Results 9,681-9,700 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Written Answers — Unfinished Housing Developments: Unfinished Housing Developments (20 Oct 2011)

Phil Hogan: I established and am chairing the National Co-ordination Committee on Unfinished Housing Developments to oversee implementation of the Report of the Advisory Group on Unfinished Housing Developments, together with the Government's response to the recommendations. The Committee is comprised of representatives from the Banking sector, the Local Authorities, NAMA, and the construction sector as...

Written Answers — Litter Pollution: Litter Pollution (20 Oct 2011)

Phil Hogan: Under the Litter Pollution Acts 1997 to 2009 it is the function of local authorities to provide the primary response to littering. My Department's role is to provide the legislative framework for combating litter pollution, and to motivate and energise anti-litter responses as necessary. It is the responsibility of each local authority to both prioritise and determine the most appropriate...

Written Answers — Noise Pollution: Noise Pollution (20 Oct 2011)

Phil Hogan: The Programme for Government includes a commitment to take further steps to address noise pollution, inter alia, through the introduction of fixed payment notices (also known as on-the-spot fines) and provision for mediation procedures between neighbours. The development of new noise legislation by my Department will be considered in the context of this commitment: however, as indicated in...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (20 Oct 2011)

Phil Hogan: The Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2012, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas Library, provides for the development of a comprehensive range of new water services infrastructure in County Laois. Phase 1 of the Mountmellick Sewerage Scheme was under construction at the time of publication of the programme, while further phases of the scheme are included among the...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (20 Oct 2011)

Phil Hogan: Appropriate measures to ensure that waste, including wastewater from septic tanks and proprietary waste systems, is recovered or disposed of without endangering human health or harming the environment, have been taken by my Department to address an ECJ judgment (C188/08) which found in October, 2009 that Ireland was in breach of Article 4 of the EU Waste Directive (2006/12/EC). Implementation...

Written Answers — Community Development: Community Development (20 Oct 2011)

Phil Hogan: My Department has responsibility for a range community development programmes which aim to improve the quality of life and welfare of our communities, with a particular focus on those communities that are vulnerable or disadvantaged. I am keen to ensure the long-term sustainability of local and community development supports and ensure the maximum level of available funding is delivered to...

Written Answers — Dormant Accounts: Dormant Accounts (20 Oct 2011)

Phil Hogan: The Dormant Accounts Act 2001 together with the Unclaimed Life Assurance Policies Act 2003 and the Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Act 2005 provide a framework for the administration of unclaimed accounts in credit institutions (i.e. banks, building societies and An Post) and unclaimed life assurance policies in insurance undertakings. The main purpose of the legislation is to reunite account...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (20 Oct 2011)

Phil Hogan: I attach high priority to consumer protection in the area of quality construction of new dwellings. That is why, in July 2011, I announced a number of measures to be advanced by my Department and local authorities with a view to improving compliance with, and oversight of, the requirements of the Building Regulations. In broad terms the measures will involve:- (a) the introduction of...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (20 Oct 2011)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 36 together. I expect to bring the Bill to establish a system of registration and inspection of septic tanks and other on-site systems to Government shortly seeking approval for its publication. Full details of how the new system will operate will be announced at the time. I can confirm that the new legislation will provide that householders register...

Written Answers — Community Development: Community Development (20 Oct 2011)

Phil Hogan: The Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP) is the main community development programme operated by my Department in support of the voluntary and community sector. The aim of the LCDP is to counter disadvantage and promote equality and social and economic inclusion through partnership and constructive engagement with disadvantaged communities. The overall funding allocation for the...

Written Answers — Local Authority Charges: Local Authority Charges (20 Oct 2011)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 37 and 43 together. Local authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes in accordance with the details entered in the valuation lists prepared by the independent Commissioner of Valuation under the Valuation Act 2001. The levying and collection of rates are matters for each individual local authority....

Written Answers — EU Funding: EU Funding (20 Oct 2011)

Phil Hogan: I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 350 and 323 of 18 October 2011. The Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 (RDP) is divided into 4 Axes. Axis 1 deals with competitiveness of the agricultural sector, Axis 2 aims to improve the countryside and environment and the objectives of Axis 3 are to support the diversification of the rural economy and improve the quality of life in rural areas....

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (20 Oct 2011)

Phil Hogan: Of the 55 recommendations contained in the Report of the High Level Group on Green Enterprise, 17 are directly relevant to my Department. Of those, 6 actions have been fully delivered, including the lowering of thresholds for wind farm approvals under the Strategic Infrastructure Act, the implementation of the Food Waste Regulations and the transfer of responsibility for foreshore licensing...

Written Answers — Local Authority Charges: Local Authority Charges (20 Oct 2011)

Phil Hogan: The Memorandum of Understanding between Ireland and the EU/IMF includes a commitment to introduce water charges for households. The Programme for Government provides for the introduction of a fair funding model to deliver clean and reliable water. My Department is currently preparing a strategy to implement these proposals and further details will be announced following the Government's...

Written Answers — Building Regulations: Building Regulations (20 Oct 2011)

Phil Hogan: I am satisfied that the people selected for the panel seeking to facilitate a resolution of the pyrite contamination issue have the necessary experience and qualifications for this task. My Department will provide them with any required technical and administrative support.

Written Answers — Building Regulations: Building Regulations (20 Oct 2011)

Phil Hogan: Regulations are already in place for the testing of aggregates. The Construction Products Directive provides for a system of harmonised technical specifications for construction products. IS EN 13242:2002 is a harmonised European Product Standard for "Aggregates for unbound and hydraulically bound materials" for use in civil engineering work and road construction. IS EN 13242:2002 was...

Written Answers — Building Insurance: Building Insurance (20 Oct 2011)

Phil Hogan: HomeBond is a private limited company providing structural guarantees for new houses and, since November 2008, the HomeBond Insurance Scheme is underwritten by Allianz Insurance. As in the case of any private company its operations are a matter for its management and Board of Directors. My Department understands that HomeBond Insurance Services Ltd is regulated by the Central Bank of...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (20 Oct 2011)

Phil Hogan: Since February 2011 the following, involving a limited period of operation in which to undertake discrete tasks, have been established by my Department: - two independent statutory Referendum Commissions, in accordance with the Referendum Act (1998), for the purposes of the two forthcoming referenda on the Constitution. - a Constituency Commission under the Electoral Act 1997 to review...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (20 Oct 2011)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 128 and 129 together. I refer to the reply to Question No. 352 of 18 October 2011 which addresses my immediate priority in regard to climate change.

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (20 Oct 2011)

Phil Hogan: The landfill levy is chargeable on waste presented for disposal at landfill facilities. The increase in the levy to €50 per tonne which I recently introduced is intended to send a strong price signal to the producers, collectors and managers of waste, to alter behaviour and to encourage a shift away from landfill to more sustainable management of waste. Further increases in the levy are...