Results 4,561-4,580 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Inland Fisheries Ireland (30 Sep 2015)

Joe McHugh: I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 99 and 1550 of 22 September, 2015. I can confirm that I met with a delegation from SIPTU on 23 September last at which their submission was discussed.

Seanad: Minerals Development Bill 2015: Committee Stage (30 Sep 2015)

Joe McHugh: I agree with the Senators' concerns about keeping licences under review. A five-year review interval would be too lenient. At present, prospecting licences are granted initially for a period of six years and may be renewed for a further six years, if warranted. Thereafter, the licence may be renewed for periods of one or two years, depending on the circumstances. During the six-year term...

Seanad: Minerals Development Bill 2015: Committee Stage (30 Sep 2015)

Joe McHugh: No.

Seanad: Minerals Development Bill 2015: Committee Stage (30 Sep 2015)

Joe McHugh: The Senators raised a number of issues. While we are digressing a little from the substance of the proposed amendment, the issues raised are important none the less. We must be definitive in differentiating between a prospecting licence and a mining licence. The former does not confer ownership or allow mining to take place. It is important to clarify that. Prospecting creates a fear in...

Seanad: Minerals Development Bill 2015: Committee Stage (30 Sep 2015)

Joe McHugh: The process is important and there has to be a community consultation with any planning application. That opportunity will be afforded and there will be a period of time to do that. It is also important to point out that the environmental impact assessment is not just a case of employing a consultancy company to give a standard report and tick the boxes. In my position as Minister of State...

Seanad: Minerals Development Bill 2015: Committee Stage (30 Sep 2015)

Joe McHugh: Section 82 provides that the Minister, with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, may sell State-owned minerals instead of granting a mining licence where the tonnage or value of the minerals is small and it is expedient and efficient to do so. Given that efficiency and expediency are included, one hat probably does not fit all; however, I take the Senator's point...

Seanad: Minerals Development Bill 2015: Committee Stage (30 Sep 2015)

Joe McHugh: I do not want to underestimate the importance of the Senators' contributions, given that the issue is important. The section is a precaution. The scenario has not happened before. Some 60% to 65% of minerals are estimated to be in State ownership. This figure can never be firmly established unless all mineral deposits are identified and located. Private mineral ownership arises mainly...

Seanad: Minerals Development Bill 2015: Committee Stage (30 Sep 2015)

Joe McHugh: I am aware that the Senator raised this issue previously. It is under active consideration and we are working towards a definition. I am confident that I will be in a position in the Dáil to make a technical amendment. Táimid ag fáil níos gaire don líne. We are getting closer to the line in terms of the definition. The Senator raised it the last day and we have...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Inland Fisheries Ireland (1 Oct 2015)

Joe McHugh: I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 99 and 1550 of 22 September 2015.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Air Services Provision (1 Oct 2015)

Joe McHugh: My position from the outset has been to ensure a continued air service to the Aran Islands, with significant financial support from the Government, in line with EU rules in regard to Public Service Obligation (PSO) air services. My Department is continuing in its efforts to reach an agreement for an interim service with the holder of the air service.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Foreign Policy (6 Oct 2015)

Joe McHugh: The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) is an international regime governing the trade in rough diamonds. The KPCS has developed a set of minimum requirements that each participant must meet to enable them to certify shipments of rough diamonds as ‘conflict-free' and prevent conflict diamonds from entering the legitimate trade. Ireland participates in the KPCS as a Member...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Reports (6 Oct 2015)

Joe McHugh: The public consultation process on Ireland's Eel Management Plan was part of the 2015 review required in compliance with Article (9) of EU Council Regulation 1100/2007 and was recently completed by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI). I am advised by IFI that 25 submissions were received for consideration under the process and that the outcomes of the public consultation will be made available on...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Maoiniú d'Fhoras na Gaeilge (6 Oct 2015)

Joe McHugh: Tógfaidh mé Ceisteanna Uimh. 782 agus 783 le chéile. Mar is eol don Teachta, is áisíneacht den Fhoras Teanga é Foras na Gaeilge agus, dá réir sin, is í an Chomhairle Aireachta Thuaidh Theas a cheadaíonn a bhuiséad. Déantar Foras na Gaeilge a chómhaoiniú ar bhonn 75% ó mo Roinnse agus 25% ón Roinn...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Calafoirt agus Céanna (6 Oct 2015)

Joe McHugh: Dírím aird an Teachta ar an bhfreagra a thug an tAire Comhshaoil, Pobal agus Rialtais Áitiúil, Alan Kelly, T.D., ar Cheist Dála Uimh. 703 agus 716 inniu.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: School Transport Provision (6 Oct 2015)

Joe McHugh: I propose to take Questions Nos. 789 and 790 together. As with all other road transport services subsidised by my Department, a maximum fare has been stipulated for the Cleggan to Galway school bus service. The maximum fare is not considered to be unduly onerous given that the service involves a twice-weekly round trip of some 180 km. In relation to the early morning minibus service from...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Departmental Budgets (6 Oct 2015)

Joe McHugh: Tá díospóireacht leathan ar intinn an Seanadóir inniu. I dtosach báire, cuirim fáilte roimh an deis atá tugtha dom ag mo chuid chomhghleacaithe sa Seanad léargas gairid a thabhairt ar sheasamh caiteachais na Roinne Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta ag deireadh na bliana 2014. I dtosach báire, ní raibh fo-chaiteachas de €8...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Departmental Budgets (6 Oct 2015)

Joe McHugh: Sin an freagra atá ann agus is léir go bhfuil na figiúirí iomlána ann. Tá soiléireacht ann. Tá achan amhainn sa Roinn tábhachtach. Labhair an Seanadóir Ó Clochartaigh fá dtaobh den laghdú airgeadais a bhí ann d'Údarás na Gaeltachta agus Rannóga eile thar na blianta. Ar an drochuair, ní raibh mise...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge (7 Oct 2015)

Joe McHugh: Tá an t-eolas atá iarrtha ag an Teachta tugtha i bhfoirm tábla thíos. Áirítear anseo líon na bhfoghlaimeoirí a bhí ar iostas le teaghlaigh Ghaeltachta agus i mbrúnna sa Ghaeltacht agus i dtrí cinn de choláistí cónaithe seanbhunaithe taobh amuigh den Ghaeltacht. Áirítear anseo fosta na hábhair oidí agus...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Calafoirt agus Céanna (7 Oct 2015)

Joe McHugh: Dírím aird an Teachta ar an bhfreagra a thug an tAire Comhshaoil, Pobal agus Rialtais Áitiúil, Alan Kelly, T.D., ar Cheist Dála Uimh. 703 agus 716 inné.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Island Communities (7 Oct 2015)

Joe McHugh: I propose to take Questions Nos. 214 and 215 together. As with all other road transport services subsidised by my Department, a maximum fare has been stipulated for the Cleggan to Galway school bus service. The maximum fare is not considered to be unduly onerous given that the service involves a twice-weekly round trip of some 180 km. In relation to the early morning minibus service from...