Results 9,721-9,740 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Written Answers — Nuclear Safety: Nuclear Safety (19 Oct 2011)

Phil Hogan: Following the serious nuclear accident at the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan in March 2011, the UK Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change requested the UK's Chief Inspector of Nuclear Installations, to examine the circumstances of the Fukushima accident to see what lessons could be learned to enhance the safety of the UK nuclear industry. The Inspector's final report was...

Written Answers — Waste Disposal: Waste Disposal (19 Oct 2011)

Phil Hogan: The Waste Management (Prohibition of Waste Disposal by Burning) Regulations 2009 explicitly prohibit a holder of waste from disposing of it by uncontrolled burning. The burning of uncontaminated wood, trees, tree trimmings, leaves, brush, or other similar waste generated by agricultural practices is exempt from the burning prohibition but only as a last resort following efforts to either...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (19 Oct 2011)

Phil Hogan: The Programme for Government contains a commitment to introduce competitive tendering for household waste collection, under which service providers will bid to provide waste collection services in a given area, for a given period of time and to a guaranteed level of service. A public consultation on the issues involved, designed to inform the policy development process, has recently...

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (18 Oct 2011)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 323 and 350 together. 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. Axis 4 or the...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (18 Oct 2011)

Phil Hogan: I am aware of the major blight on communities caused by graffiti. To this end and in order to support efforts to tackle the issue, I have made available funding of €1 million to local authorities under the anti-litter and anti graffiti grant scheme for 2011. It is a matter for the relevant local authorities to apply for funding for suitable projects under the scheme. To be eligible,...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (18 Oct 2011)

Phil Hogan: It is a matter for each local authority, including Sligo County Council, to manage its own day-to-day finances in a prudent and sustainable manner. All local authorities are required under legislation to adopt a balanced budget. I am aware of the total closing overall deficit balance of Sligo County Council for the year ended 31 December 2010. I am also aware of the sanction provided on 19...

Written Answers — Building Regulations: Building Regulations (18 Oct 2011)

Phil Hogan: Following an application by Dublin City Council, a High Court Order was granted on 14 October 2011 for the evacuation of the development at Priory Hall on the grounds that the development is unsafe. I understand that at a further hearing on 17 October 2011 the developer has committed to carrying out a schedule of necessary remedial works in the coming weeks Dublin City Council has also made...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (18 Oct 2011)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 331, 332 and 340 together. The Programme for Government contains a commitment to introduce competitive tendering for household waste collection, under which service providers will bid to provide waste collection services in a given area, for a given period of time and to a guaranteed level of service. A public consultation on the issues involved, designed to...

Written Answers — Public Sector Staff: Public Sector Staff (18 Oct 2011)

Phil Hogan: The moratorium on recruitment and promotion in the public service was introduced in March 2009 following a Government decision to implement savings measures across the wider public service. The emergency measure was introduced as a response to the financial crisis facing the State. The terms of the moratorium are quite explicit and provide that no public service post, however arising, may be...

Written Answers — Local Authority Expenditure: Local Authority Expenditure (18 Oct 2011)

Phil Hogan: In 2011 local authorities have budgeted to spend some €7bn in total between current and capital programmes. The main sources of funding include current and capital income, grants and subsidies. In addition, limited debt finance is available to local authorities as necessary to finance their expenditure. The information requested, which relates to debt owed to central government, is set out...

Written Answers — Election Management System: Election Management System (18 Oct 2011)

Phil Hogan: The primary role of my Department in electoral matters is to provide an appropriate policy and legislative framework for a modern and efficient electoral system. Within that framework, local returning officers are responsible for all matters in connection with the actual conduct of elections and referenda, including the selection, appointment and training of polling station and count staff in...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (18 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 Cork. The Courtmacsherry/Timoleague Sewerage Scheme is included among the contracts to start during the life of the programme. My Department approved a revised Preliminary Report for...

Written Answers — Local Government Appointments: Local Government Appointments (18 Oct 2011)

Phil Hogan: I am not aware of any conflict of interest in relation to the membership of the organisations in question. The appointment of members to the Limerick Reorganisation Implementation Group was based, inter alia, on their specific working knowledge of local government in Limerick; experience in local government and organisational matters generally; expertise in business and development matters in...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (18 Oct 2011)

Phil Hogan: Prior to the introduction of the plastic bag levy, a two-month consultation period was provided to give interested parties an opportunity to make comments or observations in relation to the draft regulations. The Department examined the submissions that were made, to see if the draft regulations needed to be adjusted before they were finalised. On foot of the examination of the submissions...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (18 Oct 2011)

Phil Hogan: The legislation providing for the charge on non-principal private residences is the Local Government (Charges) Act 2009. Section 2 of the Act provides for the exclusion of certain buildings from the charge as follows: a) certain heritage buildings approved under section 482 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997; b) newly constructed but unsold buildings that form part of the trading stock of a...

Written Answers — Local Authority Charges: Local Authority Charges (18 Oct 2011)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 344 and 345 together. I have no function in relation to the matters raised in the Questions and the information requested is not available in my Department.

Written Answers — Local Authority Charges: Local Authority Charges (18 Oct 2011)

Phil Hogan: The levying and collection of rates are matters for each individual local authority. As with all local charges, the invoicing and collection of due amounts is a matter for the local authority concerned to manage in the light of prevailing local circumstances and in accordance with normal accountancy procedures. In accordance with the Local Authority Accounting in Ireland Code of Practice...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (18 Oct 2011)

Phil Hogan: The capping of existing pensions of former employees of State agencies would involve changes to terms and conditions and is a policy matter for the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

Written Answers — Closed Circuit Television Systems: Closed Circuit Television Systems (18 Oct 2011)

Phil Hogan: Details of approvals for CCTV-related projects (37 in total) that have been funded through the RAPID programme, with co-funding from the Department of Justice and Equality, are listed in the table below. Community-Based CCTV Scheme CCTV No. RAPID Area Budget Department of Justice and Equality Budget Department Environment, Community and Local Government Total Award € € €...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (18 Oct 2011)

Phil Hogan: My immediate priority on climate change is to finalise a review of national policy in light of existing and anticipated national greenhouse gas mitigation targets up to the period 2020. The review, which is almost finalised and will be made available as soon as possible on my Department's website, will provide the background for future policy development. I am satisfied that Ireland can and...