Results 9,621-9,640 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (3 Feb 2004)

Martin Cullen: The nitrates directive, 91/676/EEC, aims to protect water quality against pollution from agricultural sources, with a primary emphasis on better management of livestock manure and other fertilisers. The directive came into effect in January 1992. The nitrates directive has been implemented in Ireland by way of extensive monitoring of nitrate levels in waters, the assessment of the trophic...

Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (3 Feb 2004)

Martin Cullen: The national climate change strategy identifies process substitution as one action to control greenhouse gas emissions and refers to the potential of environmentally friendly cement substitutes as part of a range of measures designed to enable Ireland to reach its Kyoto target. My Department is examining options for increasing the use of environmentally friendly cement substitutes in the...

Written Answers — Pollution Control: Pollution Control (3 Feb 2004)

Martin Cullen: I am satisfied that the penalties for breaches of the terms of integrated pollution prevention and control licences issued by the Environmental Protection Agency under the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992 are set at an appropriate level. These penalties were increased significantly by section 10 of the Protection of the Environment Act 2003, which was brought into operation with...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (3 Feb 2004)

Martin Cullen: The total amount of funding, both capital and current, provided by my Department for the non-national roads programme in 2003, was €434 million. I recently announced non-national road grant allocations of almost €477 million for 2004. This is more than double the 1997 State expenditure on non-national roads and represents an increase of almost 10% on last year's initial grant allocation....

Written Answers — Radon Gas Levels: Radon Gas Levels (3 Feb 2004)

Martin Cullen: I am aware of concerns regarding the possible threat to workers posed by exposure to radon gas in the workplace. Regulations relating to the exposure of workers in Ireland to radon gas in the workplace are set out in the Radiological Protection Act 1991 (Ionising Radiation) Order 2000. This requires employers to measure workplace radon levels if so directed by the Radiological Protection...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (3 Feb 2004)

Martin Cullen: On 23 January 2003, the European Commission issued Ireland with a Reasoned Opinion to the effect that the €20 fee for the making of a submission on a planning application which requires environmental impact assessment is contrary to the public participation provisions of Directive 85/337/EEC on Environmental Impact Assessment, EIA. A reply, responding to each of the points raised in the...

Written Answers — Political Lobbying: Political Lobbying (3 Feb 2004)

Martin Cullen: Separate draft national codes of conduct for councillors and staff of local authorities dealing with conduct and standards of integrity have been produced and views on them have been sought from the local government associations, staff interests, local authority managers, the Department of Finance and the Standards in Public Office Commission. Following consideration of these views I intend...

Written Answers — End-of-Life Vehicles: End-of-Life Vehicles (3 Feb 2004)

Martin Cullen: I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 924 and 959 of 27 January 2004.

Written Answers — Heritage Liaison Group: Heritage Liaison Group (3 Feb 2004)

Martin Cullen: I intend that this group will be established very shortly, following on the recent transfer of certain built heritage functions, together with related staff, from my Department to the Office of Public Works. The terms of reference of the group, whose proceedings will relate to national monuments and historic properties in State care, are to monitor progress on the implementation of my...

Written Answers — Register of Electors: Register of Electors (3 Feb 2004)

Martin Cullen: I refer to the reply to Question No. 66 of 26 November 2003.

Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (3 Feb 2004)

Martin Cullen: I refer to the reply to Question No. 344 of 3 July 2003. To implement the emissions trading scheme, the Government will determine the total quantity of allowances to be allocated for each phase and the EPA will determine the allocation for individual companies. The Government has engaged consultants to advise it on the most economically efficient apportionment of the national target between...

Written Answers — Building Land: Building Land (3 Feb 2004)

Martin Cullen: The report on ownership and control of building land, which was commissioned by my Department from Goodbody economic consultants has now been received by my Department. The report is under consideration and will be published in due course.

Written Answers — Radon Gas Levels: Radon Gas Levels (3 Feb 2004)

Martin Cullen: It would not be practicable in the current budgetary circumstances to provide for Exchequer funding of a radon remediation grant scheme in respect of domestic dwellings. The carrying out of radon remediation works, where considered necessary, in respect of private houses is a matter for the householder. My Department's booklet, Radon in Existing Buildings — Corrective Options, provides...

Written Answers — Nuclear Safety: Nuclear Safety (3 Feb 2004)

Martin Cullen: I refer to my reply to Question No. 947 of 27 January 2004. The RPII and my Department have been exploring possible locations for a storage facility. A shortlist has not been developed and a suitable location has yet to be identified. Any such site will be subject to the normal planning approval process.

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (3 Feb 2004)

Martin Cullen: I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 919 and 999 of 27 January 2004.

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (3 Feb 2004)

Martin Cullen: I refer to the reply to Question No. 62 of 26 November 2003. The discussions referred to in that reply are ongoing. I envisage that they will be concluded shortly. I will make a more detailed statement on the matter as soon as possible thereafter.

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (3 Feb 2004)

Martin Cullen: I refer to the reply to Question No. 164 of 29 January 2004.

Written Answers — Electronic Voting: Electronic Voting (3 Feb 2004)

Martin Cullen: The electronic voting system to be used in this country has a proven record of reliability, having been used in the Netherlands for over ten years and for some years in parts of Germany. The version of the voting machine for use here has undergone extensive testing by two international testing institutes which have positively endorsed the hardware and the proprietary software used in it. The...

Written Answers — Electoral Acts: Electoral Acts (3 Feb 2004)

Martin Cullen: I am considering the recently published report from the Standards in Public Offices Commission entitled Review of the Electoral Acts 1997 to 2002 which the commission prepared at my request. The report will provide an input to the review of the Electoral Act 1997 which I have put in hand and now intend to advance.

Written Answers — Hazardous Waste: Hazardous Waste (3 Feb 2004)

Martin Cullen: My Department is aware, from contacts with a number of local authorities in the Border area, of the occurrence of illegal dumping of oil-laundering residues. The environmental issues involved fall to be established on a case by case basis, but such materials would generally be classified as hazardous waste. As such, and in the absence of being able to immediately establish the identity of...