Results 7,021-7,040 of 7,278 for speaker:Dick Roche

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (26 Jan 2005)

Dick Roche: In April 2004 Kildare County Council wrote to my Department seeking additional funding of €325,000 for improvements to the road from Straffan Bridge to Sallins via Turnings. The council was informed that the proposed work would be appropriate to the restoration improvement programme and that it would be open to it to seek approval to carry out the scheme in 2004 on the basis that the...

Written Answers — Community Warden Service: Community Warden Service (26 Jan 2005)

Dick Roche: Naas Town Council is one of five pilot local authorities for the community warden service, the others being Galway City Council, Galway County Council, Leitrim County Council and Wexford County Council. Following a recent independent review and evaluation of the pilot service, I have decided to continue the pilots for one more year and the relevant local authorities have been informed...

Written Answers — Turbary Rights: Turbary Rights (26 Jan 2005)

Dick Roche: My Department concluded an agreement with the farming pillar under Sustaining Progress in July 2004. A major part of this agreement involved increased rates of compensation for the cessation of turf cutting in bogs that have been statutorily proposed for designation. The new rates are deemed to reflect the increase in the value of bogs since the original scheme was launched in March 1999. The...

Written Answers — Turbary Rights: Turbary Rights (26 Jan 2005)

Dick Roche: My Department provides compensation for persons who cease to cut turf, and who are owners of land or turbary rights in bogs that have been statutorily proposed for designation as a special area of conservation or a natural heritage area. This cessation of turf cutting scheme was originally launched in March 1999 and provided standard rates for the purchase of raised and blanket bog. In July...

Written Answers — Turbary Rights: Turbary Rights (26 Jan 2005)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1377 and 1379 together. My Department concluded an agreement with the farming pillar under Sustaining Progress in July 2004. A major part of this agreement involved increased rates of compensation for the cessation of turf cutting in bogs that have been statutorily proposed for designation. The new rates are deemed to reflect the increase in the value of bogs...

Written Answers — Hunt Licences: Hunt Licences (26 Jan 2005)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1380 to 1382, inclusive, together. Section 26(1) of the Wildlife Act 1976 provides that the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government may grant to the master or other person in charge of a pack of stag hounds, a licence authorising the hunting of deer by that pack, during such period or periods as is or are specified in the licence. Legal...

Written Answers — Local Authority Playgrounds: Local Authority Playgrounds (26 Jan 2005)

Dick Roche: Comprehensive statistics on the number of playgrounds in the State or in individual local authority areas are not available in my Department. However, under the initiative delivering value for people-service indicators in local authorities announced early last year, local authorities are required to report annually on their performance against 42 service indicators. One of these indicators...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (26 Jan 2005)

Dick Roche: In August 2004 my Department sought applications from local authorities for funding for non-national roads in 2005 under the EU co-financed specific improvements grants scheme. The initial selection of projects to be submitted for consideration for funding under this scheme is a matter for local authorities. No application was submitted by Cork County Council in respect of a relief road at Bantry.

Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (26 Jan 2005)

Dick Roche: I assume the question refers to persons appointed as temporary civil servants to my Department during the relevant period. The appointments set out in the following table have been made since September 2004: Name Function Seán Fitzpatrick Press Officer* David Grant Special Adviser to the Minister, Deputy Roche Geraldine Cole Personal Assistant to the Minister, Deputy...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (26 Jan 2005)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1393 and 1394 together. The south Roscommon regional and Arigna regional water supply schemes, together with a number of other schemes, are being advanced as a grouped project that has been included in my Department's water services investment programme 2004-06 to commence construction this year. Roscommon County Council's design review report, on which...

Seanad: Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters and Payments Bill 2004: Second Stage. (7 Dec 2004)

Dick Roche: I thank Senators Bannon, Kitt, McCarthy, Dardis and Brady for their contributions. Senator Bannon was a little unfair in suggesting I would not accept amendments. It must be pointed out that the amendments tabled were out of order for the good reason that neither he nor I tied the hands of this House when the legislation was enacted in 1998. The process is well understood. The tribunal...

Seanad: Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters and Payments Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (7 Dec 2004)

Dick Roche: I wish to be helpful and understand that Senator Bannon is anticipating my reply. I will not be as rude as Senator Brady has been by suggesting we should not hold our breath while waiting for Senator Bannon's party to return to government. I wish the Senator well. The Commissions of Investigation Act 2004 contains several features aimed at cost control and management based on the experience...

Seanad: Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters and Payments Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (7 Dec 2004)

Dick Roche: However, if we were to be the guardians and the judges of our own behaviour, the process would probably not have much validity in the public view. Perhaps in the longer term it will. While the architecture of processes and procedures in place is novel and largely untried, it certainly represents an improvement on the system in which there was either nothing or a tribunal. Now, one has a...

Seanad: Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters and Payments Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (7 Dec 2004)

Dick Roche: I thank Senators for their kindness, particularly Senator McCarthy. I remember that election trail and have often said that people who have the stamina for a Seanad campaign are made of very stern stuff indeed. When Éamon de Valera wrote the Constitution and envisaged the Seanad electoral system, it was in the days before the general availability of the car. The campaigners then must have...

Seanad: Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters and Payments Bill 2004: Second Stage. (7 Dec 2004)

Dick Roche: Senators will recall that when I was here on 17 November last, I gave notice during the debate on the amendment of the terms of reference of the planning tribunal that I intended to bring a short Bill before the Oireachtas. The Bill will give legal backing to the discretion granted in the amended terms of reference to the tribunal to decide which issues within its terms of reference to...

Seanad: Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters and Payments Bill 2004: Second Stage. (7 Dec 2004)

Dick Roche: No impact.

Seanad: Book of Estimates 2005: Statements. (24 Nov 2004)

Dick Roche: In framing the 2005 Estimates and the budget, the Government's primary aim is to continue support for economic growth and employment as a way of making further progress. As a result of the Government's successful management of the public finances and economy, we should remind ourselves of what we have collectively achieved because it is not just a case of Government achievement but rather of...

Seanad: Book of Estimates 2005: Statements. (24 Nov 2004)

Dick Roche: I agree with the Senator. While I would never be complacent, as a nation we have achieved a great deal.

Seanad: Book of Estimates 2005: Statements. (24 Nov 2004)

Dick Roche: Senator O'Toole took the words out of my mouth. He also made a point earlier which rings true with me. Public servants have delivered and part of the reason we are in our current position is due to the politically courageous decisions we took and our excellent public service. I have little time for begrudgers who suggest benchmarking or the public service pay awards were not a good deal. Our...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (23 Nov 2004)

Dick Roche: Guidelines for planning authorities on tree preservation were issued by my Department in 1994. The guidelines draw attention to the opportunities open to planning authorities to influence and control the contribution which trees can make to the quality of life. Copies of the guidelines are available in the Oireachtas Library.