Results 1,001-1,020 of 13,253 for speaker:Pat Gallagher

Fisheries Protection. (12 Oct 2005)

Pat Gallagher: I would have thought that Deputy Eamon Ryan, of all Members of the House, would understand clearly that the issue is not as simple as that, although that may be the perception. More people in this House, as well as people in the media, should take the time to understand all this.

Fisheries Protection. (12 Oct 2005)

Pat Gallagher: There is a need to establish the level of information required to manage the fishery on a single-stock basis. It is not a question of saying yes or no. It is not as simple as that.

Fisheries Protection. (12 Oct 2005)

Pat Gallagher: Of course it is not.

Fisheries Protection. (12 Oct 2005)

Pat Gallagher: This would be required on an individual river basis. Anyone who knows anything about fish stock management would realise that it is not as simple as the Deputy suggests. While many of the requirements have been or are being put in place, the level of information is not yet sufficient to permit the management of fishery on a single-stock basis. Those who served us well for a number of years on...

Fisheries Protection. (12 Oct 2005)

Pat Gallagher: ——that decreased last year to 139,000. The Deputy is not interested in those statistics but he knows this country has been built on the principle of partnership.

Fisheries Protection. (12 Oct 2005)

Pat Gallagher: There is a partnership arrangement within the national salmon commission whereby its members advise me. The Deputy forgets that it is not all about science. There are human and social factors involved also. If I went to Europe in December to fight on behalf of the Irish people on the basis of science alone, the Deputy and others would be the first to criticise me for not taking the human and...

Fisheries Protection. (12 Oct 2005)

Pat Gallagher: The Deputy chose to ignore the late run. He should go to Waterford and speak to its representatives where it was necessary to extend the season by one week because it had to be interrupted owing to the presence of the tall ships. The Deputy can talk to many others who are much more familiar with it.

Fisheries Protection. (12 Oct 2005)

Pat Gallagher: I recently presided over a meeting in this city at which we established the regional advisory council for the north and west coast waters. All the fishermen with an interest will have an input into the matter. While we are talking about other species, the matter must be considered from a number of perspectives.

Inland Fisheries. (12 Oct 2005)

Pat Gallagher: In December 2003, my predecessor appointed expert and specialist consultants to undertake a high-level review of the inland fisheries sector in Ireland. An independent steering group was also established to oversee the work of the consultants. The aim of the review is to deliver a root and branch examination of the State's role and objectives in the inland fisheries sector. The consultants...

Inland Fisheries. (12 Oct 2005)

Pat Gallagher: I have had the report for some months. I took the opportunity to discuss it in detail with the officials and with the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Noel Dempsey. I then circulated the report to other relevant Departments. I have arranged meetings, which have taken place, involving a number of Departments, including the Departments of Finance, the...

Inland Fisheries. (12 Oct 2005)

Pat Gallagher: The current consultation is not with the industry but with Departments, which does not cost anything. I should have pre-empted the question about the cost and I will advise the Deputy of the cost of the review. However, we recognise the importance of conducting a wide consultation process. The consultants organised a programme of face-to-face consultation meetings and interviews with all of...

Inland Fisheries. (12 Oct 2005)

Pat Gallagher: The consultants are Farrell Grant Sparks, as I am sure the Deputy is aware. The brief they were given was to carry out a root and branch examination of the central and regional boards, and the Government's involvement in the governance of the sector as well as the involvement of other State bodies, including the Marine Institute, BIM, ESB, Dúchas, as it then was, the EPA and Fáilte Ireland....

Inland Fisheries. (12 Oct 2005)

Pat Gallagher: I do not have the cost. However, I will make the information available to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Inland Fisheries. (12 Oct 2005)

Pat Gallagher: It was not done on behalf of the Government. As I recall they were asked to carry it out on behalf of the company. My Department had no involvement.

Fisheries Protection. (12 Oct 2005)

Pat Gallagher: While I am aware that the Joint Committee for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources submitted recommendations yesterday, 11 October 2005, regarding the future management of the wild salmon resource in Ireland, I have not had the opportunity to consider those fully in the intervening 24 hours nor have I had the opportunity to undertake any consultations on the committee's report since...

Fisheries Protection. (12 Oct 2005)

Pat Gallagher: Both my departmental officials and I will study this report. We will also be in correspondence with the EU on the subject of fisheries and the general environment. It is very difficult to explain this situation. Even Deputy Perry accepts there is no other commercial fishing of salmon in the north west. I am confident Deputy Perry is not trying to deceive the House but he knows well and I will...

Fisheries Protection. (12 Oct 2005)

Pat Gallagher: I am not averse to doing so. I want to do what is right for the country, for angling, for tourism and for the commercial sector. It is possible to have a balance between commercial fishing and angling and tourist fishing. However I am opposed to the transfer of a resource from one sector to another at the expense of the Irish taxpayer. I am still awaiting offers from those who have both...

Fisheries Protection. (12 Oct 2005)

Pat Gallagher: I am not averse to buy-out, if it is the right thing to do.

Fisheries Protection. (12 Oct 2005)

Pat Gallagher: I cannot think for the Deputy.

Fisheries Protection. (12 Oct 2005)

Pat Gallagher: I acknowledge the work of the sub-committee, three members of which are here in the Chamber and Deputy Durkan was a member at one stage. I have no hang-up about this matter. I am not in the luxurious position of being in Opposition; I must do what is right.