Results 5,301-5,320 of 7,278 for speaker:Dick Roche

Written Answers — Regional Road Network: Regional Road Network (26 Oct 2005)

Dick Roche: The provision and 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 grant scheme. The initial selection of projects to be submitted for consideration...

Written Answers — Recycling Policy: Recycling Policy (26 Oct 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 — Foreign Travel: Foreign Travel (26 Oct 2005)

Dick Roche: Since my appointment as Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in September 2004 I have attended two conferences abroad as set out in the following table. Conferences listed prior to December 2004 were attended by my predecessor in this post, Deputy Cullen. Date Destination Number accompanying Minister Conference Title 13 December-18 December 2004 Buenos Aires 6...

Written Answers — Rural and Urban Renewal Schemes: Rural and Urban Renewal Schemes (26 Oct 2005)

Dick Roche: A strategy document prepared by Kildare County Council proposes extensive works at main street, Clane. The proposed works include significant improvements to footpaths, the under grounding of overhead cables, together with soft landscaping. These works are due to be carried out in 2006 under the urban and village renewal measure of the southern and eastern regional operational programme,...

Written Answers — Rural and Urban Renewal Schemes: Rural and Urban Renewal Schemes (26 Oct 2005)

Dick Roche: A strategy document prepared by Kildare County Council proposes extensive works at The Square, Kilcock. The proposed works include significant improvements to footpaths and pedestrian areas, together with soft landscaping and provision of street furniture. These works are due to be carried out in 2006 under the urban and village renewal measure of the southern and eastern regional operational...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (26 Oct 2005)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 279 to 281, inclusive, together. The guidelines for planning authorities on sustainable rural housing came into effect on 13 April 2005. They provide that reasonable proposals on suitable sites in rural areas for persons who are part of, contribute to or have links with the rural community must be accommodated. The guidelines thus affirm a presumption in...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (26 Oct 2005)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 282 and 283 together. The latest figures collated by my Department show that 64 local authority civic amenity sites were in operation throughout the country at the end of 2004 and a further five have opened to date during 2005. Some 34 of these civic amenity sites have been part funded through the waste infrastructure capital grants scheme, which is designed...

Written Answers — Sports and Recreational Facilities: Sports and Recreational Facilities (26 Oct 2005)

Dick Roche: Earlier this year, I announced a new initiative for the provision of a number of skateboard facilities nationwide. Each city and county council was invited by my Department to submit expressions of interest for grant assistance towards the provision of a skateboard park in its area. City and county councils responded positively to this new initiative and proposals for 34 skateboard facilities...

Written Answers — Playground Facilities: Playground Facilities (26 Oct 2005)

Dick Roche: Prior to the local authority playground grants scheme 2004, my Department did not operate a specific scheme of grants for playground projects. The 2004 scheme provided up to 50% funding for the development of new or renovation of existing playgrounds throughout the country. While the scheme was administered by the National Children's Office, the grants were paid out from my Department's Vote....

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (26 Oct 2005)

Dick Roche: The Kinvara sewerage scheme is included in my Department's water services investment programme for 2004 to 2006 as a scheme to start construction in 2006. Galway County Council's revised preliminary report for the scheme, which was submitted to my Department earlier this month, is under examination and is being dealt with as quickly as possible. Once the preliminary report has been approved,...

Seanad: Water and Sewerage Schemes. (26 Oct 2005)

Dick Roche: I thank Senator Dooley for raising this issue. I have spoken to him about this matter privately a number of times and I fully share his concerns. It is unacceptable that a town of the size of Ennis, or any town, should be subjected to regular boil notices. The issue was discussed in the Dáil last week by my colleague, the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and...

Order of Business. (26 Oct 2005)

Dick Roche: There are more buses on the road than when the Opposition was in power.

Order of Business. (26 Oct 2005)

Dick Roche: I have not made a single announcement yet. Deputy Kenny will be the first to know. I will give him a copy.

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (25 Oct 2005)

Dick Roche: The application of section 140 of the Local Government Act 2001 is wholly a matter for local authorities, and my Department does not compile comprehensive data in relation to resolutions by authorities under this section of the Act. However, information is obtained from planning authorities regarding the use of section 140 procedures in relation to planning applications and this information...

Written Answers — Water Quality: Water Quality (25 Oct 2005)

Dick Roche: The main conclusion of the recently published EPA report, Water Quality in Ireland 2001-2003, is that the overall condition of Irish waters remains satisfactory and compares favourably with the position in other European countries. One important factor has been the dramatic improvement in the area of waste water discharges into fresh or estuarine waters since the mid-1990s. In 1997 when the...

Written Answers — Nuclear Safety: Nuclear Safety (25 Oct 2005)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 102 and 141 together. I have had no direct correspondence with Mr. Finn Uglevelt in relation to the level three incident at Sellafield. However, officials of my Department were in correspondence on this issue with Mr. Uglevelt, who is attached to the Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority. The incident at Sellafield was the subject of correspondence between...

Written Answers — Nuclear Plants: Nuclear Plants (25 Oct 2005)

Dick Roche: I assume that the question refers to recent reports of plans by the UK Nuclear Decommissioning Authority to introduce competition into the decommissioning process by using contractors and encouraging competition to carry out decommissioning contracts. The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority is a public body established by the UK Government. The objective of the authority is to deliver safe,...

Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (25 Oct 2005)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 106, 114, 126, 152 and 160 together. On 11 October 2005, my Department made available a report by consultants that sets out preliminary updated projections of national greenhouse gas emissions during the Kyoto Protocol commitment period 2008-2012. These projections are part of Government preparations for the second phase of the EU emissions trading scheme,...

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (25 Oct 2005)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 107 and 203 together. Ireland, through the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, RPII, is actively participating in the World Health Organisation's international radon project and will continue to support this work. Exchanges of information on national experiences are an ongoing part of the international radon project and RPII would have contributed...

Written Answers — Nuclear Plants: Nuclear Plants (25 Oct 2005)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 108, 124 and 177 together. I met the British Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, Mr. Alan Johnson, in London on 19 October. The meeting focused on the THORP incident and on issues regarding the continued operation of the Sellafield plant. While our meeting was cordial, there was an extremely frank exchange of views. I made very clear to the Secretary of...