Results 12,601-12,620 of 13,220 for speaker:Pat Gallagher

Written Answers — Foreshore Developments: Foreshore Developments (20 Apr 2005)

Pat Gallagher: Consultants engaged by the local authorities referred to by the Deputy and a number of other public bodies made contact with the Department last year with regard to an envisaged preliminary design study and environmental report for the proposed development. There have been no further contacts with the Department on the matter in the meantime. As the proposal could give rise to foreshore...

Seanad: Hazardous Waste. (20 Apr 2005)

Pat Gallagher: I thank Senator O'Meara for raising this matter, which was last addressed in the House on 27 January 2005. The House will be aware that the Minister requested the Department to deliver to him, during February of this year, a comprehensive report on the current position concerning the Silvermines area. The report was to deal with the current state of the Department's consultations with all...

Seanad: Swimming Pool Projects. (20 Apr 2005)

Pat Gallagher: I thank Senator Phelan for raising this issue and I am pleased to respond to him on behalf of the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Deputy O'Donoghue, on the local authority swimming pool programme and, in particular, on the position of the Kilkenny swimming pool project which comes under that programme. The aim of the programme, which is administered by the Department of Arts, Sport and...

Seanad: Swimming Pool Projects. (20 Apr 2005)

Pat Gallagher: If the news is good, I doubt anybody will worry.

Seanad: Swimming Pool Projects. (20 Apr 2005)

Pat Gallagher: The council applied for grant aid to replace the existing swimming pool on a new site. Following the approval of the feasibility study in that year, the council decided that the most suitable site for the development was at a different location, at Scanlon Park, which already had an eight lane athletic track and an all-weather full size pitch. The council submitted the preliminary report for...

Seanad: Work Permits. (20 Apr 2005)

Pat Gallagher: I thank Senator Bannon for raising the matter and giving me the opportunity to respond on behalf of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. The person referred to by the Senator arrived in the State on 16 November 2000 accompanied by her three children and claimed asylum. Her claim for refugee status was examined by two independent statutory offices established to consider...

Seanad: Maritime Safety Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (20 Apr 2005)

Pat Gallagher: The Senator has now explained her first question on why Waterways Ireland did not have power but does now, which I have answered.

Seanad: Maritime Safety Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (20 Apr 2005)

Pat Gallagher: This is a different question. I will obtain the information on the area the Senator referred to as a matter of urgency. If it falls within the responsibility of Waterways Ireland, that body must pursue these issues. If the responsibility is not that of Waterways Ireland, it is that of the functional local authority.

Seanad: Maritime Safety Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (20 Apr 2005)

Pat Gallagher: When this legislation is enacted it will be a matter for the Government to give approval in principle and a matter for the local authorities to——

Seanad: Maritime Safety Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (20 Apr 2005)

Pat Gallagher: ——make the necessary by-laws. Fortunately, the Members of this House have been helpful in ensuring the matter was returned. I hope it will not be long before we move on. We must ensure this Bill is passed before the summer with the co-operation of all parties in the other House because if we are to be responsible——

Seanad: Maritime Safety Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (20 Apr 2005)

Pat Gallagher: It was initiated in this House. I will pursue this issue. It is dealt with by the authority of a functional area and Senator O'Meara moved a motion to insist they introduce by-laws but we will leave this to the discretion of the local authorities. It may be unnecessary for some local authorities to introduce by-laws, as some will have no responsibilities in this field. I will take this...

Seanad: Maritime Safety Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (20 Apr 2005)

Pat Gallagher: Decisions were taken a number of years ago that I wish to assist but I am caught in so far as suggestions of State aid could create difficulties.

Seanad: Maritime Safety Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (20 Apr 2005)

Pat Gallagher: The establishment of marinas?

Seanad: Maritime Safety Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (20 Apr 2005)

Pat Gallagher: The semi-private sector is carrying this out. It would be fine if the State were providing the marinas but they depend on available funding and the priority issues we must take into consideration. I favour our supporting the private sector in establishing marinas around our coasts. There are various issues because it is not just a question of commencing the establishment of marinas but also...

Seanad: Maritime Safety Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (20 Apr 2005)

Pat Gallagher: I thank Senator O'Toole for his kind comments on the coast guard. He reflected the views of the majority. If the voluntary contribution of the coast guard was converted into monetary terms, it would be quite sizable so this type of contribution could not be bought. From time to time we take the opportunity to recognise the commitment. Recognition may not mean much in voluntary terms but I...

Seanad: Maritime Safety Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (20 Apr 2005)

Pat Gallagher: It is dangerous to talk about zero tolerance but perhaps it could be minimised to reasonable levels. When I speak with the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government about eco-friendly detergents I will discuss with him the possibility of speaking with the relevant local authorities to ensure recycling facilities are made available. This does not just happen at harbours. At...

Seanad: Maritime Safety Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (20 Apr 2005)

Pat Gallagher: The new section 34 updates penalties in the 1992 Act which was amended by the 2000 Act for careless and dangerous operation of vessels. We are restating an updated format in lines 29 to 38 of the original section 19 on page 17 of the Bill.

Seanad: Maritime Safety Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (20 Apr 2005)

Pat Gallagher: We dealt with that earlier.

Seanad: Maritime Safety Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (20 Apr 2005)

Pat Gallagher: The advice of the Attorney General was that the fines should be increased from the original €3,000 to €5,000 in this case, and from €500 to €3,000 and from €10,000 to €25,000. The purpose of the increased fine in this instance is to deter people from acting in a careless and dangerous manner while operating vessels. It is the maximum fine. It will be a matter for the courts and...

Seanad: Maritime Safety Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (20 Apr 2005)

Pat Gallagher: I had responsibility for the Met Service in my previous position as Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and I will have a word with the Minister of State, Deputy Bat O'Keeffe, to see what can be done. I have visited Met Éireann and I am aware it does excellent work and provides a fairly accurate service, as reflected by Senator O'Toole. If...