Results 641-660 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Written Answers — National Parks and Wildlife Service: National Parks and Wildlife Service (29 Sep 2010)

John Gormley: Mink found in the wild in Ireland are descended from animals that escaped from fur farms. They have been breeding in the countryside since the 1950s and are now found throughout much of the country. A report published by my Department in 2009 estimated that the potential population of wild mink in the State was between 20,500 and 33,500 individuals. The report identified ground nesting...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (29 Sep 2010)

John Gormley: The establishment and maintenance of financial systems, accounts, reporting and record keeping procedures are a matter for the local authority concerned. However, I would expect that all local authorities ensure compliance in relation to taxation matters. In order to enhance existing financial management and audit control systems, the role of audit committees in local authorities has been...

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (29 Sep 2010)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1431 and 1481 together. In general, offices and properties occupied by the Department are rented by the OPW, rather than directly by the Department. Details of property rented directly are set out below. The Department, at the end of 2009, entered into an arrangement whereby its National Monuments Service will occupy a proportion of an archival and storage...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (29 Sep 2010)

John Gormley: My Department is aware of the planning history of this case including the decision of the High Court referred to in the question. The dune system at Inch is designated for protection as part of a candidate Special Area of Conservation for habitats and a Special Protection Area for birds. Under the terms of the Habitats Directive, any proposed project likely to have a significant effect on the...

Written Answers — Water Charges: Water Charges (29 Sep 2010)

John Gormley: Under the Government's Water Pricing Policy, local authorities are required to recover the cost of providing water services from all non-domestic customers, including farmers. Local authorities apply charges for water services per cubic metre (equivalent to 1,000 litres) consumed. The information regarding the charge per cubic metre for water services set by local authorities for 2010 is set...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (29 Sep 2010)

John Gormley: Water conservation is a key element of my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2010-2012, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas Library. The primary objective of water conservation is to reduce water loss in the distribution networks to an economic level and to address unacceptably high levels of unaccounted for water. Local authorities are required to give top priority...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (29 Sep 2010)

John Gormley: I refer to the reply to Question No 516 of 8 July 2010 which deals comprehensively with the issue of pyrite. There are no proposals under consideration for an audit along the lines suggested to be undertaken.

Written Answers — Motor Taxation: Motor Taxation (29 Sep 2010)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1438 and 1517 together. My Department recently issued a circular reminding local authorities of existing procedures in relation to the taxation of goods vehicles. Under Article 3 of the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) (Amendment) Regulations 1992, a licensing authority must be satisfied that a vehicle is correctly taxed, and it is thus open to a...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (29 Sep 2010)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1441 and 1524 together. The public commitment to introduce a directly elected Dublin Mayor has been a priority since the Government took office. The Green Paper on Local Government, published in early 2008, outlined the various options in regard to the establishment of the office, its functions and responsibilities. Consultation both preceded and followed the...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (29 Sep 2010)

John Gormley: The Moville/Greencastle Sewerage Scheme is included in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2010-2012 as a scheme to advance through planning during the lifetime of the Programme. My Department is awaiting the submission by Donegal County Council of the Preliminary Report for the scheme.

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (29 Sep 2010)

John Gormley: The Water Services Investment Programme 2010-2012, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas Library, provides for the development of a comprehensive range of new water services infrastructure in County Galway. The Kinvara Sewerage Scheme is included in the Programme amongst the list of contracts in the county to start in the period 2010-2012. My Department is currently examining Galway...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (29 Sep 2010)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1445 and 1522 together. The Water Services Investment Programme 2010-2012, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas Library, provides for the development of a comprehensive range of new water services infrastructure in County Galway. The Loughrea Water Treatment Plant element of the Loughrea Regional Water Supply Scheme is included amongst the list of...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (29 Sep 2010)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1447, 1458, 1486 and 1491 together. Part 3 of the Building Control Act 2007 sets out the detailed requirements for registration of the title of "Architect". Section 14 of the Act sets out the eligibility criteria for registration in the statutory register of architects. It also includes a provision to address the position of practically trained persons in...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (29 Sep 2010)

John Gormley: In January 2010, Wicklow County Council passed a resolution calling on me to hold an enquiry into the granting by Wicklow Council of a waste permit in 2003 for certain lands at Ballybeg, County Wicklow, and the role of my Department in relation to an earlier investigation into the matter. The matter is currently under consideration and a decision will be made as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (29 Sep 2010)

John Gormley: The Water Services Investment Programme 2010-2012, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas Library, provides for the development of a comprehensive range of new water services infrastructure in County Galway. The Oughterard Sewerage Scheme is included in the Programme amongst the list of contracts in the county to start in the period 2010-2012. My Department awaits Galway County...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (29 Sep 2010)

John Gormley: In accordance with the Water Framework Directive, the deadlines for publication and reporting of river basin management plans were 22 December 2009 and 22 March 2010 respectively. The European Commission issued a Letter of Formal Notice to Ireland on 3 June 2010 for not meeting these deadlines. At the date of receipt of the letter, the process of adoption of the plans was well advanced and...

Written Answers — Local Authority Boundaries: Local Authority Boundaries (29 Sep 2010)

John Gormley: The report of the Limerick Local Government Committee, published earlier this month, contains the Committee's recommendations in relation to the current structures of local government in Limerick. Greater local government coherence in Limerick is necessary for many reasons, including to help support regional development, improve the business environment and to play its role in the major...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (29 Sep 2010)

John Gormley: Local authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes in accordance with the details entered in the valuation lists prepared by the independent Commissioner of Valuation under the Valuation Act 2001. The levying and collection of rates are matters for each individual local authority. The Report of the independent Local Government...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (29 Sep 2010)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1455 and 1471 together. My Department published a request for tenders on www.etenders.gov.ie on 24 September with a view to establishing a panel of experts to assist as necessary in the review of planning legislation, policy and guidance within the development plan and development management systems at local level. Issues raised with my Department across a...

Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (29 Sep 2010)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1456 and 1502 together. My Department has issued a licence to the Irish Coursing Club to capture live hares under the Wildlife Acts for the 2010-2011 season. The licence states that it does not authorise any person to enter on any land without the permission of the owner or occupier of the land. Under the Wildlife Acts my Department can initiate...