Results 221-240 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (25 Nov 2010)

John Gormley: The European Commission's letter of formal notice referred to raised a number of issues, including the position regarding a waste authorisation for the site concerned. My Department is currently preparing a reply to this letter which will set out a series of actions to address the Commission's concerns in this regard. I expect this reply to be finalised at the end of this month.

Written Answers — End-of-Life Vehicles: End-of-Life Vehicles (25 Nov 2010)

John Gormley: I assume the question refers to Directive No. 2000/53/EC on end-of life vehicles (ELVs) which sets out the specific measures to be put in place by EU Member States in relation to the collection, storage, treatment, dismantling, reuse and recycling of end-of-life vehicles. Under the Directive, each Member State is required, inter alia, to ensure that all end-of-life vehicles are dismantled,...

Written Answers — Genetically Modified Organisms: Genetically Modified Organisms (25 Nov 2010)

John Gormley: The fundamental objective of Council Directive 2009/41/EC on the contained use of genetically modified micro-organisms (GMOs), which is a re-cast of EU Directive 98/81/EC, is to protect people and the environment from any adverse effects arising from the contained use of GMOs. The Directive is transposed in Ireland by the Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations 2001, the...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (25 Nov 2010)

John Gormley: I assume the Question refers to information contained in An Bord Pleanála's 2009 Annual Report, which shows that the percentage of planning authority decisions overturned on appeal in Donegal was 59.5%, while the comparable percentage in Longford was 48%. Planning authorities are of course independent statutory bodies, with democratically elected councils and their own management...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (25 Nov 2010)

John Gormley: Directive 2000/60/EC, the Water Framework Directive, provides a comprehensive basis for the protection and improvement of inland surface waters, groundwater and transitional and coastal waters. The Directive requires that Member States take a catchment-based approach to the protection of waters by establishing river basin districts and management plans for these districts. In July 2010 I...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (25 Nov 2010)

John Gormley: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been licensing certain large-scale industrial and agriculture activities progressively since 1994. Originally the licensing system was known as Integrated Pollution Control (IPC) licensing, governed by the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992. The Act was amended by the Protection of the Environment Act 2003 which gave effect to Council...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (25 Nov 2010)

John Gormley: I refer to the reply to Question No. 100 of 19 October 2010, which outlined the position in regard to the provision of waste water treatment works.

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (25 Nov 2010)

John Gormley: Directive 80/68/EEC was given legal effect through the Local Government (Water Pollution) Acts and related regulations. The effect of this legislation is that discharges of certain dangerous substances to groundwater are subject to prior authorisation by way of a licence from the relevant local authority. The scope of the Directive is somewhat limited and it is due to be repealed in...

Written Answers — Commercial Rates: Commercial Rates (25 Nov 2010)

John Gormley: Local authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes in accordance with the details entered in the valuation lists prepared by the independent Commissioner of Valuation under the Valuation Act 2001. The levying and collection of rates are matters for each individual local authority. However, I have urged local authorities to exercise...

Written Answers — Water Quality: Water Quality (25 Nov 2010)

John Gormley: During 2007, water services authorities were asked by my Department to review the operation of all water treatment plants (and associated infrastructure) and to ensure that the installation of continuous chlorine alarms and turbidity meters at appropriate locations at the treatment plant or in the distribution network (including at reservoirs) was progressed without delay. This request was...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (25 Nov 2010)

John Gormley: The majority of Exchequer investment in water services infrastructure is provided to local authorities under the water services investment programme which is a rolling multi-annual programme. These programmes are developed, generally on a triennial basis, following an assessment of needs for water and waste water services conducted by each water services authority. In preparing these...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (25 Nov 2010)

John Gormley: I presume the Question refers to the recent application from Carrick-on-Suir Town Council to introduce a rates waiver scheme for new businesses. Under the provisions of the Local Government (Rates) Act 1970, a rating authority may make and carry out a scheme providing for the waiver by the authority of all or a portion of commercial rates due by ratepayers in respect of a specified class or...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (25 Nov 2010)

John Gormley: I refer to the reply to Question No. 85 of 19 October 2010 which outlines the current position in this matter.

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (25 Nov 2010)

John Gormley: The Courtmacsherry/Timoleague sewerage scheme is included in the "Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2012" among the list of contracts in County Cork to start in the period 2010 -2012. I expect to communicate the outcome of the assessment of the Council's Preliminary Report for this scheme to Cork County Council very shortly.

Written Answers — Litter Pollution: Litter Pollution (25 Nov 2010)

John Gormley: I am aware of the adopt-a-highway and adopt-a-road schemes which are in operation in other countries; similar schemes are also in place in certain local authority areas in this country. Under the Litter Pollution Acts 1997 to 2009 it is the function of local authorities to provide the primary response to littering. My Department's role is to provide the legislative framework for combating...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (25 Nov 2010)

John Gormley: I refer to the reply to Question No. 62 of 19 October 2010. Regarding the authorised officer appointed pursuant to section 224 of the Local Government Act 2001, I can confirm that his report has been submitted to me and I am considering its findings, in consultation with the Attorney General.

Written Answers — Special Areas of Conservation: Special Areas of Conservation (25 Nov 2010)

John Gormley: The vendors' solicitor advised my Department, by letter of 16 November, 2010, that they are not proceeding with this sale.

Written Answers — Wildlife Protection: Wildlife Protection (25 Nov 2010)

John Gormley: My Department's National Parks and Wildlife Service seized ten hares at the Cashel Coursing Club grounds in Co. Tipperary on 28 August, 2008. The hares were subsequently released under the supervision of my Department. As no licence had been issued by my Department for the capture of these hares a prosecution was taken under the Wildlife Acts. The defendants pleaded guilty to the...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (25 Nov 2010)

John Gormley: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the local authorities are responsible for waste licensing and waste permitting, respectively, and enforce rigorously the conditions attached to licences and permits. It is a matter for the EPA and/or the local authorities to decide on the appropriate enforcement actions in relation to any non-compliance matters. Two Ministerial policy directions...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (25 Nov 2010)

John Gormley: In accordance with the provisions of the Waste Management Acts, the preparation and adoption of a waste management plan, including in respect of infrastructure provision, is the statutory responsibility of the local authority or authorities concerned, and under section 60(3) of the Act I am precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to the performance by a local authority, in...