Results 1,921-1,940 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Written Answers — Derelict Sites: Derelict Sites (24 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: Under the Derelict Sites Act 1990, local authorities are required to take all reasonable steps, including the exercise of appropriate statutory powers, to ensure that any land within their functional area does not become or continue to be a derelict site. To this end, they have been given substantial powers under the Act in relation to any such sites, including powers to require specified...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (24 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: The information requested, in relation to my Department's principal programmes, is set out in the following tabular statement. County Councils 2006 2007 2008 2006 2007 2008 2006 2007 2008 2006 2007 2008 2006 2007 2008 Local Government Fund Local Government Fund Local Government Fund Water Services Water Services Water Services Local Authoity and Social Housing** Local Authoity and Social...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (18 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: I am not aware of any specific Exchequer or EU funding available for local authorities for the operation of an allotment scheme. Given the absence of primary legislation governing the provision or management of allotments, I am considering introducing amending provisions in the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009 to give planning authorities the discretion to include objectives in...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (18 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: Staff have in the past been facilitated to attend blood donation clinics in Dublin as a group during normal working hours to provide blood donations, and on an informal basis time was allowed for this. My Department's Dublin offices are close to the D'Olier Street blood donation clinic which is open from 9.30 a.m. to 8.00 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 9.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. on Friday.

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (18 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 176 and 177 together. As Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, I am generally precluded under section 30 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 from exercising any power or control in relation to any individual matter with which a planning authority or An Bord Pleanála is or may be concerned. My role in relation to development...

Written Answers — Professional Bodies: Professional Bodies (18 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: Responsibility for implementation of the registration provisions of the Building Control Act 2007 in respect of architects, including the official register, is a matter for the Royal Institute of Architects in Ireland (RIAI), as registration body. I am currently examining a submission from the RIAI on all registration fees under the Act in respect of architects and I hope to reach a decision...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (18 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: The Spiddal Sewerage Scheme was included for funding in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007 - 2009. My Department is currently awaiting the submission of Galway County Council's revised Preliminary Report for the scheme. Further progress on this scheme awaits the finalisation of the Water Services Investment Programme for 2010 to 2012, taking into account the priority...

Written Answers — Computerisation Programme: Computerisation Programme (18 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: Cloud computing systems are not deployed in my Department.

Written Answers — Energy Efficiency: Energy Efficiency (17 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: On matters relating to radon gas my Department is advised by the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII), which also provides a radon advice service to members of the public. International scientific literature reviewed by the RPII suggests that measures to reduce heat loss through increasing the air-tightness of buildings may have the unintended effect of causing a build-up of...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (17 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: As stated in the reply to Question No. 578 of 9 February 2010, Section 42 of the Planning and Development Acts 2000 – 2009 currently provides that the duration of a planning permission may be extended, subject to certain conditions, where substantial works have been carried out before the expiration of the original permission. The Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill provides for...

Written Answers — Allotment Management: Allotment Management (17 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: There are currently no primary legislative provisions governing the provision or management of allotments by local authorities. Any local objective or policy of the Council referred to in the Question in relation to allotments is, therefore, a matter for that Council and I have no function in this context.

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (17 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: The Government is committed to delivering a significant growth in renewable energy as a contribution to fuel diversity in power generation with a 2020 target of 40% of electricity consumption. Wind energy will provide the pivotal contribution to achieving this target. My Department's Wind Energy Development Guidelines issued to planning authorities in June 2006, and available on my...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (17 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 195 to 198, inclusive, together. I fully appreciate the importance of peat bogs as a carbon sink. My Department's Wind Energy Development Guidelines issued to planning authorities in June 2006, and available on my Department's website at www.environ.ie, provide comprehensive advice to planning authorities on catering for wind energy through the development...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (16 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: 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 and, in that context, the European Union has adopted two Directives as part of the ratification process for the Convention. These deal...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (16 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: Under planning legislation, the decision as to whether to grant a planning application, with or without conditions, is a matter for the relevant planning authority and An Bord Pleanála on appeal. In making decisions on planning applications, planning authorities and the Board must consider the proper planning and sustainable development of the area, having regard to the provisions of the...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (16 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: Payment is expected to issue within the coming days.

Written Answers — Foreshore Licences: Foreshore Licences (16 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: Following the enactment of the Foreshore and Dumping at Sea (Amendment) Act 2009, my Department assumed responsibility on 15 January 2010 for a range of foreshore functions including all foreshore energy-related developments (including oil, gas, wind, wave and tidal energy). The foreshore application made by Kerry County Council in respect of the project referred to was approved by the...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (16 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 513 and 524 together. The Dromcollogher, Hospital, Pallasgreen and Bruff Grouped Sewerage Scheme was included for funding in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007 – 2009. My Department is currently examining Limerick County Council's Preliminary Report for the Grouped Scheme and a decision on it will be conveyed to the Council as soon...

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (16 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: Harvested rainwater has potential as an alternative source of water for various purposes, including supplying toilet cisterns, washing machines etc. and for a number of business operations. Environmental and economic benefits can also accrue from a reduction in the demand for water abstraction at source and the subsequent expensive treatment of raw water. Large-scale rainwater harvesting...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (16 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 515, 516 and 518 together. The Kilkee & Kilrush Sewerage Schemes and the Killaloe Sewerage Scheme were included for funding in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007 – 2009. My Department is currently examining Clare County Council's Preliminary Report for the Kilkee & Kilrush Sewerage Schemes and a decision on it will be conveyed to the...