Results 4,741-4,760 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Environmental Policy. (23 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: She also said that CFLs were dangerous, trying to spook people. She probably succeeded to some extent. This is a good initiative.

Environmental Policy. (23 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: The Labour Party opposed the increase in excise duty, something that will reduce approximately 150,000 tonnes. Some initiatives may not be palatable but what is required is courage and leadership.

Environmental Policy. (23 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: Deputy Tuffy does not have that courage and those leadership qualities.

Local Government Reform. (23 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: I published the Green Paper, Stronger Local Democracy — Options for Change, in April 2008. The Green Paper presents a set of options which share a common theme of strengthening local democratic leadership. For example, Stronger Local Democracy — Options for Change proposes a regional mayor for Dublin to meet the strategic challenges the city faces. The paper also suggests that local...

Local Government Reform. (23 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: The matters referred to by Deputy Terence Flanagan will be dealt with by the Minister for Finance in the forthcoming Finance Bill. In the context of the White Paper, we are examining further initiatives for extending the revenue base of local authorities, which is what the tax on second homes is all about. I hope Deputies in the Labour Party see this as an equitable and progressive measure....

Greenhouse Gas Emissions. (23 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: I refer to the reply to Question No. 68 of 9 July 2008 in which I indicated that, since publication of the current national climate change strategy, work has continued across Departments on the development of further measures to reduce national greenhouse gas emissions. I also pointed out that, under the direction of the Cabinet Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security, Departments...

Greenhouse Gas Emissions. (23 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: The work is ongoing and I introduced the concept of a carbon budget in order that the Opposition and outsiders could see the progress we are making on the climate change strategy. As the EPA is better resourced, it has more accurate projections. Despite that, we achieved a 1% reduction last year. My ambition is greater than that and I would like a 3% annual reduction but that is a start....

Greenhouse Gas Emissions. (23 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: The Deputy was vocal in his opposition to motor tax increases.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions. (23 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: Excise duty has reduced our CO2 emissions and the Deputy was vocal in his opposition to increases in this regard. This was also the case when energy efficient light bulbs were introduced. I still do not know the Deputy's position on the carbon levy. Perhaps he could outline that.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions. (23 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: The levy will be introduced in next year's budget. Reference was made to initiatives to encourage people to use bicycles. The Deputy is smirking again. Cycling is promoted in sophisticated European cities and it is a way of reducing emissions.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions. (23 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: I did not turn on the Deputy.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions. (23 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: The Deputy is correct that this is about collective Cabinet responsibility and we must act responsibly collectively. Everybody has a role to play and everybody must step up to the plate. The Deputy is correct to identify the agriculture and transport sectors. The agriculture sector is responsible for more than 28% of our emissions and 40% in the non-ETS sector, which is incredible. That...

Greenhouse Gas Emissions. (23 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: This is happening and it represents progress. As a cyclist, I also welcome the progress in cycling initiatives in Dublin. The investment in upgrading the cycle ways is welcome.

Election Management System. (23 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: The total expenditure on the development and roll-out of the electronic voting system to date is some €51.3 million, the bulk of which has been incurred on the purchase of the voting machines and ancillary equipment. In addition, based on figures received in my Department from returning officers, the total annual costs for storage of the electronic voting equipment, including the cost of...

Election Management System. (23 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: Given the Deputy's response, I am trying to imagine what would have occurred had I made the announcement. I do not doubt that Deputy Ciarán Lynch would have been on the plinth screaming about the waste of money. He is only awaiting the opportunity. It is a complex issue. I am pleased to report that the amount of money being expended has decreased, including significantly reduced storage...

Election Management System. (23 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: If so, the Deputy should know of my indication that the use of the machines for the forthcoming local and European elections was unlikely, but he is asking me the same question. We must consider all the issues and I have been in discussions on the matter. A report on the Electoral Commission is almost complete, which must also examine this issue. All of these concerns must be considered...

Election Management System. (23 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: I did.

Election Management System. (23 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: At the risk of repeating myself, we have examined storage facilities and reduced costs significantly by placing the machines in centralised storage facilities. I have discussed the issue with the high-powered academics who are preparing a report on the electoral process. That report has not yet been published.

Waste Disposal. (23 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: The recently published fourth state of the environment report states there are between 1,980 and 2,300 commercial sites where there is the potential for soil or underground contamination, the exact number being unknown as there is currently no national inventory. Two national initiatives are under way to establish such inventories of historic mines and unregulated waste disposal sites....

Waste Disposal. (23 Oct 2008)

John Gormley: A risk assessment has been carried out and a code of practice produced. In 2007, the Office of Environmental Enforcement published a code of practice for environmental risk assessments of unregulated waste disposal sites. The code sets out a risk-based procedure that should be applied to sites identified in accordance with sections 22(7)(h) and 26(2)(c) of the Waste Management Act 1996....