Results 1,161-1,180 of 4,717 for speaker:Martin Mansergh

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (22 Sep 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I understand from my officials that this matter is the responsibility of Dublin City Council, as it appears to be a stormwater drainage problem. It is open to the City Council, if there are fluvial flooding conditions contributing to flooding problems, to submit a request to OPW for funding for minor flood mitigation works and studies.

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (22 Sep 2009)

Martin Mansergh: A formal application for funding for works to address the flooding problem in Ardfinnan was submitted to the Office of Public Works by South Tipperary County Council in early September. The application is currently being considered in conjunction with applications submitted by other local authorities in recent weeks for funding for flood mitigation works or studies at specific locations. A...

Public Appointments Transparency Bill 2008: Second Stage. (22 Sep 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I wish to share my time with Deputies Mary O'Rourke, Michael Ahern, Seán Ardagh and Mattie McGrath. While I would like to compliment Deputy Leo Varadkar on his initiative in drafting and tabling a Private Members' Bill, and on the discussion to which it gives rise, I will be opposing it on behalf of the Government. I have listened carefully to the contribution of the Deputy to this...

Public Appointments Transparency Bill 2008: Second Stage. (22 Sep 2009)

Martin Mansergh: There are many fine and public-spirited citizens who have contributed to State boards and who continue to do so under the current allegedly flawed system. In the past, the system may not always have been as focused on professional capacity as it has become now. However, there has been a necessary improvement in the calibre of appointees in the recent past. From the point of view of the...

Public Appointments Transparency Bill 2008: Second Stage. (22 Sep 2009)

Martin Mansergh: We may not be pleased with this argument but we must weigh the risk. We should be careful about what process is most conducive to getting the sort of people we seek to serve on State boards in the public interest. In this regard, the House will be aware of the measures which it recently passed for board appointments to public broadcasting corporations in the recently enacted Broadcasting...

Traffic Management (22 Sep 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I thank Deputy Varadkar for raising this issue and I appreciate the inconvenience such works can cause to those who may live in their vicinity. The closure of Castleknock Gate from Monday, 28 September for a maximum of nine weeks is necessitated by essential works that are required to be carried out at the Mountjoy Cross junction in the Phoenix Park. The works will require the junction to be...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (17 Sep 2009)

Martin Mansergh: A number of key projects were identified as priority elements of the decentralisation programme in the Government announcement of 14 October 2008. The construction of a new headquarters building in Mullingar for the Department of Education and Science, in conjunction with a new headquarters for the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in Portlaoise, and a new decentralised office...

Written Answers — Driving Tests: Driving Tests (17 Sep 2009)

Martin Mansergh: The Office of Public Works have no record of receiving a request from the Road Safety Authority or through the Department of Transport to provide public toilet facilities at the driving test centre at the location referred to by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Communications Masts: Communications Masts (16 Sep 2009)

Martin Mansergh: The telecommunications mast at Cahir Garda Station was recently replaced by a structurally stronger tower to facilitate the roll out of the NDRS (National Digital Radio Service) to provide an improved telecommunications system for An Garda Síochána. There are nine antennae located on the new mast, five of which are Garda Síochána antennae, as on the original mast. Four additional...

Written Answers — Public Service Contracts: Public Service Contracts (16 Sep 2009)

Martin Mansergh: OPW has had a contractual relationship with the company referred to by the Deputy on a number of occasions in the past. The Commissioners of Public Works have no formal knowledge of contractual arrangements , which may exist between a Main Contractor of a project and its sub-contractors. Payment to sub-contractors is the responsibility of a Main Contractor.

Written Answers — Energy Conservation: Energy Conservation (16 Sep 2009)

Martin Mansergh: It has been the practice for many years in the public sector to utilise energy saving lighting. It is not possible to give a precise number or percentage of energy saving light fittings for any particular Department. Fluorescent lighting is used for internal lighting in all Government Department buildings, except in the most unusual circumstances. Such circumstances are due to technical or...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (16 Sep 2009)

Martin Mansergh: The rent paid to date in respect of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food office at Raheen Business Park, Limerick since the commencement of the lease on 1 May 2005 is €1,556,703.67. Service charges in the amount of €147,319.24 have also been paid in respect of these premises.

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (16 Sep 2009)

Martin Mansergh: Maintenance of the drainage schemes referred to by the Deputy is the responsibility of the relevant Local Authorities. Laois, Kilkenny and Tipperary County Councils share responsibility for the Goul Scheme, while Kilkenny and Tipperary County Councils are responsible for the Kilbride drainage scheme.

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (16 Sep 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I propose to takes Questions Nos. 236 and 276 together. The damage caused in the areas referred to mainly affected public roads. The provision of funding in relation to remedial works for such infrastructure would be a matter for the Department of Transport. The role of the OPW is to work with Mayo County Council to reduce the risk of further flooding. In this regard, the OPW recently...

Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (16 Sep 2009)

Martin Mansergh: The Office of Public Works endeavours to deal with all correspondence as quickly as possible, while ensuring that the matters raised are fully addressed in the response. Due to the pressure of work on the staff involved, it was not possible, in this particular case, to respond to the representations made within the normal target period.

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (16 Sep 2009)

Martin Mansergh: My Officials in the Office of Public Works (OPW) met with their counterparts from Dublin City Council (DCC) on 29 July in relation to the flooding issue in the general Donnycarney areas caused by the extreme rainfall on 2 July. At the meeting, the City Council tabled an Interim Report on the issue, carried out by the council's consultants. The report found that the previously preferred...

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (16 Sep 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I am advised by my officials in the Office of Public Works (OPW) that the design of the flood protection scheme around Suir Island does not make provision for penstocks/sluice gates at the entrances and exits of the mill races. Following a detailed investigation by engineering staff it was found that there was no financial or engineering benefit to the flood protection scheme in return for...

Written Answers — Architectural Heritage: Architectural Heritage (16 Sep 2009)

Martin Mansergh: The Office of Public Works is currently making arrangements to visit and meet with local representatives in relation to their concerns about Quin Abbey, Quin, Co. Clare.

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (16 Sep 2009)

Martin Mansergh: The Commissioners of Public Works are progressing with negotiations to acquire a 2 acre site from the HSE in Portlaoise, for the construction of a new Garda Headquarters on behalf of An Garda Síochána and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (16 Sep 2009)

Martin Mansergh: The Office of Public Works expects that the ecologist's report will be completed by the end of September.