Results 5,101-5,120 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Written Answers — Public Service Charges: Public Service Charges (9 Jul 2008)

John Gormley: Government policy since 1998 has been to exempt from water charges water services used by households for ordinary domestic purposes. That policy has been accommodated in the wording of Article 9 of the EU Water Framework Directive, is reflected in legislation and was reiterated in section 105 of the Water Services Act 2007. Accordingly, I have no plans to introduce domestic water charges.

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (9 Jul 2008)

John Gormley: I have no specific function in relation to the encouragement of marina developments. Section 10(2) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 requires development plans to include objectives for the preservation, improvement and extension of amenities and recreational amenities. The First Schedule to the Act states that development plans may also include objectives for regulating, promoting or...

Written Answers — Special Areas of Conservation: Special Areas of Conservation (9 Jul 2008)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 52, 63, 81 and 89 together. My Department's Report on the Status of Habitats and Species in Ireland is the first comprehensive compilation of the status of those habitats, animals and plants in Ireland which have protected status under national and EU law. The Report highlights the pressures and threats that habitats and species face in Ireland including...

Written Answers — Local Government: Local Government (9 Jul 2008)

John Gormley: I published the Green Paper, Stronger Local Democracy — Options for Change on 22 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 proposes a Regional Mayor for Dublin to meet the strategic challenges the city faces. The Paper also suggests that local leadership,...

Written Answers — Water Quality: Water Quality (9 Jul 2008)

John Gormley: The obligation to protect groundwater quality derives, in the main, from its suitability for use as a source for drinking water supply. In line with the requirements of the EU Water Framework Directive, the EPA carries out a national groundwater monitoring programme which is used to assess the general state of groundwater quality and groundwater levels in Ireland. The key indicators for...

Written Answers — Register of Electors: Register of Electors (9 Jul 2008)

John Gormley: In law, the preparation of the Register of Electors is a matter for each local registration authority. It is their duty to ensure, as far as possible and with the cooperation of the public, the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the Register. The Programme for Government contains a commitment to establish an independent Electoral Commission. The Commission's responsibilities will include...

Written Answers — Environmental Legislation: Environmental Legislation (9 Jul 2008)

John Gormley: In areas for which my Department has responsibility the European Commission is currently in correspondence in respect of 29 cases relating to possible infringements of EU environmental legislation. These cases are at various stages of proceedings. My Department is working hard to resolve these cases as soon as possible. I propose to circulate in the Official Report a tabular statement...

Written Answers — Environmental Pollution: Environmental Pollution (9 Jul 2008)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 58, 59 and 74 together. The environmental challenge presented by the former steelworks on Haulbowline is a considerable one. It is the legacy of an industrial past. It is also the case that for many years the steelworks were a significant employer in the Cork area and an important part of the local economy. The site has the potential once again to contribute...

Written Answers — Departmental Surveys: Departmental Surveys (9 Jul 2008)

John Gormley: Neither I, nor my predecessors, have initiated any health and safety studies related to the functions of the Department in the past five years. Under the terms of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and subsequent regulations, the Department must ensure the safety, health and welfare of all staff in the workplace. The Department is committed to ensuring that appropriate measures...

Written Answers — Nuclear Plants: Nuclear Plants (9 Jul 2008)

John Gormley: Ireland has long been concerned about the threat to this country posed by the large and complex nuclear reprocessing site at Sellafield. The policies and actions of this Government continue to reflect the firm position that Sellafield is an unacceptable threat to Ireland and that it should be decommissioned and closed in a safe and orderly manner. Since coming into office I have articulated...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (9 Jul 2008)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 67 and 90 together. Council Directive 1999/31/EC on the landfill of waste sets challenging targets for the diversion of biodegradable municipal waste from landfill. In the case of Ireland, the diversion rates required are projected to equate to 59% for 2010, 73% by 2013 and 80% by 2016 for this particular waste stream. The recent National Waste Report 2006...

Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (9 Jul 2008)

John Gormley: Since the publication of the National Climate Change Strategy, work has continued across Government Departments on the development of further measures to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. I reported on these when I presented the Carbon Budget in December 2007 and this will be updated each year. The National Climate Change Strategy was focused primarily on the achievement of our targets...

Written Answers — Archaeological Sites: Archaeological Sites (9 Jul 2008)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 73 and 78 together. The decision to approve the M3 Motorway route was made by An Bord Pleanála in August 2003. Under the relevant provisions of the National Monuments Acts, the statutory functions of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in the matter relate only to the regulation of archaeological works associated with an approved...

Written Answers — Electoral Commission: Electoral Commission (9 Jul 2008)

John Gormley: The Programme for Government contains a commitment to establish an independent Electoral Commission which will take responsibility for electoral administration and oversight, implement modern and efficient electoral practices, revise constituency boundaries, take charge of compiling a new national rolling electoral register, take over the functions of the Standards in Public Office Commission...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (9 Jul 2008)

John Gormley: In October 2006, the Department of Finance, which is responsible for public procurement rules, issued instructions requiring all traditional public works projects to use new forms of construction contracts from February 2007 onwards. The new forms of contract were introduced to achieve greater cost certainty, better value for money and more timely and efficient delivery of publicly funded...

Written Answers — Waste Disposal: Waste Disposal (9 Jul 2008)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 77 and 372 together. The Programme for Government contains a range of commitments in respect of waste management policy centred on the Government's continued support for the internationally recognised waste hierarchy which places major emphasis on the prevention, reuse and recycling of waste while minimising reliance on landfill and incineration. This...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (9 Jul 2008)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 79 and 91 together. The European Commission sent a letter of formal notice to Ireland in March 2007 concerning a number of technical issues regarding the transposition of the EU Landfill Directive. A detailed response to the issues raised was sent to the Commission in May 2007. In January 2008 a reasoned opinion was received from the Commission in relation to...

Written Answers — Election Management System: Election Management System (9 Jul 2008)

John Gormley: The Programme for Government contains a commitment to establish an independent Electoral Commission which will take responsibility for a range of electoral matters including the functions currently exercised by the Standards in Public Office Commission relating to election spending. The Electoral Commission will also examine the issue of financing of the political system.

Written Answers — Election Management System: Election Management System (9 Jul 2008)

John Gormley: I am at present considering the next steps to be taken in relation to the electronic voting 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 Government...

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (9 Jul 2008)

John Gormley: The concept of Universal Design centres on achieving a built environment that can be accessed, understood and used to the greatest extent possible by all people, regardless of their age, size or disability. The achievement of this objective is being greatly assisted by the ongoing work of my Department in developing new comprehensive guidance on interrelated housing and planning issues,...