Results 741-760 of 2,304 for speaker:John Browne

Seanad: Energy Resources: Motion (11 Oct 2006)

John Browne: There is no gas in Wexford either.

Seanad: Energy Resources: Motion (11 Oct 2006)

John Browne: I welcome the opportunity to address the House in support of the motion about the recently published energy Green Paper, Towards a Sustainable Energy Future for Ireland. In particular, I welcome the terms of the motion which recognise the social and economic importance of energy policy. This motion puts energy policy in its rightful place, at the forefront of our development as an economy...

Seanad: Energy Resources: Motion (11 Oct 2006)

John Browne: Our ocean energy strategy is aimed to position us at the cutting edge of development involving research and development, prototype testing and commercialisation targeted for 2020. Bio-energy is another renewable area where we have the potential to make a significant difference to our energy mix. Bio-energy is energy from crops, trees, sawdust, and by-products such as tallow, farm wastes and...

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (12 Oct 2006)

John Browne: The independent group has not as yet submitted its final report, but I expect that it will be delivered shortly. Until such time as the report is presented to Government, I am not in a position to comment on its recommendations or implementation.

Written Answers — Fishing Vessel Licences: Fishing Vessel Licences (17 Oct 2006)

John Browne: Under the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 2003, the functions of sea-fishing boat licensing and registration were transferred from the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources to the Licensing Authority for Sea-Fishing Boats. The Authority operates on an independent basis subject to criteria set out in the Act and policy directives in relation to sea-fishing boat licensing. The...

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (17 Oct 2006)

John Browne: The Government is supporting the development of the seafood industry through a number of integrated schemes designed to secure a sustainable future for the industry under the aegis of the National Development Plan 2000-2006. I introduced, in June of this year, a number of support schemes, which will provide financial support to the industry in the short-term. These schemes are: the second...

Written Answers — Aquaculture Licences: Aquaculture Licences (17 Oct 2006)

John Browne: The Department is currently assessing an application for an aquaculture licence by the person to whom the Deputy refers. The application is in respect of an area adjoining the applicant's current licensed site. Consideration of the application is well advanced and it is expected that a decision will be reached shortly.

Written Answers — Aquaculture Licences: Aquaculture Licences (17 Oct 2006)

John Browne: The mussel seed fishery is managed on an all Island basis to ensure that this wild resource is exploited in a sustainable way. After consultation between the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Northern Ireland, the Loughs Agency and BIM, it was decided that initial allocations of the mussel seed to be fished in...

Standards in Public Office. (18 Oct 2006)

John Browne: For a change.

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (18 Oct 2006)

John Browne: Responsibility for the conservation of cetaceans rests with the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government and any decision on signing up to the Agreement on the Conservation of small cetaceans of the Baltic and North Seas rests with the Minister. Council Regulation (EC) No. 812/2004, lays down measures concerning incidental catches of cetaceans in fisheries. We are currently...

Departmental Investigations. (19 Oct 2006)

John Browne: The lost at sea scheme was introduced in June 2001, following consultation with the fishing industry representative organisations, to enable qualifying applicants under the scheme to receive replacement capacity in respect of fishing boats lost at sea between 1980 and the establishment of the Fishing Boat Register in 1990. The closing date for receipt of applications was 31 December 2001. In...

Departmental Investigations. (19 Oct 2006)

John Browne: There was no cover-up. Some 67 applications were received and six were successful. The Ombudsman wrote on behalf of a specific applicant and we in the Department have fully co-operated with the Ombudsman's request for information, files and documentation. I can assure Deputy Perry that the Ombudsman's investigation is not complete. Deputy Perry stated in his question that it was complete...

Departmental Investigations. (19 Oct 2006)

John Browne: The Ombudsman made a request on behalf of a specific applicant to the Department. We did not ask the Ombudsman to investigate it. When the Ombudsman, who is the most independent person in the country, is investigating a complaint, it would not be for me to carry out an internal investigation at the same time. What I am saying to Deputy Perry is that the Ombudsman's investigation is ongoing,...

Electricity Generation. (19 Oct 2006)

John Browne: It is unlikely.

Fisheries Protection. (19 Oct 2006)

John Browne: I received the report of the independent group to which the Deputy referred earlier this week and it is to be presented to Government for its consideration shortly. Until such time as the report is presented to Government, I am not in a position to comment on its recommendations or implementation. The question of publication of the report is a matter for the Government, the Minister, Deputy...

Fisheries Protection. (19 Oct 2006)

John Browne: The report will be eventually published. The report and the recommendations I put forward to Government in respect of the three wise men, as they are known, were accepted, set up and approved by Government. At that time I stated that this report would be presented to the Government following consideration by me, the Minister, Deputy Noel Dempsey and our Department. We expect to do that as...

Fisheries Protection. (19 Oct 2006)

John Browne: The Government is committed to accepting the scientific advice for 2007. As agreed by Members on all sides of the House, we set up the strategy group to examine the implications of that. We intend to accept the scientific advice for 2007. We have received the report from the three people involved. It will go to Government shortly and we will make decisions accordingly.

Fisheries Protection. (19 Oct 2006)

John Browne: The three wise men, as they are known, were asked to deal with the financial implications, and they have done that. Their recommendations or advice will go to Government and it will have to make a decision on any financial implications on foot of the report's recommendations.

Fisheries Protection. (19 Oct 2006)

John Browne: The Government and the House have agreed that we would get to the scientific figures by 2007. We only received the report this week. We will give it serious consideration, present it to the Government for its consideration and, depending on its consideration, we will have to act quickly. I outlined the deadline dates within which we have to work. As soon as the Government makes it...

Health Services. (19 Oct 2006)

John Browne: I thank both Deputy Mitchell and Deputy Rabbitte. I see that Deputy O'Connor is also present and has an interest in the issue. I apologise for the absence of the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney. In late 2005, the Health Service Executive, HSE, at the Minister's request, undertook a review of tertiary paediatric services. McKinsey and Company were engaged by the HSE and its...