Results 3,901-3,920 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (16 Jul 2014)

Joe McHugh: Mar is eol don Teachta, rinneadh athbhreithniú ar Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003 i gcomhréir leis an ghealltanas a tugadh i gClár an Rialtais 2011-2016. Mar thoradh ar an athbhreithniú, d'fhoilsigh mo Roinn Cinn Bhille na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú) 2014 i mí Aibreáin. Déantar foráil i gCeann 6 den Bhille beartaithe do leasú ar...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Seirbhísí Aeir Fóirdheonaithe (16 Jul 2014)

Joe McHugh: Fógraíodh ar an 8 Iúil go bhfuil síneadh bliana go dtí 30 Meán Fómhair 2015 curtha leis an chonradh atá ag mo Roinn le hAer Arann chun seirbhís aeir faoi Oibleagáid Seirbhíse Poiblí a chur ar fáil d’Oileáin Árann. Beidh an tseirbhís chéanna ann faoin chonradh úr is atá ann faoin chonradh...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Commemorative Events (16 Jul 2014)

Joe McHugh: I would like to state at the outset that I appreciate very much the role that the Irish language played in the lives of many of the signatories of the 1916 Proclamation. Given the symbolism of the Irish language in 1916, the Deputy may wish to note that is envisaged that a programme of Irish language events will be developed, within available resources, in the context of the commemoration of...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Maolú na Gaeilge san Aontas Eorpach (16 Jul 2014)

Joe McHugh: Beidh cinneadh le tógáil faoi dheireadh na bliana 2015 faoi thodhchaí an mhaolaithe atá i bhfeidhm faoi láthair maidir le húsáid na Gaeilge in institiúidí an Aontais Eorpaigh. Sa chomhthéacs seo, tá plé ar bun ag mo Roinn, i gcomhar le Roinn an Taoisigh, le páirtithe leasmhara éagsúla, institiúidí an Aontais...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Cailliúint Poist in Eagraíochtaí Gaeilge (16 Jul 2014)

Joe McHugh: Cheadaigh an Chomhairle Aireachta Thuaidh Theas socruithe nua maoinithe in ionad múnla bunmhaoinithe Fhoras na Gaeilge ar an 10 Iúil 2013. Tá feidhm leis na socruithe nua maoinithe ón 1 Iúil 2014. Mar thoradh ar an chur chuige nua straitéiseach seo, táthar ag súil go mbeifear in ann seirbhísí níos fearr a sheachadadh ar bhealach níos...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Island Communities (16 Jul 2014)

Joe McHugh: It is a core policy of my Department to support the sustainable development of the offshore islands. My Department is the principal Department charged with island development by supporting the improvement of infrastructure and assisting with the provision of essential services. My Department subsidises lifeline transport services for the inhabited offshore islands. These comprise...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Irish Language Issues (16 Jul 2014)

Joe McHugh: As the Deputy is aware, my Department has the overarching responsibility for coordinating the implementation of the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030 in cooperation with a wide range of stakeholders. Progress is being made with regard to the systematic implementation of a wide range of measures under the Strategy within the resources available. In this regard, I would like to...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Seirbhísí Eitilte (16 Jul 2014)

Joe McHugh: Ar maidin, bhí strus agus brú orm, ach anois um tráthnóna tá mé réidh. Tá áthas orm an deis seo a fháil an t-ábhar tábhachtach seo a phlé anseo sa Seanad inniu. Ba dheas liom i dtús báire cúlra an scéil a mhíniú don Seanad. In 2001, rinneadh Ollscoil Cranfield staidéar neamhspleách ar na...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Seirbhísí Eitilte (16 Jul 2014)

Joe McHugh: Go raibh maith agat. If there are options it would be important to feed them through. It is important to ensure that the two options available at the moment are up for discussion, namely, the possible lease or the possible sale. No decision has been made. Some €8.6 million has been invested in two airstrips. Beidh mo dhoras oscailte le haghaidh aon phlean. The constraints on my...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Exploration Industry (17 Jul 2014)

Joe McHugh: I thank the Deputy for his kind words. I look forward to working with him and with the Minister and departmental officials. The Deputy's question is a broad one and my response reflects that. If there is a specific issue the Deputy wishes to raise, I will be happy to address it in my supplementary reply. Drilling is a normal part of mineral and hydrocarbon exploration and is...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Exploration Industry (17 Jul 2014)

Joe McHugh: As already stated, the Deputy's initial question was general in nature and referred to subterranean drilling. Obviously, the latter encompasses mining. I asked him to pose a specific question following my reply and he has done so by focusing on hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, of rock formations. There is no plan at present to allow hydraulic fracturing to take place. Both of our...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Exploration Industry (17 Jul 2014)

Joe McHugh: The Deputy asked a specific question on protections for landowners. In any context, entry onto land is subject to the agreement of the owner.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Exploration Industry (17 Jul 2014)

Joe McHugh: Mining on land occurs in this country and there are statutory processes and planning obligations which apply. There are no plans to get involved in the hydraulic fracturing process.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Exploration Industry (17 Jul 2014)

Joe McHugh: I reiterate that entry onto land, be it on the surface or underground, is subject to the agreement of the owner. I am not going to waffle or bluff. That is the answer.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Exploration Industry (17 Jul 2014)

Joe McHugh: Absolutely.

Other Questions: Hydraulic Fracturing (17 Jul 2014)

Joe McHugh: While the term "hydraulic fracturing" is not defined in legislation, it is a well understood term. I can point the Deputy to a clear definition of the term provided on the Environmental Protection Agency's website in the context of the call for proposals issued on 22 November 2013 seeking tenders to undertake further detailed research on the potential impacts on the environment and human...

Other Questions: Hydraulic Fracturing (17 Jul 2014)

Joe McHugh: I share the Deputy's concerns. We have heard conflicting reports on the fracking process. North Dakota comes to mind. As part of the research, which has not yet been awarded, dual emphasis must be placed on the environment and human health. The Minister shares my concerns and the Department shares these two parameters as twofold concerns. The more detailed research programme will be...

Other Questions: Hydraulic Fracturing (17 Jul 2014)

Joe McHugh: Let us learn from experiences and let us be on the ball. We have a two-year period so we should use all aspects of the mechanics within the democratic House, such as the Joint Committee on Communications and Transport. The community must also be involved in the research over the two years. We must be open with people, learn from experiences and ensure every t is crossed and every i is...

Other Questions: Hydraulic Fracturing (17 Jul 2014)

Joe McHugh: We will be going over the same ground, if Members will forgive the pun. In November 2013, the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, issued a call for tenders to engage the relevant expertise to conduct detailed research into the potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing technology. The selection process, overseen by a steering group that includes representatives from my Department and a...

Other Questions: Hydraulic Fracturing (17 Jul 2014)

Joe McHugh: Vigilance is key and there will be vigilance in the House. In framing public policy, we must review how we work with our communities and the community representation structures. Lessons must be learned from some of the bigger issues, such as pylons and the question of underground versus overground lines, and about how public policy must include the community. It must be part of this and,...