Results 9,361-9,380 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Confidence in the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government: Motion. (30 Mar 2004)

Martin Cullen: The Green Party criticises me for failing to comply with international obligations on greenhouse gases, yet tomorrow Ireland will be one of only two member states to notify the European Commission of its national allocation plan for emissions trading by its deadline. Ireland, under my direction, is leading the European field in this area.

Confidence in the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government: Motion. (30 Mar 2004)

Martin Cullen: The Green Party always says Ireland is the worst country for everything but it is the most dynamic country in the world and, as long as Fianna Fáil is in power, it will remain so.

Confidence in the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government: Motion. (30 Mar 2004)

Martin Cullen: While Ireland's economic success has placed pressure on our emissions levels, the positive indications are that emissions growth is peaking. Overall greenhouse gas emissions in 2002 show Ireland at a little under 29% over 1990 levels as opposed to 31% in 2001.

Confidence in the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government: Motion. (30 Mar 2004)

Martin Cullen: This is the first decrease in emissions in a decade. The Government's national climate change strategy is a clear and systematic programme for meeting our Kyoto obligations and it sets out a ten-year policy framework for achieving the necessary greenhouse gas emissions reductions. Many measures are in place and our economy is much more energy efficient than a decade ago.

Confidence in the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government: Motion. (30 Mar 2004)

Martin Cullen: This is only a step in the right direction and we must continue to strive for every opportunity across all sectors of our economy to achieve the necessary sustainable emissions reduction in the most economically and environmentally efficient manner. The introduction of emissions trading from 1 January 2005 is only the pilot phase, a learning phase. The industrial and power generation sector...

Confidence in the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government: Motion. (30 Mar 2004)

Martin Cullen: I refer to Ireland's international commitments and standing in the international community. I will have the honour next month of chairing a meeting of OECD Environment Ministers. This meeting will assess the progress made in implementing national and international environmental commitments and will identify key areas requiring additional action. I will work to ensure the OECD Ministers give...

Confidence in the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government: Motion. (30 Mar 2004)

Martin Cullen: I am the first Irish Minister or EU representative to be asked to chair such a meeting.

Confidence in the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government: Motion. (30 Mar 2004)

Martin Cullen: If the OECD had a question about Ireland's environmental credentials, it would not have been invited to chair the meeting.

Confidence in the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government: Motion. (30 Mar 2004)

Martin Cullen: On behalf of the Government, I have consistently led the case against Sellafield. Two cases have been taken against the United Kingdom to international tribunals in the Hague. I have consistently opposed the culture of secrecy that prevails in Britain's nuclear industry.

Confidence in the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government: Motion. (30 Mar 2004)

Martin Cullen: Ireland has a right to be fully informed about all aspects of Sellafield's activities which result in actual or potential environmental damage to the Irish Sea, as well as information which Ireland needs to help protect against the possibility of terrorists targeting Sellafield. Ireland's need for information about BNFL's activities at Sellafield has been starkly illustrated by today's...

Confidence in the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government: Motion. (30 Mar 2004)

Martin Cullen: On taking office the Government committed itself to a vigorous programme of environmental protection and renewal. It was appropriate that my Department was given responsibility for all the natural and built environment, in addition to its existing environmental protection remit, given the new focus on environmental sustainability. My Department has made significant progress on enhancing the...

Confidence in the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government: Motion. (30 Mar 2004)

Martin Cullen: This is the database which informs the protection of buildings of architectural interest under the Planning and Development Acts. I have maintained progress on the archaeological survey of Ireland with county reports for more than two thirds of all counties published. The first ever volume of a national shipwreck survey will be completed this year. I have also supported a partnership approach...

Confidence in the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government: Motion. (30 Mar 2004)

Martin Cullen: All Green Party Members want to do is hang out of trees and talk out the back of their heads. That is as much as they contribute.

Confidence in the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government: Motion. (30 Mar 2004)

Martin Cullen: Since coming into office in June 2002 I have, by any objective standard, made significant progress in protecting our natural heritage by working with farmers and other interests to achieve the best balance between farming and land use and requirements for conserving nature in all these special areas.

Confidence in the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government: Motion. (30 Mar 2004)

Martin Cullen: Special areas of conservation were proposed in respect of major river systems, including the Boyne-Blackwater, the Barrow-Nore, the Suir and the Slaney in June 2003. The proposal of sites for designation as SACs is nearing completion and it is time to move on to active management of these sites. I have also made significant progress towards designating additional special protection areas...

Confidence in the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government: Motion. (30 Mar 2004)

Martin Cullen: The Green Party criticises me for failing to enhance local democracy. Where have its Members been for the past two years? Does the party not realise that I brought in the legislation to end the dual mandate to ensure local councillors represent a local voice on local issues? The Green Party advocated this policy once.

Confidence in the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government: Motion. (30 Mar 2004)

Martin Cullen: I have provided unprecedented resources to local authorities to enhance the services that local government delivers to local communities. Since the last local election support from the local government fund to local authorities has increased by 83%. Local government must provide value for money and be open and transparent. That is why I recently introduced 42 new performance indicators for...

Confidence in the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government: Motion. (30 Mar 2004)

Martin Cullen: In tabling the motion, the Green Party has again demonstrated it lacks political maturity. Rather than construct reasoned and realistic policies based on the facts, it remains wedded to the soft option, the elevation of woolly aspiration above actual achievement. Let us call this motion what it is — a stunt. Until such time as Ireland's Greens put substance before soundbite and adopt a...

Confidence in the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government: Motion. (30 Mar 2004)

Martin Cullen: The Government's focus remains on action, implementation and delivery. It would have been better if we had the active support of a party that claims such strong environmental credentials. Instead the Green Party seeks to do what it does best, obstruct and delay. The people and I are not prepared to let the Green Party continue to obstruct and delay.

Confidence in the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government: Motion. (30 Mar 2004)

Martin Cullen: It has already happened.