Results 1,121-1,140 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Seanad: Environmental Protection: Motion (23 Jun 2010)

John Gormley: I welcome the opportunity to support the Government amendment and to set out for Members the work the Government consisting of Fianna Fáil and the Green Party has been advancing across a broad spectrum of issues to enhance and protect the environment. A healthy environment is a prerequisite for a healthy society and economy. My party has had this viewpoint as a core value from the outset...

Seanad: Environmental Protection: Motion (23 Jun 2010)

John Gormley: I speak as someone who has in the past given the Labour Party my second preference vote. I am very sympathetic to some of the social justice issues it has espoused in the past. I hear this progressive rhetoric, but I do not see it backed up by any action. I would have thought the Labour Party would have had some feeling for animal welfare issues, yet last week its Senators voted with Fine...

Seanad: Environmental Protection: Motion (23 Jun 2010)

John Gormley: Senator Bacik spoke blithely about the environmental pillar. From where did the environmental pillar come? We introduced it. For the very first time we have an environmental pillar as part of social partnership, which will be a very progressive move. I hope it is not removed if ever the Labour Party gets the opportunity to be in government.

Seanad: Environmental Protection: Motion (23 Jun 2010)

John Gormley: I fear that some of the progressive moves we have made in Government will be repealed based on signals we are getting from some quarters in the Opposition. Similarly funding for NGOs has been tripled. We have gone out of our way to assist environmental NGOs. We believe there is a place for debate. If there is a critique that we should be doing more, that is fine because we will step up to...

Seanad: Environmental Protection: Motion (23 Jun 2010)

John Gormley: Prime Minister Rudd indicated he could not go ahead with it, in the same fashion as French President Sarkozy.

Seanad: Environmental Protection: Motion (23 Jun 2010)

John Gormley: It is very impressed with the legislation we are putting forward and it is seen as extremely innovative. There is a belief it will serve as a template for environmental legislation elsewhere, a fact in which I take great pride. We also aim to enshrine those climate change targets about which the Senator has spoken into the planned climate change Bill, the heads of which I intend to publish...

Seanad: Environmental Protection: Motion (23 Jun 2010)

John Gormley: The site was sold for £1 and no environmental safeguards were put in place. That is shameful. Senator Hannigan referred to visiting the site and eating his sandwiches there.

Seanad: Environmental Protection: Motion (23 Jun 2010)

John Gormley: The Senator has many supporters down there and that is the way to do it. He criticised Fianna Fáil but I am afraid the Labour Party has learned quite a few lessons from that party in the context of how it does business

Seanad: Environmental Protection: Motion (23 Jun 2010)

John Gormley: In recent times I monitored how the Labour Party operates and I am aware that it does not commit in respect of anything. Water charges are fundamental if we are to have a good water infrastructure but the Labour Party does not appear to have a policy on them.

Seanad: Environmental Protection: Motion (23 Jun 2010)

John Gormley: The Senator will have ample opportunity later to outline his party's policies in detail.

Seanad: Environmental Protection: Motion (23 Jun 2010)

John Gormley: In such circumstances the Deputy's colleague can contribute.

Seanad: Environmental Protection: Motion (23 Jun 2010)

John Gormley: Let us have some openness, transparency and honesty. Everybody wants to know the policies of the Labour Party.

Seanad: Environmental Protection: Motion (23 Jun 2010)

John Gormley: The Senator was absent from the Chamber when I referred to that matter. Perhaps his colleague, Senator Bacik, will update him on what I said. The steps to which I referred earlier brought the site at Haulbowline to a position where the Government decided that the Office of Public Works, OPW, would chair a working group to develop a structured and coherent approach to the further management...

Seanad: Environmental Protection: Motion (23 Jun 2010)

John Gormley: Once Senator O'Toole said it was going to be a point of order, I knew that would not be the case.

Seanad: Environmental Protection: Motion (23 Jun 2010)

John Gormley: I would be happy to elucidate on the matter. I already pointed out to Senator Bacik that a team of international lawyers, ClientEarth, which previously worked with the Australian Government, is working with us on the relevant Bill. I hope to be in a position to publish the heads thereof shortly before the summer recess. I also hope to guide it through the Houses in the autumn. The...

Seanad: Environmental Protection: Motion (23 Jun 2010)

John Gormley: Correct.

Seanad: Environmental Protection: Motion (23 Jun 2010)

John Gormley: I stated that the joint committee was established at the behest of the Green Party. Members of the Labour Party and other Opposition parties are using the committee not to achieve consensus but rather in the most adversarial way. Their only goal is to bash the Government. That is not the purpose for which the joint committee was established. I had hoped it would develop a consensus on...

Seanad: Environmental Protection: Motion (23 Jun 2010)

John Gormley: I appreciate the opportunity to address the House on this matter. I have outlined, in a broad way, the current state of play in terms of the various measures and policies in place to protect and enhance our environment. I hope the House will recognise that with policies, plans and legislation now well embedded, we have placed an intensive focus on the critical area of implementation....

Written Answers — Foreshore Licences: Foreshore Licences (22 Jun 2010)

John Gormley: The application for a foreshore licence made by the person in question is currently under consideration by my Department and I expect to make a decision on the matter as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (22 Jun 2010)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 386 and 424 together. Mains rehabilitation is a key priority under my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2012, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas Library. A key input to the development of the Programme was the assessment of needs prepared by local authorities in response to my Department's request to the authorities last...