Results 8,841-8,860 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Seanad: Hazardous Waste. (27 Jan 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: All I can say is that the local community group will be given every opportunity at the meeting next week with the officials of the Department to have an input into this report. There will be other strands to the report. We will communicate what the Senator is saying on behalf of the community here today. The Minister will take what is a logical, well defined decision, based on all the...

Seanad: Waste Management. (27 Jan 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: I thank Senator Cummins for raising this issue. Waste management issues have assumed increasing importance, both locally and nationally. From being the Cinderella of the environmental service, integrated and coherent waste management policy and infrastructure are now seen as critical to environmental sustainability. Improving our waste management infrastructure is vital in achieving ambitious...

Seanad: Waste Management. (27 Jan 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: I have checked with my Department and my understanding is that no such request has been received from Waterford County Council. When that request is received in the Department it will be given due consideration by the Minister.

Written Answers — Litter Pollution: Litter Pollution (26 Jan 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: Each local authority determines its level of expenditure on individual local services, including its anti-litter operations, as part of its annual estimates process. Such expenditure is funded from a variety of sources, including the local government fund, rates, fees and charges. In addition, since 1997 my Department has allocated a total of more than €4.35 million in grants to local...

Written Answers — Air Pollution: Air Pollution (26 Jan 2005)

Batt O'Keeffe: Air quality assessment is the responsibility for the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, and air quality management a matter for local authorities informed by air quality measurement data. The EPA's air quality monitoring annual report 2002 indicates that the limit values for pollutants under the EU air quality directives on ambient air quality were not being exceeded in 2002 and from the...

Seanad: Water and Sewerage Schemes. (25 Nov 2004)

Batt O'Keeffe: I thank the Senator for the opportunity to clarify these issues. Providing modern environmental infrastructure to support social and economic objectives has been a major focus of Government spending over recent years. My Department has made unprecedented investment under the national development plan on water and sewerage schemes and this has contributed significantly to the economic growth...

Seanad: Water and Sewerage Schemes. (25 Nov 2004)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Minister would have no difficulty in meeting the delegation but it would be more productive for the council to first submit any proposals it might have, to which we could give a considered response and have a follow-up meeting. The sooner the council can do that, the better.

Seanad: Water and Sewerage Schemes. (25 Nov 2004)

Batt O'Keeffe: No, there are still many proposals to be submitted.

Seanad: Telecommunications Services. (25 Nov 2004)

Batt O'Keeffe: I thank the Senator for raising this issue. Wireless technology is likely to become revolutionary in the unfolding of the information society. It has the capacity to offer access to all of the on-line information services required by an individual without being restricted by wires, connections and sockets. As technology develops these services will become faster, more powerful and truly...

Seanad: Telecommunications Services. (25 Nov 2004)

Batt O'Keeffe: I will bring the matter to the attention of the relevant Minister.

Seanad: Search and Rescue Service. (25 Nov 2004)

Batt O'Keeffe: I thank Senator McHugh for making a strong and sensible case. I assure the House that the training he mentioned is well under way and has almost been completed. The Mulroy coastal unit is one of 54 such units at strategic locations around the coast. The units are operated by male and female volunteers who make themselves available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to assist in marine...

Seanad: Search and Rescue Service. (25 Nov 2004)

Batt O'Keeffe: It is a very important matter and I guarantee that I will do so.

Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (23 Nov 2004)

Batt O'Keeffe: Approval in principle has been granted for the proposed replacement fire station in Westport which is included in the fire services capital programme as a priority project. Some €445,700 has been recouped to Mayo County Council to date to meet expenditure already incurred in respect of the site and fees for this project. My Department had requested Mayo County Council to review certain...

Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (23 Nov 2004)

Batt O'Keeffe: The proposed new headquarters fire station at Clonard in Wexford town is one of the projects included in the fire services capital programme, announced on 24 May 2004, to be advanced to construction stage on a phased basis in the period up to the end of 2005. The submission of design drawings and a detailed cost plan for approval is awaited. The new fire station is to be built as part of a...

Seanad: Road Safety. (10 Nov 2004)

Batt O'Keeffe: I thank Senator Kitt for raising this issue. The Roads Act 1993 is now the overall responsibility of the Minister for Transport. Under section 13 of the Act, road authorities are responsible for the maintenance and construction of non-national roads. Section 70 of the Act obliges the owner of any structure to take all reasonable steps to ensure that the structure, or use of the structure, is...

Seanad: Road Safety. (10 Nov 2004)

Batt O'Keeffe: Section 37(1) of the Local Government Act 1994 empowers the local authority to: make a bye-law for or in relation to the use, operation, protection, regulation or management of any land, services, or any other thing whatsoever provided by or under the control or management of the local authority or in relation to any matter connected therewith.

Seanad: National Sports Facilities: Statements. (3 Nov 2004)

Batt O'Keeffe: Also the education in north County Dublin obviously.

Asbestos Waste. (2 Nov 2004)

Batt O'Keeffe: I thank Deputies Kenny, Flynn and Cowley for raising a matter that is obviously of major importance to them. I am aware from media reports of the apparent intention of a company to seek to develop a waste facility for asbestos in County Mayo. I understand also that the proposers of the project have had discussions with the local authority. There is nothing to prevent individuals or companies...

Seanad: Report on Seanad Reform: Statements (Resumed). (21 Oct 2004)

Batt O'Keeffe: It is very pleasant to be back in this House. I enjoyed my stint in the Seanad from 1989 to 1992 and I look forward to the interaction we will have in the Chamber in the future. I commend you, a Chathaoirligh, on the even-handed and progressive way in which you direct the proceedings of this House. I would like to refer to my predecessor and Minister of State, Deputy Gallagher. He said at the...

Written Answers — Fire Safety Personnel: Fire Safety Personnel (12 Oct 2004)

Batt O'Keeffe: At 31 December 2002, the latest year for which statistics are available, the numbers of fire services personnel in the fire authorities in question were as follows: Fire Authority Full-Time Posts Retained Posts Cork City Council 141 1 Dublin City Council 926 52 Galway County Council 39 101 Limerick City Council 65 0 Dublin City Council provides fire services for Dún...