Results 6,181-6,200 of 7,278 for speaker:Dick Roche

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (18 May 2005)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 194 and 286 together. The nitrates directive was adopted by the EU in 1991 with the objective of reducing water pollution caused or induced by nitrates from agricultural sources. The European Court of Justice delivered a judgment on 11 March 2004 that Ireland was non-compliant with the directive. The main finding was that Ireland had not fulfilled its...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (18 May 2005)

Dick Roche: A key component of waste management policy in Ireland in recent years has been the development of producer responsibility initiatives. Such initiatives are in line with EU and national policy on waste management, which is firmly grounded in the internationally recognised waste management hierarchy that prioritises respectively waste prevention and minimisation, increased levels of reuse,...

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (18 May 2005)

Dick Roche: The UN environment programme country profiles provide a brief overview of a country's environment and international environmental activities. While the profile for Ireland does not make recommendations, it outlines the scope for using economic instruments as part of an approach to addressing the key environmental challenges facing this country. I accept that fiscal instruments can play a...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (18 May 2005)

Dick Roche: In September 2003, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government endorsed the local government e-procurement strategy, which was produced by IBM Consultants in collaboration with the Local Government Computer Services Board, a number of local authorities and the Department. The strategy provides for the application of electronic processes to procurement activities and the...

Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (18 May 2005)

Dick Roche: As part of the overall EU commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 8% during the Kyoto Protocol period, which is between 2008 and 2012, Ireland is committed to limiting emissions to 13% above 1990 levels. The latest available greenhouse gas emissions figures from the national inventory report, which is compiled by the Environmental Protection Agency, indicate that overall emissions...

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (18 May 2005)

Dick Roche: Since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998, new relationships based on mutually beneficial partnerships and equality have been established between administrations North and South and east and west. They have enabled us to address common challenges in a mutually beneficial way through enhanced co-operation and joint action on a range of environmental issues including waste...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (18 May 2005)

Dick Roche: The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government provides specific grants, including capital grants, to local authorities for a wide range of programmes. The allocation of such funding is carried out on the basis of national and local priorities relating to the programme concerned and having regard to the overall amount of funding available for each programme. No specific...

Written Answers — Library Projects: Library Projects (18 May 2005)

Dick Roche: In January of this year, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government approved tender documentation for a branch library at Castleisland and authorised Kerry County Council to proceed to invite tenders for the project. Further advancement of the project is a matter for Kerry County Council.

Written Answers — Local Authority Staff: Local Authority Staff (18 May 2005)

Dick Roche: Based on the annual staffing returns received from local authorities for 2003, nine county councils and four city councils employ an archivist.

Written Answers — Register of Electors: Register of Electors (18 May 2005)

Dick Roche: A letter from the person in question was received by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on 12 May. It was acknowledged on 13 May and a substantive reply will issue shortly. The compilation of a register of electors is a matter for the appropriate registration authority in accordance with electoral law. To be able to vote, a person's name must be entered in the...

Written Answers — Public Procurement Procedures: Public Procurement Procedures (18 May 2005)

Dick Roche: My Department seeks to comply fully with Department of Finance and EU procurement procedures in relation to tendering and awarding of contracts. Public procurement procedures as detailed in Department of Finance circular 40/02 do not require that all contracts should go to public tender. My Department has an approval and registration process in place for contracts where a single tender has...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (18 May 2005)

Dick Roche: I refer to the reply to Question No. 227 of 12 May 2005.

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (18 May 2005)

Dick Roche: My Department has not issued guidelines in relation to the location of landfill facilities. However, I have recently issued a policy direction under section 60 of the Waste Management Act 1996 to provide greater clarity in regard to the appropriate application of the proximity principle so as to facilitate the provision of environmentally sustainable and economically viable waste...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (18 May 2005)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 305 and 306 together. The Office of Environmental Enforcement has commissioned a study on unauthorised waste activities, to be completed shortly and made available for public consultation. This will include establishing as completely as possible the extent of unauthorised activities, reviewing current procedures and developing improved guidance for...

Written Answers — Local Government Regulations: Local Government Regulations (18 May 2005)

Dick Roche: From the commencement of the single mandate for elective local government, local authorities were required to make specific arrangements to provide a reasonable level of service for Oireachtas Members and facilitate them in carrying out their work on behalf of local communities. These arrangements provide, inter alia, for the supply of specified documentation to Oireachtas Members by the...

Public Expenditure: Motion (Resumed). (18 May 2005)

Dick Roche: I wish to share time with the Ministers of State, Deputy Parlon and Deputy Browne, and Deputy McGuinness and Deputy Peter Power.

Public Expenditure: Motion (Resumed). (18 May 2005)

Dick Roche: I wish to support strongly the Government's amendment to this motion and will do so principally from the perspective of capital investment in local infrastructure and services. There have been significant and tangible outputs from the high levels of capital investment channelled through my Department. Good value has been obtained through new and innovative methods deployed to promote more...

Public Expenditure: Motion (Resumed). (18 May 2005)

Dick Roche: The objective of this programme is to demonstrate, both to the commission, the general public——

Public Expenditure: Motion (Resumed). (18 May 2005)

Dick Roche: ——and to the most obdurate Member of the House, that the electronic system is suitable to be used in Irish elections. We have made a large-scale commitment to our water services infrastructure in recent years. For example, compliance with the 2005 targets in the EU urban wastewater directive, which stood at 25% at the start of the NDP period, had risen to 90% at the end of December 2004....

Proposed Legislation. (18 May 2005)

Dick Roche: I thank Deputy O'Dowd for tabling the question. I know he shares with me an anxiety that the Bill be quickly introduced in the House and placed on the Statute Book. There is wide consensus that the regulatory system for major infrastructure projects should help to ensure projects are delivered in the right place at the earliest possible time in a cost effective manner. The system must also be...