Results 5,461-5,480 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Topical Issue Debate: Fire Service (6 Nov 2012)

Phil Hogan: I am sure there will be sufficient recognition of the fact that, notwithstanding the massive reduction in staffing in various local authority services, the staffing levels of the Dublin fire service is protected. In terms of the overall numbers deployed for fire services in Dublin, we are protecting the numbers so that should be considered in this.

Topical Issue Debate: Fire Service (6 Nov 2012)

Phil Hogan: I am coming to the Deputy's question but she has not acknowledged the fact that we are in a bailout-----

Topical Issue Debate: Fire Service (6 Nov 2012)

Phil Hogan: We are in a recession and in a bailout programme and the Deputy should acknowledge the fact that fire services in Dublin and staffing are being protected. We work very closely with local authorities in regard to the overall numbers. People who were on the panel can apply for these posts, as can others. Four years is long enough to have a panel. I encourage the people who were on the panel...

Topical Issue Debate: White Collar Crime (6 Nov 2012)

Phil Hogan: I beg the indulgence of the Deputy to explain that the Minister for Justice and Equality was attending the funeral of Mr. David Black in Northern Ireland.

Topical Issue Debate: White Collar Crime (6 Nov 2012)

Phil Hogan: Again, I apologise on behalf of the Minister for Justice and Equality who was at a very important and sad event in Northern Ireland today.

Topical Issue Debate: White Collar Crime (6 Nov 2012)

Phil Hogan: On behalf of the Minister, I thank Deputy Dowds for raising this important matter and assure him the Minister attaches the highest priority to the investigation and detection of white collar crime and to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has available to it the necessary legislative and other supports to this end. I, too, share Deputy Dowds's genuine concern regarding this matter. ...

Topical Issue Debate: Household Charge (6 Nov 2012)

Phil Hogan: I thank those who have made the contribution. Some 67% of people have paid this new charge, the highest level of compliance ever. I want to put on record my appreciation of the fact that, despite the provocation by and protests of individuals, the people of Ireland want to be legally compliant. There is no easy way to put heads together and cross-check data. The Property Registration...

Topical Issue Debate: Fire Service (6 Nov 2012)

Phil Hogan: As the Deputy knows, I do not expect anyone, be that person a Minister or not, to micromanage local authority services. I expect management to do that in every local authority area. The provision of fire services is a matter for Dublin City Council as a fire authority under the Fire Services Act 1981. The Deputy is asking me to interfere on the one hand and, on the other, to devolve power...

Topical Issue Debate: Fire Service (6 Nov 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Deputy was right.

Topical Issue Debate: Fire Service (6 Nov 2012)

Phil Hogan: Such as when?

Topical Issue Debate: Household Charge (6 Nov 2012)

Phil Hogan: In addressing this matter we should begin with first principles. Ireland is committed, under the EU-IMF programme, to the introduction of a property tax. We must put the funding of locally-delivered services on a sound financial footing, improve accountability and better align the cost of providing services with the demand for such services, as Deputy McNamara has rightly pointed out. It...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Motor Taxation (6 Nov 2012)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 658 and 722 together. I am not currently considering changing the basis for the charging of motor tax for three and six month discs or altering existing payment options for motor tax. Tax rates for three and six month discs are set at a higher rate than the annual fee to take account of the extra workload for the National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF) and...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: European Court of Justice Rulings (6 Nov 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) held oral hearings on 4 October in respect of two cases, C-279/11 (original case reference C-66/06) and C-374/11 (original case reference C-188/08), to consider whether fines should be imposed on Ireland for delays in implementing the Court rulings in these cases. However, no decision has yet been made by the Court as to whether fines will be...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Community Development (6 Nov 2012)

Phil Hogan: This is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Health, in the first instance. The key objectives of my Department’s Community Division are to facilitate integrated development at local level and foster vibrant, sustainable and inclusive communities; and to support the Community and Voluntary Sector in its contribution to an active, democratic and pluralist society. My...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Staff (6 Nov 2012)

Phil Hogan: Retired staff are engaged from time to time by my Department in areas where specific expertise is required for a short fixed period, and relevant former staff provide a level of knowledge, experience and background compatible with such requirements. The abatement principle, which ensures that the fee paid plus pension does not exceed the rate of pay the pensioner would receive if he/she...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Property Taxation (6 Nov 2012)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 663 and 719 together. An independently-chaired Inter-Departmental Expert Group was established to consider the structures and modalities for an equitable Local Property Tax to replace the household charge. The Expert Group's terms of reference were to consider the design of a Local Property Tax to be approved by Government, which is equitable and is...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Property Taxation (6 Nov 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Valua t ion Office comes under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and R Reform. I have no direct role in matters relating to valuation.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Household Charge (6 Nov 2012)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 666, 674, 696 and 710 together. The Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 provides the legislative basis for the household charge. Under the Act, an owner of a residential property on the liability date of 1 January 2012 is liable to pay the Household Charge, unless otherwise exempted or entitled to claim a waiver. Residential property is defined in...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Environmental Policy (6 Nov 2012)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 667 and 669 together. The facility in question operates under an Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) licence granted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The monitoring and enforcement of conditions attaching to IPPC licences are a matter for the EPA and I am precluded from exercising any power in relation to the performance by the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water and Sewerage Schemes (6 Nov 2012)

Phil Hogan: Substantial funding towards local authorities’ water conservation programmes is being provided under my Department’s Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2013. Watermains rehabilitation is a key priority under the Programme which includes the Kerry Watermains Rehabilitation Project valued at €18.79 million. As part of this project, I recently approved funding...