Results 1,041-1,060 of 4,700 for speaker:Noel Ahern

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (12 Mar 2008)

Noel Ahern: Potential measures to further reduce the risk of summer flooding in the area concerned are currently being pursued. Funding will be made available in 2008 for any measures that are deemed socially, economically and environmentally acceptable.

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (11 Mar 2008)

Noel Ahern: Following discussions between the Office of Public Works and South Dublin Co. Council in regard to the re-development of Tallaght Garda Station, it is expected that a sketch scheme to accommodate an enlarged Garda Station, new Courthouse and other facilities will be completed in May 2008.

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (11 Mar 2008)

Noel Ahern: The Office of Public Works (OPW) has acquired a 4.1 acre site at Golf Links Road, Roscommon, for the sum of €3 million. The OPW has now completed an evaluation of tenders received for construction of new offices for 230 staff of the Property Registration Authority (formerly known as the Land Registry). Subject to receipt of the necessary sanction from the Department of Finance to proceed...

Written Answers — Archaeological Sites: Archaeological Sites (11 Mar 2008)

Noel Ahern: The attached tables show direct expenditure to archaeological firms in the periods requested by the Office of Public Works. The table does not include those cases where archaeological investigations were undertaken directly under the terms of some construction contracts. It is not possible to research this data in the time available. The Department of Finance did not incur expenditure for...

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (11 Mar 2008)

Noel Ahern: The survey component of the feasibility study has been completed and an assessment of the costs and benefits that would be involved in upgrading the embankments is currently being prepared. It is expected that the study will be completed within the next six weeks.

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (11 Mar 2008)

Noel Ahern: I propose to takes Questions Nos. 176 and 177 together. In order to identify means of reducing the flood risk at Crossmolina it is necessary to carry out a detailed survey of the channel involved. The survey will be carried out by the Office of Public Works as soon as water levels permit, which is expected to be in late Spring. If a scheme that is socially, economically and environmentally...

Written Answers — Commemorative Events: Commemorative Events (11 Mar 2008)

Noel Ahern: The book referred to is a publication by the Office of Public Works detailing the Commissioners' role in the commemoration of both Commonwealth and International war dead of both World Wars who are buried in the Republic of Ireland. I understand the OPW have no plans for any further publications in this regard.

Written Answers — National Monuments: National Monuments (6 Mar 2008)

Noel Ahern: The provision of a new visitor centre for the Rock of Cashel is dependent on the acquisition of a suitable site that will permit a managed visitor access route. A recent feasibility study identified certain lands that could satisfy access to and management of the National Monument and negotiations for the purchase of this site are in train.

Written Answers — Architectural Heritage: Architectural Heritage (4 Mar 2008)

Noel Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 193 and 195 together. In the context of the approaching Centenary of the Easter Rising and having regard to the significant commercial developments taking place in the area, the Government has arranged for a consideration by officials, co-ordinated by the Department of the Taoiseach, of the regeneration of the General Post Office and the possibilities for...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (4 Mar 2008)

Noel Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 197 and 198 together. The 2003 EU Energy Tax Directive incorporated special derogations which allowed specific excise duty reliefs to be applied in a number of Member States. In the Irish context, these derogations allowed for reduced rates to apply to fuel used for public transport services which includes school transport services. While these derogations...

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (4 Mar 2008)

Noel Ahern: The area and method of sale of the properties released in Dublin are shown in the following table. Location Area Sq. M Method of Sale 14-16 Lord Edward Street 1,940 Public Tender 26-27 Eden Quay 720 Public Tender 72-76 St. Stephen's Green 6,207 Public Tender Chantilly, Rathmichael, Co Dublin (site) 13,300 Private Treaty Faculty Building, Shelbourne Road 2,509 Public Tender Former Vet...

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (4 Mar 2008)

Noel Ahern: Primary responsibility in relation to the prevention of flooding to property adjoining rivers rests with the owners of the property. In the case of channels that were included in a scheme carried out under arterial drainage legislation the Office of Public Works or the relevant County Council have a maintenance responsibility. The channels referred to were not part of any such scheme.

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (27 Feb 2008)

Noel Ahern: Responsibility for maintenance of rivers and tributaries rests with a range of State bodies and riparian landowners. Cleaning of rivers and tributaries is just one of a range of measures that can be used to mitigate flood risk. It is not always the most appropriate solution. OPW has had to take account of substantial constraints arising from ecological and environmental considerations in a...

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (26 Feb 2008)

Noel Ahern: The Office of Public Works would be happy to participate in the Earth Hour initiative where practicable in respect of the building under its direct management and control.

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (26 Feb 2008)

Noel Ahern: Tender documents for the appointment of a civil engineering contractor to undertake the construction works on the Munster Blackwater River (Fermoy North) Drainage Scheme are currently being finalised. It is expected that a contractor will be appointed by May of this year, once Confirmation of the Scheme by the Minister for Finance is received, as required by the Arterial Drainage Acts,...

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (26 Feb 2008)

Noel Ahern: I am advised by my officials in the Office of Public Works that they are working in close consultation with Donegal County Council in relation to the question of how to tackle the problem of flooding in Raphoe. A pre-feasibility Flood Study, to be funded by OPW, is being undertaken to identify options/solutions that would remove or alleviate the flood risk. It is hoped that the Flood Study...

Written Answers — Architectural Heritage: Architectural Heritage (26 Feb 2008)

Noel Ahern: I draw the Deputy's attention to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 255 of 30 January 2008 i.e. the office of Public Works is responsible for the built heritage in direct state ownership. Donadea Castle and its environs do not fall into this category.

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (26 Feb 2008)

Noel Ahern: The property referred to by the Deputy was acquired by the Commissioners of Public Works to enhance and facilitate the overall development of the Mountjoy Prison site. It was purchased in December 2006 for the sum of €23.5 million, excluding VAT. A range of factors were taken into account in arriving at the purchase price including allowing the vendor to continue his business operations in...

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (26 Feb 2008)

Noel Ahern: The information sought by the Deputy is as follows: Total cost of site/building purchases — €70.3m Total cost of leases taken (rent per annum) — €5.1m Total estimated cost of fit-outs for leased buildings — €17.7m The total value of properties disposed since 2004, or transferred to the Affordable Housing Partnership or placed in joint ventures to release value is €587.5m The...

Written Answers — Leinster House Redevelopment: Leinster House Redevelopment (21 Feb 2008)

Noel Ahern: Serious structural deficiencies in Leinster House have been identified. It is planned to resolve these problems by undertaking a scheme of works between the summer recess 2008 and the Summer recess 2009. The proposed works will necessitate the relocation of Seanad Éireann. It has been suggested that the ground floor area of the vacant Natural History Museum building could be used for this...