Results 6,101-6,120 of 7,278 for speaker:Dick Roche

Seanad: Water and Sewerage Schemes. (25 May 2005)

Dick Roche: I will bear that last point in mind and do everything that I can, both for the Greenland goose and the people of Quilty. Before making my official response I wish to point out that the issue currently delaying the scheme is that the Department is waiting for material from the county council, material that was requested in February. I take the point made by both Senators about the need to...

Seanad: Nuclear Plants: Motion. (25 May 2005)

Dick Roche: That is true.

Leaders' Questions. (25 May 2005)

Dick Roche: It could be worse. The Deputy could not have been in better company.

Written Answers — Fire Service: Fire Service (24 May 2005)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 399 and 411 together. I refer to the reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 397 to 399, inclusive, of 17 May 2005. In addition to the recommendations contained in the report entitled Review of Fire Safety and Fire Services in Ireland, published in 2001, which have been implemented so far, the fire services change programme which I announced in February 2005...

Written Answers — Natural Heritage Areas: Natural Heritage Areas (24 May 2005)

Dick Roche: This site is protected under the European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations 1997. Consequently, it is unlawful to engage in any activity which would alter or interfere in any significant way with the natural ecology of the site without prior consultation with my Department. Failure to observe this requirement may result in legal action to have the damaging activities terminated and...

Written Answers — Fire Service: Fire Service (24 May 2005)

Dick Roche: Under the Fire Services Act 1981, each local authority is responsible for providing a fire service in its functional area. My Department has no proposals to change this position. The fire services change programme, which I announced earlier this year, includes measures addressing the development of community fire safety programmes, the development of a risk-based approach to the determination...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (24 May 2005)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 403 and 404 together. My Department's role in regard to the planning code is to provide the legislative framework within which planning authorities carry out their functions. In this regard, one of the major features of the revised and updated planning code introduced by the Planning and Development Act 2000 was a strengthened and simplified enforcement...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (24 May 2005)

Dick Roche: In July 2004, my Department concluded an agreement with the farming pillar under Sustaining Progress which involved increased rates of compensation for the cessation of turf cutting in bogs that have been proposed as designated conservation areas. This agreement incorporates retrospective provisions benefiting landowners who participated in the original 1999 scheme for disposal of raised bogs...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (24 May 2005)

Dick Roche: The provision of non-national roads in County Louth is a matter for Louth County Council to be funded from its own resources supplemented by grants provided by my Department. In 2004, my Department sought applications from road authorities for funding under the 2005 EU co-financed specific improvement grants scheme. The initial selection of projects to be submitted for consideration for...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (24 May 2005)

Dick Roche: A total of €12.5 million is available under the non-national roads programme in 2005 for the local improvements scheme. My Department is currently finalising an examination of all submissions on funding made by county councils this year and I intend to announce allocations under the scheme shortly. In the circumstances, it will not be possible to meet with individual local authorities...

Written Answers — Hare Coursing: Hare Coursing (24 May 2005)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 409 and 410 together. My Department is aware of the report referred to. Staff of the national parks and wildlife service attend and monitor more than 50% of the coursing meetings held annually by clubs affiliated to the Irish Coursing Club. Our records show that on average fewer than 3% of hares captured under licence for these coursing meetings die while in...

Written Answers — Natural Heritage Areas: Natural Heritage Areas (24 May 2005)

Dick Roche: Staff of my Department recently met with the person named to discuss the impacts of wild geese on the management of his property within a special protection area under the EU birds directive. As a result of this meeting, a farm plan was drawn up and agreed which makes provision for usage of the farmland by the geese on the basis of compensation for costs and losses arising. I understand that...

Written Answers — Services for People with Disabilities: Services for People with Disabilities (24 May 2005)

Dick Roche: Part M of the building regulations access for people with disabilities, which applies to all new buildings and extensions to or material alterations of existing buildings commenced on or after 1 June 1992, requires that adequate provision shall be made to enable people with disabilities to safely and independently access and use a non-domestic building including a retail outlet. Part M...

Written Answers — Countryside Access: Countryside Access (24 May 2005)

Dick Roche: As stated in last November's Dáil debate on the Private Member's Bill on this subject, my Department is not considering further legislation on public rights of way. The Planning and Development Act 2000 allows planning authorities to include objectives protecting rights of ways in their development plans. I consider that this is a reasonable approach which allows for planning authorities...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (24 May 2005)

Dick Roche: The improvement and maintenance of non-national roads in County Kildare is a matter for Kildare County Council to be funded from its own resources supplemented by grants provided by my Department. The total allocation to Kildare County Council in 2005 from my Department for improvement and maintenance works on non-national roads is €27,606,720. This compares with an initial allocation of...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (24 May 2005)

Dick Roche: The Belmullet sewerage scheme, which is being advanced as a grouped project in conjunction with the Foxford sewerage scheme, is included in my Department's water services investment programme for 2004 to 2006 to commence construction this year. Mayo County Council's preliminary reports for both schemes are under examination in my Department and will be dealt with as quickly as possible.

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (24 May 2005)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 418 and 420 together. Details of my Department's recoupments to Kildare County Council under the water services investment programme in respect of major sewerage and water supply schemes during the years 2000 to 2004 are set out in the following tables. During the same period my Department recouped a total of €7.017 million to the council under the devolved...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (24 May 2005)

Dick Roche: The EU directive on waste electrical and electronic equipment, WEEE, which came into effect on 13 February 2003, presents a challenge to all relevant stakeholder groups, both large and small. Effective implementation will require a focused and committed approach from all concerned. Draft regulations which will transpose the directive into Irish law have just completed a period of public...

Written Answers — Architectural Heritage: Architectural Heritage (24 May 2005)

Dick Roche: My Department has been made aware of the proposed sale of the property referred to. For reasons of responsible property management, my Department does not provide advance indications of its interest in particular property acquisitions.

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (24 May 2005)

Dick Roche: The Waste Management Act 1996 was extensively amended and updated by part 3 of the Protection of the Environment Act 2003. While further amendment of waste legislation is not therefore envisaged at this stage, my Department is keeping the adequacy of the existing legislative framework under continuing review.