Results 41-60 of 2,500 for speaker:Ciarán Cuffe

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (25 Nov 2010)

Ciarán Cuffe: I refer to the reply to Question No. 126 of 24 November 2010 which sets out the position in this matter.

Seanad: Renewable Energy: Statements (25 Nov 2010)

Ciarán Cuffe: I apologise for the delay in getting to the House. The threat of climate change will have implications for this and future generations. Ireland must play its part in tackling this threat. We must continue to do our part to help reduce global emissions and, by doing so, create a viable and climate resilient society and economy at home. By achieving firm targets to increase the use of...

Seanad: Renewable Energy: Statements (25 Nov 2010)

Ciarán Cuffe: It was a reference to the rate of forestry cover.

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (24 Nov 2010)

Ciarán Cuffe: Developers and owners of sites are required to ensure that their sites are left in a safe and secure condition. The National Housing Development Survey database provides, inter alia, figures on the overall number of dwellings in unfinished housing developments on a county by county basis and the number of such dwellings that are completed and vacant. It establishes a sound basis for...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (24 Nov 2010)

Ciarán Cuffe: The responsibility for zoning lands for specific purposes is a matter for planning authorities through their development plans and local area plans. Under the Planning Acts, the making, reviewing and varying of a development plan or local area plan is a reserved function of the elected members of the planning authority for the area. In January 2009, to inform the review of the Regional...

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010: Second Stage (24 Nov 2010)

Ciarán Cuffe: I thank Senators for their contributions and welcome the opportunity to respond to their comments and observations. I echo the sentiments and expressions of thanks to postmen and women around the country who go all out to ensure post arrives every day. I grew up in a rural part of south County Dublin and our house was the last on a rural mail route. I remember the postman arriving in all...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (23 Nov 2010)

Ciarán Cuffe: Under planning legislation, the decision as to whether to grant a planning application, with or without conditions, is a matter for the relevant planning authority in the first instance or for An Bord Pleanála on appeal. In making decisions on planning applications, planning authorities and the board must consider the proper planning and sustainable development of the area, having regard to...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (23 Nov 2010)

Ciarán Cuffe: Planning legislation places no specific restrictions on the height of hedges or trees nor does it make any particular provision for recognition of a right to light or remedy from any other nuisance which may be caused by trees in an urban residential area. Complaints relating to matters such as trees or shrubs overhanging a property are normally addressed, where necessary, under civil law...

Written Answers — Archaeological Sites: Archaeological Sites (23 Nov 2010)

Ciarán Cuffe: My Department is preparing a comprehensive response to the European Court of Justice judgment on case C-66/06 and will be formally communicating its response to the European Commission very shortly. There are extensive provisions already in place under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2004 dealing with the specific issue raised in the Question. For example, section 5 of the National...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (23 Nov 2010)

Ciarán Cuffe: Under section 42 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, any person applying for an extension of the duration of his or her planning permission will be granted such an extension, provided that substantial works have been carried out within the original permission duration (subject only to the condition that an application complying with the relevant Regulations was made before the...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (18 Nov 2010)

Ciarán Cuffe: The developer of a residential estate is statutorily required to complete the development in accordance with the terms of the planning permission. A development which has not been completed in accordance with the planning permission is unauthorised development. Enforcement of planning control is a matter for the planning authority, which can take action where a development requiring...

Written Answers — Retail Sector Developments: Retail Sector Developments (18 Nov 2010)

Ciarán Cuffe: In relation to the matter of planning permission, the position is that under the Planning and Development Acts 2000-2010 and the associated regulations, all development commenced on or after 1 October 1964 requires planning permission unless specifically exempted. Section 3 of the Act defines development as "the carrying out of any works on, in, over or under land or the making of any...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (18 Nov 2010)

Ciarán Cuffe: Section 28 of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2010 amends Section 42 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, which had provided that an extension of the duration of planning permission would be given on application where substantial works had been carried out within the original duration of the permission. While this entitlement remains, section 28 of the 2010 Act added a...

Written Answers — Noise Pollution: Noise Pollution (17 Nov 2010)

Ciarán Cuffe: The Programme for Government includes a commitment to introduce comprehensive legislation to address noise nuisance. The General Scheme of a Noise Nuisance Bill was approved by the Government in May 2009. My Department, in conjunction with the Office of the Attorney General, has continued to advance matters in this regard and the Bill is scheduled for publication during the current Dail session.

Seanad: Sugar Market Reform (17 Nov 2010)

Ciarán Cuffe: Go raibh maith agat.

Seanad: Sugar Market Reform (17 Nov 2010)

Ciarán Cuffe: I am pleased to have the opportunity to address the House on this matter. I followed the debate in the other House last week and on the Irish Economy website and the words of Professor Alan Matthews on this subject which make for quite interesting reading. The situation complex, and not as simple as it sounds. It is tied into the future of Irish farming and the Common Agricultural Policy...

Seanad: Sugar Market Reform (17 Nov 2010)

Ciarán Cuffe: I am not sure I accept that fact. While the European Court of Auditors criticised the Commission for not using up-to-date information in the impact assessment exercise in the case of a number of member states, the Commission rejected that finding by indicating that the original impact assessment was followed by an updated version in 2005 and the Commission, in its response, stated: [The...

Seanad: Schools Building Projects (17 Nov 2010)

Ciarán Cuffe: I am pleased to reply on behalf of my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, who, unfortunately, cannot be present. I thank the Senator for giving me the opportunity to outline the Government's strategy for capital investment in education projects and also the provision of accommodation for Calasanctius College in County Galway. I certainly believe that this...

Seanad: Schools Building Projects (17 Nov 2010)

Ciarán Cuffe: I share the Deputy's concerns. The best approach to this matter is to ensure the relevant criteria are clear and transparent and details of the position of any school or proposed facility are clearly available at all times. We should not have to go through the rigmarole of debating such issues in the Seanad. The information should be simply and clearly accessible on the website of the...

Seanad: Alcohol Misuse (17 Nov 2010)

Ciarán Cuffe: I thank Senator Buttimer for raising this matter on the Adjournment. I will take it on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Mary Harney. I have made it my policy not to meet representatives of the drinks industry, which has more than sufficient clout as matters stand. As we approach Christmas, Members receive the usual run of invitations to meet...