Results 8,361-8,380 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (20 Feb 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: Approval in principle was granted in 2001 for a new fire station in Tallow. While it has not been possible to provide funding for this station as part of the 2007 fire services capital programme which I announced last week, funding has been provided for various other priority projects which have been advanced in County Waterford since 2001. These include replacement stations and extensions...

Bridge Collapse. (7 Feb 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. County councils and other major local authorities are responsible for managing and maintaining all non-national roads and bridges in their area. Each year, my Department assesses the non-national roads programmes of local authorities and makes substantial grant allocations towards these programmes. Authorities also have to commit an appropriate...

Seanad: Biodiversity Conservation. (6 Feb 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: I thank Senator Coghlan for raising what is an important matter to those of us in the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. As a party to the Convention on Biological Diversity, Ireland published a national biodiversity plan in 2002 containing 91 actions aimed at securing the conservation, sustainable use and enhancement of biodiversity in Ireland. A key concept of...

Seanad: Biodiversity Conservation. (6 Feb 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: My understanding, which I will confirm for the Senator, is that it contains the main rulings of the European Court. If there is any deficiency in terms of the information the Senator requires, my Department will be only too happy to supply it to him.

Seanad: Water and Sewerage Schemes. (14 Dec 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: I thank the Senator for raising this issue. My Department has provided significant funding for various improvements and extensions to the Shannon Estuary water supply scheme. The Water Services Investment Programme 2005-07 includes some €5.5 million for an upgrade of the treatment works and an extension of the supply system to Pallaskenry and Kildimo. The Department also provided moneys...

Seanad: Water and Sewerage Schemes. (14 Dec 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: Ultimately, responsibility has been delegated to local authorities. They have their own science laboratories to test water quality. Water supplies must conform with the water framework directive. Accordingly, I can only conclude that, in certain circumstances, it is. The underlying problem is that the water is not up to the standard required by the directive in certain areas. For that...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments. (14 Dec 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: On behalf of the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Michael McDowell, I thank Senator McHugh for raising this important issue. I hope what I have to say will be positive in terms of addressing the issues he raised. The Tánaiste has asked me to assure the Senator and the House of the importance he places on adequately resourcing the judicial system. In this...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments. (14 Dec 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Senator's response is disappointing. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has assigned nine new judges to the system to deal with any delays. The President of the District Court, having reviewed the situation in Donegal——

Seanad: Judicial Appointments. (14 Dec 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: ——has advised the Minister that there should not be any delay. The Minister and the Courts Service have to deal with 1,139 extra cases to reduce the backlog.

Leaders' Questions (13 Dec 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: Deputy Rabbitte was still on the old agenda.

Special Areas of Conservation. (12 Dec 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: Over the nine-year period, where the Department was aware of the ownership of land, all the people concerned were written to. In certain instances there might be a question over the ownership of certain parcels of land and to make contact with those people, all the other devices of making that information available were used — the media, public notices and maps in public places. In...

Special Areas of Conservation. (12 Dec 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: There has been no amendment of the provisions relating to special areas of conservation, SACs, appeals as set out in the European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations 1997. These provisions allow persons with a legal interest in designated areas to object to such designations, on scientific grounds, within a three-month period from the time of designation. Moreover, in circumstances...

Special Areas of Conservation. (12 Dec 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: The answer to Deputy Naughten's first question is "yes". It was introduced during 2001. For nine years the farming community should have been aware that some of their lands were designated. There has been an opportunity over a nine-year period. In addition, the National Parks and Wildlife Service has notified through radio, television and newspaper advertising, and through the provision...

Financial Resolution No. 6: General (Resumed) (7 Dec 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: I welcome the 2007 budget, particularly the commitment to maintaining high levels of provision for the wide range of essential public services and for its deliberate focus on those who most need the assistance of the State. I am pleased to note that it reflects the most comprehensive package of environmental measures ever announced in a budget. This package cuts across all major economic...

Financial Resolution No. 6: General (Resumed) (7 Dec 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: That would have been a lose-lose situation. The Kyoto Protocol established that it makes good sense to buy carbon credits because it is concerned with a global reduction. By saying it would not avail of the carbon credit purchase scheme the Opposition signals to industry that it will shut it down, create unemployment and reduce confidence in the economy. It was better for us to take the...

Financial Resolution No. 6: General (Resumed) (7 Dec 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: Deputy Roche recently signed a contract for carbon allowances worth €20 million with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development following the approval of the Dáil on 30 November. The Government has approved the publication of the carbon fund Bill and intends to introduce it to the Oireachtas next week. This is only part of our approach to climate change. We are also committed...

Financial Resolution No. 6: General (Resumed) (7 Dec 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: This will apply to all vehicles registered from 1 January 2008 and will complement the review of VRT announced by Deputy Cowen yesterday.

Financial Resolution No. 6: General (Resumed) (7 Dec 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: Reducing emissions from the transport sector remains one of the key challenges on climate change and these measures along with those related to bio-fuels and other alternative energies announced yesterday will make a major contribution in this regard.

Postal Services: Motion (Resumed) (6 Dec 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Minister, Deputy Noel Dempsey, regrets he cannot address the House this afternoon. Following from yesterday's interesting debate, it is clear we are all agreed on the importance of the postal service and the post office network. A vibrant, efficient postal service is an important aspect of any successful economy and it is vital therefore that An Post continues to return to a secure...

Postal Services: Motion (Resumed) (6 Dec 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: We have net immigration.