Results 6,401-6,420 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (30 Jan 2008)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1314, 1331 and 1345 together. The Programme for Government commits to phasing out the use of incandescent light bulbs in favour of more energy efficient alternatives. More recently, in my Carbon Budget Statement of 6 December last, I announced that a minimum energy efficiency standard for lighting will be introduced from 2009 and advised that this measure...

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (30 Jan 2008)

John Gormley: I assume that the Question refers to the ruling by the European Court of Justice in case C-117/00 against Ireland's implementation of the Birds Directive, the thrust of which was recently reaffirmed in case C-418/04. In order to comply with Ireland's obligations under the Birds Directive, identified in that ruling, my Department has been working with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (30 Jan 2008)

John Gormley: Responsibility for storage of manual voting equipment has always been a matter for the local returning officers and so similar responsibility was assigned to them in regard to the electronic voting equipment. In the majority of cases, leases were entered into by them for the storage of the machines, which have a 20-year lifespan. The Government decision to centralise storage of the...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (30 Jan 2008)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1317, 1413, 1417 and 1418 together. Under the decentralisation programme, all Dublin based operations of my Department are being decentralised, with the exception of Met Éireann, ENFO, the Private Rented Tenancies Board and a small co-ordination section which it is proposed to retain in Dublin to assist with the Department's Dáil and other business. A total...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (30 Jan 2008)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1318, 1332 and 1333 together. An Bord Pleanála (the Board) was established in 1977, under the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1976, primarily to allow independent consideration of planning authorities' decisions on planning applications in the event that such decisions are appealed. The procedures for the appointment of ordinary members of...

Written Answers — Local Government Reform: Local Government Reform (30 Jan 2008)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1320, 1363 and 1407 together. In accordance with the Programme for Government, my Department will be publishing the Green Paper on local government reform shortly. The Green Paper will examine a number of issues with the objective of making local government more transparent and responsive, and will set out options for reform in advance of a subsequent White...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (30 Jan 2008)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1321 and 1356 together. Waste management services have traditionally been provided at a local level, with individual arrangements being locally determined and tailored to local circumstances. The present legal framework, as determined by the Oireachtas, reflects this. In accordance with section 52 of the Protection of the Environment Act 2003, the...

Written Answers — Judicial Reviews: Judicial Reviews (30 Jan 2008)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1322 and 1323 together. The information sought in relation to all judicial reviews over the period in question is not readily available. However, details of judicial reviews for which information is readily available are set out in the following table. The costs of defending cases are met by the Office of the Chief State Solicitor. This Department would be...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (30 Jan 2008)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1324 and 1325 together. While my Department has received no specific proposals relating to the works in question, I understand that they may form part of the Blanchardstown Sewerage Scheme (Network) which is included in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009 as a scheme to advance through planning. I also understand that Fingal County...

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (30 Jan 2008)

John Gormley: Acts passed by the Houses of the Oireachtas sponsored by my Department in each year from 2003 to 2007 are listed in the table below. Details are also provided as to the extent of reference within these Acts to EU legislation/obligations and, in the case of Acts wholly or partly required by EU obligations, whether Ireland had significant discretion as to the manner in which these obligations...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (30 Jan 2008)

John Gormley: The project in question is being funded by my Department under the Rural Water Programme and involves the provision of eleven new water treatment plants, and associated works, for twenty six group water schemes and two public water supplies in County Roscommon. Roscommon County Council's Tender Recommendation for the works is being examined in my Department and is being dealt with as quickly...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (30 Jan 2008)

John Gormley: The Ring Helvic Water Supply Scheme has been approved for funding under my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-09 at an estimate cost of €3.57m. My Department is awaiting submission of Waterford County Council's Preliminary Report for the scheme.

Written Answers — Local Authority Staff: Local Authority Staff (30 Jan 2008)

John Gormley: The elected council and the county/city manager carry out their respective reserved and executive functions in accordance with the various legislative codes under which local authorities operate. The Local Government Act 2001 provides that it is the duty of every manager to carry into effect all lawful directions of the elected council of a local authority or a joint body for which he or she...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (30 Jan 2008)

John Gormley: There is no specific information available to my Department on the volume of plastic bottles sent to landfill. All beverage containers, including plastic bottles, are packaging. National waste statistics for all waste streams, including packaging, are published by the EPA with the most recent being the National Waste Report 2006, published yesterday. Directive 94/62/EC of the European...

Written Answers — Register of Electors: Register of Electors (30 Jan 2008)

John Gormley: In order to be able to vote at elections and referenda in this jurisdiction, a person's name must be entered in the register of electors for a constituency in the State in which the person ordinarily resides. Postal voting is provided for in electoral law in respect of certain categories of person who are entered in the register of electors. The Electoral Act 1992 provides for postal voting...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (30 Jan 2008)

John Gormley: I am providing some €999.2m in general purpose grants from the Local Government Fund to local authorities for 2008. These grants are my contribution to local authorities to meet the difference between the cost to them of providing an acceptable level of day to day services and the income available to them from local sources and from specific grants. The amount being made available for...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (30 Jan 2008)

John Gormley: I intend to issue a public consultation draft of Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas in the very near future: the public consultation period will last 12 weeks. These draft guidelines will update and replace my Department's 1999 Residential Density Guidelines for Planning Authorities.

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (30 Jan 2008)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1340 and 1405 together. The Mountbellew Sewerage Scheme, which is being advanced as part of a grouped project, is included in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007- 2009 as a scheme to start construction in 2008 at an estimated cost of €5.958m. Galway County Council's Preliminary Report for the scheme is being examined in my Department and...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (30 Jan 2008)

John Gormley: The number of playgrounds awarded grant aid by my Department under the 2004, 2005 and 2006 playground schemes was 34, 38 and 89 respectively. As many local authorities experienced some delays in providing these playgrounds due to a variety of planning and technical issues, consideration of a scheme in 2007 was deferred to allow local authorities to make progress with their outstanding...

Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (30 Jan 2008)

John Gormley: The projections for transport related greenhouse gas emissions in the 2008 to 2012 period in the carbon budget are those contained in the National Climate Change Strategy 2007-2012. The projections in the Strategy are based on projections prepared for my Department and published in a report, Determining the Share of National Greenhouse Gas Emissions for Emissions Trading in Ireland...