Results 8,681-8,700 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Housing Policy: Statements (Resumed). (16 Nov 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Government seeks to ensure that young people have a good future living in homes in a sustainable environment. It will ensure that strong demand for housing, which is due to demographic factors and economic success, continues and will concentrate for the foreseeable future on implementing policies which will meet this demand. The most recent housing report published by the Economic and...

Road Safety: Motion (Resumed). (9 Nov 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: I thank Members from all sides for their contributions to what has been an open and interesting debate on road safety. I am particularly encouraged by the acknowledgement of a number of speakers, in particular Deputies Olivia Mitchell and Shortall, that road safety is an area of public policy that should not be the subject of political point scoring. Deputy Shortall listed a range of issues...

Road Safety: Motion (Resumed). (9 Nov 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: I ask that the rest of the statement be put in the Library.

Road Safety: Motion (Resumed). (9 Nov 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: I merely quoted the Deputies' concerns.

Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (8 Nov 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: Provision has been made under the fire services capital programme for Monaghan County Council's proposal for a new fire station at Clones to be advanced to construction by the end of 2006. The Department is examining the design drawings and cost plan for the project and will issue a decision on them shortly.

Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (2 Nov 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department has recently authorised Mayo County Council to invite tenders for the provision of a new fire station at Westport, County Mayo, and has indicated that up to €2 million of grant aid will be available for the project. Until the tender process has been completed, it will not be possible to indicate when construction will commence.

Health Services: Motion (Resumed). (26 Oct 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: Is Deputy McManus implying that hers is better?

Third Level Education. (25 Oct 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: I thank the Deputy for raising this pertinent and important matter on the Adjournment. Each year leaving certificate students submit applications to the Central Applications Office for admission to courses of third level education. The principal object of the CAO is to process these applications for admission to courses. The function of admission or rejection of applicants to institutions...

Water and Sewerage Schemes. (25 Oct 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue and I am glad to have the opportunity to give an update on the scheme. My Department's water services investment programme for 2004 to 2006 was published in May 2004 and includes funding for more than 20 water and sewerage schemes throughout County Limerick. Towns and villages including Adare, Patrickswell, Athea, Askeaton, Foynes, Glin and Kilmallock...

Water and Sewerage Schemes. (25 Oct 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: Many areas will also benefit from improved water supplies from the major upgrade planned for the Clareville water treatment plant, improvements to the Shannon Estuary water supply scheme and extensions of the County Limerick trunk water mains. In total, almost €143 million is being invested under the water services investment programme in County Limerick. I am glad to be able to confirm...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (25 Oct 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: On 22 December 2004, an additional reasoned opinion was addressed to Ireland by the European Commission, under Article 226 of the treaty establishing the European Community, concerning alleged failure by Ireland to comply with obligations under Directive 75/442/EEC on waste, as amended by Directive 91/156/EEC, and Directive 92/43/EEE on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild flora...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (25 Oct 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 644, 673, 678 and 679 together. Detailed information on the number of local authority houses completed or acquired in 2004 and for the first six months of 2005 is available in the quarterly and annual housing statistics bulletins published by my Department, copies of which are available in the Oireachtas Library and on the Department's website at...

Avian Influenza. (25 Oct 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department is participating in the development of Ireland's precautionary response to the risk of avian 'flu. Against the background that migratory birds may transmit the disease between countries and regions, the National Parks and Wildlife Service is assisting and providing advice on wildlife-related issues to the Department of Agriculture and Food. The current focus of attention is on...

Avian Influenza. (25 Oct 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: We are very concerned and are on alert in regard to these matters. By way of background information, it appears the parrot that died in quarantine in the UK had tested negative for avian influenza. That was before the shipment from Surinam. It is important to note that the parrot was quarantined in shared air space with birds from Taiwan, some of which have since died. There is no evidence,...

Avian Influenza. (25 Oct 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: We have quarantine laws in place here. The European Union operates as an individual unit. A meeting of EU Ministers was held today on this issue and a decision may be taken today, which will be taken unanimously by that unit. That decision is imminent. As far as we are concerned, we are on red alert regarding these matters and will take all the necessary precautions across departmental boundaries.

Avian Influenza. (25 Oct 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: I confirm that no cases have been detected.

Avian Influenza. (25 Oct 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: There were some suspicions but from all the tests that have been carried out there is no evidence of the existence of avian influenza in Ireland.

Avian Influenza. (25 Oct 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: I do not have that information with me but I can relay it to the Deputy.

Avian Influenza. (25 Oct 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: In my earlier reply, I outlined the fact that various units of the organisation have been carrying out tests here and have also been monitoring exactly what is happening elsewhere internationally. They have acted in unison in negotiations with their European counterparts who are meeting today to decide what further measures may have to be taken regarding the importation of birds, including...

Avian Influenza. (25 Oct 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: Three foxes were also found dead in that location. A post mortem examination and virus isolation test are being carried out by the Department on a cygnet carcass. Nothing positive has been found and a final result of those tests will not be known for approximately ten days.