Results 961-980 of 7,278 for speaker:Dick Roche

Written Answers — Energy Consumption: Energy Consumption (5 Apr 2007)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 49, 53 and 81 together. The total energy bill paid in respect of energy consumption in my Department's main offices in 2006 amounted to €502,036. I propose to circulate with the Official Report a tabular statement setting out details of electricity consumption in the Custom House for the period 2002 to 2006 inclusive. Increased consumption in 2006, following...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (5 Apr 2007)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 51 and 71 together. My Department's National Water Study audited 91 water supply schemes outside the Greater Dublin Area serving more than 5,000 consumers and operated by some 38 local authorities. The study reported on all aspects of water supply, including availability of raw water, treatment capacity, water distribution systems and associated management...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (5 Apr 2007)

Dick Roche: In many cases in which a local authority compulsorily acquires land, the quantum of compensation is agreed between the parties concerned. Where there is no such agreement, the matter is referred to an official property arbitrator for determination. Generally, a claim for compensation in respect of the compulsory acquisition of land will comprise one or more of the following heads of claim:...

Written Answers — Urban Renewal Schemes: Urban Renewal Schemes (5 Apr 2007)

Dick Roche: In support of balanced regional development, a key aim the National Development Plan 2007-2013 (NDP) is to enhance the growth capacity of the nine Gateway cities and towns designated under the National Spatial Strategy (NSS), and to strengthen their role as drivers of the development of their wider regions. A Gateway Innovation Fund (GIF) is being established under the NDP to help fund...

Written Answers — Departmental Publications: Departmental Publications (5 Apr 2007)

Dick Roche: I propose to circulate with the Official Report a tabular statement listing the bilingual publications published by my Department since 2002. Copies of the publications are available on request from my Department. Name of Bilingual Publication Print Run Code of Conduct for Employees (Local Authorities) 1,000 Code of Practice between Coillte and the Minister of the Environment, Heritage...

Written Answers — City Status: City Status (5 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, borough councils, such as Drogheda, and town councils which are...

Written Answers — Housing Standards: Housing Standards (5 Apr 2007)

Dick Roche: The amended Part L (Conservation of Fuel and Energy) of the Building Regulations 2002 and the related Technical Guidance Document L (2002 Edition) came into effect on 1 January 2003 and set significantly higher insulation levels and thermal performance standards for new dwellings. Part L was amended, with effect from 1 July 2006, to provide for an overall limit on carbon dioxide emissions...

Written Answers — Water Quality: Water Quality (5 Apr 2007)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 59 and 558 together. Information on the quality of drinking water supplies is regularly compiled and provided by the Environmental Protection Agency. The latest relevant EPA report The Quality of Drinking Water in Ireland — A Report for the Year 2005, which is available in the Oireachtas Library, confirms the fundamentally good quality of drinking water...

Written Answers — Nuclear Safety: Nuclear Safety (5 Apr 2007)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 60 and 97 together. I hosted a meeting of Environment Ministers from Iceland, Norway and Austria on 26 March in Dublin Castle. We were joined by the Parliamentary State Secretary of the Environment for Germany who also participated in our discussions on our shared concerns in relation to nuclear energy. I have for some time held the view that the recently...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (5 Apr 2007)

Dick Roche: In August 2006, my Department published a consultation paper on options for future regulation of the waste sector. Submissions were invited on whether there is a need for a regulator for the sector, if so on what model of regulator might be most appropriate and on what powers any such regulator should be given. Over fifty, many very detailed, submissions were received addressing the range of...

Written Answers — Waste Disposal: Waste Disposal (5 Apr 2007)

Dick Roche: I propose to circulate with the Official Report a tabular statement setting out details of general waste generated in my Department's Headquarters which shows a reduction of 20% between 2002 and 2006. In accordance with its Environmental Policy Statement, my Department is fully committed to the effective management of waste including prevention, reduction and recycling. This is a critical...

Written Answers — Nuclear Safety: Nuclear Safety (5 Apr 2007)

Dick Roche: A review of the long-term options for radioactive waste management in the UK was undertaken by the Committee on Radioactive Waste Management, an independent body established in November 2003 by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, along with the Environment Ministers for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Committee was not mandated to select a site or sites...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (5 Apr 2007)

Dick Roche: The table, based on returns made by all planning authorities, sets out the number of planning applications received by planning authorities for each of the 4 quarters of 2005 and 2006. Returns for the 1st quarter of 2007 are currently being compiled by the planning authorities. Planning Applications Quarter 1 Quarter 2 Quarter 3 Quarter 4 2005 18,447 22,135 21,410 22,185 2006 20,468...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Code: Social Welfare Code (5 Apr 2007)

Dick Roche: Waste management services have traditionally been provided at a local level, with individual arrangements being locally determined and tailored to local circumstances. The present legal framework, as determined by the Oireachtas, reflects this. In accordance with section 52 of the Protection of the Environment Act 2003, the determination of waste management charges, and any associated waiver...

Written Answers — Recycling Policy: Recycling Policy (5 Apr 2007)

Dick Roche: One of the main barriers to an improved and sustainable recycling performance is the lack of stable and economically attractive markets and outlets for recyclable materials and products manufactured from recycled products. The need for the establishment of a Market Development Group, which would oversee the development of a Market Development Programme, was outlined in my Department's...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (5 Apr 2007)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 74 and 580 together. Ireland signed the Aarhus Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters on 25 June 1998. Progress towards ratification of the Convention is closely aligned with work at EU level and, in that context, the European Union has adopted two Directives as part of the...

Written Answers — Local Authority Staff: Local Authority Staff (5 Apr 2007)

Dick Roche: Returns from local authorities indicate that, as at the end of June 2006, 408 litter wardens were employed. A total of 128 wardens were employed on a full time basis.

Written Answers — Radon Gas Levels: Radon Gas Levels (5 Apr 2007)

Dick Roche: Over the years, the Government, largely through the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII), has committed significant resources to assessing the incidence of radon throughout the country and highlighting public awareness of radon and the health risks associated with prolonged exposure to high concentrations. These are core activities of the Institute. The figure of €40,000...

Written Answers — National Emergency Plan: National Emergency Plan (5 Apr 2007)

Dick Roche: The transport by air of munitions of war through Irish territory or Irish airspace requires the approval of the Minister for Transport, in the case of civil aircraft, or the Minister for Foreign Affairs, in the case of military aircraft. I understand from the Department of Foreign Affairs that neither that Department nor the Department of Transport has received any request for permission to...

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (5 Apr 2007)

Dick Roche: In accordance with the National Climate Change Strategy, which I launched earlier this week, the Government is developing a Sustainable Transport Action Plan under which public sector fleet operators will be required to publish strategies to reduce emissions from their fleets including the increased use of biofuels. In this regard, the entire fleet of the National Parks and Wildlife Service...