Results 8,801-8,820 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe
- Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage (Resumed). (9 Mar 2005)
Batt O'Keeffe: The Deputy is in no position to lecture anyone in this House having heard an interview he gave recently.
- Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage (Resumed). (9 Mar 2005)
Batt O'Keeffe: In his lifetime, the Deputy has struck many raw nerves with tragic consequences.
- Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage (Resumed). (9 Mar 2005)
Batt O'Keeffe: Deputy McHugh will give a lesson in Galway mathematics.
- Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage (Resumed). (9 Mar 2005)
Batt O'Keeffe: As always, Deputy Morgan is being magnanimous.
- Seanad: Totalisator (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (2 Mar 2005)
Batt O'Keeffe: Only the Senator could afford that.
- Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (22 Feb 2005)
Batt O'Keeffe: In July 2004, my Department conveyed approval to Kilkenny County Council to invite tenders for the construction of a new fire station at Freshford at an estimated all-in cost of â¬590,000. The council's tender proposals are awaited in the Department.
- Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (22 Feb 2005)
Batt O'Keeffe: Kilkenny County Council's proposal for a new fire station at Castlecomer is being considered in my Department in the context of the fire services capital programme having regard to the overall availability of resources and priorities under the programme.
- Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (16 Feb 2005)
Batt O'Keeffe: In May 2004, my Department approved in principle a proposal by Cork County Council for the provision of an extension and the carrying out of refurbishment works to Youghal fire station. However, I understand that Cork County Council does not now intend to proceed with this proposal and is preparing a proposal for the provision of a new fire station. On receipt, this proposal will be...
- Domestic Refuse Charges: Motion (Resumed). (16 Feb 2005)
Batt O'Keeffe: Waste is an inevitable consequence of human activity and its treatment in a sustainable manner is important for our well-being and that of the environment around us.
- Domestic Refuse Charges: Motion (Resumed). (16 Feb 2005)
Batt O'Keeffe: Ireland has witnessed a rapid moving away from circumstances in which we had little regard for the way in which we handled our waste. We are now progressing to a situation in which we will have waste management services that match best international practice. As my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Roche, stressed in the House last night, this comes at a price. Successive Governments have...
- Domestic Refuse Charges: Motion (Resumed). (16 Feb 2005)
Batt O'Keeffe: These factors combined inevitably mean the charges will reflect both local circumstances and the individual choices and this is as it should be.
- Domestic Refuse Charges: Motion (Resumed). (16 Feb 2005)
Batt O'Keeffe: The concern at the centre of this debate is the issue of waiver schemes. Let me be clear about the facts. Local authorities are empowered to provide such schemes where judged necessary.
- Domestic Refuse Charges: Motion (Resumed). (16 Feb 2005)
Batt O'Keeffe: Local authorities who provide a waste collection service directly have traditionally provided waivers.
- Domestic Refuse Charges: Motion (Resumed). (16 Feb 2005)
Batt O'Keeffe: It is important to stress that such waivers are not uniform in character.
- Domestic Refuse Charges: Motion (Resumed). (16 Feb 2005)
Batt O'Keeffe: They vary in scope between local authorities which reflects local judgments about local circumstances. While waiver schemes have not been a significant feature in areas served by private operators, local authorities have the power in such circumstances to make appropriate arrangements to deal with cases of hardship. This issue has not been pinpointed as part of the debate. As with charges in...
- Domestic Refuse Charges: Motion (Resumed). (16 Feb 2005)
Batt O'Keeffe: These discussions are as a consequence of the issue being raised under social partnership arrangements and Sustaining Progress. It is to be hoped that there will be an early conclusion to this dialogue.
- Domestic Refuse Charges: Motion (Resumed). (16 Feb 2005)
Batt O'Keeffe: We have an increasingly sophisticated and effective waste management system. These services are progressively being funded by those who benefit most from them based on the pay by use principle. The charges reflect the actual cost of providing waste services in individual localities, and the Government has long recognised that the waiving of charges in certain limited circumstances may be...
- Domestic Refuse Charges: Motion (Resumed). (16 Feb 2005)
Batt O'Keeffe: I take issue with Deputy Higgins who cited statistics from 2001. He was selective with regard to recycling. Recycling of municipal waste has increased from 9% in 1998 to 28% in 2003, and packaging waste recycling has increased from 15% in 1998 to 42% in 2003.
- Seanad: Water Quality. (10 Feb 2005)
Batt O'Keeffe: I thank Senator Quinn for raising the important issue of keeping the public informed about the quality of the water supply. Delivery of a quality customer service has been a central objective of the modernisation programme that has been under way in the local government sector for a number of years. A customer service group was established in May 2003 as part of the overall process. A list of...
- Seanad: Water Quality. (10 Feb 2005)
Batt O'Keeffe: Committee Stage will take place this term.