Results 881-900 of 7,278 for speaker:Dick Roche

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (24 Apr 2007)

Dick Roche: Article 9.1 of the EU Water Framework Directive requires Member States to take account of the principle of water services cost recovery, including environmental and resource costs, in accordance with the polluter pays principle. The Directive is being implemented in Ireland in relation to the non-domestic sector on the basis of recovery of all non-domestic water services costs from...

Written Answers — Water Pollution: Water Pollution (24 Apr 2007)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1034, 1037 and 1045 together. Water and waste water schemes currently approved for funding by my Department are set out in the Water Services Investment Programme 2005-2007 which is available in the Oireachtas Library. Schemes included in the Programme are derived from regular assessments of needs undertaken by local authorities, at my Department's request,...

Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (24 Apr 2007)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1035 and 1036 together. The Kyoto Protocol allows Parties to offset carbon sequestered by forests against their greenhouse gas emissions. Article 3.3 allows Parties to count net carbon sequestration from afforestation and deforestation provided since 1990, arising over the period covered by the Protocol, 2008-2012. Sequestered carbon must be accounted for in...

Written Answers — Turbary Rights: Turbary Rights (24 Apr 2007)

Dick Roche: The issue regarding the grant of right of way has been resolved and the contracts for sale are now with the Chief State Solicitor's Office for execution.

Written Answers — Fire Service: Fire Service (24 Apr 2007)

Dick Roche: My Department accepted recommendations made by the Fire Services Council some 10 years ago in relation to the design and specification of uniforms for fire services personnel and these were forwarded to the fire authorities for consideration in regard to the purchasing and replacement of uniforms, where appropriate. However, provision of uniforms remains a matter for individual fire authorities.

Written Answers — Fire Service: Fire Service (24 Apr 2007)

Dick Roche: I refer to reply to Question No. 302 of 21 March, 2007. The position is unchanged.

Written Answers — National Monuments: National Monuments (24 Apr 2007)

Dick Roche: Since my appointment as Minister I have not had an opportunity to visit Maynooth Castle in my official capacity and to review the €2 million restoration works which have been carried out there. As I advised the Deputy in reply to Question No. 568 of 5 April 2007, this consisted of a programme of conservation and adaptation works to the ground floor, the provision of access to the first...

Written Answers — Local Authority Services: Local Authority Services (24 Apr 2007)

Dick Roche: I refer to the reply to Question No. 1909 of 31 January 2007. I am continuing to keep this matter under review, while consolidating progress on quality customer service measures, with the aim of ensuring good accessible local government service delivery for all towns.

Written Answers — Local Authority Staff: Local Authority Staff (24 Apr 2007)

Dick Roche: My Department wrote to the Department of Finance in October 2006 identifying a range of issues arising in relation to the current ceiling on local authority staff numbers, including increased servicing requirements in areas which have experienced high population growth. As indicated previously, I am continuing to keep the overall employment position in the local government sector under...

Written Answers — County Development Boards: County Development Boards (24 Apr 2007)

Dick Roche: County and City Development Boards (CDBs), led by local government, were established in early 2000 in each county and city area and are representative of local development bodies, State agencies and the social partners operating locally. A key function of the Boards is to bring about the more integrated delivery of public services at local level via their Strategies for Economic, Social and...

Written Answers — City Status: City Status (24 Apr 2007)

Dick Roche: The Local Government Act 2001 modernises the legislative framework, supports community involvement with local authorities in participative local democracy and underpins generally the programme of local government renewal including the position of county and city councils as the primary units of local government. Under the Act, there are five city councils, and also five borough councils...

Written Answers — Housing Management Companies: Housing Management Companies (24 Apr 2007)

Dick Roche: The Planning and Development Act 2000 sets out the statutory framework within which planning authorities must take in charge estates and may attach planning conditions relating to maintenance or management of a proposed development. In addition to the legal framework, my Department has also issued policy guidance to planning authorities on these issues. In relation to the taking in charge of...

Written Answers — Control of Dogs: Control of Dogs (24 Apr 2007)

Dick Roche: The Control of Dogs Acts 1986 and 1992 place statutory responsibility for dog control and licensing services on local authorities. The implementation of the Acts is vested in local authorities who have power to appoint dog wardens, to provide shelters for stray and other dogs, to impose on-the-spot fines for a number of offences and to take prosecutions. Local authorities may also make...

Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2007: Second Stage (24 Apr 2007)

Dick Roche: It doubled the national debt and was running 35,000 to 45,000 people per year out on the emigrant ship. That election got rid of a Government that had elevated unemployment to 250,000. That was why on a Tuesday in 1987, 73.3% of the electorate turned out. Turnout figures recorded for the same day of the week vary significantly from poll to poll and from year to year. As I have said, the...

Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2007: Second Stage (24 Apr 2007)

Dick Roche: I have made the point before to the effect that his party was very enthusiastic in the past, but the point is that this is part of an ongoing debate we should have, removed from the white heat of electoral politics. We should examine how we conduct the democratic process and what powers should be given to an independent commission very early in the life of the next Dáil. I simply make that...

Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2007: Second Stage (24 Apr 2007)

Dick Roche: I am simply making the point, and I did not once interrupt the Deputy other than to query the date.

Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2007: Second Stage (24 Apr 2007)

Dick Roche: I did not. I asked out of a sense of not wanting to embarrass the Deputy, when I pointed out the error as regards the dates.

Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2007: Second Stage (24 Apr 2007)

Dick Roche: Overall, and despite several advantages, it is not clear that more people would have an opportunity to vote if elections and referendums were held at weekends. That is one argument. Equally, there is a counter argument. The day of the week to be appointed for the taking of a poll is a matter for decision on each occasion. It would be retrograde to remove the legislative flexibility...

Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2007: Second Stage (24 Apr 2007)

Dick Roche: ——at a minimum that the Deputy did very little research into this issue.

Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2007: Second Stage (24 Apr 2007)

Dick Roche: On a point of information——