incorporate necessary amendments identified by the Department to the council last...

Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (7 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: The principal statutes governing animal welfare are the protection of animals Acts 1911 and 1965. Responsibility for that legislation, including any proposals for amendment, is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Agriculture and Food. A working group to review the management of dog breeding establishments nationally was appointed in September 2004. The group was established in response...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (7 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: The Senator misjudges me.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (7 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: It is in the Bill.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (7 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: Can I be helpful to the Senator?

Seanad: Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (7 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: Their reports will be debated in open council meetings, of course, so it will not be private.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (7 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: I am pleased to bring the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006 before the Seanad. This represents one of the most important Bills I will bring forward as Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. In terms of the provision of infrastructure, it is probably one of the most important items of legislation that will be introduced in this parliamentary...

Written Answers — Soil Erosion: Soil Erosion (2 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: Overgrazing has led to environmental problems, particularly loss of vegetation and soil erosion in commonages throughout the country, including the Nephin Beg range. Payments to farmers for destocking under commonage framework plans, were introduced from end of 1998 as an attempt to aid vegetation recovery in these areas. A recent monitoring survey in this area, carried out as part of an...

Written Answers — Waste Disposal: Waste Disposal (2 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: I refer to the reply to Question No. 257 of 1 March 2006. It will be a matter for Dublin City Council and its PPP partner to provide assurance to the statutory planning process that waste can be delivered to the proposed plant satisfactorily having regard to considerations of local amenity and infrastructure.

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (2 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: The Planning and Development Regulations 2005 generally exempt peat extraction below a threshold of ten hectares from the requirement for planning permission. However, there are exceptions where the peat extraction would have significant effects on the environment. In these limited cases, planning permission must be applied for, accompanied by an environmental impact statement. Where the peat...

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (2 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: The provision and improvement of non-national roads in County Roscommon is a matter for Roscommon County Council to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State grants. In August 2005, my Department sought applications from road authorities for funding under the 2006 EU co-financed specific improvements grant scheme. The initial selection of projects to be submitted for...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (2 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: In May 2005 I approved Kildare County Council's proposals to proceed with work on an advance section of the scheme at Straffan which I understand is now in progress. Kildare County Council's contract documents for the major elements of the scheme are under examination in my Department and a decision will issue shortly. Approval of the contract documents will enable the council to invite...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (2 Mar 2006)

Dick Roche: I refer to the reply to Question No. 515 of 28 February 2006.