Results 8,721-8,740 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: School Transport Provision (6 Oct 2015)

Joe McHugh: I propose to take Questions Nos. 789 and 790 together. As with all other road transport services subsidised by my Department, a maximum fare has been stipulated for the Cleggan to Galway school bus service. The maximum fare is not considered to be unduly onerous given that the service involves a twice-weekly round trip of some 180 km. In relation to the early morning minibus service from...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Inland Fisheries Ireland (1 Oct 2015)

Joe McHugh: I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 99 and 1550 of 22 September 2015.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Air Services Provision (1 Oct 2015)

Joe McHugh: My position from the outset has been to ensure a continued air service to the Aran Islands, with significant financial support from the Government, in line with EU rules in regard to Public Service Obligation (PSO) air services. My Department is continuing in its efforts to reach an agreement for an interim service with the holder of the air service.

Seanad: Minerals Development Bill 2015: Committee Stage (30 Sep 2015)

Joe McHugh: I agree with the Senators' concerns about keeping licences under review. A five-year review interval would be too lenient. At present, prospecting licences are granted initially for a period of six years and may be renewed for a further six years, if warranted. Thereafter, the licence may be renewed for periods of one or two years, depending on the circumstances. During the six-year term...

Seanad: Minerals Development Bill 2015: Committee Stage (30 Sep 2015)

Joe McHugh: No.

Seanad: Minerals Development Bill 2015: Committee Stage (30 Sep 2015)

Joe McHugh: The Senators raised a number of issues. While we are digressing a little from the substance of the proposed amendment, the issues raised are important none the less. We must be definitive in differentiating between a prospecting licence and a mining licence. The former does not confer ownership or allow mining to take place. It is important to clarify that. Prospecting creates a fear in...

Seanad: Minerals Development Bill 2015: Committee Stage (30 Sep 2015)

Joe McHugh: The process is important and there has to be a community consultation with any planning application. That opportunity will be afforded and there will be a period of time to do that. It is also important to point out that the environmental impact assessment is not just a case of employing a consultancy company to give a standard report and tick the boxes. In my position as Minister of State...

Seanad: Minerals Development Bill 2015: Committee Stage (30 Sep 2015)

Joe McHugh: Section 82 provides that the Minister, with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, may sell State-owned minerals instead of granting a mining licence where the tonnage or value of the minerals is small and it is expedient and efficient to do so. Given that efficiency and expediency are included, one hat probably does not fit all; however, I take the Senator's point...

Seanad: Minerals Development Bill 2015: Committee Stage (30 Sep 2015)

Joe McHugh: I do not want to underestimate the importance of the Senators' contributions, given that the issue is important. The section is a precaution. The scenario has not happened before. Some 60% to 65% of minerals are estimated to be in State ownership. This figure can never be firmly established unless all mineral deposits are identified and located. Private mineral ownership arises mainly...

Seanad: Minerals Development Bill 2015: Committee Stage (30 Sep 2015)

Joe McHugh: I am aware that the Senator raised this issue previously. It is under active consideration and we are working towards a definition. I am confident that I will be in a position in the Dáil to make a technical amendment. Táimid ag fáil níos gaire don líne. We are getting closer to the line in terms of the definition. The Senator raised it the last day and we have...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Inland Fisheries Ireland (30 Sep 2015)

Joe McHugh: I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 99 and 1550 of 22 September, 2015. I can confirm that I met with a delegation from SIPTU on 23 September last at which their submission was discussed.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Cothabháil Cuanta agus Céanna (29 Sep 2015)

Joe McHugh: Níl aon scéim ag mo Roinnse chun cuidiú le feabhsúcháin a dhéanamh ar chéanna sa Ghaeltacht. Sa chás atá luaite ag an Teachta, titeann an fhreagracht maidir lena cothabháil ar úinéirí na cé.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Údarás na Gaeltachta Issues (29 Sep 2015)

Joe McHugh: The information requested by the Deputy in relation to companies supported by Údarás na Gaeltachta in County Mayo is provided in tabular format below. It should be noted that the information is in respect of companies which are currently in operation in the Mayo Gaeltacht. Name Address 1 Address 2 Éamonn Mac Pháidín Béal an Mhuirthead Co Mayo Selc...

Other Questions: Irish Language (24 Sep 2015)

Joe McHugh: I thank the Deputy for raising this question again. I acknowledge his consistent approach. He shares my approach in that he sees opportunities. The Irish language was given full official and working language status in the EU from 2007. However, because of recruitment and resource concerns, temporary derogations were put in place to cover the periods 2007-11 and 2012-16. A unanimous...

Other Questions: Irish Language (24 Sep 2015)

Joe McHugh: I again acknowledge the enthusiasm and dedication of the Deputy to this area. At the moment there are 50 posts in Europe. There is potential for approximately 185 posts. My message to leaving certificate students and to the secondary school students in the Gallery is that if they have three languages and two of them are our first language of Irish and Béarla and the third is French,...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Air Services Provision (24 Sep 2015)

Joe McHugh: I thank the Senator for raising this important issue and I acknowledge that her colleague, Senator Naughton, has been in contact with me on a regular basis about this important issue. I should say that since the air service is the subject of an ongoing public procurement process, I have been advised that it would not be appropriate to make any comment on that process or to say anything that...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Air Services Provision (24 Sep 2015)

Joe McHugh: On the first question relating to the meetings I had with the island communities prior to this tendering process, the message was loud and clear that they wanted to keep their air service, and I ensured there was a protection in place to keep it. To repeat again, once I gave permission or the green light to the OGP to take charge of this process, I was outside that process. Senator...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Air Services Provision (24 Sep 2015)

Joe McHugh: Cím é sin agus tuigim an tábhacht agus an ceangal liomsa mar Aire Stáit na Gaeltachta. Tá dualgas ollmhór orm ó thaobh na hoileáin de. Táim anseo agus tuigim go bhfuil an dualgas seo orm agus go bhfuil ról tábhachtach agam ó thaobh mhuintir na n-oileán. I take my position very seriously and I understand that I have a specific...

Seanad: Minerals Development Bill 2015: Second Stage (24 Sep 2015)

Joe McHugh: I wish to acknowledge the role that the former Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Pat Rabbitte, has played in the preparation of this Bill. It is an extensive Bill and he has remained interested in it and has been in contact with me. Tá acmhainneacht mhaith ag baint le geolaíocht ilghnéitheach na hÉireann ó thaobh fosuithe breise...

Seanad: Minerals Development Bill 2015: Second Stage (24 Sep 2015)

Joe McHugh: I am keen to draw on some of the contributions. I thank Senator Mark Daly for his support for the Bill. We had an extended conversation around safety, the nature of previous legislation and what happens after. He referred to the taxpayer bearing responsibility for the aftermath. We could use the example of Avoca mines. It will possibly take in the range of €50 million to put...