Results 8,441-8,460 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Seanad: Energy Policy: Motion (25 Oct 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: ——I would have expected to have ascertained all the facts before reaching a conclusion.

Seanad: Energy Policy: Motion (25 Oct 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: One would have expected their research to have been complete rather than half-baked. One would also have expected their honesty and declared lack of gall, which they would attribute to others, to have divorced them from the sound bite in order to deal with the facts. I wish to set out the facts on the hollow block issue. It is important when one receives information under the Freedom of...

Seanad: Energy Policy: Motion (25 Oct 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: One would have seen that the other negative impact mentioned, and emphasised so strongly as a saving to the house purchaser, was that it would increase the cost of housing in Dublin owing to the higher labour and material costs associated with solid block in this construction.

Seanad: Energy Policy: Motion (25 Oct 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: I refer Senator O'Toole——

Seanad: Energy Policy: Motion (25 Oct 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: ——and Senator Norris, in particular, to an august body, namely, University College Dublin. The broadly based Building Regulations Advisory Body commissioned an independent study by the Energy Research Group, UCD. That was published in November 2000.

Seanad: Energy Policy: Motion (25 Oct 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: The results of that study showed that the hollow block construction could be insulated to comply with the proposed higher thermal performance standards.

Seanad: Energy Policy: Motion (25 Oct 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: That is a fact. I emphasise that the Government does not have a preference for any particular form of house building. The Irish Timber Frame Manufacturers Association and the Department are co-operating closely to implement a package of measures to facilitate timber frame construction as recommended in a report on timber frame housing in Ireland commissioned by the Department. We are also...

Seanad: Energy Policy: Motion (25 Oct 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: I am not. Without such pragmatic and temporary exemptions, the house building programme would not be running at the current all time record level now approaching 90,000 new dwellings per annum. I wish to clarify the position as regards the timetable for the introduction of building energy rating. The EU energy performance of buildings directive set 1 January 2006 as the deadline for legal...

Seanad: Energy Policy: Motion (25 Oct 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: Ireland is one of only two EU member states which are known to have produced an integrated action plan for the implementation of all aspects of the directive. The plan was published on 1 August last. Ireland has made substantial progress in the legal transposition of the directive. Ireland is one of only 11 member states against whom the European Commission is not taking infringement...

Nuclear Test Ban Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Oct 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: I thank all the Deputies who contributed for their constructive input. This year marks the tenth anniversary of the opening for signature of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. Given recent events in North Korea, it is more urgent than ever that the international community does all it can to encourage further signature and ratification of the treaty. The treaty will enter into force...

Nuclear Test Ban Bill 2006: Referral to Select Committee (19 Oct 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in accordance with Standing Order 120(1) and paragraph 1(a)(i) of the Orders of Reference of that committee.

Seanad: Seanad Electoral Register (18 Oct 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: I make this reply on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Roche. I thank Senator Norris for raising this matter and for giving me an opportunity to set out the position on an issue which I know is of particular interest to Members of the House. In accordance with section 9 of the Seanad Electoral (University Members) Act 1937, a...

Seanad: Seanad Electoral Register (18 Oct 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: From the experience of the past it would seem the Taoiseach will allow the Dáil to run its full term. He has given that commitment and we have no reason to believe otherwise, even though the polls are good for us at present.

Seanad: School Closures (18 Oct 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: I am making this reply on behalf of the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Hanafin. At the outset, I thank Senator Kitt for raising this matter and Senator Ulick Burke for his contribution to the debate. The Department of Education and Science fully appreciates the impact and importance this decision has on the local community. I emphasise that Seamount College is a voluntary...

Seanad: School Closures (18 Oct 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: Obviously, I am willing to take the concerns of both Senators back to the Department of Education and Science. My understanding is that the enrolment of 240 is the accurate figure. I also understand there is capacity for 800 in Gort community school and that its enrolment of 730 allows for further expansion of the number of pupils it can accommodate. That being said, if additional...

Seanad: Local Authority Housing. (18 Oct 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: I am pleased to have the opportunity to take this matter on behalf of my Departmental colleague, Deputy Noel Ahern. Glenma housing estate is a private estate of 43 houses built by the NBA in 1973. Of these, 35 are privately owned; they were sold as private purchases when the estate was originally built. Limerick County Council owns and rents the remaining eight houses. The houses were...

Seanad: Local Authority Housing. (18 Oct 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: I have seen many of these schemes going ahead. I note the Senator did not say anything about the enhancement and increase in value of the houses that will accrue as a result of the improvement works. The value of a house went from €400,000 to almost €700,000 following improvement works carried out in an estate in my old constituency, It is to the benefit of people to have these houses...

Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (4 Oct 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Environmental Protection Agency's most recent report on Air Quality in Ireland, published in July 2006, concludes that air quality is generally good throughout the country and complies with current EU air quality standards for all pollutants, including nitrogen oxides. The EU Directive on National Emission Ceilings specifies challenging aggregate national ceilings for four transboundary...

Local Authority Housing. (4 Oct 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: The question of installing fire doors in existing houses adapted by the installation of lifts in order to meet the needs of people with disabilities will be considered in the context of the next review of part B, fire safety, of the building regulations. Local authorities have an overall role in ensuring local authority dwellings meet the needs of tenants and safety is an important...

Local Authority Housing. (4 Oct 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: Deputy Crowe is correct that the current building regulations do not require the installation of fire doors in ordinary one and two storey houses. Most doors can contain smoke to a certain level and, when combined with a smoke alarm, will provide a degree of fire safety. However, even where fire alarms are installed, 30% are not working. We are trying to send a message to people not only...