Results 4,441-4,460 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley
- Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (27 Nov 2008)
John Gormley: Since the publication of the National Climate Change Strategy 2007 â 2012, work has continued across Government Departments on the development of measures to reduce national greenhouse gas emissions. Progress in implementing such measures, and the coordination of work across Government with respect to the climate change agenda is overseen by the Cabinet Committee on Climate Change and...
- Written Answers — Election Management System: Election Management System (27 Nov 2008)
John Gormley: I am at present considering the next steps to be taken in relation to the electronic voting and counting project. In this, I am taking into account the work of the Commission on Electronic Voting, which has examined the system, relevant experiences and developments internationally, the need to maintain public confidence in the electoral process, as well as the provisions in the Programme for...
- Written Answers — Land Designation: Land Designation (27 Nov 2008)
John Gormley: Designations of land for the purposes of nature protection fall broadly into two categories. Natura 2000 sites, which are either Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) or Special Protection Areas (SPAs), are designated and protected under the EU Habitats and Birds Directives. Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs) are designated under the Wildlife Acts. Proposed sites requiring designation are...
- Written Answers — Waste Disposal: Waste Disposal (27 Nov 2008)
John Gormley: Under Section 60(3) of the Waste Management Act 1996, I am specifically precluded from any involvement in particular circumstances in a matter for which a local authority or the EPA has statutory responsibility. This includes the granting of waste licences for which the EPA is responsible, including licensing of landfills and the enforcement of conditions attached to a licence. The Act...
- Written Answers — Local Government Reform: Local Government Reform (27 Nov 2008)
John Gormley: The Green Paper, Stronger Local Democracy â Options for Change, which I published in April 2008, presents a set of options which share a common theme of strengthening local democratic leadership. For example, Stronger Local Democracy proposes a Regional Mayor for Dublin to meet the strategic challenges the city faces. The Green Paper also suggests that local leadership, accountability and...
- Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (27 Nov 2008)
John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 43 and 46 together. I am committed to putting in place the necessary measures to ensure compliance with the EU landfill diversion targets that will apply from 2010 onwards. Following extensive consultation, the National Strategy on Biodegradable Waste was published in April 2006 and is aimed at diverting 80% of biodegradable waste from landfill through...
- Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (27 Nov 2008)
John Gormley: The Nitrates Directive and Ireland's National Nitrates Action Programme are given legal effect by the European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for the Protection of Waters) Regulations 2006 and 2007. These Regulations have been designed to protect waters against pollution from agricultural sources. It is as yet too early to quantify the beneficial effects of the Nitrates Regulations...
- Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (27 Nov 2008)
John Gormley: Both the White Young Green report and a peer review of it have been completed. My Department is currently examining the reports and the recommendations contained within them. Once this is completed I will release the reports into the public domain, which I expect will occur early next week.
- Written Answers — Water Quality: Water Quality (27 Nov 2008)
John Gormley: The regular reports on water quality by the Environmental Protection Agency are taken into account in the approval and funding of individual wastewater schemes under my Department's Water Services Investment Programme. The latest phase of the Programme relating to the period 2007 â 2009 is available in the Oireachtas Library. â¬560 million was provided in the Budget for new and improved...
- Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (27 Nov 2008)
John Gormley: The National Climate Change Strategy 2007 â 2012 includes a commitment to develop a national adaptation strategy by 2009. The development of this strategy is currently underway.
- Written Answers — Wildlife Protection: Wildlife Protection (27 Nov 2008)
John Gormley: Deer may only be hunted under licence by my Department. The open season for most deer species, including Red, Fallow and Sika, operates annually from 1 September to 28 February, depending on the gender and age of deer. However there is a 12-month open season for Muntjac Deer. My Department has received reports that illegal deer hunting has increased recently in County Donegal. My...
- Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (27 Nov 2008)
John Gormley: I refer to the reply to Question No. 31 of 23 October 2008. The position is unchanged.
- Written Answers — Recycling Policy: Recycling Policy (27 Nov 2008)
John Gormley: Operational matters such as the location and opening hours of recycling facilities for hazardous household waste are the responsibility of the relevant local authorities. I am fully committed to the continuing development of a national network of waste recycling facilities. Since 2002, over â¬100 million has been allocated by my Department to local authorities to assist in the capital...
- Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (27 Nov 2008)
John Gormley: My Department is currently examining Cork City Council's Preliminary Report for proposed water mains rehabilitation works estimated to cost â¬12.2 million. A decision will be conveyed to the Council as soon as possible.
- Written Answers — Election Management System: Election Management System (27 Nov 2008)
John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 142 to 144, inclusive, together. I am at present considering the next steps to be taken in relation to the electronic voting and counting project. In this, I am taking into account the work of the Commission on Electronic Voting, which has examined the system, relevant experiences and developments internationally, the need to maintain public confidence in the...
- Written Answers — Water Quality: Water Quality (27 Nov 2008)
John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 148 to 150, inclusive, together. It is the responsibility of the relevant local authority to deliver quality public water supplies to meet current and future needs. The quality of individual supplies is monitored by the EPA and its most recent report, The Quality of Drinking Water in Ireland â A Report for the Years 2006 and 2007, is available in the...
- Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (27 Nov 2008)
John Gormley: Local authorities are required by my Department to undertake regular assessments of needs for new or upgraded infrastructure in their areas and to determine their priorities in accordance with the assessments. In carrying out these assessments authorities take a range of factors into account, including: relevant national and EU environmental and public health water quality statutory...
- Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (27 Nov 2008)
John Gormley: I refer to the reply to Question No. 207 of 23 October 2008. The position is unchanged.
- Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (27 Nov 2008)
John Gormley: Local authorities will spend some â¬11.7bn on capital and current expenditure in 2009. Some â¬1.6bn will be available for allocation via the Local Government Fund. General-Purpose Grants are the contribution that my Department makes to local authorities to meet the gap between the cost to them of providing a reasonable level of day-to-day services and the income they obtain from other...
- Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (27 Nov 2008)
John Gormley: In January, the European Commission proposed a legislative package for the implementation of the EU's objectives on climate change and renewable energy for 2020. This package included key policy proposals for the revision of the EU Emissions Trading System, the sharing of effort by Member States to meet the Community's greenhouse gas emissions commitments, and the promotion of renewable...