Results 4,441-4,460 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Government Economic and Evaluation Service (7 Jul 2015)

Joe McHugh: It is important to keep this conversation going but I would like to acknowledge that every Department has bought into, and is contributing to, this process and there is an input. We always have to be conscious that it is a three-way conversation between the citizens, the Legislature and the experts. When I was a Member of this House in 2005, I quoted my father who said: "If we do not watch...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Eurozone Crisis (7 Jul 2015)

Joe McHugh: I thank Senator Bradford for putting down this matter, which is evolving as we speak. He has given a broad and holistic view on this important issue. Greece remains a full member of the euro area and it is in all our interests that it remains so. However, as the Government has stated on many occasions, as a member of the euro area, each member state has responsibilities and obligations....

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Eurozone Crisis (7 Jul 2015)

Joe McHugh: Language is open to interpretation. I have been learning Irish in the past year. There is an old Irish saying that is valid in this debate, ní neart go chur le chéile, there is no strength without unity. We want Greece to be part of the eurozone and we want that strength in unity. When we are using language, we should go back to our first language and maybe we are better at...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Foras na Gaeilge (8 Jul 2015)

Joe McHugh: Cuireann Foras na Gaeilge maoiniú ar fáil do nuachtáin agus d’irisí Gaeilge i gcomhréir lena fheidhm reachtúil úsáid na Gaeilge a éascú agus a spreagadh ar bhonn uile-oileáin. Maidir le maoiniú a chur ar fáil do nuachtáin agus d’irisí ar leith, is ceist oibríochtúil í sin d’Fhoras...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Údarás na Gaeltachta Expenditure (14 Jul 2015)

Joe McHugh: The information requested on companies supported by Údarás na Gaeltachta in County Donegal that are in receipt of employment grants and the cost to the Údarás of this support during the 2012-2014 period is provided in tabular format at the end of this reply. Total employment in Údarás na Gaeltachta-supported companies in County Donegal was 1,951 jobs in 2014,...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Air Services Provision (14 Jul 2015)

Joe McHugh: The procurement process for this contract is being administered by the Office of Government Procurement. I understand that the closing date for receipt of tenders was 22 June and that the assessment process is currently under way. I have not yet been advised of a date for the completion of this process.

Petroleum (Exploration and Extraction) Safety Bill 2015 [Seanad]: Second Stage (15 Jul 2015)

Joe McHugh: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." Tá an reachtaíocht seo a bhaineann le coinníollacha sábhailteacha iontach caol agus gairid. Chomh maith le sin, tá brú ar achan tír san Aontas Eorpach cloí leis an spriocdáta den 9 Iúil. Déanaim comhghairdeas le mo chuid oifigigh as ucht an obair a rinne siad ar an reachtaíocht...

Petroleum (Exploration and Extraction) Safety Bill 2015 [Seanad]: Second Stage (15 Jul 2015)

Joe McHugh: I thank the Deputies. I appreciate their constructive commentary on the importance of getting this Bill signed into law before 19 July. I also appreciate the fact that it is important to discuss the legislation and go through it with a fine-tooth comb. The first question raised by Deputy John Browne was why this is taking so long. Discussions have been ongoing at Commission level in...

Petroleum (Exploration and Extraction) Safety Bill 2015 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (15 Jul 2015)

Joe McHugh: The concept of reducing a risk to as low as is reasonably practicable, a concept known as ALARP, is best practice adopted internationally and a concept reflected in the offshore safety directive. There is no definition for ALARP set out in either domestic or international legislation. The concept of what is as low as is reasonably practicable has been considered by the Court of Appeal in...

Petroleum (Exploration and Extraction) Safety Bill 2015 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (15 Jul 2015)

Joe McHugh: The transposition of the offshore safety directive, which is the purpose of this Bill, is to ensure consistent regulation throughout Europe with respect to the potential for major petroleum incidents. It is important we learn from other countries. In the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, we have tried to source staff from countries with very rich experience of...

Petroleum (Exploration and Extraction) Safety Bill 2015 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (15 Jul 2015)

Joe McHugh: I thank the Deputy again. He mentioned earlier that hydraulic fracking is outside the scope of this Bill. For that reason, I will not be accepting the amendment. The Deputy has constantly referred to the duration and scope of the study that is under way. It is important that the debate continue, and I am certainly open to any opportunity to continue it. The EPA has been tasked with...

Petroleum (Exploration and Extraction) Safety Bill 2015 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (15 Jul 2015)

Joe McHugh: It is not within the scope of the legislation.

Petroleum (Exploration and Extraction) Safety Bill 2015 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (15 Jul 2015)

Joe McHugh: Regulation of metering is principally an economic regulatory function under the existing regime for oversight of metering. Prior to their installation or modification, it is required that the detailed specifications of all metering stations are submitted for approval by my Department and are also subject to inspection. It is important to point this out. Metering of petroleum volumes also...

Petroleum (Exploration and Extraction) Safety Bill 2015 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (15 Jul 2015)

Joe McHugh: Yes.

Petroleum (Exploration and Extraction) Safety Bill 2015 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (15 Jul 2015)

Joe McHugh: There is a distinction in terms of responsibility. It is addressed elsewhere so I am not accepting this amendment but I wish to put on record that the ultimate responsibility is not borne by the State. As a Cork man, the Deputy will have experience in respect of what is happening and what is in place in Kinsale. The decommissioning of petroleum infrastructure at the end of field life is...

Petroleum (Exploration and Extraction) Safety Bill 2015 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (15 Jul 2015)

Joe McHugh: I again make the distinction between the fine and costs involved in environmental clean up. The maximum fine of €3 million is for infringement of contracts entered into in respect of permit and proper safety guidelines: the €3 million is a fine if those commitments are infringed upon. There is no cap if there is an accident, there is environmental damage and there are...

Petroleum (Exploration and Extraction) Safety Bill 2015 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (15 Jul 2015)

Joe McHugh: Amendment No. 7 speaks to the part of section 16 that confers on the CER a power to appoint a petroleum safety officer to investigate petroleum incidents notified to it or safety or environmental concerns that have been reported to the CER by individuals on a confidential basis. While it would be a matter for the CER to decide whether or not such reports should be released, it would not be...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Irish Language (15 Jul 2015)

Joe McHugh: Under the Irish Language Learners Scheme (Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge), my Department provides assistance to Gaeltacht households which accommodate students attending Irish colleges in the Gaeltacht. While my Department does not provide direct support for students attending Irish colleges in the Gaeltacht, I am aware that scholarships are provided from time to time by various...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Post Office Network (22 Sep 2015)

Joe McHugh: I thank the Deputy for his question. The post office network plays an important role in serving the needs of business and domestic customers alike. However, the postal sector is undergoing systemic change, with migration towards electronic communications resulting in significant core mail volume decline year-on-year. It remains Government policy that An Post remain a strong and viable...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Post Office Network (22 Sep 2015)

Joe McHugh: We had the debate in the House regarding the letters that went out. I believe we were in unison in that regard. The option of the banks was difficult-----