Results 361-380 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Written Answers — Animal Welfare Regulations: Animal Welfare Regulations (9 Nov 2010)

John Gormley: The Dog Breeding Establishments Act was signed by the President on 21 July, 2010 following its passage through the Oireachtas. It is intended that the Act will commence in early 2011. Section 16 provides that it will be unlawful for the operator of a dog breeding establishment to keep a dog that is over 12 weeks old which is not implanted with a microchip. The time limit for microchipping...

Written Answers — Motor Vehicle Registration: Motor Vehicle Registration (9 Nov 2010)

John Gormley: To be taxed as a goods vehicle, a vehicle must be constructed or adapted for that purpose and used solely in the course of trade or business. Under section 2 of the Finance (Excise Duties) (Vehicles) Act 1952, if a vehicle is used in a condition or manner which would attract motor tax at a higher rate, tax then becomes payable at that rate. In other words, if a goods vehicle is used in a...

Written Answers — Emergency Planning: Emergency Planning (9 Nov 2010)

John Gormley: In keeping with international best practice, Ireland follows a generic approach to emergency management, which includes provision for severe weather emergencies. This is set out in A Framework for Major Emergency Management, which was approved by Government in May 2006 and details the processes and procedures for managing and co-ordinating preparedness for, and response to, Major...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (9 Nov 2010)

John Gormley: When coal is burned, it produces a range of pollutants injurious to human health and the environment including sulphur dioxide which relates to the sulphur content of the fuel burned. This pollutant can cause deterioration in ambient air quality standards, particularly in cities and towns, and contributes to the acidification of ecosystems. In order to improve air quality, the sulphur content...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (9 Nov 2010)

John Gormley: My Department operates an 1890 telephone number which provides access to its main offices, as well as standard geographic telephone numbers for all offices. My Department is aware that differences apply to the cost of the Lo-Call designated telephone numbers depending on a caller's service provider. It has been working with the Quality Customer Service Officers Network convened by the...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (9 Nov 2010)

John Gormley: I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 445, 448, 459 to 461, inclusive, and 463 of 12 October 2010, which outlines the position in regard to the preparation of the Heads of the Climate Change Bill.

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

John Gormley: The Water Services Investment Programme 2010-2012, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas Library provides for the development of a comprehensive range of new water services infrastructure in County Cork. The West Cork Grouped DBO Scheme, which involves the construction of new wastewater treatment plants at Skibbereen, Dunmanway, Baltimore and Schull, is included in the Programme...

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

John Gormley: A site has been identified for the location of the proposed wastewater treatment plant for the Kinvara Sewerage Scheme and is included in the Design Review Report for the Scheme which is currently being examined in my Department. A decision on the Report will be conveyed to Galway County Council as soon as possible. Once approved, the Council can then proceed with the preparation of...

Written Answers — Water Quality: Water Quality (9 Nov 2010)

John Gormley: I approved a grant of €427,500 last month under the Small Schemes Measure of my Department's Rural Water Programme towards improvement of the Castletownkinnagh water supply. This funding is being made available as part of the special funding provided by my Department to allow for remedial works to public water supplies identified by the Environmental Protection Agency as having potential...

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

John Gormley: My Department received Galway County Council's revised design proposals for the Oughterard Sewerage Scheme on 26 October, 2010. These proposals are currently being examined in the Department and, once approved, the Council will then be in a position to proceed with the preparation of contract documents for the scheme.

Written Answers — Electoral Franchise Extension: Electoral Franchise Extension (9 Nov 2010)

John Gormley: In order to be able to vote at elections and referenda in this jurisdiction, a person's name must be entered in the register of electors for a constituency in the State in which the person ordinarily resides. Postal voting is provided for in electoral law in respect of certain categories of person who are entered in the register of electors. The Electoral Act 1992 provides for postal voting...

Written Answers — Daylight Savings Time: Daylight Savings Time (9 Nov 2010)

John Gormley: My Department's flexi-time clocks, phone systems, ICT devices, etc., and the clock faces in the Custom House clock tower, have all been centrally programmed to adjust when the time changes. Accordingly, there are no manpower costs associated with the changing of these clocks and time-dependent systems between summer and winter time. There are a small number of wall clocks in individual...

FÁS Training Programmes (4 Nov 2010)

John Gormley: I am taking this Adjournment debate on behalf of my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Mary Coughlan. I thank the Deputy for raising this matter as it gives me the opportunity to set out the latest position regarding FÁS training facilities in north Dublin following the closure of the FÁS facility in Jervis Street and the plan to close its training...

School Accommodation (4 Nov 2010)

John Gormley: I am pleased to be able to take this Adjournment matter on behalf of my colleague the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills. I thank the Deputy for raising it as it provides me with an opportunity to outline to the Dáil the Government's strategy for capital investment in education projects and also to outline the current position on Midleton in particular. Modernising facilities...

Homelessness Strategy (4 Nov 2010)

John Gormley: My Department's role in homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. The Minister of State, Deputy Finneran, and I have made major advances in this area by developing the homelessness strategy and an implementation plan, retaining current financing for...

Homelessness Strategy (4 Nov 2010)

John Gormley: I assure the Deputy there is no complacency in this area. It is one which is close to my heart. We want to do our very best. In addition, a comprehensive range of measures has been put in place to underpin the role of housing authorities and approved housing bodies towards achieving the strategy's ambitious objective of eliminating long-term homelessness and the need to sleep rough. This...

Waste Disposal (4 Nov 2010)

John Gormley: On foot of a commitment in the programme for Government, a review of the EPA began in February 2010. Under its terms of reference, the review group has been asked to review the legislation governing the EPA, assess performance against its mandate and evaluate the scope of that mandate, review the resources allocated to the EPA, assess the structures and governance of the agency and assess...

Written Answers — Local Authority Charges: Local Authority Charges (4 Nov 2010)

John Gormley: The Local Government (Charges) Act 2009, which introduces the charge on non-principal private residences, has as its starting position a universal liability for residential property in respect of the charge. It goes on to exempt certain buildings and owners from this liability, the most important exemption being where a property is occupied by the owner as his or her sole or main residence...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (4 Nov 2010)

John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 212 and 213 together. In 2008, my Department engaged ERA Maptec Limited to prepare documentation for the proposed nomination of the Monastic City of Clonmacnoise and its Cultural Landscape to the World Heritage List; part of the area covered by the work lies within County Westmeath. Inclusion in the World Heritage List will increase international recognition...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (4 Nov 2010)

John Gormley: Further to the reply to Question No. 514 of 29 June 2010, my Department still awaits the submission of additional information from Mayo County Council, in particular the Certificate of Completion of Planning, to enable the Department to complete its assessment of the Council's contract documents for the collection network element of the Belmullet Sewerage Scheme. My Department is also...