Results 10,401-10,420 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Written Answers — Radon Gas: Radon Gas (16 Jun 2011)

Phil Hogan: The extent of the radon problem in Ireland has been assessed by the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII) over a number of years. Between 1992 and 1999, the RPII carried out a comprehensive National Radon Survey to measure radon concentrations in Irish homes. The principal objective was to assess the scale of the radon problem and, in particular, identify areas at higher risk...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (16 Jun 2011)

Phil Hogan: In general, premises and sites occupied by my Department are rented or leased by the OPW, rather than directly by my Department. The location and costs of premises and sites currently rented directly by my Department are set out in a table. Estimated Full Year Rental Cost For 2011 Office space - Met Éireann, Dublin Airport €73,673.95 Office space - Met Éireann, Shannon Airport...

Written Answers — Waste Disposal: Waste Disposal (16 Jun 2011)

Phil Hogan: The former Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Mr. John Gormley, appointed Mr. John Hennessy, SC, as an authorised person under section 224 of the Local Government Act 2001 in February 2010, to examine various financial matters arising in relation to the Waste to Energy facility proposed by Dublin City Council, on behalf of the Dublin local authorities, for Poolbeg in...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (16 Jun 2011)

Phil Hogan: I refer to the reply to Question No. 145 of 8 June 2011 which outlines the position in this matter.

Written Answers — Local Government Reform: Local Government Reform (16 Jun 2011)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 36 and 39 together. A range of work relevant to local government reform is already under way. I have recently established an independent Implementation Group to progress relevant recommendations of the Local Government Efficiency Review in areas such as shared services, procurement, value for money and audit. I have asked the Group to build on the extensive...

Written Answers — Community Development: Community Development (16 Jun 2011)

Phil Hogan: The Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2007-2013 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 LEADER Axis provides support for the use of a "bottom up"...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (16 Jun 2011)

Phil Hogan: The Programme for Government commits to the development of a coherent national waste policy, adhering to the waste hierarchy, which will aim to minimise waste disposal in landfill and maximise recovery. I am prioritising this commitment, as I am anxious to provide early regulatory certainty, in the form of both policy and legislation, to ensure that the necessary actions and investments are...

Written Answers — Election Management System: Election Management System (16 Jun 2011)

Phil Hogan: On 8 June 2011, I published the General Scheme of the Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011. In line with the Government's commitment significantly to reform political funding in Ireland, this Bill will implement commitments in the Programme for Government and recommendations made in the Moriarty Tribunal Report Into Payments to Politicians and Related Matters. The Bill...

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (16 Jun 2011)

Phil Hogan: The Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes was published in July 2009 and, since then, my Department's expenditure provisions, as set out in the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2010 and 2011 published by the Minister for Finance, have been guided by the Report. My Department, local authorities and related agencies are working to maximise...

Written Answers — Water Services: Water Services (16 Jun 2011)

Phil Hogan: Water conservation is a key element of my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2012, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas Library. A primary objective of the Programme is to reduce water loss in the distribution networks to an economic level and to address unacceptably high levels of unaccounted for water. Some €168m was spent between 2003 and 2010 on water...

Written Answers — Local Government Elections: Local Government Elections (16 Jun 2011)

Phil Hogan: The procedures currently governing boundary alterations are set out in Part V of the Local Government Act 1991 and in the Local Government (Boundary Alteration) Regulations 1996. Under these provisions, it is open to a local authority to initiate a proposal for the alteration of its boundaries. This involves preparation of a formal boundary alteration proposal by the authority concerned...

Written Answers — Noise Pollution: Noise Pollution (16 Jun 2011)

Phil Hogan: My Department is re-considering the approach to introducing noise legislation in light of the Programme for Government, which includes a commitment to address noise pollution through the introduction of fixed payment notices (also known as on the spot fines) and provision for mediation between neighbours. As this process will influence the content and timing of new legislative proposals in...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (16 Jun 2011)

Phil Hogan: I assume the Question refers to the recent visits to Ireland by Queen Elizabeth II and US President Barack Obama. No dedicated funding was provided by my Department in connection with these visits. In announcing funding for a new Civic Responsibility Week in April 2011, I emphasised, against the background of the Royal/Presidential visits which were to take place in the weeks which followed,...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (16 Jun 2011)

Phil Hogan: I do not intend to comment on remarks attributed to executives of Covanta. My focus is on the development of waste policy. Following a period of uncertainty in this area under the previous Government, this administration's Programme for Government commits to the development of a coherent national waste policy which will aim to minimise waste disposal in landfill and maximise recovery. I am...

Written Answers — Waste Disposal: Waste Disposal (16 Jun 2011)

Phil Hogan: Information on the total amount spent to date - which would include expenditure from other competent authorities such as the EPA or the local authorities and is therefore not funded directly by my Department - is not available. However, my Department has provided funding of some €93.5 million to date for a variety of legacy activities associated with the remediation of illegal sites, the...

Written Answers — Water Charges: Water Charges (16 Jun 2011)

Phil Hogan: The Water Framework Directive requires Member States to regulate the abstraction of surface and ground waters where this abstraction would have a significant impact on water status. However, households with private wells for domestic consumption are considered to be insignificant in terms of the volumes of water they typically abstract. In order to address a commitment in the Programme for...

Written Answers — Community Development: Community Development (16 Jun 2011)

Phil Hogan: My Department is responsible for a range of programmes to support communities, including the Local and Community Development Programme which tackles poverty and social exclusion in disadvantaged communities; the RAPID Programme (Revitalising Areas through Planning Investment and Development) which tackles the spatial concentration of poverty and social exclusion in designated areas; and the...

Written Answers — Fire Service: Fire Service (16 Jun 2011)

Phil Hogan: The provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs, the provision of a premises and the making of such other provisions as it considers necessary or desirable, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the provisions of the Fire Services Act 1981. My Department supports...

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (16 Jun 2011)

Phil Hogan: A comprehensive set of regulatory and other arrangements are in place, operating through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), local authorities, relevant Government Departments and other bodies, to support the highest standards of environmental protection in Ireland. Future developments in relation to environmental protection matters will be influenced by a range of factors, including...

Written Answers — Water Services: Water Services (16 Jun 2011)

Phil Hogan: The information requested is being compiled on an annual basis and will be forwarded to the Deputy when available. In the period, 2000 to 2010 (inclusive), over €5 billion has been invested in the water services sector; this led, inter alia, to an increase in drinking water storage capacity by a level equivalent to the needs of a population of 1,630,000. Details of future investment in...