Results 4,701-4,720 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Scéimeanna Tacaíochta Údarás na Gaeltachta (10 Dec 2015)

Joe McHugh: Tuigim ó Údarás na Gaeltachta go bhfuil réimse tacaíochtaí - deontais caipitil agus margaíochta den chuid is mó - curtha ar fáil acu don chomhlacht atá luaite ag an Teachta ó bunaíodh an comhlacht in 2008. Tuigim ón Údarás go bhfuil deontas de €219,742 íoctha acu leis an gcomhlacht, go bhfuil foirgneamh ar...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Alternative Energy Projects (15 Dec 2015)

Joe McHugh: I acknowledge the Deputy's consistent approach to this matter which he is keeping live. I also acknowledge the work done by him and his constituency colleagues, Deputy Tony McLoughlin and Senator Michael Comiskey, who have had regular meetings with me to discuss this important matter. No doubt we will get into the Deputy's last question in a supplementary reply, but, first, I wish to...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Alternative Energy Projects (15 Dec 2015)

Joe McHugh: Ireland is a small country.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Alternative Energy Projects (15 Dec 2015)

Joe McHugh: This is a small island and I am on the record as having expressed my own reservations about this industry. It is also important to point out that this work was initiated in 2011 by the previous Minister, Deputy Pat Rabbitte, who wanted to find out what was best practice. There was consultation and the Deputy knows the history. Timeframes were set. I want to highlight a couple of important...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Alternative Energy Projects (15 Dec 2015)

Joe McHugh: No; this is important, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle. It is important to point out that that is not going to happen within the timeframe set. As the tendering process for the second phase of the research programme has not commenced, there cannot be a final report by 2018. I will ask the steering committee to publish an interim report on the significant findings made at the end of January.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Alternative Energy Projects (15 Dec 2015)

Joe McHugh: It was not envisaged and was not part of the original plan, but I will ask the steering committee to prodce at an early date interim findings on the significant body of work done. No decision will be made on the tendering process until that work is carried out.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Alternative Energy Projects (15 Dec 2015)

Joe McHugh: TTIP will involve the European Union and the United States, so that is a wider question. Sticking to this question and this issue, making that presentation to the Joint Committee on Transport and Communications will be considered. It is also important to point out that representatives of the EPA have appeared before the committee and made a very worthwhile presentation. The steering...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Alternative Energy Projects (15 Dec 2015)

Joe McHugh: All I am saying is that we are asking the steering committee to produce the findings of its significant work. Nothing will happen until that is achieved.

Other Questions: Hydraulic Fracturing Policy (15 Dec 2015)

Joe McHugh: It is important to emphasise that the EPA is independent of the Government. Instead of reading out the formal response I will take up the point made by Deputy Clare Daly. A decision was taken in 2011 to inform ourselves as policy agents and as legislators on the best thing to do on foot of the research and based on the best evidence available. I have taken a decision to approach the...

Other Questions: Hydraulic Fracturing Policy (15 Dec 2015)

Joe McHugh: Queen's University is still involved in a reviewing capacity but it was not able to commit to the original proposition for funding reasons. It is important to point out that the information is garnered on a cross-Border basis. Some of those involved include the British Geological Survey, universities in Northern Ireland, UCD and the EPA. We have a collection of expertise and they form the...

Other Questions: Hydraulic Fracturing Policy (15 Dec 2015)

Joe McHugh: Let us be clear, this is a significant piece of work that will be completed by the end of January. It will cover areas such as those mentioned by Deputy Clare Daly, namely, ground water, surface water, associated ecosystem, seismicity, air quality, impacts and mitigation measures for project operations and a regulatory framework for environmental protection. Significant work is being done...

Other Questions: Hydraulic Fracturing Policy (15 Dec 2015)

Joe McHugh: As the Deputy may be aware, the EPA has commissioned a research programme into the potential impacts of unconventional gas exploration and extraction on the environment and human health. This all-island programme of research, which is being administered by the EPA, comprises five interlinked projects and involves field studies as well as an extensive desk-based literature review of...

Other Questions: Hydraulic Fracturing Policy (15 Dec 2015)

Joe McHugh: No applications have been submitted and even if they were, they would not be accepted because it is clear fracking is not allowed. I want to give the steering committee time and space to consider the possibility of producing an interim report. The committee has produced a significant body of work and the research has been conducted on a joint basis. I have long been an advocate of...

Other Questions: Hydraulic Fracturing Policy (15 Dec 2015)

Joe McHugh: The company was selected independently and the EPA dealt with that at the joint committee meeting.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Hydraulic Fracturing (15 Dec 2015)

Joe McHugh: As the Deputy will be aware, the EPA has commissioned a research programme into the potential impacts of Unconventional Gas Exploration and Extraction on the environment and human health. It should be noted that the draft Terms of Reference for this programme were the subject of a public consultation process which resulted in an amended and strengthened scope for the programme, including a...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Hydraulic Fracturing (15 Dec 2015)

Joe McHugh: As the Deputy may be aware, the EPA has commissioned a research programme into the potential impacts of Unconventional Gas Exploration and Extraction (UGEE) on the environment and human health. It should be noted that the draft Terms of Reference for this programme were the subject of a public consultation process which resulted in an amended and strengthened scope for the programme,...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Hydraulic Fracturing (15 Dec 2015)

Joe McHugh: As I have advised previously, the all-island Joint Research Programme (JRP) which is being administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and co-funded by the EPA, my Department and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency into the potential impacts from Unconventional Gas Exploration and Extraction (UGEE) on the environment and human health is on-going. It is anticipated that...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Petroleum and Gas Exploration (15 Dec 2015)

Joe McHugh: I have stated previously that it is a matter for the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to determine whether or not to grant a Petroleum Prospecting Licence when an application for such a licence is made, and the agreement of an applicant is not required.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Gas Exploration Licences (15 Dec 2015)

Joe McHugh: I refer to the reply to Question No. 600 of 1 December 2015. The position is unchanged.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Exploration Licences Data (15 Dec 2015)

Joe McHugh: The following table outlines the exploration licences issued by my Department over the past ten years. Details of all authorisations granted by my Department are published on my Department's website on a quarterly basis and can also be found in the six monthly reports which I am obliged to lay before the Oireachtas under the Minerals Development Acts, 1940 to 1999, and the Petroleum and Other...