Results 1,301-1,320 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Departmental Agencies (27 May 2010)

John Gormley: We do not publish advice from the Attorney General but I have received that advice and discussed it with him. I assume the Deputy is pleased with the outcome and that the issue is now being advanced. I have not yet had the opportunity to talk directly to the Minister for Finance about this but, as I said, I hope we can make progress as quickly as possible.

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (26 May 2010)

John Gormley: The Programme for Government, agreed in June 2007, included a commitment to introduce a scheme of support for the replacement and upgrade of septic tanks older than 15 years with newer systems. The feasibility for introducing such a scheme will remain under ongoing review by my Department, in light of budgetary constraints. Under my Department's Rural Water Programme, grants are available to...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (26 May 2010)

John Gormley: My Department is awaiting receipt of confirmation from the applicant's farm planner of compliance by the applicant with the provisions of the farm plan. Payment can be made when this confirmation is received. The previous payment due to the applicant issued on 11 December 2009.

Written Answers — Motor Taxation: Motor Taxation (26 May 2010)

John Gormley: At present a local authority may only issue a licence for a vehicle which is in its own county area. The possibility of permitting a licensing authority to issue a licence without such restriction is being considered in the context of a revision and consolidation of motor tax law currently underway in my Department. In this regard, I intend to bring Heads of a Bill to Government as soon as...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (26 May 2010)

John Gormley: Watermains rehabilitation work in the Greater Dublin Region is being progressed by Dublin City Council as part of the Dublin Region Watermain Rehabilitation Project, which is being funded under my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2010 - 2012. While five contracts have been completed to date, further substantial contracts are due to go to construction during the lifetime of...

Written Answers — Architectural Heritage: Architectural Heritage (26 May 2010)

John Gormley: My Department is currently reviewing the provisions of the local authority conservation grants scheme. This scheme is aimed at assisting owners and occupiers to carry out conservation works on structures which are listed in the Record of Protected Structures contained in local authority development plans. The provision of funding towards conservation works on structures in architectural...

Written Answers — Departmental Procedures: Departmental Procedures (26 May 2010)

John Gormley: As indicated in the reply of 6 May, the case concerned is complex. The Department has been considering legal and other expert advice received and will contact the person concerned next week.

Electoral Representation (Amendment) Bill 2010: Second Stage (25 May 2010)

John Gormley: I wish to share my time with Deputy Charlie O'Connor.

Electoral Representation (Amendment) Bill 2010: Second Stage (25 May 2010)

John Gormley: I am pleased to have the opportunity to address the Dáil this evening on the question of by-elections and other electoral matters. It gives me a chance to clarify the Government's position and to dispel some of the myths that have been floated by our colleagues on the Opposition benches.

Electoral Representation (Amendment) Bill 2010: Second Stage (25 May 2010)

John Gormley: I had the pleasure of watching the Deputies on the monitor.

Electoral Representation (Amendment) Bill 2010: Second Stage (25 May 2010)

John Gormley: The Opposition Members have lately begun talking about electoral reform, and the party opposite has produced some modest proposals in that regard. However, today its members have decided to introduce a Bill that focuses on a single issue in isolation from all other aspects of electoral reform. The proposal would serve only to remove the discretion of the Dáil and diminish the role of the...

Electoral Representation (Amendment) Bill 2010: Second Stage (25 May 2010)

John Gormley: -----if they considered it so important.

Electoral Representation (Amendment) Bill 2010: Second Stage (25 May 2010)

John Gormley: This Bill proposes to amend section 39 of the Electoral Act 1992 to compel the holding of a by-election not later than six months after a vacancy occurs. The Bill recognises and retains the reference to the role of the Dáil in directing that a by-election be held but then swiftly undermines that role by forcing the Dáil to act within six months. This mechanical approach to holding...

Electoral Representation (Amendment) Bill 2010: Second Stage (25 May 2010)

John Gormley: We do not have control over such matters and must be able to respond appropriately. It is necessary that we retain the flexibility that allows our elected representatives to make the necessary judgement call as circumstances require.

Electoral Representation (Amendment) Bill 2010: Second Stage (25 May 2010)

John Gormley: Members of this House are democratically elected by the people. I see this Bill as diminishing the role of our national Parliament and I disagree with the approach in the Bill. In any event, this is an issue which should be addressed as part of a wider systematic review of the electoral system and not in a piecemeal and isolated way as proposed in this Bill. My commitment and that of the...

Electoral Representation (Amendment) Bill 2010: Second Stage (25 May 2010)

John Gormley: I look forward to the introduction of the Bill to the Oireachtas as soon as possible.

Electoral Representation (Amendment) Bill 2010: Second Stage (25 May 2010)

John Gormley: Last year the Government moved swiftly and decisively to enact legislation which regulated, for the first time, spending and donations at local elections; all in all, that was a good day's work. The programme for Government envisages that an independent electoral commission would take responsibility for electoral administration and oversight, implement modern and efficient electoral practices...

Electoral Representation (Amendment) Bill 2010: Second Stage (25 May 2010)

John Gormley: The Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Constitution has an important and valuable input to our overall electoral reform considerations. In the course of its examination of the system used for the election of Members of Dáil Éireann, the committee has considered issues in respect of the administration and functioning of Ireland's electoral system generally. I was glad to have the...

Electoral Representation (Amendment) Bill 2010: Second Stage (25 May 2010)

John Gormley: That said, a key argument for retaining the current system is that it is easy for voters to understand. There are various alternative systems available but, as with all systems, there are arguments for and against. One of the alternatives considered by some experts to be perhaps the most feasible is the method used in the European Parliament elections, as provided for in the European...

Electoral Representation (Amendment) Bill 2010: Second Stage (25 May 2010)

John Gormley: I wish the Deputy would go for it.