Results 4,381-4,400 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

Seanad: Statute Law Revision Bill 2015: Second Stage (28 May 2015)

Joe McHugh: In the time I spent listening, I had a chance to look through a few items. I agree with Senator Cummins that this gives us a chance to reflect on our geographical areas and to go through history. There is a great opportunity to get much of this information out into the schools. I acknowledge all the officials who have been working diligently on this over the years. I am sure it was a...

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: International Renewable Energy Agency: Motion (28 May 2015)

Joe McHugh: Tá mé an-sásta a bheith anseo inniu ag an bhfochoiste. The purpose of the proposed motion is to seek the approval of Dáil Éireann of the terms of the Statute of the International Renewable Energy Agency, IRENA. The proposed motion follows recent Government approval for Ireland to complete the steps required to ratify the IRENA statute. As the committee is aware,...

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: International Renewable Energy Agency: Motion (28 May 2015)

Joe McHugh: I thank members for their support. Joining IRENA is the right thing to do. I agree with Deputy Colreavy that its purpose is primarily as an information-sharing mechanism. There are jurisdictional provisions in place to ensure that remains the case. As Minister of State with responsibility for maritime matters, I am aware that, in the context of its seabed, Ireland is the fourth largest...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Inland Fisheries Ireland Remit (9 Jun 2015)

Joe McHugh: Organisation of promotions relevant to the remit of any State Agency is a day to day operational matter for the Agency itself. However, to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have requested that Inland Fisheries Ireland contact the Deputy directly to address any specific issue that he might have in this regard.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Legislative Process (9 Jun 2015)

Joe McHugh: The draft Minerals Development Bill was considered by Government today and approved for publication subject to such legal or technical amendments as may be agreed with the Attorney General. The purpose of the Bill is to make better provision for the prospecting for, and development, management and control of the mineral resources of the State. It does not deal with oil or gas. I hope...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Exploration Licences (9 Jun 2015)

Joe McHugh: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1134 to 1137, inclusive, together. A licensing option confers upon the option holder the first right exercisable at any time during the period of the option to an exploration licence, or licences, over all, or part, of the area covered by the option. The latest and previous acreage reports published by my Department indicate that in respect of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Exploration Licences (9 Jun 2015)

Joe McHugh: An application for a follow on Frontier Exploration Licence from Licensing Option 11/3 is at an advanced stage of consideration by my Department. A Frontier Exploration Licence permits the exclusive right by the licensee to search for petroleum in the area to which the licence applies. If a Frontier Exploration Licences is granted in this instance, it would be for a period of fifteen years...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Exploration Licences (9 Jun 2015)

Joe McHugh: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1139 to 1142, inclusive, together. Under the Licensing Terms for Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration and Development the Minister may enter into an undertaking with the holder of an exploration licence, or licensing option, to grant a petroleum lease in relation to a part of an authorisation where the licensee makes a discovery and is of the opinion, but...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: An Maolú i leith na Gaeilge san Aontas Eorpach (9 Jun 2015)

Joe McHugh: Bronnadh stádas iomlán mar theanga oifigiúil agus oibre ar an nGaeilge san Aontas Eorpach ón 1 Eanáir 2007 faoi Rialachán 920/2005. Bhí páirtmhaolú san áireamh sa Rialachán a bhí le hathbhreithniú gach cúig bliana agus an chéad tréimhse le leanúint go dtí an 31 Nollaig 2011. Mar thoradh ar...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Seirbhísí i nGaeilge (9 Jun 2015)

Joe McHugh: Cuireann mo Roinn seirbhísí fairsinge ar fáil go rialta don phobal i nGaeilge nó go dátheangach. Tá eolas faoi na seirbhísí i nGaeilge atá ar fáil ó mo Roinnse leagtha amach i scéim teanga na Roinne a cuireadh i dtoll a chéile de réir Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003. Tar éis próiseas...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: School Transport Provision (9 Jun 2015)

Joe McHugh: My Department has a contract in place with the Inishbofin ferry service operator which includes provision of a school bus service for second-level pupils from the island until the end of the current school term. Taking into consideration the public transport services available from Cleggan and the range of options being availed of by island families with regard to second-level education, my...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Funding (9 Jun 2015)

Joe McHugh: In view of the strategic importance of the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030 and the overall level of funding available under my Department's Gaeltacht Support Schemes, there are no plans to reopen the scheme referred to by the Deputy in the short to medium term.

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Policing Authority and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2015: Second Stage (9 Jun 2015)

Joe McHugh: I thank all of the Senators who contributed to the debate. I am pleased that the Bill has attracted a significant degree of consensus, in particular on the establishment of the new policing authority. As the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, mentioned in her introductory remarks, the Government's overall objective is to maintain public confidence in An Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Salmon Hardship Scheme (11 Jun 2015)

Joe McHugh: The Salmon Hardship Scheme was introduced following a decision in 2006 to cease, for conservation reasons, the commercial salmon mixed stock fishery in the sea. In excess of €25m was allocated to the scheme to facilitate payments to fishermen with a further €5m provided for community development projects. Under the scheme fishermen active in the fishery could opt to...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Fisheries Protection (11 Jun 2015)

Joe McHugh: The latest advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) in 2014 states that “The status of eel remains critical and ICES advises that all anthropogenic mortality (e.g. recreational and commercial fishing, hydropower, pumping stations, and pollution) affecting production and escapement of silver eels should be reduced to – or kept as close to...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Fisheries Protection (16 Jun 2015)

Joe McHugh: I refer to the reply to Question No. 226 of 11 June.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Hydraulic Fracturing Policy (16 Jun 2015)

Joe McHugh: As I have outlined to House on numerous occasions no decision will be made on any proposal for the use of hydraulic fracturing in exploration drilling as part of an unconventional gas exploration programme, until there has been time to consider the outcome of the research programme directed at examining the potential environmental and human health impacts of hydraulic fracturing commissioned...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Gas Exploration Licences (16 Jun 2015)

Joe McHugh: When an exploration licence is granted by my Department it is active. The licence is granted subject to an agreed work programme, the progress of which is monitored by my Department. Therefore, there have been no exploration licences granted in the past ten years that have not been activated.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Exploration Industry Data (16 Jun 2015)

Joe McHugh: There have been no commercial discoveries of oil or gas within the territory of the State in the past five years. There has, however, been a positive upswing in the level of petroleum exploration activity during this period, in particular acquisition of new seismic data. While the number of active mineral prospecting licences, currently in excess of 580 licences, indicate the prevailing...

Seanad: Junior Cycle Reform: Motion (17 Jun 2015)

Joe McHugh: I really enjoy coming into this House for two reasons. First, it works ones imagination, feeling and thinking, and I thank Senator O'Donnell for that. Second, this subject is close to my heart. Anything to do with education and the wider elements of education are important. Therefore, I thank the Senators for putting down this motion. It has turned into something of a tennis match or a...