Results 6,661-6,680 of 7,278 for speaker:Dick Roche

Written Answers — Archaeological Sites: Archaeological Sites (2 Mar 2005)

Dick Roche: I am examining two applications for directions under section 14A(2) of the National Monuments Act 1930, as amended, as regards archaeological works to be carried out in respect of sections of the proposed M3 motorway which was approved by An Bord Plenála in August 2003. Such directions allow for proper standards to be specified for the carrying out of archaeological works associated with...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (2 Mar 2005)

Dick Roche: The Local Government Act 2001 was designed to modernise the legislative framework, support community involvement with local authorities in a more participative local democracy and underpin generally the programme of local government renewal, including the position of county and city councils as the primary units of local government. The Act takes account of the recommendations of the 1996...

Seanad: Waste Management: Statements. (2 Mar 2005)

Dick Roche: I would need more than five minutes to deal with some of the myths that have been trotted out in the House today. I will deal only with the major ones. No issue has been handled more dishonestly in political debate than incineration. It is simply dishonest for any politician, irrespective of where he or she comes from or the identity of his or her party, to suggest that we can somehow...

Seanad: Waste Management: Statements. (2 Mar 2005)

Dick Roche: That is completely untrue.

Seanad: Waste Management: Statements. (2 Mar 2005)

Dick Roche: I am pleased to have this opportunity of setting out for the House the Government's approach to waste management, one of the most wilfully misunderstood of policy areas. I also look forward to hearing the views of Senators on the many complex aspects of the waste management agenda. There are no simple solutions in this area despite several disingenuous comments to the contrary, which suggest...

Seanad: Waste Management: Statements. (2 Mar 2005)

Dick Roche: It sounds like unrequited love.

Written Answers — Turbary Rights: Turbary Rights (1 Mar 2005)

Dick Roche: In July 2004 my Department concluded an agreement with the farming pillar under Sustaining Progress which involved increased rates of compensation for the cessation of turfcutting in bogs that have been proposed as designated conservation areas. This agreement incorporates retrospective provisions benefiting landowners who participated in the original 1999 scheme for disposal of raised bogs...

Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (1 Mar 2005)

Dick Roche: On 24 September 2004, my predecessor announced the setting up of a working group to examine the current position regarding management of dog breeding establishments and to make recommendations for such improvements, including better regulation, as it considers necessary in this area. I understand that the group has undertaken public consultation, has held three meetings to date, and that its...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (1 Mar 2005)

Dick Roche: My Department has received no proposals for an extension of the Ballycastle sewerage scheme to which improvements have been completed under the serviced land initiative measure of my Department's water services investment programme. Neither was such a proposal included in the list of water and sewerage schemes submitted by Mayo County Council in response to my Department's request to local...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (1 Mar 2005)

Dick Roche: I understand that Kildare County Council's proposals to provide sewerage facilities in Ballymore Eustace under the serviced land initiative are in abeyance because the proposed residential development to be served by the scheme is not proceeding. No other proposals in respect of Ballymore Eustace were included in the wastewater infrastructure requirements identified by Kildare County Council...

Written Answers — Archaeological Sites: Archaeological Sites (1 Mar 2005)

Dick Roche: The National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2004 allow for the making by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government of a preservation order in respect of a national monument, which is defined as a monument the preservation of which is a matter of national importance. Such an order may be made where it appears to the Minister that a monument, which in his opinion is a national...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (1 Mar 2005)

Dick Roche: Information on prosecutions taken by the Environmental Protection Agency is available on its website at www.epa.ie. My Department has no data on summary convictions taken by local authorities under the Waste Management Act 1996 for the years in question. However, data are being sought for 2004 and when this is collated it will be sent to the Deputy. Data on prosecutions taken on indictment...

Written Answers — Infrastructural Projects: Infrastructural Projects (1 Mar 2005)

Dick Roche: I believe that there is wide consensus that we should have a regulatory system for major infrastructure projects that delivers projects in the right place at the earliest possible time and in a cost effective way. In addition, the system must of course be capable of mitigating the impact of any major project on the environment and on people, and complying with all relevant national and...

Written Answers — Local Authority Retirement Scheme: Local Authority Retirement Scheme (1 Mar 2005)

Dick Roche: The Local Authority Members (Gratuity) Regulations 2002 introduced a retirement service related gratuity for councillors. This involves the payment of a lump sum calculated as 3/20 of representational payment rate on retirement for each year of service since May 2000, up to a maximum of 20 years' service with a minimum three year service requirement. Subject to certain conditions, the...

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (1 Mar 2005)

Dick Roche: It is intended that I will visit China during St. Patrick's week where, supported by the Irish Embassy and Enterprise Ireland, I will seek to build on the recent successful visit by the Taoiseach and his delegation to that country. The programme for my visit to Shanghai and Beijing has yet to be finalised. However, I expect to meet with the Vice-Mayor of Shanghai and to present the George...

Written Answers — Local Government: Local Government (1 Mar 2005)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 416 and 417 together. Section 185 of Part 17 of the Local Government Act 2001 sets out the steps involved in setting up a new town council. In summary, section 185 provides that qualified electors of a town having a population of at least 7,500 as ascertained at the last preceding census and not having a town council may make a proposal for the establishment...

Written Answers — Sport and Recreational Development: Sport and Recreational Development (1 Mar 2005)

Dick Roche: Last week I announced a new initiative to provide facilities, such as skateboard parks, for teenagers. I intend as an immediate measure to provide assistance for a number of facilities as a pilot project, the results of which can feed into the further improvement and targeting of this initiative. As the National Children's Office is developing policies in this area, I will ask my Department...

Written Answers — Natural Heritage Areas: Natural Heritage Areas (1 Mar 2005)

Dick Roche: Any landowner or person with a legal interest in land proposed for designation as part of a special area of conservation, SAC, may lodge an objection to my Department, on scientific grounds, to have the proposed designation reviewed. Three months are allowed for lodging such appeals. The first stage of the appeals process is an internal review within the national parks and wildlife service,...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (1 Mar 2005)

Dick Roche: An officer will be permanently assigned to this duty in the very near future. The position of secretary to the SAC appeals advisory board has been normally filled, on a part-time basis, by an appropriately qualified member of staff from my Department's national parks and wildlife service. Given the need for the person acting as secretary to report directly to the chairperson of the board, my...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (1 Mar 2005)

Dick Roche: I refer to the reply to Question No. 1310 of 26 January 2005.