Results 1,261-1,280 of 7,278 for speaker:Dick Roche

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (27 Mar 2007)

Dick Roche: Ireland signed the Aarhus Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters on 25 June 1998. Progress towards ratification of the Convention is closely aligned with work at EU level. To date, the European Union has adopted two directives as part of the ratification process for the Convention. These deal with public...

Written Answers — Local Authority Functions: Local Authority Functions (27 Mar 2007)

Dick Roche: The correspondence in question relates to the manner in which a local authority has exercised its functions under the Control of Dogs Acts 1986 and 1992. My Department has sought the views of the authority on the matters raised and on receipt of its comments, a further letter will issue to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (27 Mar 2007)

Dick Roche: Questions in relation to penalty points are a matter for my colleague the Minister for Transport and relevant agencies under his aegis.

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (27 Mar 2007)

Dick Roche: The appeal in question is currently being examined by my Department and the appellants will be notified of the decision as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Vehicle Registration: Vehicle Registration (22 Mar 2007)

Dick Roche: Section 60 of the Finance Act 1993 provides the legal basis for the records contained in the National Vehicle and Driver File database (NVDF). The NVDF contains the records of keepers of vehicles rather than titled owners and the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government may determine the content of the records. In this regard it is the practice that a vehicle record is...

Written Answers — Road Signage: Road Signage (22 Mar 2007)

Dick Roche: My Department introduced a 5 year Regional Road Signposting Programme in 2003 with the aim of providing directional signposts on all significant junctions on all regional roads in county council areas. In 2007, a sum of €7 million has been provided for this programme of which €250,000 has been allocated to North Tipperary County Council. Before contracts may be placed by a local...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (22 Mar 2007)

Dick Roche: The provision and improvement of non-national roads, including bridges, in County Westmeath is a matter for Westmeath County Council to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State grants provided by my Department. In July last year, my Department sought applications from local authorities for funding under the 2007 Specific Improvements Grant Scheme. The initial selection of...

Written Answers — Turbary Rights: Turbary Rights (22 Mar 2007)

Dick Roche: I understand that a number of landowners at Crosswood Bog met with an official from my Department last month concerning works carried out by Coillte Teoranta in adjoining lands. My Department has not requested the landowners to cease cutting turf for domestic use in the bog. The 1999 Agreement to allow turf cutting on designated bogs for a ten year period applies throughout the country....

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (22 Mar 2007)

Dick Roche: The improvement and maintenance of non-national roads in County Kildare is a matter for Kildare County Council to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State grants provided by my Department. Details of total non-national road grants paid to Kildare County Council in 2005 and 2006 and the initial allocation for 2007 are set out in the table. Year Total GrantPayment € 2005...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (22 Mar 2007)

Dick Roche: The information sought is not readily available and its compilation would involve a disproportionate amount of time and work. Some 200 items of EU environmental legislation, including more than 140 Directives, have by now been transposed in this country. A wide range of penalties applies for offences under the relevant national legislation including fines of up to €15 million and terms of...

Seanad: Carbon Fund Bill 2006: Second Stage (22 Mar 2007)

Dick Roche: There is a company marketing sheep's wool insulation.

Seanad: Carbon Fund Bill 2006: Second Stage (22 Mar 2007)

Dick Roche: I thank the Senators for their contributions. In particular, I appreciate the contribution made by Senator O'Toole. I say this in no patronising way. It is a stunning example of the paucity of thought in our Opposition. In all of the contributions made in both Houses, there has not been a single thoughtful or incisive contribution by the Opposition parties. The only party that made an...

Seanad: Carbon Fund Bill 2006: Second Stage (22 Mar 2007)

Dick Roche: The Senator should be patient and wait for the launch of the strategy on 2 April. I have already made an announcement in this regard. Ireland was one of the first countries to examine this issue. This is one of the areas in respect of which we were considering taking action but the problem is that it is not possible to take action which could be regarded as restraint of trade within the...

Seanad: Carbon Fund Bill 2006: Second Stage (22 Mar 2007)

Dick Roche: Let us not do so, but the reality is that we have already committed to increasing those standards by 40%. We are doing so not necessarily on foot of climate change but because it is the correct thing to do. The Senator is correct about the need to build in efficiencies, particularly in light of the rate at which houses are being built here. We have taken specific measures in respect of...

Seanad: Carbon Fund Bill 2006: Second Stage (22 Mar 2007)

Dick Roche: The schemes in Ireland are overseen by the Environmental Protection Agency. There are also international standards. One might ask how the calculation relating to transport is made. Carbon emission figures for transport are calculated on the basis of the country's throughput of diesel and petrol. The intriguing thing in this regard is that in Ireland, a significant proportion of diesel is...

Seanad: Carbon Fund Bill 2006: Second Stage (22 Mar 2007)

Dick Roche: That is a fair point. Why does the audit system relating to transport not take into account all of the issues? The point is that the system in place was established by the United Nations and applies equally across the globe. I am of the opinion that aviation fuel should be included under this system. It is anomalous that such fuel is not included. Ireland pays a penalty because fuel...

Seanad: Carbon Fund Bill 2006: Second Stage (22 Mar 2007)

Dick Roche: The international schemes in which we are involved are certified by the agencies through which we will make the purchase. Senator O'Toole's point is well made. It would be a matter of policy, which would be established by the Minister, to do that and the arrangements made already are through the EBDR and through the World Bank. Those are very good schemes. To illustrate again one of the...

Seanad: Carbon Fund Bill 2006: Second Stage (22 Mar 2007)

Dick Roche: I am pleased to be back in the House for Second Stage of the Carbon Fund Bill. I am here so often I am more frequently before the House than I was when I was a Member. I hope it is not a portent of things to come. Second Stage of the Carbon Fund Bill will provide an opportunity to develop issues raised in yesterday's debate in Private Members' time. The Bill was amended on Committee Stage...

Seanad: Carbon Fund Bill 2006: Second Stage (22 Mar 2007)

Dick Roche: The Senator should not put all his faith in a lobbyist.

Seanad: Carbon Fund Bill 2006: Second Stage (22 Mar 2007)

Dick Roche: No, it does not.