Results 5,161-5,180 of 7,278 for speaker:Dick Roche

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (15 Nov 2005)

Dick Roche: My Department is not opposing any proposal before or being prepared for the EU Environment Council. As is normal at any point in time, there are a number of proposals under consideration for the advancement of sustainable development and the protection of the environment, in particular. These proposals are discussed in various working groups at EU level in preparation for meetings of the...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (15 Nov 2005)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 628 and 629 together. My Department has not sought or obtained any exemption as such from EU directives within its remit and is not seeking any. Ireland has had extremely limited recourse to derogations in the context of the 200 or so items of EU environmental legislation which are in force. We have availed of specific provisions in the Birds Directive...

Written Answers — Waste Disposal: Waste Disposal (15 Nov 2005)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 630 and 669 together. As indicated in the reply to the Question No. 772 of 8 November 2005, the determination of waste management charges and waivers is a matter for the relevant local authority where it acts as a service provider. Similarly, where a private operator provides the collection service, it is a matter for that operator to determine charges. I have...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (15 Nov 2005)

Dick Roche: Waste prevention and minimisation is an important element of the Government's overall integrated policy framework on waste management which is based on the internationally recognised waste hierarchy prioritising waste prevention, minimisation, recycling, energy recovery and the environmentally sound disposal of waste which cannot be recovered or recycled. Taking action to prevent waste being...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (15 Nov 2005)

Dick Roche: Local authorities and central government are working together to comply with the polluter pays principle, as this is a core element of national and EU environmental policy, including in the area of waste management. In accordance with this policy, all of society must be encouraged to reduce, reuse and recycle waste to the maximum extent possible. Waste management planning, including the...

Written Answers — Recycling Policy: Recycling Policy (15 Nov 2005)

Dick Roche: The detailed information sought is not available in my Department. National waste statistics for all waste streams are published at three-yearly intervals by the Environmental Protection Agency with the most recent national waste database report being in respect of 2001. In the intervening period two further interim reports have been published to provide data on municipal waste specifically,...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (15 Nov 2005)

Dick Roche: My Department does not in general provide funding for local authorities in respect of the provision of waste management services which are matters for individual authorities having regard to the polluter pays principle. Limited support for local authorities is provided from the environment fund, principally in respect of a contribution to the capital and operational costs of providing...

Written Answers — Architectural Heritage: Architectural Heritage (15 Nov 2005)

Dick Roche: I have asked the OPW to bring forward recommendations for a visitor facility development at Nenagh Castle which would have regard, inter alia, to anticipated visitor numbers, consultation with local stakeholders and ongoing running costs. When these recommendations have been received, I will consider the matter further.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (15 Nov 2005)

Dick Roche: My Department administers a small number of grant schemes under which grant assistance is provided directly for applicants and information on these is set out in the following table. My Department provides funding or partial funding for a number of other schemes which are operated directly by local authorities and other agencies under our aegis and to which the public have access. The...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (15 Nov 2005)

Dick Roche: The Kilmaine and Shrule water supply scheme which will be served by an extension of the Tuam regional water supply scheme has been approved for construction in my Department's water services investment programme 2004 — 2006. Mayo County Council's contract documents for the scheme will be further considered on receipt of a certificate of completion of planning from the council. Once the...

Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (15 Nov 2005)

Dick Roche: The principal statutes governing animal welfare are the Protection of Animals Acts 1911 and 1965. Responsibility for that legislation, including any proposals for amendment, is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Agriculture and Food. My Department's functions relate to the provisions of the Control of Dogs Acts 1986 and 1992. The main focus of these Acts is not animal welfare but the...

Written Answers — Fuel Infrastructure: Fuel Infrastructure (15 Nov 2005)

Dick Roche: My Department does not have details of any specific proposal as referred to in the question. Such development would require compliance with the relevant statutory consent processes, including gas or petroleum consent requirements which are a matter for my colleague the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources.

Written Answers — Water Pollution: Water Pollution (15 Nov 2005)

Dick Roche: Where the application to land of animal slurry and other organic substances is prohibited, buffer zones adjacent to watercourses are intended to avoid or reduce the risk of water pollution arising from the overland flow of such substances. Particular care is required for the protection of public health in the case of watercourses which serve as sources of drinking water. The Code of Good...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (15 Nov 2005)

Dick Roche: Ireland signed the Aarhus Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters on 25 June 1998. Progress towards ratification of the convention is closely aligned with work at EU level. To date, the European Union has adopted two directives as part of the ratification process for the convention. These deal with public...

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (15 Nov 2005)

Dick Roche: Consideration is given by my office to all forms of transport when planning official trips within the State. Factors taken into account when making decisions on these matters include the number of engagements being undertaken on a particular day, the locations where these engagements take place and the need to make the most efficient use of time available. In practice, having regard to these...

Written Answers — National Spatial Strategy: National Spatial Strategy (15 Nov 2005)

Dick Roche: The national spatial strategy, NSS, is a 20 year strategic planning framework aimed at achieving more balanced regional development. Substantial progress has been made in implementing the strategy through relevant policies and programmes across a range of Departments and agencies, including my own Department. Multiannual capital envelope agreements which have been made between the Department...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (15 Nov 2005)

Dick Roche: Guidelines on the nature of disability and for monitoring the employment of people with disabilities in the Civil Service are set out in the Code of Practice for the Employment of People with Disabilities 1994. My Department fully complies with this code of practice and currently meets the Government's 3% target for the employment of people with disabilities. The position regarding the...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (15 Nov 2005)

Dick Roche: I assume that the question refers to the recent publication by An Bord Pleanála of its 2004 annual report which, among other issues, noted the significant increase in the number of appeal applications made to it. The annual report does not quantify the extent of applications relating to retention. The provisions in respect of enforcement of planning control in general were considerably...

Written Answers — Local Authority Status: Local Authority Status (15 Nov 2005)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 649 and 653 together. The Local Government Act 2001 modernises the legislative framework, supports community involvement with local authorities in a more participative local democracy and underpins generally the programme of local government renewal, including the position of county and city councils as the primary units of local government. The Act takes...

Written Answers — Regional Road Network: Regional Road Network (15 Nov 2005)

Dick Roche: The improvement of non-national roads in County Kerry is a matter for Kerry County Council to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State grants. In August this year my Department sought applications from road authorities for funding under the 2006 EU co-financed specific improvements grants scheme. The initial selection of projects to be submitted for consideration for funding...