Results 10,821-10,840 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (12 Apr 2011)

Phil Hogan: During the period June 1997 and February 2011, a total of 14 special advisors were appointed in my Department at a cost of some €3.23m as follows:- Name Role Cost Jimmy Fegan Special Adviser €394,642.14 Caroline Callaghan Communications Co-ordinator €168,238.19 Paul McMahon Press Adviser €98,009.56 Sara Morris Press Adviser €5,693.41 Pat Daly Special Adviser €178,405.34...

Written Answers — Water Services: Water Services (12 Apr 2011)

Phil Hogan: The operation, maintenance and management of the water supply are in this instance a matter for Cork City Council and I have no function in the matter.

Written Answers — European Council Meetings: European Council Meetings (12 Apr 2011)

Phil Hogan: In the year from 9 March 2010 to 9 March 2011, the European Council of Environment Ministers met formally on four occasions. The dates of these meetings and a record of Ministerial attendance are set out in the table below. Date of Meeting Ministerial Attendance 15th March 2010 Minister John Gormley 11th June 2010 Minister of State Ciaran Cuffe 12th/13th July 2010 (Informal Council)...

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (12 Apr 2011)

Phil Hogan: The Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009 passed all stages in the Seanad on 14 July, 2010 and was signed by the President on 21 July, 2010. I understand that the Act was not commenced, under the last Government, primarily in order to allow sufficient time for the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to progress the Greyhound Welfare Bill 2010, providing separately for the regulation...

Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (12 Apr 2011)

Phil Hogan: The Government, on 7 April 2011, announced that it is establishing an independent non-statutory Peatlands Council to respond to commitments set out in the Programme for Government and to assist Ireland in addressing, in a strategic way, the requirements of the EU Habitats Directive in regard to the protection and conservation of important peatland habitats. I have appointed Mr. Conor Skehan...

Energy Resources (12 Apr 2011)

Phil Hogan: I am replying to this matter on behalf on the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Rabbitte. I thank Deputy Feighan for his remarks and for giving an opportunity to the House to discuss the matter relating to the Lough Allen gas field in the north west. The Lough Allen, or North West Carboniferous, Basin is situated in the north west of the country and includes...

Local Authority Housing (12 Apr 2011)

Phil Hogan: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. The most recent tenant purchase scheme, introduced in the last budget, is an enhancement of the existing scheme. It provides for a discount of up to 45% for qualifying tenants. Given that the discount is applied to the open market value of the property, and that house prices have fallen considerably in recent years, the scheme is both generous...

Planning Issues (12 Apr 2011)

Phil Hogan: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. The key objective set out in the programme for Government is to get people back to work, and this will be reflected in policy and programme development across Departments, agencies and local authorities, now and for the coming years. The Planning and Development Act 2000 provided for a radical overhaul of the development contribution system. One of...

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (7 Apr 2011)

Phil Hogan: A total of €587,000 was provided in my Department's Estimates for 2011 to support the Community & Voluntary Fora in each county/city council area. This corresponds with €1.17 million provided in 2010. Local authorities were advised accordingly on 8 December 2010. In the circumstances, no forum can expect the same level of funding for this year as it received last year. I will,...

Written Answers — Voting Entitlements: Voting Entitlements (7 Apr 2011)

Phil Hogan: Subject to age and residency requirements, a person's citizenship determines the polls at which he or she is entitled to vote, as follows: all non-citizens are entitled to vote at local elections; non-citizens who are citizens of EU Member States are entitled, in addition, to vote at European Parliament elections; and British citizens may vote in Dáil, European Parliament and local...

Planning Issues (6 Apr 2011)

Phil Hogan: I thank Deputy Eoghan Murphy for raising this matter and I will give him information regarding the issues he has raised. My Department has made inquiries of Dublin City Council on this matter and I am informed that the Marine Terminal Limited site on Pigeon House Road has a long established port-related industrial use dating back to 1975 or thereabouts. Dublin City Council received a...

Water and Sewerage Schemes (6 Apr 2011)

Phil Hogan: I thank Deputy Healy for his remarks and for raising the position regarding the Fethard regional water supply scheme. The scheme in question is included in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2010 to 2012 as a contract to commence in the lifetime of the programme. As the Deputy noted, the Department is waiting for further information and tender documents from South Tipperary...

Written Answers — Local Government Reform: Local Government Reform (6 Apr 2011)

Phil Hogan: The current system of rating and non-rating authorities is long-established. There are 54 rating town councils (including the five borough councils) and 26 non-rating town councils, previously known as town commissioners. The Report of the Local Government Efficiency Review Group published in July 2010 includes a recommendation to transfer responsibility for planning, roads and housing...

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (6 Apr 2011)

Phil Hogan: My predecessor as 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, to examine various financial matters arising in relation to the Waste to Energy facility proposed for Poolbeg. I am considering the Hennessy Report in consultation with the Attorney...

Written Answers — Radon Gas: Radon Gas (6 Apr 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 of...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (6 Apr 2011)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 24 and 49 together. 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...

Written Answers — Water Services: Water Services (6 Apr 2011)

Phil Hogan: In February 2009, my Department set out details of the financial requirements for local authorities relating to their overall management of capital and current accounts. These requirements flow directly from the requirement for Government finances as a whole to be managed in accordance with the Stability and Growth Pact established under the Maastricht Treaty, and the associated limitation on...

Written Answers — Election Management: Election Management (6 Apr 2011)

Phil Hogan: The Programme for Government contains a commitment to having spending limits for all elections and constitutional referendums, including for a period in advance of scheduled local, European, general and presidential elections. Part IV of the Electoral Act 1997 provides for an election expenses regime to be applied to candidates at a presidential election. While the monetary amounts in...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (6 Apr 2011)

Phil Hogan: The Programme for Government contains a commitment to establish an Electoral Commission to subsume functions of existing bodies and my Department. This is part of the Government's wider commitment to a radical overhaul of the way Irish politics and Government work. An Electoral Commission will be an important element in a reformed and revitalised electoral system. In developing proposals...

Written Answers — Library Services: Library Services (6 Apr 2011)

Phil Hogan: Section 78 of the Local Government Act 2001 deals with the functions of library authorities. Section 78 (2) (a) of the Act provides that a library authority may, in particular, arrange for the provision of premises and facilities (including mobile facilities) for the borrowing of and reference to books and other printed matter, tapes and discs (being audio, video or both) slides and such...