Results 1,001-1,020 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Flood Risk Assessments (4 Mar 2014)

Phil Hogan: While my Department collates and publishes a wide range of statistics, the full range of which can be viewed on , it does not collect the specific data sought in the question.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Electoral Reform (4 Mar 2014)

Phil Hogan: The Local Elections (Disclosure of Donations and Expenditure) Act 1999, ‘the 1999 Act’, provides for an expenditure and donations disclosure regime at local elections. Provision was made in Part 2 of Schedule 2 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014 for amendments to the 1999 Act to change the spending limit provisions at local elections. Section 12A of the 1999 Act was amended...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Seanad Elections (4 Mar 2014)

Phil Hogan: Section 8(1) of the Seanad Electoral (University Members) Act 1937, ‘the Act’, requires the governing body of every university which is a university constituency to cause a register to be kept in accordance with the Act of the persons who are for the time being entitled to be registered as electors. Section 9(1) of the Act provides that there shall be a registration officer for...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Agencies Staff Remuneration (4 Mar 2014)

Phil Hogan: The Agencies under the aegis of my Department are fully compliant with Government Pay Policy in relation to the payment of top-ups to staff. There is, however, one limited exception to the consolidated pay policy in respect of a n allowance of €3,348 paid to one employee acting at Senior Executive Officer level in the Local Government Management Agency. Under the Water Services (No....

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Expenditure (4 Mar 2014)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 292 and 293 together. My Department supports the Community and Voluntary Sector in its contribution to an active, democratic and pluralist society through a number of schemes. The Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP) is one of my Department’s main social inclusion programmes. Its objective is to tackle poverty and social exclusion...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Motor Tax Collection (4 Mar 2014)

Phil Hogan: I have no plans to change the arrangements currently in place in respect of paying motor tax on half-yearly or quarterly basis rather than annually. The half-yearly and quarterly payment options incorporate a surcharge element which covers the administrative costs involved in processing the higher volume of applications. The estimated annual income from the increased charges for half-yearly...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Electoral Reform (4 Mar 2014)

Phil Hogan: I refer to the reply to Question No. 181 of 13 February 2014 which sets out the position in relation to the possibility of a directly elected mayor in the four Dublin local authorities within the Dublin Metropolitan Area. As outlined at section 11.3 of the Action Plan for Local Government, I have no plans currently to provide for directly elected mayors outside the Dublin Metropolitan Area.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Irish Water Staff (4 Mar 2014)

Phil Hogan: Staff recruitment to Irish Water is an operational matter for the company and one in which I have no function. My Department has asked Irish Water to put in place specific arrangements to address the queries which public representatives may have in relation to matters pertaining to the operation of water services under the new utility. I understand that Irish Water has made contact with...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Motor Tax Collection (4 Mar 2014)

Phil Hogan: Motor tax can be paid annually, half-yearly or quarterly. The half-yearly and quarterly payment options incorporate a surcharge element which covers the administrative and printing costs involved in processing the higher volume of applications. In addition, reminders are issued on each renewal. The estimated annual income from the increased charges for half-yearly and quarterly vehicle...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Political Reform (4 Mar 2014)

Phil Hogan: Since taking office in 2011 the Government has introduced radical and significant reforms to the operation and financing of the political system. The Electoral Act 2011, enacted in July 2011, allowed for a reduction in the number of TDs which will result in the number decreasing from 166 to 158 at the next general election.It provided that the writ for a Dáil bye election must now be...

Topical Issues: Building Regulations Application (27 Feb 2014)

Phil Hogan: I do not know for how long or how often people have been refusing to listen and acknowledge that we are proceeding with new building regulations on 1 March 2014. The new regulations have been the subject of consultation with all of the people involved in the construction industry for the past two years. I am prepared to establish an oversight group, as suggested by Deputy Cowen, to monitor...

Topical Issues: Building Regulations Application (27 Feb 2014)

Phil Hogan: The new building control amendment regulations will greatly strengthen the arrangements currently in place for the control of building activity by requiring greater accountability in relation to compliance with building regulations in the form of statutory certification of design and construction, the lodgement of compliance documentation, mandatory inspections during construction and...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Dormant Accounts Fund Deposits (27 Feb 2014)

Phil Hogan: Since its establishment in April 2003 to the end of January 2014, the transfers to the Dormant Accounts Fund have totalled some €724million.  Funds reclaimed in that period by account holders amounted to around €273.6million, with €252million disbursed on projects designed to benefit the community over the same period.  The current balance of uncommitted funds...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Charges Introduction (27 Feb 2014)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 162 and 169 together. The Programme for Government sets out a commitment for the introduction of water charges based on usage above a free allowance. The Government considers that charging based on usage is the fairest way to charge for water and it has, therefore, decided that water meters should be installed in households connected to public water...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Litter Pollution Legislation (27 Feb 2014)

Phil Hogan: The Litter Pollution Acts 1997 to 2009 provide the statutory framework to combat the litter problem. Under the Acts, the primary management and enforcement response to littering is, in the first instance, a matter for local authorities. A range of penalties exist under the Acts, including an on-the-spot fine of €150, a maximum fine of €3,000 on summary conviction, and a...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Climate Change Policy (27 Feb 2014)

Phil Hogan: As I outlined in the reply to Question s No 141, 142, 143 and 150 of 22 January 2014 , the Programme for the development of national climate policy and legislation, which I issued in January 2012 in response to a request from the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht, is the process under which national greenhouse gas mitigation policy and climate...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: International Agreements (27 Feb 2014)

Phil Hogan: Drafts of Ireland’s Sixth National Communication and First Biennial Report are currently undergoing a final check and will be submitted to the UN Secretariat very shortly. My Department has kept the Secretariat fully informed of the position, including progress and timelines towards finalisation and submission of the reports.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Meters Issues (27 Feb 2014)

Phil Hogan: Irish Water has informed my Department that it is unaware of any substance called tetra that is used in the manufacture of water meters. There is however a system called TETRA which stands for Terrestrial Trunked Radio which is a professional mobile radio and two-way transceiver specification. Irish Water has informed my Department that each water meter has a low power radio unit fixed to...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Building Regulations Amendments (27 Feb 2014)

Phil Hogan: The new Building Control Amendment Regulations will greatly strengthen the arrangements currently in place for the control of building activity, by requiring greater accountability in relation to compliance with Building Regulations in the form of statutory certification of design and construction, lodgement of compliance documentation, mandatory inspections during construction and validation...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Housing Issues (27 Feb 2014)

Phil Hogan: Firstly I acknowledge the distressing and stressful situations which individuals face when building works are not completed to the required acceptable standard. The powers to enforce the statutory requirements arising under the Fire Safety Act, the Building Control Acts and the Planning and Development Acts, all of which may be at issue in relation to a situation where apartments are...