Results 7,041-7,060 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Written Answers — European Council Meetings: European Council Meetings (24 Apr 2012)

Phil Hogan: In my capacity as Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, I sit on the European Council of Environment Ministers. In the period from 9 March 2011 to date, the European Council of Environment Ministers met formally on five occasions and informally on three other occasions, the latest of which took place in Denmark last week. I attended all of these meetings. In general,...

Written Answers — Local Authority Leases: Local Authority Leases (24 Apr 2012)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 492 and 493 together. The entering into leases by local authorities and the terms and conditions of such leases are matters between the parties to the leases concerned. I have no function in the matter.

Written Answers — Commercial Rates: Commercial Rates (24 Apr 2012)

Phil Hogan: 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 annual rate on valuation (ARV), which is applied...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (24 Apr 2012)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 495, 500, 518 to 522, inclusive, and 530 together. The Programme for Government contains a commitment to introduce competitive tendering for household waste collection, under which service providers would bid to provide waste collection services in a given area, for a given period of time and to a guaranteed level of service, a system otherwise known as...

Written Answers — Building Regulations: Building Regulations (24 Apr 2012)

Phil Hogan: Arrangements for the appointment of the Chairperson and the nomination of the majority of non-architect members to the Professional Conduct Committee in line with Section 23 of the Building Control Act 2007 are currently in hand and I expect this matter to be finalised in the near future.

Written Answers — Building Regulations: Building Regulations (24 Apr 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Building Control Acts 1990 to 2007 set out a clear statutory framework for construction activity based on: clear legal standards as set out in the Building Regulations; detailed Technical Guidance Documents to outline how these standards can be achieved in practice; the burden and responsibility for compliance resting first and foremost with developers/builders; a statutory responsibility...

Written Answers — Water Services: Water Services (24 Apr 2012)

Phil Hogan: My Department, the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and the then Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources met with Siemens in November 2010. The discussions at the meeting were focused on energy smart metering and water metering was discussed in this context. My Department subsequently met with Siemens in February 2012 in relation to water...

Written Answers — Gaeltacht Chonamara: Gaeltacht Chonamara (24 Apr 2012)

Phil Hogan: Tá €420,540 dáilte ar Fhóram Chonamara faoin gClár Forbartha Pobail agus Áitiúil don bhliain 2012. Cuireann an figiúr seo san áireamh maoiniú breise de €158,487 a cuireadh ar fáil chun seirbhísí a sheachadadh i gceantar Chonamara a bhíodh á gcur ar fáil roimhe seo faoin gClár Forbartha Pobail agus Áitiúil ag Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta.

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (24 Apr 2012)

Phil Hogan: Retired former civil servants are engaged from time to time by my Department in areas where specific expertise is required for a short fixed period and they provide a level of knowledge, experience and background compatible with such requirements. The abatement principle, which ensures that the fee paid plus pension does not exceed the rate of pay the pensioner would receive if he/she had...

Written Answers — Foreshore Licences: Foreshore Licences (24 Apr 2012)

Phil Hogan: I refer to the reply to Question No 184 of 28 March 2012. Following a challenge to the State's ownership of the foreshore concerned, this application was first referred to the Chief State Solicitor's Office for legal advice in February 2011. Since that date, a number of exchanges of information have been made between my Department, the applicants and that office in an effort to resolve the...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (24 Apr 2012)

Phil Hogan: Contractors who collect, transport and dispose of septic tank sludges must be authorised under the Waste Management (Collection Permit) Regulations 2007 as amended by the Waste Management (Collection Permit) (Amendment) Regulations 2008.

Written Answers — Water Charges: Water Charges (24 Apr 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Memorandum of Understanding with the EU/IMF and ECB commits Ireland to introducing water charges for households. The objective of the water metering programme is to install water meters in households connected to the public mains and move to a charging system based on usage above a free allowance. The metering programme will commence prior to the end of 2012. I expect that the...

Written Answers — Motor Taxation: Motor Taxation (24 Apr 2012)

Phil Hogan: The current motor tax system does not provide for continuous licensing of vehicles and the National Vehicle Driver File (NVDF) does not facilitate the production of analysis which would give well founded data in relation to vehicles that are untaxed and currently shown as in the vehicle fleet. There may be a number of reasons for vehicles on the NVDF not being taxed, including: · the...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (24 Apr 2012)

Phil Hogan: No such individuals are currently on the Department's payroll.

Written Answers — Local Authority Charges: Local Authority Charges (24 Apr 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 provides the legislative basis for the household charge. Under the Act, an owner of a residential property on the liability date of 1 January 2012 is liable to pay the household charge, unless otherwise exempted or entitled to claim a waiver. The household charge is on a self-assessment basis and it is a matter for an owner of a residential...

Written Answers — Local Authority Staff: Local Authority Staff (24 Apr 2012)

Phil Hogan: The moratorium on recruitment and promotion in the public service was introduced in March 2009 in response to the financial crisis. My Department operates a delegated sanction from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for implementation of the moratorium in relation to local authorities, and any exceptions to the moratorium in local authorities require sanction from my Department....

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (24 Apr 2012)

Phil Hogan: The information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Local Authority Charges: Local Authority Charges (24 Apr 2012)

Phil Hogan: As part of the process of preparing the National Housing Development Survey 2011, launched by my Department in October 2011, local authorities provided details of all unfinished housing developments in their areas. Unfinished housing developments were divided into four categories as follows: Category one, where the development is still being actively completed by the developer, or where no...

Written Answers — Water Charges: Water Charges (24 Apr 2012)

Phil Hogan: Irish Water will be required to have a range of options in place to assist householders who have difficulties in paying their bills. For example, a wide range of flexible payment options are available for the other utility services and it is expected that these will be replicated for water services. It would, also be expected that Irish Water would pursue payment from customers who refuse...

Written Answers — Local Authority Charges: Local Authority Charges (24 Apr 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 and the Local Government (Household Charge) Regulations provide the legislative basis for the household charge. Interpretation of the legislation is a matter for legal advice in individual cases and ultimately a matter for the Courts. Under the Act, an owner of a residential property on the liability date of 1 January 2012 is liable to pay the...