Results 1,961-1,980 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Written Answers — National Parks: National Parks (10 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: In 2009, current and capital funding of some €2.76m was invested in Glenveagh National Park which is managed by my Department. The Park is open to the public all year round while the visitor centre and Glenveagh Castle are closed only on Good Friday and Christmas week. Details of the number of tourists visiting the park generally are not available as there is no admission fee and there...

Written Answers — Air Quality: Air Quality (10 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: The monitoring, assessment and management of ambient air quality in Ireland is carried out according to the requirements of the EU Air Quality Framework Directive. This Directive was transposed into Irish law through the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992, (Ambient Air Quality Assessment and Management) Regulations, 1999. Under further regulations made in 2002, 2004 and 2009, specific...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (10 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: Killybegs is part of the Donegal Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant – Group B Scheme, which was included in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007 – 2009. Donegal County Council is preparing Tender Documents for the scheme for submission to my Department. Local authorities were asked in July 2009 to submit an assessment of needs for water and sewerage services to my...

Written Answers — Election Management System: Election Management System (10 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: On 23 April 2009, I announced that the Government had decided not to proceed with implementation of electronic voting in Ireland. Since then, a process has been put in place to address the issues that arise from the decision. An Interdepartmental Task Force, chaired by my Department, has been established to bring the project to an orderly conclusion and to oversee disposal of the equipment...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (10 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: Section 261 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, which was 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 previous 5 years. Under the registration system, quarry operators were required to supply full details of their operations to the planning authorities by 27...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (10 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: Local authorities were asked in July 2009 to submit an assessment of needs for water and sewerage services to my Department by 23 October 2009. My Department is currently considering these assessments, which form a key input to the development of the 2010 to 2012 Water Services Investment Programme. In conducting their assessments, local authorities were asked to prioritise schemes and...

Written Answers — Building Control Act: Building Control Act (10 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: I do not propose to suspend or amend the provisions of Part 3 of the Building Control Act 2007. My colleague, the Minster for Housing and Local Services, held a meeting in August 2009 with representatives of the organisation referred to in regard to Part 3 of the Act, in particular the technical assessment process. Part 3 of the Act provides for registration of the title of "Architect". The...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (10 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: There is a commitment to introduce comprehensive legislation on noise pollution within the lifetime of this Government. As part of the preparatory process extensive public consultation was undertaken during which 235 submissions were received from the public and key stakeholders. After due consideration of these submissions the General Scheme of a Noise Nuisance Bill was prepared in my...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (10 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: The qualifying criteria for the inclusion of overtime for pension purpose are set out in Circular Letter S.12/91 of 11 December 1991 and remain unchanged. However, Circular Letter S.4/2009 of 7 August 2009 increased the time span during which payment of an eligible allowance may qualify for pension purposes. Copies of these circulars have been sent to the Oireachtas Library. In accordance...

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (9 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 563 and 599 together. A total of 63 employees in my Department have availed of the Cycle to Work Scheme since its introduction - 45 in 2009, with a further 18 availing of the scheme to date in 2010. Some €13,375 has been spent by departmental employees under the scheme to date in 2010. This amount is being recouped from the individuals concerned as a...

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (9 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: I am advised that this proposal, while interesting, is not one that is normally eligible for funding by my Department. Funding is provided for projects under Interreg IV and the Peace and Reconciliation programme subject to projects meeting the criteria of the programmes. The programmes are managed by the Special EU Programmes Body. Its website, www.seupb.org, gives its contact details...

Written Answers — Special Areas of Conservation: Special Areas of Conservation (9 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: Having regard to available resources, priority is being given under the bog purchase scheme to those wishing to sell their interest in the 32 raised bog sites which were nominated for designation as Special Areas of Conservation in 1999. For these sites, the ten-year derogation given by the Government, which allowed the continuation of turf cutting for personal domestic use, has now expired....

Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (9 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: The Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009 completed Second Stage in the Seanad on 3 February 2010. I have received the submissions of the animal welfare organisations to which the question refers and I will continue to consider them in the context of the Bill passing through the Houses of the Oireachtas. Regulations will be introduced following the Bill's enactment and these will set out...

Written Answers — Departmental Procurement: Departmental Procurement (9 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 570 and 574 together. The information requested in relation to the one relevant contract entered into by my Department is as follows: a contract worth over €15 million was entered into with Powervote Ireland Limited and Nedap NV in 2003 for the purpose of the acquisition of electronic voting equipment and related services.

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (9 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: The information requested in relation to consultancies currently underway in my Department is set out in the table. Consultant Project/Work Aegis Archaeology Conservation Study in County Sligo David Hickie, Environmental and Planning Consultant Preparation of 4th Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity DKM Economic Consultants Quarterly and Annual Construction Industry research...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (9 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: Kildare County Council has advised my Department that the information sought has now been issued to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (9 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: The Lough Leane Catchment Sewerage Scheme (Kilcummin, Barraduff) was included in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007 – 2009. The Barraduff Sewerage Scheme is under construction. Kerry County Council's revised proposal for the Kilcummin scheme is under examination in my Department. A decision will be conveyed to the Council as soon as possible in the light of the...

Written Answers — Foreshore Licences: Foreshore Licences (9 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. Details of foreshore applications that are subject to Environmental Impact Assessment and under consideration are set...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (9 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: Responsibility for roads policy including road safety matters rests with the Minister for Transport, in the first instance. The issue of the adequacy or otherwise of local transport infrastructure to cater for new development, and inter alia in relation to schools infrastructure, is a matter for planning authorities and where relevant An Bord Pleanála in determining such planning...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (9 Feb 2010)

John Gormley: The European Court of Justice in July 2009 delivered its judgment in a case against Ireland in respect of the charging of VAT by public bodies on certain economic activities. The court ruled that public bodies must charge VAT on a range of services to avoid distorting the market between private and public operators. The judgment has implications for all public bodies in Ireland, including...