Results 7,261-7,280 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Waste Disposal. (10 Oct 2007)

John Gormley: This is not related to the question in the name of Deputy Quinn. I addressed this issue in some detail in an Adjournment debate when the matter was raised by Deputy Broughan. I informed Deputy Broughan that I shared his concern. I wish to establish as quickly as possible the location of the use of this pyrite and whether it was used in other areas. It is an important matter but it is not...

Waste Disposal. (10 Oct 2007)

John Gormley: I was stopped short in my reply to Deputy Tuffy. The black bag and the grey bin are very important. I believe we can do much better with regard to unsegregated waste by investing in MBT, mechanical biological treatment of waste. I had the opportunity to visit an excellent MBT plant in Austria. An MBT plant should be located at every landfill site. This is low technology rather than high...

Waste Disposal. (10 Oct 2007)

John Gormley: I will deal with the Deputy's point. There is a problem in two areas. One is apartment living and the other is with dispersed communities. We must deal with that issue. That is the reason I am setting up the review of waste management. Those two areas must be addressed, and I hope we will find a solution. However, the key to dealing with waste is having proper MBT facilities.

Planning Issues. (10 Oct 2007)

John Gormley: As I indicated in the reply to Questions Nos. 197 and 198 of 27 September 2007, the non-completion of any development in line with the planning permission for that development is unauthorised development, which is an offence under the Planning Acts. Enforcement of planning control is a matter for the planning authorities, which have substantial enforcement powers and duties under the...

Planning Issues. (10 Oct 2007)

John Gormley: This is an interesting problem. Often, people insist I micro-manage. However, giving more power back to local authority members is also discussed.

Planning Issues. (10 Oct 2007)

John Gormley: The Green Paper on local government reform is about getting the balance right on this. Some people suggest a command and control system and I believe we have a centralised country as it is.

Planning Issues. (10 Oct 2007)

John Gormley: I happen to believe it and it was often stated that we do not have real local government, we have local administration. We must trust local authorities to carry out their functions properly. They have the powers, and the essence of what Deputy Hogan stated is that they do not carry out those functions properly.

Planning Issues. (10 Oct 2007)

John Gormley: In exceptional cases where I feel I am compelled to act——

Planning Issues. (10 Oct 2007)

John Gormley: Exactly, that was the instance I was going to give the House. In this case a rezoning took place which I felt was out of order, would have increased the population threefold in the area and would have had disastrous consequences for generations to come. It represented bad planning. In instances where I see bad planning I will intervene.

Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy (10 Oct 2007)

John Gormley: Ba mhaith liom comhbhrón a dhéanamh le muintir Seán Keegan. While I did not know Seán Keegan, from those remaining in the House who served with him I know he was very highly regarded and epitomised the very best qualities of public service and dedication to his country and his constituents. He was a committed local politician who served the people of Westmeath diligently throughout his...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (9 Oct 2007)

John Gormley: A sewerage scheme to serve Blenheim and other areas was sixth on the list of water and sewerage schemes submitted by Waterford City Council in response to my Department's request to all local authorities in 2006 to undertake assessments of needs for capital works in their areas and to prioritise their proposals on the basis of these assessments. The priority lists were taken into account in...

Written Answers — Litter Pollution: Litter Pollution (9 Oct 2007)

John Gormley: Statistics on local authority enforcement action, including the number of litter fines issued and paid, are submitted by local authorities to my Department every six months; these figures are also available in the Oireachtas Library. The number of on-the-spot litter fines issued for the twelve months ended 31 December 2006 was 27,078. Of these 12,521 were paid.

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (9 Oct 2007)

John Gormley: My attention has been drawn to the quarry development referred to in the question. However, under section 30 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 I, as Minister, may only intervene in the planning process in respect of heritage matters, i.e., I may comment on planning applications or appeals, or give expert advice to planning authorities or an Bord Pleanála, in relation to the protection...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (9 Oct 2007)

John Gormley: Under Section 34 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 planning authorities may attach conditions to planning permissions in relation to appropriate naming and numbering of, and the provision of appropriate signage for, proposed developments. I have no plans to issue national guidance on this matter, which I consider is more appropriately dealt with at local authority level.

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (9 Oct 2007)

John Gormley: The Courtmacsherry and Timoleague sewerage scheme is included in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009 as a scheme to begin construction in 2009. My Department is awaiting the submission of a revised Preliminary Report for the scheme by Cork County Council. Following approval of the Preliminary Report the Council will be in a position to draw up Contract Documents.

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (9 Oct 2007)

John Gormley: The Kinsale Sewerage Scheme has been approved for construction under my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009 at a cost of €20 million. I understand that work has already begun on the upgrading of the collection system. Cork County Council's Tender Documents for the new wastewater treatment plant are being examined in my Department and are being dealt with as quickly...

Written Answers — Natural Heritage Areas: Natural Heritage Areas (9 Oct 2007)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 508 and 509 together. The Water Framework Directive is transposed into Irish National Law by the European Communities (Water Policy) Regulations 2003, as amended. The regulations require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish and maintain a Register of Protected Areas in accordance with Article 6 of the Directive. These 'protected areas'...

Written Answers — Natural Heritage Areas: Natural Heritage Areas (9 Oct 2007)

John Gormley: I understand that the Chief State Solicitor's Office has raised a legal query which needs to be resolved before the sale can be completed in this case. My Department is examining the matter, with a view to resolving it as early as possible.

Written Answers — Library Projects: Library Projects (9 Oct 2007)

John Gormley: I am aware of the current staffing needs identified by Fingal County Council in relation to the new library in Garristown and am more generally reviewing the overall employment levels in the local government sector having regard to the need to deliver front line services and achieve value for money within the parameters of Government policy on public service employment generally. As part of...

Written Answers — Cross-Border Projects: Cross-Border Projects (9 Oct 2007)

John Gormley: The North/South Unit of my Department is responsible for coordinating matters relating to North/South and British-Irish co-operation in the environmental area in the framework of the Good Friday and St. Andrews Agreements. Since the restoration of the Northern Ireland Executive in May 2007 work has intensified regarding the preparations necessary for meetings of the North/South Ministerial...