Results 1,641-1,660 of 2,156 for speaker:Tom Parlon

Seanad: Development of BMW Region: Statements. (16 Feb 2005)

Tom Parlon: ——-directly I know it is a resilient industry and changes are taking place all the time.

Seanad: Development of BMW Region: Statements. (16 Feb 2005)

Tom Parlon: With the support of both the Government and the EU I have no doubt——

Seanad: Development of BMW Region: Statements. (16 Feb 2005)

Tom Parlon: ——that in six, ten or 15 years, there will still be a vibrant agricultural industry in the country.

Seanad: Development of BMW Region: Statements. (16 Feb 2005)

Tom Parlon: A number of Senators emphasised the need for investment in public transport. The Government's record in this area is exemplary. From a base of virtually zero investment in public transport in 1997, which is not that long ago, the Government is now providing approximately €0.5 billion per year for the sector, resulting in a major increase in public transport capacity, including improvements...

Seanad: Development of BMW Region: Statements. (16 Feb 2005)

Tom Parlon: The Senator has forced me to be quick. Those rail lines will be totally upgraded and there will be significant investment in the rolling stock. Iarnród Éireann was recently given approval for the extension of the rail network track and signalling project to the Westport and Ballina lines. A number of Senators referred to specific projects in the transport area and these are matters to be...

Seanad: Development of BMW Region: Statements. (16 Feb 2005)

Tom Parlon: I will deal with that point. As the Minister stated earlier, employment in the BMW region has grown by one third in the past six years. This is an annual rate of 5% which is exceptionally strong judged by national and international norms. Senator Ulick Burke implied that there would be an underspend of the Structural Funds in the BMW region but I can guarantee this is not the case. The...

Seanad: Development of BMW Region: Statements. (16 Feb 2005)

Tom Parlon: I welcome the support of a number of Senators for the national spatial strategy. As part of the Government's work to embed the national spatial strategy in the investment plans of Departments and agencies, these bodies must now report annually to the Department of Finance on the fit between their capital expenditure and the national spatial strategy. This is a critical part of the capital...

Seanad: Development of BMW Region: Statements. (16 Feb 2005)

Tom Parlon: The other Objective One regions. I compliment the Government for being so successful. If it was not for its success in negotiating the Objective One status for the BMW region, we would not be debating the issue today. There are now 120,000 more people employed in the BMW region than in 1998.

Seanad: Development of BMW Region: Statements. (16 Feb 2005)

Tom Parlon: It is not all doom and gloom down there. I wish Senators Bannon and Ulick Burke luck with their airport in Abbeyshrule. The BMW also includes my own county of Offaly and also Laois. More than €8 billion has been spent in the BMW region under the national development plan. More than half of this has been spent on capital infrastructure projects. Progress under the national development plan...

Seanad: Development of BMW Region: Statements. (16 Feb 2005)

Tom Parlon: Some tremendous progress has been made in Sligo, Knock and, in particular, in Portlaoise, Birr and Tullamore.

Seanad: Development of BMW Region: Statements. (16 Feb 2005)

Tom Parlon: I assure Senators that there will be some very positive announcements in this area.

Seanad: Development of BMW Region: Statements. (16 Feb 2005)

Tom Parlon: I thank all Senators for their contributions which were generally very positive. I take note that a gap still exists. The fact that the rest of the country has been developing at such an unprecedented rate means that over the remainder of the plan, the Government will continue to work to narrow the gap.

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (15 Feb 2005)

Tom Parlon: FÁS has responsibility for the sourcing and purchase of its own decentralisation site in Birr. It has informed the Commissioners of Public Works that an advanced stage has been reached in the acquisition of a suitable site.

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (15 Feb 2005)

Tom Parlon: The Deputy is aware that the Office of Public Works is anxious to have all works carried out on those areas along the River Tolka designated as having a high flood risk. Dublin City Council officials have informed the OPW that they have agreed plans with the developer in question, which will result in works on the wall commencing in the next few weeks. Work on the design of the bridge is also...

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (15 Feb 2005)

Tom Parlon: The Office of Public Works has no responsibility for works being carried out at Spencer Dock. These works are being carried out by Dublin City Council. However, I am informed that the work in question has not stopped and that the council expects the works to be completed on schedule.

Written Answers — Traffic Management: Traffic Management (15 Feb 2005)

Tom Parlon: The introduction of the proposed one-way system in the Phoenix Park is on hold pending completion of a traffic management study, which I understand is being carried out at present by Fingal County Council. The reasoning behind the proposals to implement a one-way system at the Ashtown and Cabra Gates of the Phoenix Park is two-fold. It is intended to deal with the existing hazardous traffic...

Written Answers — Sale of Land: Sale of Land (15 Feb 2005)

Tom Parlon: A meeting has been arranged between the Commissioners of Public Works and the person concerned to discuss the possible sale of the portion of land attached to the Garda station.

Written Answers — Coastal Protection: Coastal Protection (15 Feb 2005)

Tom Parlon: The Dublin coastal protection project, which is being carried out by Dublin City Council and part-funded by OPW, is a study examining the causes and impacts of flooding from Portmarnock to Booterstown. A draft report is being finalised and the OPW expects to receive it shortly for detailed consideration. OPW officials have recently met with the council and have discussed some of the...

Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (15 Feb 2005)

Tom Parlon: I refer the Deputy to my reply to his question on 23 November 2004. A reply to the correspondence from the Deputy has issued.

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (9 Feb 2005)

Tom Parlon: Under the 2001 planning and development regulations, planning permission is not required for the erection of fencing of 1.2m in height or less. The timber post and rail fence erected along a section of the river bank at Maudlin Street, Kilkenny, falls within this category. A detailed consultation process took place between the Office of Public Works, the local authority and the various local...