Results 161-180 of 4,700 for speaker:Noel Ahern

Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (17 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: There will always be ups and downs, sadly. The number of vehicles on the roads is approximately four times the number in the early 1970s. However, the number of deaths has been halved from a peak in the early or mid-1970s of over 600 a year to approximately 330 last year, even though the number of cars has increased by about four times.

Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (17 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: A number of factors such as safer cars have contributed but it is also due to better and safer roads. In conclusion, I thank the Deputies who contributed to the debate which was wide-ranging and covered a number of issues and may have wandered off the point at times. This Government attaches great importance to local government. It is important that issues relating to the system and funding...

Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (17 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: This Bill gives legal effect to the measure which was introduced last November. The general purpose allocation of €752 million this year represents an increase of 14% on the allocation in 2003 and is 122% more than the corresponding allocation for last year. It does not make sense for Members to say that the money being given by the Exchequer to the local government fund is not being put to...

Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2004: Referral to Select Committee. (17 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Environment and Local Government, in accordance with Standing Order 120(1) and paragraph 1(a)(i) of the Orders of Reference of that committee.

Written Answers — Traveller Accommodation: Traveller Accommodation (17 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: The allocation and expenditure in relation to the accommodation of Travellers for the years 1998 to 2003 is set out in the following table: Year Allocation — € Expenditure — € 1998 13,970,000 10,354,333 1999 13,970,000 11,266,475 2000 15,240,000 15,120,041 2001 17,600,000 23,699,661 2002 23,121,000 26,642,640 2003 30,000,000 28,950,000 Total 113,901,000...

Written Answers — Traveller Accommodation: Traveller Accommodation (17 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: The allocation and expenditure in relation to the accommodation of Travellers in South Dublin County Council for the years 1998 to 2003 is set out in the following table: Year Allocation — € Expenditure — € 1998 2,818,819 3,226,658 1999 1,523,686 686,420 2000 1,206,251 216,167 2001 1,269,738 3,665,315 2002 2,000,000 5,406,881 2003 2,898,000 630,537 Total...

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (17 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: In terminating the new house grant, the Government sought to ensure fair treatment by ensuring that people who had already made commitments in the form of signed contracts or by the pouring of foundations or had occupied their houses on or before 14 November 2002 were given an opportunity to apply for the grant. In providing a grace period up to 4 December 2002 for cases such as these, first...

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (17 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: An inspection with a view to payment of the grant, if in order, has been arranged by appointment.

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (17 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: Additional documentation requested from the applicant is awaited.

Written Answers — Urban Renewal Schemes: Urban Renewal Schemes (17 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: The designation of sites under the town renewal scheme was decided in the context of town renewal plans prepared by the relevant local authority in accordance with the Town Renewal Act 2000 and the scheme guidelines issued by my Department. An independent expert advisory panel assessed each plan and made recommendations to the Minister in this regard. These recommendations were accepted in...

Written Answers — Urban Renewal Schemes: Urban Renewal Schemes (17 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: The living over the shop scheme, LOTS, was introduced in the five city council areas on 6 April 2001 to tackle the problem of vacant upper storey space in targeted streets in the five cities of Cork, Dublin, Galway, Limerick and Waterford. It was a matter for the relevant local authority to prepare and submit proposals recommending suitable streets, or parts of streets, for designation having...

Written Answers — Dormant Accounts Fund: Dormant Accounts Fund (17 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: The Dormant Accounts Fund Disbursements Board published its first disbursement plan on 7 November 2003. The plan sets out the board's priorities and provides for the distribution of funds to assist programmes or projects targeting three broad categories of persons: those affected by economic and social disadvantage; those affected by educational disadvantage; and persons with a disability. A...

Written Answers — Community Development: Community Development (17 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: I refer the Deputy to the reply given to Question No. 335 of 4 February 2004.

Tribunals of Inquiry: Statements. (20 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: The third interim report of the Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters and Payments was published on 21 January 2004. Its findings relate to Mr. George Redmond and its publication was delayed as Mr. Redmond, who is the primary subject of the report, was before the courts facing charges for corruption. Mr. Redmond was the assistant city and county manager for Dublin. The report...

Tribunals of Inquiry: Statements. (20 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: Did that come out through a request under the Freedom of Information Act 1997?

Tribunals of Inquiry: Statements. (20 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: No, but did that not come out through a request under the Freedom of Information Act 1997?

Tribunals of Inquiry: Statements. (20 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: Then what is the Deputy's point?

Tribunals of Inquiry: Statements. (20 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: The Freedom of Information Act 1997 is still in place.

Tribunals of Inquiry: Statements. (20 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: It is the same.

Tribunals of Inquiry: Statements. (20 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: While the expenditure rules are different, the rules on donations are the same.