Ivor Callely
Question:81 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Environment the legislative and administrative priorities of his Department in 1996; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5278/96]
Written Answers. - Departmental Priorities.
In relation to legislation, the information requested is set out in the following table:
|
Title of Legislation |
Purpose |
Status |
|
Waste Management Bill, 1995 |
To provide a comprehensive modern framework for dealing with waste including incentives to facilitate a viable recycling industry. |
Bill at Committee Stage in Seanad. |
|
Electoral Bill, 1994 |
Financing of political parties, disclosure of political donations, limitation of election expenses, the provision of a statutory basis for the constituency commission and special arrangements for persons unable to attend their polling station because of the nature of their occupation. |
Bill at Committee Stage — Select Committee on Finance and General Affairs. |
|
Johnstown Castle Agricultural College (Amendment) Act, 1996 |
To allow for location of new permanent headquarters of the Environment Protection Agency in the grounds of Johnstown Castle. |
Enacted on 28 February 1996. |
|
Malicious Injuries (Repeal of Enactments) Bill |
To terminate the malicious injuries scheme |
Bill presented on 30 January. |
|
European Parliament Elections Bill |
To consolidate and amend the legislation relating to elections to the European Parliament. |
Bill expected to be published in April. |
|
Constitution Amendment (Votes for Emigrants) Bill |
To allow for the election of three members of the Seanad by Irish emigrants. |
A consultation paper on Seanad representation for emigrants (and containing the text of the proposed amendment) will be published shortly. |
|
Seanad (Emigrants Representations) Bill |
To provide the machinery for election of three members of the Seanad by Irish emigrants (subject to the necessary constitutional amendment). |
This Bill is subject to the Constitution Amendment (Votes for Emigrants) Bill being approved at Referendum. |
|
Litter Bill |
To replace the Litter Act, 1982. |
Bill to be published by July 1996. |
My Department has an extensive range of functions and responsibilities in relation to the environment, local government, development and planning, roads and road traffic, housing, amenity, protective and other services, electoral law, etc. In addition to the effective implementation of investment and other programmes in these various areas, priorities in 1996 derive mainly from the policy agreementA Government of Renewal. They include: preparation of the national sustainable development strategy; advancing the Action against Litter initiative; development of recycling programmes; promoting the measures set out in Social Housing — the Way Ahead; implementation of the new restoration programme for non-national roads; new measures to improve traffic regulation, road safety and driver licensing; an extensive programme of local government reform, including the local finance area and devolution; extending the strategic management and quality services initiatives to the local government sector; improving the physical planning system and promoting a range of urban renewal initiatives; conducting successfully the Presidency of the EU in the Department's areas of responsibility; facilitating the strategic review of the construction industry.