Results 5,041-5,060 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Motor Taxation (20 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: The data requested are set out in the following tables in respect of 2011 and the period to the end of October 2012. A breakdown of the receipts by band for 2009 and 2010 is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible. Private vehicles taxed on engine capacity – 2011 Engine cc Licensing Period Total Annual Half-yearly Quarterly ...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Motor Taxation (20 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: Increases in motor tax rates were announced in the Budget on 5 December 2012 and approved by Financial Resolution of the Dáil.  As with previous rate increases, the new motor tax rates came into force from the following day for vehicle licences with a commencement date of the following month i.e. January 2013 in the case of this Budget.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Services (20 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: Substantial funding towards local authorities’ water conservation programmes is being provided under my Department’s Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2013. Water mains rehabilitation is a key priority under the Programme which includes the Kerry Watermains Rehabilitation Project valued at €18.79 million. My Department has to date in 2012 provided...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Air Pollution (20 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: Under the National Emission Ceilings (NEC) Directive 2001/81/EC, Ireland was required to reduce emissions of transboundary air pollutants below agreed national ceilings by 2010. The four air pollutants concerned (sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, ammonia and volatile organic compounds) contribute to acidification, eutrophication and ground-level ozone. Revised emission ceilings for 2020...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Rural Development Programme (20 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Ombudsman’s findings in relation to this matter are currently under consideration in my Department. At present , LEADER activities are co-financed by the European Union at a rate of 85% and, accordingly, come within the remit of a strict regulatory regime which requires that each project must be compliant before any funding is awarded. My Department is now considering ways of...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Litter Pollution (20 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: Section 19 (7) of the Litter Pollution Act 1997, as initially enacted, provided that election and referendum posters had to be removed within 7 days following the relevant polling date. Through the Electoral Amendment (No. 2) Act 2009, following the consultation process , this provision was amended also to provide for a time limit prior to the polling date, during which election and...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Household Charge Collection (20 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Local Government Management Agency ( LGMA ) is administering the household charge system on a shared service/agency basis for all county and city councils. I understand, from data provided by the LGMA , that as of 1 9 December , 2012, a total of 1,100,227 properties had been registered for payment of the household charge , with a further 22,260 registered for waivers. The combined...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Non-Principal Private Residence Charge (20 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Local Government (Charges) Act 2009, as amended, broadened the revenue base of local authorities by introducing a charge on non-principal private residences. The charge is set at €200 and liability for it falls, in the main, on owners of rental, holiday and vacant properties It is a matter for an owner to determine if he or she has a liability and, if so, to declare that...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Rural Development Programme (20 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: Funding of €314m is available under the Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2007-2013 for allocation to qualifying projects up to the end of 2013. There are 35 Local Action Groups contracted, on my Department’s behalf, to deliver the RDP throughout the country and these groups are the principal decision-makers in relation to the allocation of project funding. Such decisions are...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Community Development (20 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 201 and 202 together. The Final Report of the Local Government/Local Development Alignment Steering Group , reflected in the Action Programme for Effective LocalGovernment-Putting People First, recommended that Socio-Economic Committees should have responsibility for planning and oversight of local and community programmes , including oversight...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Leader Programmes (20 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: Such a facility is already in place under the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme and has been for some time. This was one of a number of amendments, aimed at assisting expenditure under the Programme, put to the European Commission and approved by them. The amendment to remove specific measure allocations and increase the flexibility for expenditure under the measures that...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Ministerial Appointments (20 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: Comhairle na Tuaithe (The Countryside Council) which was established in 2004 , continuously supports and oversees the implementation of the National Countryside Recreation Strategy and its associated schemes, programmes and activities. It meets on a regular basis to discuss relevant issues and progress activities. Meetings are chaired by a senior member of the Rural Recreation Section...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Landowners' Indemnity Scheme (20 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 205 and 206 together. There is an indemnity scheme in place for private landowners whose lands are traversed by trails that are accredited by the National Trails Office of the Irish Sports Council. This scheme is underwritten by Irish Public Bodies Mutual Insurances Ltd. However, a national indemnity scheme for landowners to further facilitate access...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Household Charge Exemptions (19 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 provides the legislative basis for the household charge. Section 4 sets out the exemptions and waivers from the charge including where personal representatives for a deceased person are relevant. There are currently no plans to amend the legislation in this respect . The Household Charge was brought forward as an interim measure pending...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Community Development (19 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 139 and 140 together. It is my intention that the expertise and experience of local development companies will be retained in the new structures outlined in The Action Programme for Effective Local Government - Putting People First. In their report , the Alignment Steering Group recognised the key strengths of local development companies, in areas such as...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Building Regulations (19 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: Primary responsibility for compliance with the requirements of the Building Regulations rests with the designers, builders and owners of buildings. Implementation and enforcement of the building control system is a matter for the relevant building control authority. Under section 18 of the Fire Services Act 1981 and 2003 it is the duty of every person having control over premises, such as...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Tribunals of Inquiry (18 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Moriarty Tribunal made two recommendations for changes to company law, as follows: that a provision similar to section 172 of the UK Companies Act, 2006 be adopted, together with the adoption of additional implementation or enforcement measures.; that consideration be given by the Oireachtas, and/or by the Company Law Review Group, to enacting provisions similar to those contained in Part...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Charges (18 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: Local authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes in accordance with the details entered in the valuation lists prepared by the independent Commissioner of Valuation under the Valuation Act 2001.  The levying and collection of rates are matters for each individual local authority. Under the legislation the person liable for...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Expenditure (18 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: My Department is compiling the information requested and will forward it to the Deputy shortly.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Climate Change Policy (18 Dec 2012)

Phil Hogan: At the UN Climate Change Conference in Doha, Parties agreed to adopt a second commitment period to the Kyoto Protocol from 2013 to 2020 as part of an overall balanced package of measures to progress negotiations towards a single, global, legally binding climate agreement for all Parties by 2015. Apart from EU Member States, the other Parties who have indicated that they will join the second...