Results 10,901-10,920 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Moriarty Tribunal Report: Statements (Resumed) (30 Mar 2011)

Phil Hogan: I know that, but I need eight minutes.

Moriarty Tribunal Report: Statements (Resumed) (30 Mar 2011)

Phil Hogan: I will look for the indulgence of the Chair.

Moriarty Tribunal Report: Statements (Resumed) (30 Mar 2011)

Phil Hogan: I am pleased to have the opportunity to contribute to this debate. I welcome the publication of the report of the Moriarty tribunal and commend Mr. Justice Moriarty on the detailed and considered work that he and his team have done in producing a report of such depth and scope. This is a serious report with strong recommendations which need to be assessed and implemented. I accept the...

Moriarty Tribunal Report: Statements (Resumed) (30 Mar 2011)

Phil Hogan: It was Fianna Fáil, not Fine Gael, that cut secret deals with Deputy Lowry. It was Fianna Fáil, aided and abetted by the Greens, which cobbled together secret arrangements and kept that information from public view to keep a discredited Government in power beyond its expiry date. I hold no truck for those found to have behaved as described by Mr. Justice Moriarty and they should be...

Moriarty Tribunal Report: Statements (Resumed) (30 Mar 2011)

Phil Hogan: It is interesting that none of them is here today.

Moriarty Tribunal Report: Statements (Resumed) (30 Mar 2011)

Phil Hogan: The experience with the Moriarty tribunal has shown that this system of inquiry is by its nature deliberative and slow as well as being costly for the taxpayer. The scale of legal fees has been a national scandal for years and despite promises to tackle the problem that they present, legislative action on this front has been slow to take off. I have every confidence that the Minister for...

Leaders' Questions (30 Mar 2011)

Phil Hogan: Deputy Martin should read his brief.

Written Answers — Waste Disposal: Waste Disposal (29 Mar 2011)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 144 to 146, inclusive, together. I am considering the Hennessy Report in consultation with the Attorney General, including issues relating to publication, and am working to conclude this consideration as soon as possible. I am aware that the parties to the contract in respect of the Poolbeg facility are in a period of review. The activation of any break...

Written Answers — Radon Gas: Radon Gas (29 Mar 2011)

Phil Hogan: Over a number of years Government, largely through the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII), has worked to assess the extent of the radon problem in Ireland, and to increase public awareness of the issue. 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...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (29 Mar 2011)

Phil Hogan: Section 199 of the Local Government Act 2001 provides that local authorities may make bye-laws for or in relation to the use, operation, protection, regulation or management of any land, services, or any other matter provided by or under the control or management of the local authority, whether within or without its functional area or in relation to any connected matter. The making of such...

Written Answers — Genetically Modified Organisms: Genetically Modified Organisms (29 Mar 2011)

Phil Hogan: The responsibility for GMOs is spread across a number of Government Departments. My Department has responsibility for policy matters in relation to the deliberate release of GMOs into the environment and the contained use of GMOs. The Department of Health and Children has responsibility for policy matters concerning genetically modified food and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and...

Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (29 Mar 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 and the provision of premises, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under section 10 of the Fire Services Act 1981 and 2003. My Department supports the local fire authorities through setting of general policy, training...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (29 Mar 2011)

Phil Hogan: Part B (Fire Safety) of the Second Schedule to the Building Regulations provides for the means of escape in case of fire in buildings. In particular, the requirement at B1 states: "A building shall be so designed and constructed that there are adequate means of escape in case of fire from the building to a place of safety outside the building, capable of being safely and effectively used."...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (29 Mar 2011)

Phil Hogan: The Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2012, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas Library, provides for the development of a comprehensive range of new water services infrastructure in Fingal. The Programme includes contracts under construction and to commence in the county to the value of some €130 million during the period of the Programme. While some network...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (29 Mar 2011)

Phil Hogan: I am giving early and urgent attention to the issue of turf cutting on protected habitats, and am currently working with my colleague, Mr Jimmy Deenihan, TD, who will have responsibility in this regard as Minister for Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht Affairs, in developing comprehensive proposals for Government reflecting the commitment in the Programme for Government. These proposals, to be...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (24 Mar 2011)

Phil Hogan: I have no plans to amend the Building Control Act 2007 along the lines suggested. Part 3 of the Act enables eligible persons engaged in the provision of architectural services to register for the use of the title architect. The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) has been designated as the registration body for the purposes of Part 3 of the Act. A number of routes to...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (24 Mar 2011)

Phil Hogan: The Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2012 , a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas Library, provides for the development of a comprehensive range of new water services infrastructure in County Kerry. The Waterville water and sewerage scheme (Design/Build/Operate Contract) is included in the programme amongst the list of contracts in the county to start in the period 2010...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (24 Mar 2011)

Phil Hogan: The Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2012 , a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas Library, provides for the development of a comprehensive range of new water services infrastructure in County Kerry. The Kilcummin sewerage scheme is included in the 2010 – 2012 programme as a scheme at planning. In view of the high unit cost of providing the scheme, Kerry County Council...

Written Answers — Motor Taxation: Motor Taxation (24 Mar 2011)

Phil Hogan: I am not in a position to confirm the matter raised in the question. Motor tax rates were last increased in the budget of 2009 and the increases took effect from 1 January 2009.

Written Answers — Building Regulations: Building Regulations (24 Mar 2011)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 62 to 64, inclusive, together. Appropriate measures necessary to prevent the use of pyritic material as hardcore filler in underground foundations in buildings have already been taken by my Department since the current pyrite problems first manifested themselves in mid-2007. These measures include: clear communication with local authorities, relevant public...