Results 8,561-8,580 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed). (31 May 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: We are splitting the atom.

Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (30 May 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 619 and 620 together. An application from Donegal County Council for approval to construct new fire stations at Ballybofey/Stranorlar and Glencolmcille was received in my Department on 15 February 2006. The application is now being considered having regard to the overall availability of resources and priorities under the fire services capital programme.

Waste Management. (25 May 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: I thank Deputy Broughan for raising a matter obviously very much in the interests of his community. Under the Waste Management Act 1996, as amended, local authorities have a statutory duty to make a waste management plan for the prevention, minimisation, collection, recovery and disposal of non-hazardous waste. Dublin City Council, as the lead authority for the four Dublin local authorities,...

Water and Sewerage Schemes. (25 May 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: The national water services pricing policy framework provides for the recovery by sanitary authorities of the cost of providing water services from the users of those services, with the exception of water services provided to householders for domestic purposes. This policy is consistent with the polluter pays principle and the EU water framework directive. The policy fully respects the...

Water and Sewerage Schemes. (25 May 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: The remaining marginal capital cost of servicing non-domestic consumers and providing for future development is recovered by the local authority from all non-domestic consumers in its functional area on a countywide basis through a combination of water charges on commercial consumers and planning levies on future development. Only significant largescale consumers who reserve a specific...

Water and Sewerage Schemes. (25 May 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: I am conscious of the importance of the Achill Sound scheme and met a representative, Councillor Murray, who I assured of the importance of this scheme. Any submission from the council will be dealt with as a matter of urgency on receipt in my Department.

Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed). (25 May 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: He ran from their embraces.

Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (23 May 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 548 and 549 together. An application from Donegal County Council for approval in principle for a new fire station at Gweedore was received in my Department on 15 February 2006 and is being considered in the context of the fire services capital programme, having regard to the overall availability of resources and priorities under the programme.

Seanad: School Staffing. (17 May 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: l am pleased to have this opportunity to outline on behalf of the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Hanafin — who is currently responding to a Private Members' motion in the Dáil — the position on school staffing and particularly the staffing in Kilcooley national school. The Government has provided the largest increase in teacher numbers since the expansion of free education....

Seanad: School Staffing. (17 May 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: My understanding is that the appeal board's decision is final and there is no recourse to appeal it. Based on the enrolment figure for September 2005, it appears that the school will be entitled to one principal and two mainstream class teachers. I do not envisage that position will change unless the appeal board makes such a decision on 25 May.

Seanad: School Staffing. (17 May 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: I will convey that to the Minister but if it is the position, the board of management will have made that case in its submission to the appeal board, and it will be a matter for the appeal board to take a decision on that basis.

Seanad: Energy Strategy: Motion. (17 May 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: That is a subjective view on the part of the Senator.

Seanad: Energy Strategy: Motion. (17 May 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: We take the objective view.

Seanad: Waste Management: Statements. (17 May 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: I ended my earlier contribution by anticipating that the debate would be informative and beneficial, which it has proved to be. The contributions from Senators were knowledgeable and constructive and demonstrated an understanding of the importance of waste management and the challenges our society faces. All societies generate waste but one of the hallmarks of a sustainable society is its...

Seanad: Waste Management: Statements. (17 May 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: That is why Fine Gael is so high in the polls at the moment.

Seanad: Waste Management: Statements. (17 May 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: I thank the House for this opportunity to address Members. This is an extremely important topic and one of major concern to all of the stakeholders involved, be it the Government, the wider political system, the statutory authorities, the waste management industry or the general public. Waste management is truly a collective, shared responsibility which requires a significant degree of...

Seanad: Waste Management: Statements. (17 May 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: They are telling lies.

Seanad: Waste Management: Statements. (17 May 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: Just imagine the colours — green, red and blue. What a concoction.

National Development Plan. (9 May 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Minister for Finance apologises for not responding to this debate. Ireland will draw down its full entitlements under the Structural Funds for each region. This means that investments will continue to take place in both regions leading to further improvements in living standards. These large-scale co-financed investments have occurred in roads, water services, child care, enterprise, and...

Citizenship Applications. (9 May 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: I thank the Deputy for raising a very important humane issue. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, who cannot be present, has asked me to respond to the matter raised by the Deputy. The average processing time for applications for certificates of naturalisation is 24 months. The lengthy processing time for such applications is primarily due to the significant increase in the...