Environment

255. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to grant waivers or other forms of relief to family, single and older person household users under the pay-by-weight scheme. [15698/16]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 14 June 2016

255. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to grant waivers or other forms of relief to family, single and older person household users under the pay-by-weight scheme. [15698/16]

254. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to link rent increases and decreases to the consumer price index; given this, his plans to take account of inevitable regional variances between the rise of accommodation, for example, a 3% rise in County Roscommon where the average rent is €473 is very different from a 3% rise in Dublin where the average rent is €1,663; and his views that percentage-based increases will leave Dublin renters at a greater disadvantage than they are at present. [15690/16]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 14 June 2016

254. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to link rent increases and decreases to the consumer price index; given this, his plans to take account of inevitable regional variances between the rise of accommodation, for example, a 3% rise in County Roscommon where the average rent is €473 is very different from a 3% rise in Dublin where the average rent is €1,663; and his views that percentage-based increases will leave Dublin renters at a greater disadvantage than they are at present. [15690/16]

253. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to give the National Asset Management Agency a legal role to address infrastructural problems with land under its control. [15689/16]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 14 June 2016

253. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to give the National Asset Management Agency a legal role to address infrastructural problems with land under its control. [15689/16]

252. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to initiate a change in tenancy laws so that tenants are still allowed to complete their lease, even if the landlord is selling the property. [15683/16]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 14 June 2016

252. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to initiate a change in tenancy laws so that tenants are still allowed to complete their lease, even if the landlord is selling the property. [15683/16]

251. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the status of the recent changes to the shared ownership scheme to address previous issues around affordability and rent increases and how participants will be informed of such changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15660/16]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 14 June 2016

251. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the status of the recent changes to the shared ownership scheme to address previous issues around affordability and rent increases and how participants will be informed of such changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15660/16]

250. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is satisfied with the level of information provided by private waste collection companies to residential customers about the new pay-by-weight scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15655/16]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 14 June 2016

250. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is satisfied with the level of information provided by private waste collection companies to residential customers about the new pay-by-weight scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15655/16]

249. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views that the high cost of housing is linked to an increase in the cost of assigned certification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15576/16]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 14 June 2016

249. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views that the high cost of housing is linked to an increase in the cost of assigned certification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15576/16]

248. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the resources and number of personnel who are tasked with inspecting building sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15575/16]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 14 June 2016

248. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the resources and number of personnel who are tasked with inspecting building sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15575/16]

247. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the cost of the inspection for once-off housing; why this cost is so high; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15574/16]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 14 June 2016

247. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the cost of the inspection for once-off housing; why this cost is so high; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15574/16]

246. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is satisfied with the system of inspecting building sites; the percentage of buildings sites that were inspected and that were not inspected in each of the years 2011 to 2016 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15573/16]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 14 June 2016

246. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is satisfied with the system of inspecting building sites; the percentage of buildings sites that were inspected and that were not inspected in each of the years 2011 to 2016 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15573/16]

245. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the inspections each local authority carried out on building sites, specifying the type of site in each case, in each of the years 2011 to 2016 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15572/16]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 14 June 2016

245. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the inspections each local authority carried out on building sites, specifying the type of site in each case, in each of the years 2011 to 2016 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15572/16]

244. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the measures he has taken to tackle the sewage-related pollution that resulted in the closure of the beaches in Rush, Skerries, Balbriggan and Loughshinny in north County Dublin; and how he will ensure that such incidents do not happen in the future. [15569/16]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 14 June 2016

244. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the measures he has taken to tackle the sewage-related pollution that resulted in the closure of the beaches in Rush, Skerries, Balbriggan and Loughshinny in north County Dublin; and how he will ensure that such incidents do not happen in the future. [15569/16]

243. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the action he will take to halt the pumping of raw sewage onto the beach at Doldrum Bay, Howth, County Dublin. [15564/16]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 14 June 2016

243. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the action he will take to halt the pumping of raw sewage onto the beach at Doldrum Bay, Howth, County Dublin. [15564/16]

242. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will continue to pass on the landfill levy to customers on top of the flat service charges being introduced by waste companies under the pay-by-weight scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15546/16]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 14 June 2016

242. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will continue to pass on the landfill levy to customers on top of the flat service charges being introduced by waste companies under the pay-by-weight scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15546/16]

241. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government how he will monitor the compliance of waste companies with the Metrology Act 1996, and with the technical specifications laid out in the Waste Management (Collection Permit) Amendment Regulations 2016; his plans to institute an inspection scheme; how consumers can have confidence that the reported weights of their waste are accurate; and the dispute resolution mechanisms that exist where customers believe they have been overcharged. [15530/16]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 14 June 2016

241. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government how he will monitor the compliance of waste companies with the Metrology Act 1996, and with the technical specifications laid out in the Waste Management (Collection Permit) Amendment Regulations 2016; his plans to institute an inspection scheme; how consumers can have confidence that the reported weights of their waste are accurate; and the dispute resolution mechanisms that exist where customers believe they have been overcharged. [15530/16]

240. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government how it is that the polluter-pays principle, under which fees to collect household waste are to be charged under the Waste Management (Collection Permit) Amendment Regulations 2016, is upheld by the practice of waste companies charging flat per-week service charges to consumers under the pay-by-weight scheme, a charge which must be paid regardless of whether a consumer has presented any waste for collection; if he will amend the regulations in order that service charges that can be charged by waste companies are capped; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15529/16]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 14 June 2016

240. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government how it is that the polluter-pays principle, under which fees to collect household waste are to be charged under the Waste Management (Collection Permit) Amendment Regulations 2016, is upheld by the practice of waste companies charging flat per-week service charges to consumers under the pay-by-weight scheme, a charge which must be paid regardless of whether a consumer has presented any waste for collection; if he will amend the regulations in order that service charges that can be charged by waste companies are capped; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15529/16]

239. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he will grant funding to redevelop the old and outdated Ballyshannon fire station, given that this is a priority for Donegal County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15520/16]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 14 June 2016

239. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he will grant funding to redevelop the old and outdated Ballyshannon fire station, given that this is a priority for Donegal County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15520/16]

238. Deputy Michael Harty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his role in preventing temporary encampments at beach locations during the summer of 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15503/16]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 14 June 2016

238. Deputy Michael Harty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his role in preventing temporary encampments at beach locations during the summer of 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15503/16]

237. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the changes in the numbers employed in his human resources section following the introduction of PeoplePoint. [15479/16]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 14 June 2016

237. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the changes in the numbers employed in his human resources section following the introduction of PeoplePoint. [15479/16]

236. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of staff who work exclusively on constituency matters for him. [15463/16]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 14 June 2016

236. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of staff who work exclusively on constituency matters for him. [15463/16]

235. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of staff working in his human resources section. [15447/16]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 14 June 2016

235. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of staff working in his human resources section. [15447/16]

234. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of money spent on daily newspapers in 2015; if this is an appropriate expenditure given the available and far cheaper online alternatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15431/16]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 14 June 2016

234. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of money spent on daily newspapers in 2015; if this is an appropriate expenditure given the available and far cheaper online alternatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15431/16]

233. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of money his Department spent on purchasing copies of the Public Sector Times magazine in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15415/16]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 14 June 2016

233. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of money his Department spent on purchasing copies of the Public Sector Times magazine in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15415/16]

232. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the competent agencies and authorities responsible for water quality monitoring are routinely testing water samples for the presence of asbestos containing materials in public water supplies; his progress in identifying and replacing sections of the water supply network which have been found to contain asbestos cement piping; if he regards the presence of such materials as posing a particular danger to public health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15327/16]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 14 June 2016

232. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the competent agencies and authorities responsible for water quality monitoring are routinely testing water samples for the presence of asbestos containing materials in public water supplies; his progress in identifying and replacing sections of the water supply network which have been found to contain asbestos cement piping; if he regards the presence of such materials as posing a particular danger to public health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15327/16]

231. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if Uisce Éireann has provided him with details of the administrative costs of the billing and collection of water charges so that he can evaluate the net revenue collected through the billing system; if the cost and amount involved is available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15321/16]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 14 June 2016

231. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if Uisce Éireann has provided him with details of the administrative costs of the billing and collection of water charges so that he can evaluate the net revenue collected through the billing system; if the cost and amount involved is available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15321/16]

230. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he should ensure the provision of a universal domestic waste service to all householders at a fair price; if he will provide such a service under the public service obligation to these areas where there is a market failure and if he will subsidise the service if necessary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15320/16]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 14 June 2016

230. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he should ensure the provision of a universal domestic waste service to all householders at a fair price; if he will provide such a service under the public service obligation to these areas where there is a market failure and if he will subsidise the service if necessary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15320/16]

229. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is willing to annul statutory instrument no. 24 of 2016 and the recent amendment made to it regarding the pay-by-weight scheme for refuse to allow the new relevant joint Oireachtas committee on the environment to examine the whole issue in detail and its implications for the cost of disposal of refuse in rural communities where there is only one service provider; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15319/16]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 14 June 2016

229. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is willing to annul statutory instrument no. 24 of 2016 and the recent amendment made to it regarding the pay-by-weight scheme for refuse to allow the new relevant joint Oireachtas committee on the environment to examine the whole issue in detail and its implications for the cost of disposal of refuse in rural communities where there is only one service provider; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15319/16]

228. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the measures he is taking to address the pollution of beaches and bays from raw sewage seepage such as that at Doldrum Bay, Howth, and Rush beach, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15661/16]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 14 June 2016

228. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the measures he is taking to address the pollution of beaches and bays from raw sewage seepage such as that at Doldrum Bay, Howth, and Rush beach, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15661/16]

227. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the status of a transfer application for a foreshore licence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15559/16]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 14 June 2016

227. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the status of a transfer application for a foreshore licence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15559/16]

Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2016

United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2016

Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2016 This bill amends the Public Health Service Act and the Social Security Act (SSAct) to expand the collection and analysis of data in programs of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The bill sets forth provisions regarding cultural competence in federal health care programs and services, including provisions establishing the Robert T. Matsui Center for Cultural and Linguistic Competence in Health Care. HHS must engage in activities regarding health workforce diversity, including: (1) establishing a working group and a technical clearinghouse; (2) awarding grants to academic institutions; (3) establishing a health and health care disparities education program; and (4) providing for scholarships, student loan repayment and loan forgiveness, and research fellowships. Health Empowerment Zone Act of 2016 HHS may designate areas as health empowerment zones in communities that experience disproportionate disparities in health status and health care. HHS must engage in activities regarding the quality of and access to health care, including expanding access to health care and health care insurance for immigrants, designating centers of excellence at public hospitals and other health systems serving minority patients, increasing Medicaid payments to territories and to Native Hawaiian health centers, and providing for border health grants. The bill establishes: (1) programs to reduce health disparities affecting minorities and rural residents, and (2) an Office of Minority Health in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This bill amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to revise requirements for qualified health plans, including to require plans to provide information on the availability of care in languages other than English. (Qualified health plans are sold on health insurance exchanges, are the only plans eligible for premium subsidies, and fulfill an individual's requirement to maintain minimum essential coverage.) The bill sets forth provisions regarding the health of women and children, including provisions to expand access to federal programs for immigrant women and children, eliminate disparities in maternal health outcomes, and establish programs to reduce teenage pregnancies. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) must develop a multisite gestational diabetes research project. This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the SSAct to expand coverage of marriage and family therapist services, mental health counselor services, and substance abuse counselor services. Lung Cancer Mortality Reduction Act of 2016 HHS must implement the Lung Cancer Mortality Reduction Program to achieve a reduction of at least 25% in the mortality rate of lung cancer by 2020. Prostate Research, Outreach, Screening, Testing, Access, and Treatment Effectiveness Act of 2016 or the PROSTATE Act The VA must take action to address prostate cancer, including by establishing the Interagency Prostate Cancer Coordination and Education Task Force. Viral Hepatitis and Liver Cancer Control and Prevention Act of 2016 HHS must implement programs to address hepatitis B and C. Bone Marrow Failure Disease Research and Treatment Act of 2016 The CDC must establish the National Acquired Bone Marrow Failure Disease Registry. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality must develop guidelines to screen minority patient populations which have a higher than average risk for many chronic diseases and cancers. This bill amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the SSAct, including to expand coverage to include routine medical costs when a beneficiary is in an approved clinical trial. HHS must expand HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention activities, including: (1) identification of issues that impede disease status awareness and retention in appropriate care, (2) research into treatment adherence strategies, (3) grants to public health agencies and faith-based organizations, (4) the Minority HIV/AIDS Initiative, and (5) health workforce training for culturally competent care. HHS must award grants for comprehensive sex education programs for adolescents. A program that supports abstinence education is eliminated. Community organizations may distribute sexual barrier protection devices (e.g., condoms) and engage in sexually transmitted infection counseling and prevention education in federal correctional facilities. Stop AIDS in Prison Act The Bureau of Prisons must develop a comprehensive policy to provide HIV testing, treatment, and prevention for inmates. Sleep and Circadian Rhythm Disorders Health Disparities Act The National Institutes of Health must expand research addressing sleep health disparities. The CDC must expand activities regarding sleep disorders. The bill sets forth provisions regarding the use of health information technology to reduce health disparities, particularly in racial and ethnic minority communities. The bill prohibits discrimination in federal health care programs and research activities. HHS must establish: (1) the Office of Health Disparities in the Office for Civil Rights, (2) civil rights compliance offices in each HHS agency that administers health programs, and (3) a program at the National Center for Environmental Health on health impact assessment, which is the process of determining the potential effects of a policy, program, or project on health.

Brief van de minister van Infrastructuur en Milieu over het bericht ‘Nederlandse kust in snel tempo volgebouwd met vakantiehuisjes’

Netherlands · House of Representatives · 14 June 2016

Brief van de minister van Infrastructuur en Milieu over het bericht ‘Nederlandse kust in snel tempo volgebouwd met vakantiehuisjes’

Cyber Preparedness Act of 2016

United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2016

Cyber Preparedness Act of 2016 This bill amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to expand the responsibilities of the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS's) State, Local, and Regional Fusion Center Initiative to include serving as a point of contact to ensure the dissemination of cybersecurity risk information within the scope of its information sharing environment with state, local, and regional fusion centers. (A fusion center serves as a focal point within the state and local environment for the receipt, analysis, gathering, and sharing of threat-related information between the federal government and state, local, tribal, territorial, and private sector partners.) Fusion center officers or intelligence analysts must assist law enforcement agencies and emergency response providers in using such cybersecurity risk information. DHS's national cybersecurity and communications integration center may include, and must share analysis and best practices with, state and major urban area fusion centers. States, local or tribal governments, or high-risk urban areas receiving grants to protect against terrorism under the Urban Area Security Initiative or the State Homeland Security Grant Program may use the funds to prepare for and respond to cybersecurity risks and incidents. The bill expresses the sense of Congress that DHS should share actionable information related to cyber threats in an unclassified form to facilitate the timely dissemination to state, local, and private sector stakeholders.

Order of the President of the General Court of 13 June 2016.#ICA Laboratories Close Corp. and Others v European Commission.#Application for interim measures — Environment — Consumer protection — Regulation fixing maximum residue levels for guazatine — Application for suspension of operation of a measure — New application — No new facts — No urgency.#Case T-732/15 RII.

European Union · Court of Justice of the European Union · 13 June 2016

Expressing the sense of Congress opposing the President's proposed Coastal Climate Resilience Program.

United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2016

Expresses Congress's opposition to: (1) the proposed Coastal Climate Resilience Program, a grant program for aiding coastal states and their communities in preparing for and adapting to climate change; and (2) federal funds being made available for the Coastal Climate Resilience Fund, the program, or any substantially similar successor program.

Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act of 2016

United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2016

Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act of 2016 This bill prohibits government officials from entering into or enforcing a settlement agreement resolving a civil action on behalf of the United States that provides for a payment to any person or entity other than the United States. The bill provides exceptions for payments that remedy actual harm (including to the environment) caused by the party making the payment or that constitute payment for services rendered in connection with the case. Government officials or agents who violate this prohibition may be removed from office or required to forfeit to the government any money they hold for such purposes to which they may otherwise be entitled.

Reactie op verzoeken van het CDA tijdens de procedurevergadering van de vaste commissie voor Infrastructuur en Milieu van 1 juni 2016

Netherlands · House of Representatives · 10 June 2016

Reactie op verzoeken van het CDA tijdens de procedurevergadering van de vaste commissie voor Infrastructuur en Milieu van 1 juni 2016

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Research

United Kingdom · UK Parliament · 9 June 2016

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 9 June 2016 to Question 38502, what estimate she has made of her Department's (a) core total evidence spend and (b) core research and development spend in eac

209. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an application by a person (details supplied) under the green low-carbon agri-environment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15269/16]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 9 June 2016

209. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an application by a person (details supplied) under the green low-carbon agri-environment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15269/16]

87. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the entity that will financially indemnify farmers who have land through which the 172 km drain from Parteen to Dublin city will pass to cover losses that they incur as a result of flooding, disease and so on, and particularly the inability of a farm that is linked to the drain to be classified as organic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15272/16]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 9 June 2016

87. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the entity that will financially indemnify farmers who have land through which the 172 km drain from Parteen to Dublin city will pass to cover losses that they incur as a result of flooding, disease and so on, and particularly the inability of a farm that is linked to the drain to be classified as organic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15272/16]

86. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the proposed wide gauge drain carrying water 172 km from Parteen to Dublin city will facilitate chemicals and pesticides flowing from farm to farm and the studies his Department or bodies under the aegis of his Department have done on the impact on organic and similar farming and on the risk of flooding from wet land to dry land through this wide gauge drain; the entity that will compensate farmers if these events occur; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15271/16]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 9 June 2016

86. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the proposed wide gauge drain carrying water 172 km from Parteen to Dublin city will facilitate chemicals and pesticides flowing from farm to farm and the studies his Department or bodies under the aegis of his Department have done on the impact on organic and similar farming and on the risk of flooding from wet land to dry land through this wide gauge drain; the entity that will compensate farmers if these events occur; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15271/16]

85. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his Department or bodies under the aegis of his Department have assessed the risk of bacteria, parasites, invasive alien species and disease spreading across the country as a result of the proposed wide gauge drain carrying water the 172 km from Parteen on the River Shannon to Dublin city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15270/16]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 9 June 2016

85. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his Department or bodies under the aegis of his Department have assessed the risk of bacteria, parasites, invasive alien species and disease spreading across the country as a result of the proposed wide gauge drain carrying water the 172 km from Parteen on the River Shannon to Dublin city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15270/16]

84. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government for an update on the home choice loan scheme; if it is operational all over the country; the levels of loans which have been allocated in the past three years; his plans to review the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15255/16]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 9 June 2016

84. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government for an update on the home choice loan scheme; if it is operational all over the country; the levels of loans which have been allocated in the past three years; his plans to review the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15255/16]

83. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the status of an application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15209/16]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 9 June 2016

83. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the status of an application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15209/16]

82. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the Bills he will re-initiate relevant to his Department from the previous Dáil Éireann; the Bills he will introduce in the coming sessions; when he will introduce each Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15198/16]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 9 June 2016

82. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the Bills he will re-initiate relevant to his Department from the previous Dáil Éireann; the Bills he will introduce in the coming sessions; when he will introduce each Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15198/16]

81. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he provides social community funds to assist the resource centre (details supplied) that is in urgent need of funding to maintain its building. [15093/16]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 9 June 2016

81. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he provides social community funds to assist the resource centre (details supplied) that is in urgent need of funding to maintain its building. [15093/16]

80. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the legislation and statutory instruments governing the process of local authority licensing renewals for industrial and agricultural waste collectors; if he will address concerns at a loophole in the regulation of such waste collection operators whereby companies can continue to operate under an expired licence during the licence renewals process which can continue for an indefinite duration. [15086/16]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 9 June 2016

80. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the legislation and statutory instruments governing the process of local authority licensing renewals for industrial and agricultural waste collectors; if he will address concerns at a loophole in the regulation of such waste collection operators whereby companies can continue to operate under an expired licence during the licence renewals process which can continue for an indefinite duration. [15086/16]

79. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the cost of increasing funding under the housing adaptation grant scheme by 50%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15076/16]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 9 June 2016

79. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the cost of increasing funding under the housing adaptation grant scheme by 50%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15076/16]

78. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the cost and benefit of the equalisation of road tax, North and South. [15119/16]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 9 June 2016

78. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the cost and benefit of the equalisation of road tax, North and South. [15119/16]

Public Water Supply Invasive Species Compliance Act of 2016

United States · United States Congress · 9 June 2016

Public Water Supply Invasive Species Compliance Act of 2016 This bill amends the Lacey Act and Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 by exempting certain water transfers between public water supplies located on, along, or across the boundaries of Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana from prohibitions on illegal trade of plants and wildlife. Specifically, the prohibitions do not apply to covered water transfers containing a prohibited species if: (1) the species are present in both public water supplies before the transfer and the water is transferred directly between them; or (2) the water is transferred in a closed conveyance system (a closed system that collects, contains, and transports the flow of water, e.g., pipe systems) and sent directly to treatment facilities where the species will be destroyed.

Puerto Rico Humanitarian Relief and Reconstruction Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 June 2016

Puerto Rico Humanitarian Relief and Reconstruction Act This bill establishes a Puerto Rico Reconstruction Finance Corporation to accept applications from the government of Puerto Rico or its municipalities to restructure their bond debts through a process under which: (1) the corporation will purchase the bonds from bond holders at the price the holder paid for the bond, and (2) the par value of each bond is reduced to the last price paid for the bond. Impairment of pension benefits is not permitted. The board of the corporation must consist of six members appointed by the President from lists submitted by Puerto Rico's legislature and governor and one member selected in the sole discretion of the President, each of whom must reside in, and have expertise in the economy, history, and government of, Puerto Rico. The corporation may: (1) make expenditures to address Puerto Rico's humanitarian crisis and restore economic growth; (2) authorize lending activities; and (3) negotiate with Puerto Rico or its municipalities that have defaulted on bonds over budgets, revenues, and appropriations. The bill expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System has the authority to provide emergency financing to Puerto Rico to facilitate an orderly restructuring of its debt, (2) the Puerto Rico government should set aside any debt held by Puerto Rico that is found by the Commission for the Comprehensive Audit of Puerto Rico's Public Debt to have been acquired in violation of the Puerto Rico constitution, and (3) Puerto Rico should suggest that debt holders seek redress from investment banks that helped market and sell any unconstitutional instruments. The bill amends the federal bankruptcy code to treat Puerto Rico as a state under chapter 9 (Adjustment of Debts of a Municipality) to permit Puerto Rico to authorize its public corporations to be debtors. The bill amends the Social Security Act to: (1) eliminate certain funding caps under title XI (General Provisions, Peer Review, Administrative Simplification) and the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage limitation under title XIX (Medicaid) for Puerto Rico; (2) apply the 100% Federal Poverty Level limitation to Puerto Rico under title XIX; (3) extend application of the Medicare payment rate floor to certain primary care services in Puerto Rico under the Medicaid program; (4) repeal the exclusion of residents of Puerto Rico from deemed enrollment under part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance Benefits) of title XVIII (Medicare) and, thus, automatically enroll them; and (5) make permanent certain title XVIII part B incentive payments for primary care services in Puerto Rico. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must update the National Environmental Public Health Tracking Network to include Puerto Rico, including Vieques. The Department of Health and Human Services must award a grant to an institution of higher education in Puerto Rico to study the environmental and biological health of Vieques residents. The bill establishes grant programs and revises standards for renewable energy and energy efficient commercial buildings and homes in Puerto Rico. It provides additional funding to the Department of Transportation (DOT) through FY2026 for the Puerto Rico Highway Program. Through FY2021 for Puerto Rico, the bill provides additional funding for: DOT infrastructure investments under the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) discretionary grant program, passenger and freight rail projects, the Airport Improvement Program, and ferry boats and terminals; Environmental Protection Agency capitalization grants for Puerto Rico water pollution control revolving funds and drinking water treatment revolving loan funds; Rural Utilities Service programs; Department of Agriculture rural energy programs; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects; Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) flood reduction projects; broadband and telecommunications programs; and housing and community development. The Internal Revenue Code is amended to make citizens of Puerto Rico eligible for the federal earned income tax credit and allow them to claim the refundable portion of the child tax credit on the same basis as U.S. taxpayers. Before 2019, the State Elections Commission of Puerto Rico must provide for a binding vote or series of votes on whether Puerto Rico should: be admitted as a U.S. state, become a sovereign nation, or continue the status quo as a U.S. commonwealth territory and reform its government. If a majority votes for admission as a U.S. state, the President must issue a proclamation to begin a transition process that will culminate in such admission within four years after the vote is certified.