Results 541-560 of 2,304 for speaker:John Browne

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (6 Apr 2006)

John Browne: The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, is a matter in the first instance for the private sector companies operating in a fully liberalised market, regulated by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. It has been clear for some time that the sector has failed to invest at the level necessary to keep pace with the demand for broadband, so...

Written Answers — Irish Language: Irish Language (6 Apr 2006)

John Browne: There is no stipulated quota for the percentage of staff in Government Departments who are required to be able to provide services through Irish. However, my Department does have staff who can provide services through Irish when required. By way of an indication in this regard, the latest figures available show that approximately 8% of the overall staff of my Department are either currently...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (25 Apr 2006)

John Browne: As matters relating to the planning process fall within the remit of my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, I refer the Deputy to the reply given by him to Parliamentary Question No. 586 of 4 April 2006.

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (25 Apr 2006)

John Browne: Under the Fisheries Acts, primary responsibility for the management, conservation, protection, development and improvement of inland fisheries rests with the regional fisheries boards. Development and enhancement works on spawning grounds is an operational matter for the relevant regional fisheries board, the cost of which must be met from its annual funding allocation. Local angling clubs,...

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (25 Apr 2006)

John Browne: I have not had direct discussions with the Marine Institute regarding the provision of salmon counters. The Department wrote recently to the Marine Institute and the Central and regional fisheries boards requesting that they review the current arrangements in respect of the operational, data management and quality assurance issues for the national fish counter management programme. I expect...

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (25 Apr 2006)

John Browne: The Southern Regional Fisheries Board comprises four of Ireland's largest river systems, namely, the Suir, Nore, Barrow and Munster Blackwater. By size of available habitat alone, the region should produce 30% of Ireland's salmon stock. Unfortunately, the salmon stocks in the rivers of this region are not meeting their conservation limit and are not reaching their full productive potential....

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (25 Apr 2006)

John Browne: The Deputy will be aware that details of the Government's policy for the restructuring of the inland fisheries sector, which are based on the recommendations contained within the report by Farrell Grant Sparks following their review of the sector, were published last November. The Government has decided that a fundamental restructuring of the sector is required. It considered that this reform...

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (25 Apr 2006)

John Browne: The Department is considering an application from the company in question for renewal of aquaculture licences that it holds in respect of sites in Clew Bay, County Mayo. The process is at an advanced stage, having gone through the full consultation procedures, and it is expected that a decision will be made shortly. Monitoring and inspection of fish farms is carried out by the Department with...

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (25 Apr 2006)

John Browne: The standing scientific committee of the National Salmon Commission has indicated that mixed stock fisheries pose particular threats to the status of individual stocks and that fisheries operated in estuaries and rivers are more likely to fulfil national requirements and international obligations. In this context the national fisheries management executive has identified a range of pilot...

Written Answers — Foreshore Licences: Foreshore Licences (26 Apr 2006)

John Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 199, 201 and 203 together. South Tipperary County Council has located outfall pipes, with diffusers, for the new Carrick-on-Suir waste water treatment plant in the River Suir. Representatives of snap net fishermen who operate on the River Suir expressed the view to the Department that the location of the outfall diffusers is likely to disrupt their operations...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (26 Apr 2006)

John Browne: Fishing for razor clams in the area referred to is not prohibited by the habitats directive of 1992, as transposed into Irish law, but is managed as a living aquatic resource under the Common Fisheries Policy. As I have previously advised the House, the harvesting of razor shells is subject to legislative controls and the areas in which such harvesting can take place is classified by...

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Schemes: Fishing Industry Schemes (26 Apr 2006)

John Browne: As the Deputy is aware, the fundamental aim of the decommissioning scheme is to secure the permanent withdrawal of excess capacity in both the whitefish and shellfish sectors to bring these fleets into balance with available fishing opportunities. The withdrawal premiums payable under the scheme for whitefish vessels are the maximum permitted by EU regulations and are related specifically to...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (27 Apr 2006)

John Browne: I have recently seen a copy of the submission issued to Members from the National Coarse Fishing Federation of Ireland and the Irish Federation of Pike Angling Clubs on the conservation needs of coarse fish species, which I have noted and intend to consider carefully. I should point out, however, that under the Fisheries Acts, the fisheries boards are primarily responsible for the management,...

Energy Resources: Motion. (3 May 2006)

John Browne: Hear, hear.

Energy Resources: Motion. (3 May 2006)

John Browne: We have moved on.

Energy Resources: Motion. (3 May 2006)

John Browne: We do not have to depend on Fine Gael.

Energy Resources: Motion. (3 May 2006)

John Browne: Fine Gael has no policy.

Energy Resources: Motion. (3 May 2006)

John Browne: We will be in Government in four years' time.

Energy Resources: Motion. (3 May 2006)

John Browne: It is in safe hands.

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (3 May 2006)

John Browne: I wish to advise that a reply issued on the 26 April 2006 to the letter referred to by the Deputy. The matter to which the Deputy refers is that of the Government's policy for the restructuring of the inland fisheries sector, which is based on the recommendations contained within the report by Farrell Grant Sparks following their review of the sector, published last November. The Government...