Results 901-920 of 2,304 for speaker:John Browne
- Postal Services: Motion (5 Dec 2006)
John Browne: As well as its nationwide reach, the strengths of the post office include a recognised and one of the most trusted brand names in the country, a high customer footfall and a strong relationship between postmasters and their customers. However, the network is facing a number of challenges which will intensify in coming years. First, the bulk of business undertaken by the network is high...
- Postal Services: Motion (5 Dec 2006)
John Browne: In this context, An Post needs to implement an IT platform to comply with this and other requirements. While the Government will support the network in any way it can and the Minister has made it clear to the board and management of An Post that he will be supportive of them in their efforts to ensure the post office network continues to develop and thrive, the development and continued...
- Postal Services: Motion (5 Dec 2006)
John Browne: Some 95% of all post office business is conducted through its automated offices. The company has recently conducted a pilot project to computerise ten small post offices. The automation pilot project has recently been completed and the results of this trial are being assessed with a view to informing future decisions on network automation. I understand the Minister will be informed of the...
- Postal Services: Motion (5 Dec 2006)
John Browne: The challenge for the company is to develop a strategy that satisfies the needs of existing customers, while attracting new customers into the post office in order to maintain as large a network as is viable. Despite what has been said on the far side of the House, the Minister requested the company to develop a strategy for the long-term development of the post office network. In response...
- Postal Services: Motion (5 Dec 2006)
John Browne: This is despite the fact that central to the Government approving An Post to proceed with the joint venture was that it represented a real opportunity for the company and postmasters alike to diversify and increase their income in the coming years. I, therefore, urge postmasters to reconsider their present stance, in which I am sure the Deputy will support me.
- Postal Services: Motion (5 Dec 2006)
John Browne: While the Government believes this financial services strategy is an important element in any plans to secure the long-term viability of the network, it is also keenly aware of the human and social dimension to the post office. It is also clear that other aspects of the relationship between postmasters and An Post need to be addressed. It is for this reason that the Minister decided to...
- Postal Services: Motion (5 Dec 2006)
John Browne: Furthermore, they provide for the phased liberalisation of the postal market and propose that the postal sector be fully liberalised across the European Union on 1 January 2009 subject to political agreement.
- Postal Services: Motion (5 Dec 2006)
John Browne: The current regulatory framework grants An Post a legal monopoly in the provision of certain mail services in order to help it meet the costs of meeting its universal service obligation. Liberalisation of the mail market in Ireland has already commenced. Since the transposition of the two postal directives, the area of the market reserved exclusively for An Post has been reduced to 50 gm...
- Postal Services: Motion (5 Dec 2006)
John Browne: If full liberalisation is achieved, the letter post sector will be fully open to competition. The outbound international mail sector was fully liberalised on 1 January 2004. This partial opening of the market has resulted in 29 firms operating in Ireland with a postal service authorisation from ComReg.
- Postal Services: Motion (5 Dec 2006)
John Browne: The current postal directive will expire on 31 December 2008 and it is expected any new postal directive will be adopted by 2007. As provided for in the current postal directive, a study was recently undertaken by the European Commission of the impact on the universal service of the full accomplishment of a liberalised postal market. Based on the outcome of this study, the Commission has...
- Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (5 Dec 2006)
John Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 338, 339 and 342 together. Council Regulation (EC) No. 850/98 lays down technical conservation measures for the protection of juvenile marine organisms. However, Article 43 of this Regulation provides for a derogation from these measures (mesh size and other technical stipulations) for the purpose of scientific research. The cases referred to by the Deputy...
- Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (5 Dec 2006)
John Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 340 and 341 together. Council Regulation (EC) No. 850 of 1998 as amended lays down technical conservation measures for the protection of juvenile organisms. This Regulation stipulates the minimum mesh size for gillnets in various fisheries and offences for breaches of this Regulation are set down in Irish law by means of Statutory Instrument No. 171 of 2006....
- Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (5 Dec 2006)
John Browne: In the course of a routine inspection by Sea Fishery Officers of the fishing vessel at Killybegs on the 18th of November a number of apparent infringements of the fisheries regulations were detected. An individual was identified by the inspecting officers as acting as the Master of the fishing vessel, having just taken over this duty to relieve another individual. The person identified as...
- Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (5 Dec 2006)
John Browne: The following is a list of vessels that were inspected in Killybegs between 18th and 23rd of November 2006. Date Vessel Nationality 8/11/2006 Capall Ãir Irish 18/11/2006 Norte UK 19/11/2006 Ayr Dawn UK 19/11/2006 Agorreta French 19/11/2006 Jeseus De Belen Spanish 21/11/2006 Mark Amay Irish 22/11/2006 Vigilant Irish 23/11/2006 Eilean Cróine Irish 23/11/2006 Western...
- Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (5 Dec 2006)
John Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 358 and 359 together. The Government's primary motivation is the conservation of the wild salmon species, which has long been regarded as one of Ireland's most prized fish. It is vital to afford every protection to the remaining salmon stocks and to clearly prioritise conservation over catch. The current imperative must be to maintain stocks above conservation...
- Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (5 Dec 2006)
John Browne: I understand that the Independent Group based their recommendations in relation to the hardship fund on verifiable catch date and calculations of net income for salmon, both averaged over five years from 2001 to 2005 and with the addition of six times the current licence fee for the type of licence. I also understand that they were assisted in these calculations by experts from BIM. The new...
- Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (5 Dec 2006)
John Browne: The Central Fisheries Board publication "Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Statistics 2005" contains the latest available information. According to this report the North Western Regional Fisheries Board sold 7,967 rod licences in 2005. The corresponding figure for 2006 is not yet available.
- Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (5 Dec 2006)
John Browne: The North Western Regional Fisheries Board is responsible for management of the state owned Moy Fishery which includes draft netting rights on the tidal waters of the River Moy as well as the rod fishery at Ballina. The Board has advised me that in accordance with the Moy Development Plan, 1992, draft netting on the River Moy ceased with effect from 1994. Since then, the rod fishery has...
- Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (5 Dec 2006)
John Browne: Doonbeg Pier is owned by Clare County Council and responsibility for its repair and maintenance rests with the local authority in the first instance. Grant aid of â¬22,500 has been provided to Clare County Council in 2006 towards the cost of site investigations and design of the proposed pier extension and dredging at Doonbeg Pier at a total cost of â¬30,000. Last year the Department, on...
- Postal Services: Motion (Resumed) (6 Dec 2006)
John Browne: The Minister did not put me in any firing line. As Deputy Kehoe is aware, I make my own decisions.