Results 12,801-12,820 of 13,220 for speaker:Pat Gallagher

Fisheries Protection. (8 Feb 2005)

Pat Gallagher: The Deputy will recall that a few years ago the National Salmon Commission was established to advise the Minister. The commission includes representatives of all the stakeholders, including those involved in angling tourism, drift net, draft net or snap fishing. As far as salmon fishing is concerned, we have a duty to conserve, protect and exploit this fishery in a sustainable manner. This is...

Fisheries Protection. (8 Feb 2005)

Pat Gallagher: In regard to Deputy Perry's question, I met representatives of all the regional boards shortly after my appointment and I met the chief executive and the manager of the Central Fisheries Board on a number of occasions. I am anxious to assist them because I am cognisant that small investments could be beneficial in areas where there is no alternative source of employment. In regard to the...

Fisheries Protection. (8 Feb 2005)

Pat Gallagher: For many years, County Donegal, in particular the Killybegs area, has been to the forefront of the Irish fishing industry, and has been a vital source of permanent and seasonal employment opportunities in coastal communities as well as boosting the local economy through ancillary industries. The pelagic processing industry is going through a period of change arising from various factors which...

Fisheries Protection. (8 Feb 2005)

Pat Gallagher: I presume Peterhead is investing to accommodate Irish boats because the fish, unfortunately, are close to there at this time. The Deputy will know from his contacts in Killybegs that during the early part of the year record prices are available in that area. I accept we have a responsibility to work with the producers and processors to develop the industry. This means not only providing jobs...

Fisheries Protection. (8 Feb 2005)

Pat Gallagher: I recognise the problem. My officials and I spent seven hours working with the industry to try to overcome it. I assured the industry I would raise the matter when I went to Europe. I did so, and secured a political commitment from my 24 European colleagues.

Fisheries Protection. (8 Feb 2005)

Pat Gallagher: We are working on that at present. It will be sooner rather than later but it is being actively considered. The draft, of which the Deputy is aware, was presented to the Government and the industry — processors and producers. I hope there will be a favourable decision that the industry can buy into. In the meantime, with regard to the Annex IV regulations, measures were introduced in recent...

Fisheries Protection. (8 Feb 2005)

Pat Gallagher: They are not necessarily landing into our ports so we have no jurisdiction over that. I presume the Deputy is suggesting there should be observers on boats——

Fisheries Protection. (8 Feb 2005)

Pat Gallagher: ——and that there would be no slipping of fish or discards. I have no difficulty with that and the Commission is considering it at present.

Fisheries Protection. (8 Feb 2005)

Pat Gallagher: According to Fáilte Ireland data, there were 83,000 visits to Ireland in 2003, where those visits were determined by angling. This compares with 56,000 in 2002 and 95,000 in 2001. I understand that salmon anglers may represent some 21% of these visitors. In the same period, I am advised that the number of salmon angling licences sold in 2003 was 31,827, a decrease of 9% compared to 35,024 in...

Written Answers — Fishing Vessel Licences: Fishing Vessel Licences (3 Feb 2005)

Pat Gallagher: I understand the Deputy is referring to a particular vessel constructed by a company based in Cornwall, England. In Ireland, each passenger ship is built to required specified statutory standards which take into account the intended use of the vessel. The hulls are also independently checked and passed by the maritime safety directorate of this Department as the national licensing authority...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (2 Feb 2005)

Pat Gallagher: At the Agriculture and Fisheries Council on 21 to 22 December 2004, the Council and Commission agreed a statement on the weighing of pelagic fish with the following wording: The Council invites the Commission to come forward early in 2005 with a proposal to develop a scheme allowing the fish to be weighed after transport from the port of landing. Such a scheme should provide sufficient...

Written Answers — Marine Safety: Marine Safety (2 Feb 2005)

Pat Gallagher: There are no urgent structural and physical works required at the Marine Rescue Centre at Malin Head, County Donegal. However, as part of the future development of the Irish Coast Guard it has been decided to move from the existing three control centres to two — those at Valentia, County Kerry and Malin Head. The Department is at present considering detailed proposals as to how these two...

Written Answers — Foreshore Licences: Foreshore Licences (1 Feb 2005)

Pat Gallagher: The Department is processing an application from the person in question for a foreshore lease to occupy an area of foreshore at Ballyboe, Rathmullan for the purpose of constructing a car park, a wastewater treatment system, and a seawall with rock armour. Full consideration will be given to all relevant issues and concerns, including the possible amenity implications of the proposal, before a...

Written Answers — Coastal Erosion: Coastal Erosion (1 Feb 2005)

Pat Gallagher: Responsibility for coast protection rests with the property owner, whether it be a local authority or a private individual. In July 2002 the Department requested all coastal local authorities to submit proposals, in order of priority, for consideration in the context of the 2003-06 national coast protection programmes. Donegal County Council did not submit a proposal for Carrickfin or...

Written Answers — Tourism Industry. : Tourism Industry. (1 Feb 2005)

Pat Gallagher: No proposal on the lines to which the Deputy referred has been brought to my attention. There are no funds available within the Department to assist such a project and I am not aware of any application being made to the Department for funding for this proposal. If the project has a tourism dimension, it might be eligible to apply for funding under the tourism measure of the national...

Written Answers — Health and Safety Regulations. : Health and Safety Regulations. (1 Feb 2005)

Pat Gallagher: The Department has an ongoing safety programme involving an appropriate combination of statutory regulation, enforcement and safety awareness promotion with the aim of achieving the highest level of safety at sea, including on fishing vessels. The Sea Fisheries (Amendment) Act 2003 provides that the licensing authority shall not grant a sea-fishing boat licence unless an independent survey of...

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (27 Jan 2005)

Pat Gallagher: Cloughmore pier, Darby's Point, is owned by Mayo County Council and responsibility for its repair and maintenance rests with the local authority in the first instance. In the period in question, expenditure of €692,345.78 was incurred in 2000, in 2001 expenditure was €17,742.52 and in 2002 expenditure was €19,411.88. The Department provided 75% of the expenditure and Mayo County Council...

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (27 Jan 2005)

Pat Gallagher: Blackwater pier is owned by Kerry County Council and responsibility for its maintenance and development rests with the local authority in the first instance. Last year, Kerry County Council requested the Department to examine the possibility of providing a slipway at Blackwater pier. The question of funding such a project will have to be considered in the context of the amount of Exchequer...

Written Answers — Drainage Scheme: Drainage Scheme (27 Jan 2005)

Pat Gallagher: While I am aware of the difficulties arising from the works undertaken on the weir on the River Nore in Kilkenny city, this project was undertaken on behalf of and is therefore the responsibility of the Office of Public Works. Because of the impact that the new installation was having on the passage of migrating salmon up river, the regional fisheries board and the engineering division of my...

Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (27 Jan 2005)

Pat Gallagher: An application has been made to the Department by Clare County Council for a foreshore licence for an effluent outfall pipe in connection with the proposed Quilty sewerage scheme. Further information on nature conservation issues requested by one of the organisations that are consulted by the Department on foreshore applications generally has been provided recently by consultants acting for...