Results 10,921-10,940 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (24 Mar 2011)

Phil Hogan: Sections 34(4)(g) and 180(2)(b) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 provide respectively that a planning authority may attach conditions to a planning permission requiring the giving of adequate security for the satisfactory completion of a proposed development and, if a development is not subsequently completed satisfactorily, may apply a security, given under section 34, for the...

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (24 Mar 2011)

Phil Hogan: I assume that the question refers to flood mitigation works carried out by local authorities. Under existing arrangements funding to the authorities for such works is provided by the Office of Public Works (OPW) and issues arising in this context are a matter for my colleague the Minister for Finance who has responsibility for OPW.

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (24 Mar 2011)

Phil Hogan: The report Service Indicators in Local Authorities 2009 published by the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA), sets out the latest information on local authority performances in 2009 across a range of 46 service indicators, including taking estates in charge. The taking estates in charge indicator was first introduced as a new service indicator in the 2008 report. The service indicator...

Written Answers — Local Government Reform: Local Government Reform (24 Mar 2011)

Phil Hogan: A range of work is already under way or in planning arising from the Report of the Local Government Efficiency Review Group and I am reviewing the next immediate steps to augment this. I will also be considering wider proposals to renew and develop the local government system in line with the Government's programme and building on relevant research and analysis already undertaken in this...

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

Phil Hogan: The introduction of a grants scheme for any purpose must be managed within current budgetary constraints. Insofar, as support for the upgrading of septic tanks is concerned, the matter is under review in my Department, including in the context of finalising proposals to respond to the 2009 judgment of the European Court of Justice regarding Ireland's failure to adopt the necessary legislation...

Written Answers — Turbary Rights: Turbary Rights (23 Mar 2011)

Phil Hogan: The Chief State Solicitor's Office had been in contact with the vendor's Solicitor in relation to the purchase of turbary rights on the land in question. Title on part of the property was unregistered and the vendor had not been able to produce good marketable title. As a result of this the purchase could not go ahead in its entirety. I understand that the purchase of turbary rights on the...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (23 Mar 2011)

Phil Hogan: My Department approved €2,800 under the Environment Fund for Biodiversity Awareness 2010 to the Abbeyleix Bog Group in County Laois. Payment in 2010 was subject to the grant being drawn down by the end of November 2010. The paperwork to process payment was not received from the Abbeyleix Bog Group until 5 January 2011, and, accordingly, payment of this grant could not be met in 2010....

Response to the Aftermath of the Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan: Statements (23 Mar 2011)

Phil Hogan: The massive earthquake which struck off the coast of Japan on 10 March and the resulting tsunami are stark reminders of the forces nature can unleash and how vulnerable and powerless humanity can be in the face of them. The scale of devastation in northern Japan is enormous. I offer the Government's sympathy on behalf of the Irish people to the Government and people of Japan who have been...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (22 Mar 2011)

Phil Hogan: Local authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes in accordance with the details entered in the valuation lists prepared by the independent Commissioner of Valuation under the Valuation Act 2001. The determination of the annual rate on valuation (ARV), which is applied to a property valuation to calculate rates, is a decision taken...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (22 Mar 2011)

Phil Hogan: The Council of Europe Convention on the Participation of Foreigners in Public Life at Local Level (agreed in 1992) has to date been signed and ratified by eight of the 47 member states, and signed by a further five. There are no proposals at this stage for Ireland to sign or ratify the Convention.

Written Answers — Turbary Rights: Turbary Rights (22 Mar 2011)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 185 to 187, inclusive, 196 and 197 together. Under the 1992 Habitats Directive Ireland agreed to protect various natural habitats which are of international importance, including by designating areas as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) for their protection. Once designated, Ireland is obliged to monitor, protect and, where necessary, restore those...

Written Answers — Turbary Rights: Turbary Rights (22 Mar 2011)

Phil Hogan: My Department is currently reviewing certain aspects of planning regulations relevant to the application of the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive both in the context of Ireland's proposals to address the findings of a European Court of Justice case on on-farm developments as well as broader application of environmental impact assessment for peat extraction. I note the continuing...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (22 Mar 2011)

Phil Hogan: The Claregalway and Milltown Sewerage Schemes have been amalgamated by Galway County Council into a single project that is included in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2010-2012, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas Library. This project, under which the Council will provide new waste water treatment plants and collection networks at both locations at an...

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (22 Mar 2011)

Phil Hogan: Arrangements for the staffing of the constituency offices in my Department are not yet finalised. However, the Constituency Offices, along with the Private Offices, will be staffed in accordance with the agreed reduced staffing limits decided by the Government last week.

Written Answers — Ministerial Responsibilities: Ministerial Responsibilities (22 Mar 2011)

Phil Hogan: Mr. Willie Penrose, TD, has been appointed Minister of State at my Department, with responsibility for Housing and Planning. In addition, Mr. Fergus O'Dowd, TD, has been appointed Minister for State at the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and at my own Department with responsibility for the NewERA Plan. I will be delegating comprehensive housing and planning...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (22 Mar 2011)

Phil Hogan: My Department and Galway County Council have been in discussion regarding this proposed roads project insofar as it may impact on areas designated for conservation purposes under European law. The County Council has prepared a detailed document in this regard and my Department has provided appropriate advice and guidance. The European Commission has agreed to meet with officials from Galway...

Written Answers — Turbary Rights: Turbary Rights (22 Mar 2011)

Phil Hogan: Contracts of sale in this case were executed on my behalf in October 2008. However, before the sale was closed it was discovered that the vendor had rented the land in question, and the associated turbary rights, to a third party. The Chief State Solicitor's Office advised that a deed of variation would be required and they are working to resolve this matter. I am advised that this will...

Written Answers — Public Procurement: Public Procurement (22 Mar 2011)

Phil Hogan: All capital investment projects funded by my Department are subject, inter alia, to EU and national public procurement requirements and guidance, as set out by the Department of Finance, relating to capital project management in the public sector. It is a matter for local authorities, as contracting authorities, to administer procurement processes in accordance with the relevant requirements...

Written Answers — Electoral System: Electoral System (22 Mar 2011)

Phil Hogan: The programme for Government sets out a comprehensive range of constitutional reform measures, including putting to the people, for decision by referendum, a proposal for the abolition of the Seanad and a review of the Dáil electoral system by a Constitutional Convention. I will bring forward proposals for change to electoral law in light of the decisions for change which may arise from...

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (1 Feb 2011)

Phil Hogan: Question 110: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will review the funding arrangements in respect of an organisation which funded various schemes under the children at risk programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4514/11]