Environment

93 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the measures planned by his Department to prevent unsustainable rezonings by local authorities, including lands that constitute a flood risk as identified by the flood policy review group and the Office of Public Works strategy to manage flood risk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35154/07]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 December 2007

93 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the measures planned by his Department to prevent unsustainable rezonings by local authorities, including lands that constitute a flood risk as identified by the flood policy review group and the Office of Public Works strategy to manage flood risk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35154/07]

92 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to effect the National Emissions Ceilings Directive which gives Ireland specific ceilings for certain atmospheric pollutants, in particular the reduction of emissions of NOx from the transport sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32942/07]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 December 2007

92 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to effect the National Emissions Ceilings Directive which gives Ireland specific ceilings for certain atmospheric pollutants, in particular the reduction of emissions of NOx from the transport sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32942/07]

101 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, in view of a recent RTE programme (details supplied) he will amend the Standards in Public Office Act 2001 to take account of decisions made by public office holders which may result in their becoming future beneficiaries of decisions which they made as public representatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35134/07]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 December 2007

101 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, in view of a recent RTE programme (details supplied) he will amend the Standards in Public Office Act 2001 to take account of decisions made by public office holders which may result in their becoming future beneficiaries of decisions which they made as public representatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35134/07]

90 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the plans he has to ensure greater compliance with the ethics and disclosure requirements that apply to members and officials of local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35247/07]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 December 2007

90 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the plans he has to ensure greater compliance with the ethics and disclosure requirements that apply to members and officials of local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35247/07]

89 Deputy Dinny McGinley asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason for the delay in making a decision on a licence application by a group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35254/07]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 December 2007

89 Deputy Dinny McGinley asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason for the delay in making a decision on a licence application by a group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35254/07]

88 Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he intends amending section 246(b) of the Planning Act 2000 which requires that public representatives pay a fee of €20 in respect of a submission made on a planning application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29052/07]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 December 2007

88 Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he intends amending section 246(b) of the Planning Act 2000 which requires that public representatives pay a fee of €20 in respect of a submission made on a planning application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29052/07]

87 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will review the local authority electoral area boundaries in advance of the next local elections having regard to significant population changes in many areas since the boundaries were last reviewed in 1998; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35146/07]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 December 2007

87 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will review the local authority electoral area boundaries in advance of the next local elections having regard to significant population changes in many areas since the boundaries were last reviewed in 1998; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35146/07]

86 Deputy Kieran O’Donnell asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will apply the emissions based tax regime to road freight vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35274/07]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 December 2007

86 Deputy Kieran O’Donnell asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will apply the emissions based tax regime to road freight vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35274/07]

85 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that 32% of the total number of affordable housing units provided here for the first six months of 2007 were in the Dublin area and that 18 out of 34 local authorities provided no affordable housing units outside of Part V, and eight provided none at all for the same period; his plans to provide more affordable housing for persons who can not afford to purchase at the market rate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35053/07]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 December 2007

85 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that 32% of the total number of affordable housing units provided here for the first six months of 2007 were in the Dublin area and that 18 out of 34 local authorities provided no affordable housing units outside of Part V, and eight provided none at all for the same period; his plans to provide more affordable housing for persons who can not afford to purchase at the market rate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35053/07]

84 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his Department has begun development of a national housing strategy for people with disabilities as outlined in his Department’s sectoral plan; if not, when he expects this process to begin; the organisations, groups and so on which are, or will be, involved in this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35187/07]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 December 2007

84 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his Department has begun development of a national housing strategy for people with disabilities as outlined in his Department’s sectoral plan; if not, when he expects this process to begin; the organisations, groups and so on which are, or will be, involved in this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35187/07]

83 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if consideration has been given to extending and providing funding for the skate-board parks in communities in view of the benefit such parks play; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32610/07]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 December 2007

83 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if consideration has been given to extending and providing funding for the skate-board parks in communities in view of the benefit such parks play; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32610/07]

82 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will establish a national database of developers who fail to properly complete housing estates in accordance with the planning permission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35133/07]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 December 2007

82 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will establish a national database of developers who fail to properly complete housing estates in accordance with the planning permission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35133/07]

559 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of persons identified as homeless; the action or actions he proposes to take to address the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35575/07]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 December 2007

559 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of persons identified as homeless; the action or actions he proposes to take to address the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35575/07]

127 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he plans to propose legislation to amend section 11 of the Housing Act 1988 to ensure that local authorities are required to set aside a proportion of any social housing acquired or built by that authority to specific categories of person such as those progressing out of homelessness and victims of domestic violence as they are currently not adequately catered for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35058/07]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 December 2007

127 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he plans to propose legislation to amend section 11 of the Housing Act 1988 to ensure that local authorities are required to set aside a proportion of any social housing acquired or built by that authority to specific categories of person such as those progressing out of homelessness and victims of domestic violence as they are currently not adequately catered for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35058/07]

122 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the detail of the planned supports for homeless services as indicated in the budget 2008 speech; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35054/07]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 December 2007

122 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the detail of the planned supports for homeless services as indicated in the budget 2008 speech; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35054/07]

81 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the way his Department will meet targets to end homelessness here; the plans he has to ensure a continued supply of social housing during a construction slow down in order to meet targets to end homelessness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35257/07]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 December 2007

81 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the way his Department will meet targets to end homelessness here; the plans he has to ensure a continued supply of social housing during a construction slow down in order to meet targets to end homelessness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35257/07]

95 Deputy Michael Noonan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the policy framework in which he will reach Government targets of reducing emissions by 3% a year and bring Ireland in line with Kyoto emissions targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35273/07]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 December 2007

95 Deputy Michael Noonan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the policy framework in which he will reach Government targets of reducing emissions by 3% a year and bring Ireland in line with Kyoto emissions targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35273/07]

80 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the need for Ireland to achieve its Kyoto targets by real reductions in carbon emissions as opposed to reductions by purchasing carbon credits or reductions by accounting for carbon sinks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35151/07]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 December 2007

80 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the need for Ireland to achieve its Kyoto targets by real reductions in carbon emissions as opposed to reductions by purchasing carbon credits or reductions by accounting for carbon sinks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35151/07]

79 Deputy Kieran O’Donnell asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the action he proposes to take to make the Poolbeg incinerator project redundant and unviable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35275/07]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 December 2007

79 Deputy Kieran O’Donnell asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the action he proposes to take to make the Poolbeg incinerator project redundant and unviable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35275/07]

553 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has approached any other jurisdiction with a view to disposing of the e-voting technology and equipment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35568/07]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 December 2007

553 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has approached any other jurisdiction with a view to disposing of the e-voting technology and equipment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35568/07]

552 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has had any inquiries from other jurisdictions interested in purchasing the e-voting technology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35567/07]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 December 2007

552 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has had any inquiries from other jurisdictions interested in purchasing the e-voting technology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35567/07]

78 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to recoup to the State the losses incurred through the e-voting project; the way he will dispose of the technology; the mechanism if known whereby he proposes to obtain a release from his contractual obligations in respect of the storage of the equipment; the inquiries made to date with a view to disposal of technology to another jurisdiction or the identification of an alternative use in view of the fact that it is improbable that the technology will ever be used here for its originally intended purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35190/07]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 December 2007

78 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to recoup to the State the losses incurred through the e-voting project; the way he will dispose of the technology; the mechanism if known whereby he proposes to obtain a release from his contractual obligations in respect of the storage of the equipment; the inquiries made to date with a view to disposal of technology to another jurisdiction or the identification of an alternative use in view of the fact that it is improbable that the technology will ever be used here for its originally intended purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35190/07]

77 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the internationally accepted norm that even in countries with compulsory registration, 15% to 20% of those entitled to vote do not appear on the electoral register; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35147/07]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 December 2007

77 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the internationally accepted norm that even in countries with compulsory registration, 15% to 20% of those entitled to vote do not appear on the electoral register; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35147/07]

99 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the status of applications made by towns seeking town council status in view of the present examination of local government being undertaken by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35137/07]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 December 2007

99 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the status of applications made by towns seeking town council status in view of the present examination of local government being undertaken by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35137/07]

76 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if it is his intention to provide for directly elected mayors in Dublin and other local authority areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35138/07]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 December 2007

76 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if it is his intention to provide for directly elected mayors in Dublin and other local authority areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35138/07]

75 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the effort made to date to bring forward legislation to regulate lobbyists as promised in the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35143/07]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 December 2007

75 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the effort made to date to bring forward legislation to regulate lobbyists as promised in the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35143/07]

74 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the action taken to implement the commitment given in the programme for Government to ensure that provision for community and recreational facilities are prioritised by local authorities when structuring their development plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35139/07]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 December 2007

74 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the action taken to implement the commitment given in the programme for Government to ensure that provision for community and recreational facilities are prioritised by local authorities when structuring their development plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35139/07]

73 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will expedite the implementation of the commitments in Towards 2016 to reform social housing, including adequate funding to cover capital, maintenance and management costs for community and voluntary organisations that are providing social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35276/07]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 December 2007

73 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will expedite the implementation of the commitments in Towards 2016 to reform social housing, including adequate funding to cover capital, maintenance and management costs for community and voluntary organisations that are providing social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35276/07]

72 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he will make the decision to scrap the electronic voting machines currently in storage; his views on the 25 year storage contracts entered into by a number of returning officers; if allowance has been made for depreciation of these machines; if it is his intention to follow the example of the authorities in the Netherlands and to abandon electronic voting for the foreseeable future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35145/07]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 December 2007

72 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he will make the decision to scrap the electronic voting machines currently in storage; his views on the 25 year storage contracts entered into by a number of returning officers; if allowance has been made for depreciation of these machines; if it is his intention to follow the example of the authorities in the Netherlands and to abandon electronic voting for the foreseeable future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35145/07]

71 Deputy Michael Noonan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if it his intention to appoint a regulator of the waste sector; when such legislation will be forthcoming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35272/07]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 December 2007

71 Deputy Michael Noonan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if it his intention to appoint a regulator of the waste sector; when such legislation will be forthcoming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35272/07]

70 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he envisages a more comprehensive carbon budget for budget 2009 that will expand on a speech and a press release that comprised the carbon budget for budget 2008; if such a carbon budget will be communicated by the Minister for Finance alongside the financial budget as was promised for budget 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35233/07]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 December 2007

70 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he envisages a more comprehensive carbon budget for budget 2009 that will expand on a speech and a press release that comprised the carbon budget for budget 2008; if such a carbon budget will be communicated by the Minister for Finance alongside the financial budget as was promised for budget 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35233/07]

102 Deputy Shane McEntee asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the projected costs of operating a dual motor tax system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35253/07]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 December 2007

102 Deputy Shane McEntee asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the projected costs of operating a dual motor tax system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35253/07]

69 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the extra resources he is providing to local authorities to operate a dual motor tax system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35199/07]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 December 2007

69 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the extra resources he is providing to local authorities to operate a dual motor tax system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35199/07]

68 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, in view of the green light for the Poolbeg incinerator, he will instruct local authorities, under section 24 of the Waste Management Act 1996, to review their regional waste management strategies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35218/07]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 December 2007

68 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, in view of the green light for the Poolbeg incinerator, he will instruct local authorities, under section 24 of the Waste Management Act 1996, to review their regional waste management strategies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35218/07]

67 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps he is taking to ensure that all rented accommodation is inspected by local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30544/07]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 December 2007

67 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps he is taking to ensure that all rented accommodation is inspected by local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30544/07]

116 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the way he proposes to introduce minimum energy efficiency standards for lighting or a ban of incandescent lightbulbs from January 2009, including the steps he will take and a timetable for these steps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35158/07]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 December 2007

116 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the way he proposes to introduce minimum energy efficiency standards for lighting or a ban of incandescent lightbulbs from January 2009, including the steps he will take and a timetable for these steps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35158/07]

111 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the discussions he has held or is holding with the European Commission on his proposal to introduce minimum energy efficiency standards for lighting or a ban of incandescent lightbulbs; and if there are European directives he must comply with to proceed with this proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35159/07]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 December 2007

111 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the discussions he has held or is holding with the European Commission on his proposal to introduce minimum energy efficiency standards for lighting or a ban of incandescent lightbulbs; and if there are European directives he must comply with to proceed with this proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35159/07]

66 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the figures he used to determine the new minimum energy efficiency standards for lighting that he will introduce in 2009 that will save 700,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions every year; the breakdown of the figures used in watts and tonnes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35157/07]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 December 2007

66 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the figures he used to determine the new minimum energy efficiency standards for lighting that he will introduce in 2009 that will save 700,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions every year; the breakdown of the figures used in watts and tonnes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35157/07]

65 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will fast track the implementation of the commitments in Towards 2016 to reform social housing including adequate funding to cover capital, maintenance and management costs for community and voluntary organisations that are providing social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35491/07]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 December 2007

65 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will fast track the implementation of the commitments in Towards 2016 to reform social housing including adequate funding to cover capital, maintenance and management costs for community and voluntary organisations that are providing social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35491/07]

64 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will make further funding and resources available for long-term supported accommodation for those homeless with high support needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35490/07]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 December 2007

64 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will make further funding and resources available for long-term supported accommodation for those homeless with high support needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35490/07]

63 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the action he proposes to take to make the Poolbeg incinerator project redundant and unviable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35489/07]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 December 2007

63 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the action he proposes to take to make the Poolbeg incinerator project redundant and unviable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35489/07]

62 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he will ratify the public participation directive, Directive 2003/35/EC; if he anticipates areas of conflict between the directive and the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act 2006; if there are areas of conflict, if he will amend the Act in line with the directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35280/07]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 December 2007

62 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he will ratify the public participation directive, Directive 2003/35/EC; if he anticipates areas of conflict between the directive and the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act 2006; if there are areas of conflict, if he will amend the Act in line with the directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35280/07]

61 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the policy framework in which he intends to reach Government targets of reducing emissions by 3% a year and to bring the country in line with Kyoto emission targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35488/07]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 18 December 2007

61 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the policy framework in which he intends to reach Government targets of reducing emissions by 3% a year and to bring the country in line with Kyoto emission targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35488/07]

Small System Safe Drinking Water Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 18 December 2007

Small System Safe Drinking Water Act of 2007 - Amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): (1) to convene a working group to study barriers to using specified treatments; (2) to develop model guidance to assist states in regulating and promoting such treatment options; and (3) when establishing affordability criteria for variance technology, to consider specified cost factors, to give extra weight to households below the poverty level and to communities that meet state affordability criteria, and to ensure that the criteria are not more costly, on a per-capita basis, to a small public water system than the per capita cost to a large water system of acquiring feasible technology. Requires the Administrator or a state, before initiating any enforcement action, to ensure that sufficient funds have been made available to assist each public water system that serves fewer than 10,000 individuals in meeting regulation requirements. Revises provisions allowing an exemption of a system from maximum containment level and treatment technique requirements to: (1) increase the population threshold; and (2) allow state determinations of a renewal period. Revises technical assistance provisions to require water systems serving fewer than 10,000 individuals to receive adequate technical assistance and training to meet requirements of final rules. Gives priority to systems not in compliance with specified rules concerning: (1) disinfectants and disinfection byproducts; (2) arsenic and compliance and new source monitoring; and (3) groundwater. Establishes pilot programs to: (1) explore new technologies or approaches to comply with a drinking water standard; and (2) research technology transfer issues and disinfection strategies relating to drinking water. Requires the Administrator to establish a panel to study the health effects of exposure to arsenic and disinfection byproducts.

Skilled Trades Second Responders Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 18 December 2007

Skilled Trades Second Responders Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences to establish a national program for the training, certification, registration, tracking, and integration of skilled construction workers to assist first responders in responding to disasters, including natural and manmade disasters and terrorist attacks. Requires the Director to coordinate and consult with the Department of Homeland Security, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), other relevant agencies, and private organizations, including construction industry contractors, joint labor-management training funds, and building trade unions, that are experienced in providing rescue and recovery assistance to first responders and in the cleanup, demolition, rehabilitation, and reconstruction of disaster sites after recovery operations.

Reducing Over-Classification Act of 2008

United States · United States Congress · 18 December 2007

Reducing Over-Classification Act of 2007 - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop and implement a Department of Homeland Security (DHS)-wide strategy to prevent the over-classification of information within the scope of the information sharing environment established under the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004. Requires the strategy to foster sharing of homeland security, terrorism, and weapons of mass destruction information at DHS and to include: (1) requirements governing the classification of information, including requiring that information created by DHS be initially prepared in unclassified form before any version is created in classified form; (2) a sensitive and shared information program for the creation and sharing of unclassified information of a sensitive nature; (3) a system of incentives and disincentives to encourage DHS personnel to use classified and sensitive and shared information program markings properly; (4) a training program for DHS employees and contractors on classification markings, challenges, and declassification requests; (5) specified policies and procedures to encourage information to be provided in an unclassified form, with classified information at the beginning, or with a sensitive and shared marking; (6) a mechanism to audit compliance with classification requirements; (7) the creation of an independent DHS classification review board; and (8) an assessment of technologies to electronically identify classification employees and track documents. Directs the DHS Inspector General to conduct an annual audit of strategy implementation.

Compound 1080 and M-44 Elimination Act

United States · United States Congress · 18 December 2007

Compound 1080 and M-44 Elimination Act - Amends the Toxic Substances Control Act to prohibit the manufacture, processing, possession, or distribution in commerce of sodium fluoroacetate (known as Compound 1080 or sodium monofluoroacetate). Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) conduct an inventory to identify stocks of Compound 1080 under federal control; (2) provide for the collection and destruction of all remaining stocks of Compound 1080 and the compensation of persons (other than federal entities) who transfer stocks of Compound 1080 to the Secretary; and (3) disseminate information to the public about the ban on Compound 1080 and the collection and compensation program under this Act. Prohibits any federal entity from using M-44. Defines "M-44" as sodium cyanide packaged in a dispenser designed to propel it when activated and any other form of sodium cyanide used for wildlife management or other animal control purposes.

Judgment of the Court (Third Chamber) of 18 December 2007.#Commission of the European Communities v Italian Republic.#Failure of a Member State to fulfil obligations - Environment -Directives 75/442/EEC and 91/156/EEC - Concept of ‘waste’ - Substances or objects intended for disposal or recovery operations - Production residues capable of re-use.#Case C-263/05.

European Union · Court of Justice of the European Union · 18 December 2007

Judgment of the Court (Third Chamber) of 18 December 2007.#Commission of the European Communities v Italian Republic.#Failure of a Member State to fulfil obligations - Environment - Directives 75/442/EEC and 91/156/EEC - Concept of waste - Food scraps from the agro-food industry intended for the production of animal feed - Leftovers from the preparation of food in kitchens, intended for shelters for pet animals.#Case C-195/05.

European Union · Court of Justice of the European Union · 18 December 2007

Judgment of the Court (Third Chamber) of 18 December 2007.#Commission of the European Communities v Italian Republic.#Failure of a Member State to fulfil obligations - Environment -Directives 75/442/EEC and 91/156/EEC - Concept of ‘waste’ - Excavated earth and rocks intended for re-use.#Case C-194/05.

European Union · Court of Justice of the European Union · 18 December 2007