Results 4,821-4,840 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley
- Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (15 Oct 2008)
John Gormley: There are significant financial challengesââ
- Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (15 Oct 2008)
John Gormley: ââfacing local government over the coming years resulting from the downturn in the economic cycle. In working together at central and local levels to deal responsibly with the current economic challenges, the same principles I outlined in regard to the Government's budgetary strategy apply. Local authorities will work to ensure that they are in a good position to take advantage of the...
- Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (15 Oct 2008)
John Gormley: I will announce my local government fund allocations to local authorities shortly to allow elected members and officials the time necessary to frame productive and prudent budgets for 2009. This Government has had to make very difficult choicesââ
- Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (15 Oct 2008)
John Gormley: ââin framing the national budget. Local authority members will face some of the same challenges as they seek to cope with the less favourable economic and financial position in their annual budget processes. It is important that local authority members of all parties show leadership at local level and do not shy away from the difficult choices required.
- Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (15 Oct 2008)
John Gormley: The fiscal position of the Exchequer is extremely difficult. We have had to examine carefully all spending lines and all potential revenue sources. Expanding the revenue base of local authorities is a progressive step.
- Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (15 Oct 2008)
John Gormley: The announcement in yesterday's budget that a new charge is to be introduced for non-principal private residences represents a significant step in the expansion of that base. What we have done is simple and equitable. It will share the burden more broadly and serve us well for the future.
- Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (15 Oct 2008)
John Gormley: A charge of â¬200 per annum is being introduced for all non-principal private residences. It will be levied and collected by local authorities and, on a conservative estimate, will yield â¬40 million per annum. The revenue stream will be used to contribute to the Exchequer funding to local authorities for operational costs. Liability for payment of the charge will lie with property...
- Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (15 Oct 2008)
John Gormley: We are charging them â¬200 per property.
- Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (15 Oct 2008)
John Gormley: I welcome the opportunity of contributing to this debate on the budget both as Leader of the Green Party and as Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
- Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (15 Oct 2008)
John Gormley: This has been an exceptionally challenging budget framed against difficult international economic circumstances. We are duty bound to take action to put the public finances on a sound footing in the interests of all the citizens of the country.
- Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (15 Oct 2008)
John Gormley: In doing this, the Government has not taken a short-term viewââ
- Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (15 Oct 2008)
John Gormley: ââbut has looked to ensuring economic and environmental sustainability, to promoting the competitiveness of the economy so that it will be able to respond quickly when the global situation improves, and above all to protecting the most vulnerable in our society.
- Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (15 Oct 2008)
John Gormley: All of these principles are clearly seen in the estimates for my own Department. We have forensically examined all expenditure. We have had to make difficult decisions, but I believe we made the right ones.
- Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (15 Oct 2008)
John Gormley: For example, we have concentrated housing expenditure on social housing and protecting the most vulnerable. We are investing in environmental protection concerning water, waste management and the natural and built heritage. In addition, we have increased investment in the water services investment programme by a massive 19% in the interests of protecting public health, compliance with EU...
- Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (15 Oct 2008)
John Gormley: The target is underpinned by analysis conducted in the recent all-island grid study which found that a 40% penetration is technically feasible, subject to upgrading our electricity grid and ensuring the development of flexible generating plant on the electricity system. The study concludes that this higher level of renewable electricity would reduce our carbon emissions from electricity by...
- Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (15 Oct 2008)
John Gormley: The decision provides a clear and strong message from Government on its commitment to ensure secure, competitive and sustainable energy sources. I was also pleased to launch last week the stakeholder consultation paper that sets out the detailed implementation plan for the new energy efficiency standard for light bulbs and I want to record my appreciation of the support received from the...
- Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (15 Oct 2008)
John Gormley: Emission reductions in most sectors take time to achieve and transport is a case in point. In the past, an over-emphasis was placed on road transport by Governments and the public, and the result is evident in our spiralling transport emissions. However, the Government is shifting the emphasis towards public transport and is supporting and incentivising the behavioural change that will...
- Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (15 Oct 2008)
John Gormley: The new emphasis has been seen clearly in this year's budget. Despite the very difficult financial backdrop, key public transport projects are being continued to ensure continued enhancement of rail servicesââ
- Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (15 Oct 2008)
John Gormley: ââparticularly to support commuters, and increased priority is being given to buses in Dublin and other cities. The critical strategic priorities in Transport 21, such as metro north and the DART interconnector, will go ahead. The commuting experience will be significantly improved through: the removal of pinch points on quality bus corridors and other bus routes, integrated ticketing...
- Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (15 Oct 2008)
John Gormley: In addition, my colleague the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, together with the Minister for Transport, will announce in the coming weeks the development of a strategy to have up to 10% of our road transport fleet electrically powered by 2020. The aim is that Ireland should be among the early movers in exploiting recent international advances in electric vehicle...