Results 8,421-8,440 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Court Procedures. (14 Nov 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: A sentencing information system would enable a judge, by entering relevant criteria, to access information about the range of sentences and other penalties imposed for particular types of offence in previous cases. The committee has carried out an examination of sentencing information systems developed in other common law jurisdictions. The committee is compiling research on sentencing...

Court Procedures. (14 Nov 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: As the Deputy will be aware, work on drafting the scheme of a judicial council Bill is well advanced. The Bill aims to provide effective remedies for complaints about judicial misbehaviour and its provisions will include lay participation in the investigation of complaints. The Bill will also address the question of judicial training and information and, in that context, will provide a...

Written Answers — Litter Pollution: Litter Pollution (8 Nov 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: Under the Litter Pollution Acts 1997 to 2003, primary responsibility for developing and implementing responses to litter lies with local authorities. Local authorities are required, so far as is practicable, to ensure that public roads in their functional areas are kept free of litter. They are also required to take all practicable measures for the prevention, control and disposal of litter...

Written Answers — Wildlife Protection: Wildlife Protection (8 Nov 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Wildlife Acts provide generally that it is an offence for a person to cut, grub, burn or otherwise destroy any vegetation growing in any hedge or ditch during the period from 1 March to 31 August subject to certain exemptions for example, where an issue of public safety is involved. The purpose of these provisions is to protect bird life during the nesting season, to prevent forest fires,...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (8 Nov 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: Under the Rural Water Programme a grant of up to 75% of costs or €2031 per house which ever is lesser, is available from local authorities for the provision of private sewage collection and disposal facilities through group sewerage schemes. The National Rural Water Monitoring Committee, are currently undertaking a pilot programme to test a range of new, small-scale wastewater collection...

Environmental Policy. (8 Nov 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 and 25 together. Over-grazing of livestock has given rise to environmental problems, particularly loss of vegetation and soil erosion in commonages. Damage to the habitat of the red grouse in the Owenduff Nephin Beg complex special protection area in County Mayo has been the subject of a continuing infringement case, under the birds directive, taken against...

Environmental Policy. (8 Nov 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department has now agreed with farming representatives to make a payment of €40 per head for each ewe taken off the hills for the five-month period. We are also making a once-off payment of €2,000 to each existing REPS farmer in respect of de-stocking. A contract was entered into with REPS farmers which obliged them to de-stock at a particular level. They are now being asked to...

Environmental Policy. (8 Nov 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: Yes. There is an agreement with the farming community on that issue.

Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed) (2 Nov 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: I welcome the opportunity to respond to all of those who have contributed to this important debate. We have heard that the options introduced by way of amendment in 2002 have acted in a way that has positively affected the capacity of Part V to deliver many more units than had been the case prior to their adoption. The suggestion seems to be that if everything had been left as it was, there...

Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed) (2 Nov 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: It is interesting to note that Deputy Gregory, who is no longer in the Chamber, had no problem making a deal with Fianna Fáil, accepting expenditure and developers building additional accommodation in his patch. As with everything else and Deputy Gregory, the phrase "if the price is right"applies. I reiterate that the Government has delivered on its promise and will continue to take all...

Climate Change. (1 Nov 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: I thank Deputy O'Malley for raising an appropriate, pertinent and opportune issue and, as always, for making an incisive contribution to the discussion. I am glad to have an opportunity to respond to the Stern report. The Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change published by the British Government this week puts the global warming debate centre stage in economic terms and reminds all...

Climate Change. (1 Nov 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: Through greater energy efficiency, individuals and businesses have the power to contribute to the 2020 vision. This will mean a change in behaviour and attitudes to achieve the target set out in the Green Paper of a 20% reduction in energy demand by 2020. The recently launched national energy efficiency campaign, The Power of One, is aimed at encouraging such behavioural change. The agenda...

Seanad: Water and Sewerage Schemes (25 Oct 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: I thank the Senator for raising this issue again. The Department's water services investment programme 2005-2007, published last December, includes funding for more than 20 water and sewerage schemes throughout Limerick. Rather than leaving Limerick behind, we are looking after it well. Towns and villages such as Adare, Patrickswell, Askeaton, Foynes, Glin, Shanagolden, Kilmallock,...

Seanad: Water and Sewerage Schemes (25 Oct 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: I thank Senator Kitt for raising this issue. The Department's water services investment programme 2005-2007, published in December 2005, includes some 60 major water and sewerage schemes, with a value of more than €451 million, for Galway. The Mountbellew sewerage scheme is being bundled with a number of other schemes in the county for procurement purposes and is scheduled to commence in...

Seanad: Nursing Home Subventions (25 Oct 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: I am pleased to have this opportunity to deal with this matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney. I thank the Senator for raising the matter as it provides me with an opportunity to outline to the House the current position with regard to the nursing home subvention scheme. A nursing home subvention may be paid towards the cost of private nursing...

Seanad: Nursing Home Subventions (25 Oct 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: The question of retrospective payment does not arise because in each area the subvention depends on the cost of the nursing home care. Nursing home care costs differ greatly between areas like Dublin, Cork, Galway and areas of rural Ireland. In some rural areas, the costs of care are much lower than in others. I do not envisage any retrospective payment being made. There will be some...

Seanad: Energy Policy: Motion (25 Oct 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: Security of energy supply, climate change and improving the energy performance of our building stock are significant issues. They are vital for the future of our planet and the quality of life for future generations, impacting on our potential for sustainable economic growth and social development. The Government has taken major initiatives in this regard. The landmark Government Green...

Seanad: Energy Policy: Motion (25 Oct 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: Emissions in Ireland have been on a downward trend in the last several years and this trend must be judged in the context of sustained economic growth over the past ten years. There are an additional 300,000 people living in Ireland since 2002, bringing our population to 4.2 million, and there has been an increase in industrial production of more than 300% since 1990. House completions are...

Seanad: Energy Policy: Motion (25 Oct 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: The next revision of part L standards for dwellings is due in 2008. In this context, I endorse the initiative of Fingal County Council in using the planning process to impose building energy performance standards in excess of part L of the building regulations in certain areas.

Seanad: Energy Policy: Motion (25 Oct 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: This practical experience will feed into our upgrading of the regulations which apply at national level. The Private Members' motion is also critical of the continued use of the hollow concrete block method of house construction, an area of interest to Senators O'Toole and Norris. I listened to two very erudite men who, as part of their scientific education——