Results 641-660 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Planning Issues (15 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 419 and 420 together. It is a matter for each individual local authority to decide on the utilisation of their assets, including their land bank. Section 211(1) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 , as amended, (the 2000 Act) provides that any land acquired for the purposes of or appropriated under the 2000 Act or any other Act or acquired otherwise, by a...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water and Sewerage Schemes Funding (15 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: I refer to the reply to Question No.158 of 3 April 2014, which sets out the position in this matter. Irish Water has confirmed to my Department that it has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. They may be contacted via email to or by telephone on 1890 278 278.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Control of Dogs (15 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: The Control of Dogs Acts 1986 and 1992 set out the main provisions for dog control and the requirements these contain to keep dogs under effectual control are breed neutral. The Control of Dogs (Restriction of Certain Dogs) Regulations, 1991 set out requirements in relation to specific dog breeds, whereby their owners must have the dogs muzzled, leashed and led by a competent person...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Meters Installation (15 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 433, 434, 442 and 447 together. The Programme for Government sets out a commitment to the introduction of water charges based on usage above a free allowance. The Government considers that charging based on usage is the fairest way to charge for water and it has, therefore, decided that water meters should be installed in households connected to public water...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Waste Disposal (15 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: The Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII) is the competent authority in relation to the protection of workers and members of the public from the harmful effects of exposure to ionising radiation. I can confirm that an incident was reported to the RPII in September 2012 concerning the handling of radioactive waste at the Galway Clinic, Doughiska, County Galway. The RPII...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Radon Gas Levels (15 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: The Government’s approach to radon, which is similar to that in the majority of EU Member States, is to concentrate efforts on increasing public awareness of the risks posed by radon in the home. Through support for the Radiological P Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII) radon advice and awareness work, my Department is supporting efforts to raise public awareness of the risks...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Fuel Laundering (15 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 452 to 457, inclusive, together. Enforcement in relation to illegal diesel laundering activities is primarily a matter for the Revenue Commissioners from the point of view of avoiding loss of revenue to the Exchequer. My Department assists local authorities in carrying out their role as competent authorities under waste legislation , which is to take the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Control of Dogs (15 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: The current primary legislation regarding dogs, the Control of Dogs Acts 1986 and 1992, contain provisions relating to the need to keep dogs under effectual control which are entirely breed neutral. The statutory responsibility for the enforcement of this legislation rests with the local authorities and is overseen within local authorities by the local authority veterinary services.

Topical Issue Debate: Naval Service Vessels (10 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: At the outset I would like to assure the House that the safety and well-being of the individuals involved in this incident are the primary concern of my colleague, the Minister for Defence, who has responsibility for the Naval Service. I am advised by the Naval Service that it is following all Health and Safety Authority, HSA, guidelines while dealing with the current situation. While LE...

Topical Issue Debate: Naval Service Vessels (10 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: The Deputy is a bit harsh on the Naval Service. When these matters were discovered something was done about them. Work stopped on the ships and immediately the proper procedures were followed. It is a bit early to come to conclusions on what an external contractor found or did not find arising from the work done. Assumptions were made that may not have been correct at the time when work...

Topical Issue Debate: Planning Issues (10 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter which is the subject of much media attention. As she may be aware, An Bord Pleanála granted planning permission for the redevelopment of Croke Park stadium on 9 March 1993. Condition No. 11 attached to the planning permission allows for the holding of three special events such as concerts in the stadium each calendar year, subject to the...

Topical Issue Debate: Planning Issues (10 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: I hope the Deputy knows that, according to planning legislation, I am the only person in the House who cannot intervene in the planning process. We would like to help if we could, but, legally, I am precluded from doing so. Politically, Deputies in this House have got into a fair amount of trouble during the years for intervening in planning matters which did not get us anywhere. I...

Topical Issue Debate: Local Government Fund (10 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: I am surprised the Deputy did not mention the major changes we made in the Local Government Act, which will put a considerable focus on locally elected members and ensure they will have to stand up and be counted and take responsibility for all the budgets they adopt. When local authorities receive block grants from the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport it is a matter for them to see...

Topical Issue Debate: Suicide Incidence (10 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: I am conscious of the important work Deputy Neville and others have been doing over the years in regard to this important issue. I assure him that the recently published report from the European Child Safety Alliance, National Action to Address Child Intentional Injury, is another opportunity for us to focus on the measures the Government is taking and how it can do more to ensure all of...

Topical Issue Debate: Local Government Fund (10 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: I thank the Deputy for giving me the opportunity to outline for the House today the importance of motor tax revenue in supporting local government in general and particularly in providing funding in respect of the local and regional road network. The estimated income to the local government fund in 2014, as set out in the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2014, published by the...

Topical Issue Debate: Suicide Incidence (10 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue for discussion. I am taking it on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health, Deputy James Reilly. I welcome the national action to address child intentional injury 2014 report of the European Child Safety Alliance, published in late March. The report which examines the policy measures in place to address intentional injury to children in...

Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: I thank Deputies for their contributions to the debate on this short but important Bill. I will not go into the details of matters concerning other items of legislation, on which people got some latitude, but I note what Deputy Maloney has just said. One never knows. We could have been on the same side of the argument but there are circumstances in which we have to look at matters legally...

Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: Next week.

Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: Which party is the Deputy with?

Seanad: Business of Seanad (10 Apr 2014)

Phil Hogan: As a former Member of this House, it would be remiss of me not to pay tribute to the great work of Ms Jody Blake, the Clerk Assistant of the House. I have known Ms Blake since 1987 and she has been an excellent administrator in Seanad Éireann for many years - I do not know how many years she has been here.