Results 6,221-6,240 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley
- Seanad: National Waste Strategy: Statements (Resumed) (27 Feb 2008)
John Gormley: I thank the many Senators who contributed to the debate on this important topic. Their concerns ranged across a number of issues, including this country's overall approach to waste management and the regulation of the waste management sector. Like the Senators who contributed, I am also conscious of how important is a sustainable approach to waste management. Since coming to office I have...
- Seanad: National Waste Strategy: Statements (Resumed) (27 Feb 2008)
John Gormley: The Senator also raised the issue of refuse-derived fuel, RDF. Ireland is the only member state that does not use RDF and this must be addressed. I have begun discussions with Lagan Cement Limited, which has an EPA licence. Progress is being made on this and, therefore, RDF will be used in cement kilns. Currently, no kiln uses this fuel. Ireland is bottom of the league in Europe in this...
- Written Answers — Architectural Heritage: Architectural Heritage (26 Feb 2008)
John Gormley: The graveyard at Templebeg, Upperchurch, Co Tipperary, like many others throughout Ireland, is located within an ancient church site, which dates back to between the fifth and seventh century AD. In cases like this, the surviving walled graveyard is usually part of a much larger archaeological site defined by one or a number of concentric enclosures. The buried features and deposits in the...
- Written Answers — Architectural Heritage: Architectural Heritage (26 Feb 2008)
John Gormley: The appropriate conservation of church buildings is central to the objectives of my Department in relation to the protection and preservation of our architectural heritage, as reflected in the legislation and the guidelines referred to in the question. I welcome the establishment of the Historic Churches Advisory Committees and recognise the valuable role they play in the protection of...
- Written Answers — Architectural Heritage: Architectural Heritage (26 Feb 2008)
John Gormley: On foot of an application for a foreshore licence, my Department was asked on 29 June 2007 by the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources to comment on the proposed local authority development given its potential to impact on underwater archaeological heritage. The Department responded on 7 August 2007 recommending that an underwater archaeological assessment of the...
- Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (26 Feb 2008)
John Gormley: Under Article 3 of the EU Directive 2001/42/EC on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment, Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is required for all plans and programmes which are likely to have significant environmental effects and which: are either prepared for certain specified sectors, such as land use planning, which set the framework for any...
- Written Answers — Outdoor Facilities: Outdoor Facilities (26 Feb 2008)
John Gormley: My Department is not in a position to advise on the legality of camping on particular beaches. Individual local authorities may be able to assist in providing information in respect of particular locations. However, issues of ownership, rights of access and other rights, and statutory restrictions, vary from place to place and specific legal advice would need to be sought in that regard.
- Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (26 Feb 2008)
John Gormley: Phase 1 of the Athlone Sewerage Scheme is approved for funding under my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009 at an estimated cost of â¬15 million. Westmeath County Council is arranging for an Environmental Impact Assessment to be undertaken in relation to the proposed expansion of the wastewater treatment plant. In the meantime, my Department is proceeding with a...
- Written Answers — Waste Disposal: Waste Disposal (26 Feb 2008)
John Gormley: I have announced my intention to increase, by 31 March 2008, the present landfill levy from: (a) â¬15 per tonne to â¬20 per tonne for waste legally deposited, and (b) â¬20 per tonne to â¬25 per tonne for waste illegally deposited. This is the first increase in the levy in respect of legally deposited waste since it was first introduced in 2002 and the first increase for waste illegally...
- Written Answers — Waste Disposal: Waste Disposal (26 Feb 2008)
John Gormley: The net amount remitted to my Department in 2007 in respect of the landfill levy was â¬32,604,251.
- Written Answers — Register of Electors: Register of Electors (26 Feb 2008)
John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 496 and 497 together. In law the preparation of the Register of Electors is a matter for each local registration authority. It is their duty to ensure, as far as possible and with the cooperation of the public, the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the Register. In working to compile the Register for 2007/8, which was in force at the general election last...
- Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (26 Feb 2008)
John Gormley: Ireland signed the Aarhus Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters on 25 June 1998. Progress towards ratification of the Convention is closely aligned with work at EU level and, in that context, the European Union has adopted two Directives as part of the ratification process for the Convention. These deal...
- Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (26 Feb 2008)
John Gormley: Under the Planning Acts 2000-2006, all development, unless specifically exempted under the Acts or associated Regulations, requires planning permission. Any development that is carried out without planning permission, or that does not comply with the terms of a planning permission, is unauthorised development, and may be subject to enforcement action by a planning authority. Part VIII of the...
- Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (26 Feb 2008)
John Gormley: I propose to take Question Nos. 500 and 501 together. The Environmental Liability Directive (2004/35/EC) is a major initiative aimed at preventing and remedying environmental damage by giving effect to the polluter pays principle. It aims to do this by holding operators whose activities have caused environmental damage financially liable for remedying this damage. It does not, however,...
- Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (26 Feb 2008)
John Gormley: The Carrickmacross Sewerage Scheme is approved for funding under the Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009, at an estimated cost of â¬22 million. Work on the network element of the scheme is expected to commence shortly. Monaghan County Council also propose to extend and refurbish the existing Wastewater Treatment Plant in the town. The Council's Tender Documents for the work are...
- Written Answers — Departmental Transport: Departmental Transport (26 Feb 2008)
John Gormley: The amount spent by my Department on taxi hire from 2004 to 2008 is set out in the table below. Our records do not separately identify taxi costs for 2003. I understand from the company employed by my Department to provide taxi services that over 10% of its fleet is wheelchair accessible which enables the company to provide such taxis when required. Details in relation to bodies under the...
- Written Answers — Architectural Qualifications: Architectural Qualifications (26 Feb 2008)
John Gormley: I understand that qualifications for "Architectural Technologist" and "Architectural Technician" are underpinned by the Qualifications (Education and Training) Act 1999, which comes under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Education and Science. The 1997 Report of the Strategic Review Committee on the Construction Industry â Building Our Future Together â recommended that the...
- Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (26 Feb 2008)
John Gormley: The Shannagarry/Garryvoe/Ballycotton Sewerage Scheme is included in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009 as a scheme to start construction in 2009 at an estimated cost of â¬3.78m. Cork County Council's Preliminary Report for the scheme, received last month, is being examined in my Department and is being dealt with as quickly as possible.
- Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (26 Feb 2008)
John Gormley: Maps of all designated areas are available at no charge on the website www.npws.ie or can be obtained from my Department's National Parks and Wildlife Service via FREEPHONE 1800 40 5000. In addition, in order to ensure that the maximum number of people are notified of the proposed designation of an area as a candidate Special Area of Conservation, the Department advertises the intended...
- Written Answers — Arts Funding: Arts Funding (26 Feb 2008)
John Gormley: Information supplied to my Department by local authorities indicated that, at 31 December 2006, seven local authorities employed Arts Officers.