John Gormley

Dublin City Council last week granted permission to Fabrizia Ltd to build 12 blocks of apartments and 4 blocks of office and retail space on a site between South Bank Road, the coastal walkway, Sean Moore Park and the former Irish Glass Bottle plant.

I have obtained a copy of the planners report on this decision, which you can download here: Fabrizia planners report (RTF format)

You can also download my own detailed objection to this proposal here: Fabrizia planning objection (RTF format)

 950. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that homes protected under the Planning and Development Act 2000 need a section 57 declaration, which requires a site location map; his views on whether this is another example of a stealth tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14303/06]
 
   Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. Roche): Under the Planning and Development Act, works to a protected structure, which in normal circumstances would be exempted development, are exempted development only if the works in question would not materially affect the character of the structure or any element of the structure that contributes to its special architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical interest.  To facilitate owners or occupiers of protected structures, however, the Act provides that such an owner or occupier may make a written request to their planning authority for a declaration as to the type of works which it considers would or would not materially affect the character of the structure.  This enables the owners or occupiers to identify the type of works to the structure which will not require planning permission, so removing any future necessity to apply for planning permission for such works.  The legislation does not require that an application for a section 57 declaration should be accompanied by a site location map.  The Deputy’s reference to a “stealth tax” is, therefore, wide of the mark.

   Mr. Gormley: When I became a Member almost nine years ago the revelations regarding the former Minister, Ray Burke, surfaced.  It is important to cast our minds back to that time.  I have the distinction of being the first Deputy to call for the resignation of the former Minister, Ray Burke.  At the time a commentator said to me that it was a low blow.  It was not, it was the truth.  I remember a Fianna Fail backbencher, a fairly decent bloke, standing up and asking me if I was trying to tell him that if somebody put £30,000 on a table in front of me that I would not take it.  I said I would not.  He rolled his eyes up to heaven and walked off.  That says something about the culture of the time.  It says that the person who does not take money is the oddball and that it would be quite human to take the money. (more…)

  Mr. Gormley: I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to discuss an issue of urgent public importance, namely, the need for the Taoiseach to state his intention to amend the seventh Schedule to the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill in order to exclude nuclear power stations from the list of proposed energy infrastructure.
 
   Mr. Sargent: The Government has two opportunities.
 
   An Ceann Comhairle: Having considered the matters raised, they are not in order under Standing Order 31.

 Mr. Gormley: I thank the Minister for his reply and join with him in extending deepest sympathy to the families of the deceased and those who have been injured in the terrible bus accident in Navan. (more…)

 62. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his plans for the next six months to move towards fulfilling objectives two and three in the Combat Poverty Agency’s strategic plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17138/05]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Mr. Brennan): I propose to take Questions Nos. 62, 92 and 116 together.
  The current national action plan against poverty and social exclusion, which covers the period 2003 to 2005, sets out in detail the actions being taken by Government to give effect to its strategy to combat poverty and social exclusion. (more…)

13. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will report on the exercises in March 2005 to test the effectiveness of the national emergency plan; the success of the exercises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12391/05]
 
   Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell): I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 and 297 together.
  I am informed by the Garda authorities that a major emergency exercise, involving the south and south-eastern Garda regions, occurred on 22 March 2005 in Youghal on the inter-county boundary of Cork and Waterford.  The exercise involved a simulated collision between a large passenger bus and a heavy goods vehicle with a hazardous load.
  The Garda Síochána acted as the lead agency in the exercise, with support roles provided by the Army, naval sub-aqua divers, the Civil Defence, the Red Cross and the coast guard service, in addition to the three principal emergency services of counties Cork and Waterford.
  The purpose of the exercise included: assessing the co-ordination of the emergency services, including the principal supporting agencies, in an emergency situation; assessing the impact of such an emergency; and evaluating the ability of each agency to provide the required service in the event of such an emergency.  I am pleased to report that the exercise met its objectives and proved effective in demonstrating the preparedness of the various agencies to respond to a major emergency.
  This major Garda-led exercise also received coverage in the national news media and, as well as serving to test the preparedness of the emergency services, also served to promote public awareness of the response of these services to such emergency situations.  Similar exercises are planned for the remaining Garda regions in the coming weeks.
  I should add that detailed arrangements are in place to ensure that all relevant agencies have appropriate plans in the event of a major emergency.  Co-ordination between these agencies, and their associated plans, is guaranteed through the inter-agency protocols set out in the long established Framework for Co-ordinated Response to Major Emergencies.  This framework document is currently the subject of extensive interdepartmental review, led by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, to ensure its continued currency and appropriateness.
  I commend the Garda authorities for their proactive approach to the testing of their emergency plans and co-ordination issues thereon.  I am confident that the exercise proved to be an invaluable learning experience for the agencies and personnel involved.

134. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Transport if any of the future scenarios for exercises under the national emergency plan will involve an incident at Shannon Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter [12394/05]
 
   Minister for Transport (Mr. Cullen): Exercises to test the robustness of the emergency planning arrangements for aviation are a key component of the emergency planning framework.  The authorities at Shannon Airport are required, under the Irish Aviation Authority’s aerodrome licensing procedures, to establish an emergency plan that provides for the co-ordination of the actions to be taken in an emergency occurring at the aerodrome or in its vicinity.  The plan must be tested by conducting a full-scale emergency exercise every two years.  I understand that the airport authority conducted an exercise in November 2003 and that plans are being made for a further exercise later this year.

1118. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 specifically exclude educational facilities, childcare facilities and hospitals from the schedule of buildings on which telecommunications antennae can be installed without planning permission; and if this exclusion was made on a whim or on foot of advice or research available to his Department. [11146/05] (more…)

175. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his views on an anomaly in the planning and development regulations 2001, whereby mobile phone base stations may not be installed on educational facilities, child care facilities or hospitals without planning permission, but may be installed on public or commercial buildings directly adjacent to such facilities without any planning permission; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this is inconsistent not only with the latest recommendations of the UK independent expert group on mobile phones, but with his own advice to Dáil Éireann in 2004 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9545/05] (more…)