Results 1,781-1,800 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley
- Written Answers — Water Quality: Water Quality (25 Feb 2010)
John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 34 and 167 together. I refer to the reply to Question Nos. 48 and 292 of 21 January 2010. It is the responsibility of the relevant water services authority to deliver quality public water supplies to meet current and future needs. My Department co-ordinates and finances a major programme of investment in improved drinking water supply infrastructure, on which...
- Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (25 Feb 2010)
John Gormley: The programme for Government agreed in 2007 signalled a fundamental change of policy in relation to waste management. Reflecting the ambition of the programme commitment, I have repeatedly made clear that incineration can no longer be the cornerstone of Irish waste policy, and that it is the Government's intention not to support the provision of excessive incineration capacity but to...
- Written Answers — Archaeological Sites: Archaeological Sites (25 Feb 2010)
John Gormley: I presume that the Question relates to an Office of Public Works site in the Hammond Lane/Church Street area where, in the final phase of archaeological excavations, evidence of a Viking house was identified. I understand that the archaeological excavations have now been completed, including recording and removal of archaeological features and deposits by the licensed archaeologist, and that...
- Written Answers — Community Warden Service: Community Warden Service (25 Feb 2010)
John Gormley: I presume the question refers to the local authority community warden service. The pilot community warden service, which was established in five local authorities in 2002, has since been placed on a permanent footing. Following a process of adjudication, the practical issues concerning the extension of the service to other local authorities have been settled. Accordingly, it is now open...
- Written Answers — Turbary Rights: Turbary Rights (25 Feb 2010)
John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 39 and 43 together. Last year I established an Interdepartmental working group on the cessation of turf cutting in designated raised bogs. The group is nearing completion of its deliberations and I expect to receive its report in the very near future. I will conclude my consideration of the report and any recommendations it contains as rapidly as possible,...
- Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (25 Feb 2010)
John Gormley: The transposition of the Water Framework Directive in 2003 saw the establishment of eight river basin districts on the island of Ireland providing, for the first time, for the management of water on a catchment basis. Implementation of the Directive is being progressed through River Basin District projects led by co-ordinating local authorities. A River Basin District project office, funded...
- Written Answers — Litter Pollution: Litter Pollution (25 Feb 2010)
John Gormley: Enforcement actions against illegal waste activity are a matter for the local authorities and the Office of Environmental Enforcement, OEE. I am satisfied that appropriate powers and resources are available to these enforcement authorities. The 2005 report of the OEE, The Nature and Extent of Unauthorised Waste Activity in Ireland, identified the unauthorised collection and fly-tipping of...
- Written Answers — Special Areas of Conservation: Special Areas of Conservation (25 Feb 2010)
John Gormley: The following table shows the landmass of Special Areas of Conservation and Natural Heritage Areas in County Galway compared to national totals. The figures for Connemara are not available. It should be noted that in many cases the designations overlap, and accordingly, the overall percentage of the county's area that is subject to designation cannot be deduced by adding the percentage...
- Written Answers — Special Areas of Conservation: Special Areas of Conservation (25 Feb 2010)
John Gormley: Compensation may be payable to users/owners of land who have been refused consent to continue an operation or activity. Landowners, and/or the holders of turbary rights, who are entitled to cut turf for domestic purposes may also apply to sell their rights to the State, at standard rates, under the voluntary purchase scheme for designated raised bogs. Holders of turbary rights who have been...
- Written Answers — Litter Pollution: Litter Pollution (25 Feb 2010)
John Gormley: Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) was set up in 1996 as an alliance of companies that believe litter has a significant impact on our economic well-being. My Department provides grant assistance to IBAL each year but has no formal role in the operation of the IBAL Litter League, which commenced in 2002 and has been developed to mobilise local authorities into action on the subject of...
- Written Answers — Registration of Title: Registration of Title (25 Feb 2010)
John Gormley: Section 261 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, which commenced with effect from 28 April 2004, introduced a once-off system of registration for all quarries, except those for which planning permission was granted in the five years prior to commencement of the section. Information was required to be supplied within a year, by 27 April 2005. The purpose of section 261 was to give a...
- Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (25 Feb 2010)
John Gormley: There is no review under way in relation to existing contracts under the water services investment programme, which continue to be funded as usual. Water services authorities were asked in July 2009 to submit an assessment of needs for water and sewerage services to my Department by 23 October 2009. In preparing these assessments, water services authorities were required to take into...
- Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (25 Feb 2010)
John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 171 to 174, inclusive, together. Under the Waste Management Acts the statutory responsibility for waste management planning, including in respect of infrastructure provision, rests with local authorities, generally acting in regional groupings. Section 60(3) of the Waste Management Act 1996 precludes Ministerial involvement, in particular circumstances, in a...
- Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (25 Feb 2010)
John Gormley: My Department has requested local authorities, including Clare County Council, to submit applications to the Department by 3 March setting out their borrowing requirements to progress their water services projects in 2010. Decisions will be made on individual applications as soon as possible thereafter in the light of the overall amount of borrowing available for water services projects in...
- Local Government Reform. (25 Feb 2010)
John Gormley: I have already answered that question.
- Local Government Reform. (25 Feb 2010)
John Gormley: It is in the White Paper and the Deputy will have to await the White Paper.
- Waste Management. (25 Feb 2010)
John Gormley: I have not had any direct contact with the ESRI concerning its report on waste management. I have, however, noted the contents of the report and have expressed concerns as to the accuracy of certain material contained in it. It is my understanding that the institute is currently reviewing the report on foot of comments following its publication and will be issuing a response shortly. One...
- Waste Management. (25 Feb 2010)
John Gormley: I can confirm that the principal author of the report, Dr. Dominic Hogg, author of the Eunomia report, has been in contact with the ESRI. He has compiled a very large response to the ESRI report, pointing out the major flaws contained in that report. I understand he will be making that information public. These are independent consultants, as are the ESRI and so I cannot force anybody to...
- Waste Management. (25 Feb 2010)
John Gormley: This was outlined. The Dublin city manager and others were trying to confuse matters. It is unequivocal and we have pointed this out. I refer the Deputy to the renewed programme for Government, where the matter is highlighted.
- Waste Management. (25 Feb 2010)
John Gormley: Yes and it is very clear. I am proceeding with the cap on incineration. I will consult on that matter and a strategic environmental assessment must be carried out. This requires a broad consultation with the key stakeholders. I am very clear in my view on incineration but I am not sure if the Deputy's party is entirely clear in its view. I note that Councillor Naoise à MuirÃ,...