Results 1,161-1,180 of 13,253 for speaker:Pat Gallagher

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (16 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: The Deputy's question refers to the Supreme Court judgments in the cases of Vincent Browne of 16 July 2003 and Tom Kennedy of 31 May 2005. The provisions of section 14 and section 15 of the Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Bill 2005, the Second Stage of which is scheduled to be discussed in this House tomorrow, are designed to address the outcome of both cases with regard to fishery...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (16 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: I assume the Deputy is referring to the judgment of the European Court of Justice, dated 18 November 2004 under Article 226 of the European treaty, which related to a number of cases of Irish fish quotas being exceeded in 1995 and 1996. In the light of this judgment, the European Commission asked Ireland to indicate by 22 January 2005 details of the measures that had been taken or would be...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (16 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: I propose to take Questions Nos. 126 and 156 together. The Government has consistently ruled out buy out as an effective means of achieving the restoration of salmon stocks and has instead, since 2002, promoted the application of quotas on commercial fishing and bag limits on angling to achieve catch reductions as the best instrument available to achieve this objective. Moreover, no...

Written Answers — Marine Safety: Marine Safety (16 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: I propose to take Questions Nos. 127 and 147 together. The Department's specific role in the incident involving a group of people found stranded on an island off the coast of Skerries, County Dublin, was twofold. The first priority was to ensure that rescue services answered the emergency call and brought the persons safely to shore. This operation was carried out successfully and,...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (16 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: The State is responsible for enforcement of the Common Fisheries Policy which requires that the appropriate resources are in place to monitor and control fishing activity and that the necessary legal tools are available to provide for the prosecution of those who are found fishing illegally. The EU Commission monitors compliance by member states with their responsibilities under the CFP. In...

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (16 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: The Second Stage consideration of the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Bill was postponed to allow time to consider issues raised at a meeting of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources on 12 October, particularly to seek further advice from the Attorney General on the committee's proposals for the introduction of administrative sanctions to...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (16 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: The recently published report by the Joint Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources regarding the future management of the wild salmon resource in Ireland has illuminated the various and wide ranging issues surrounding the management of this important natural resource. When addressing the public hearings held by the joint committee in connection with the preparation of its...

Written Answers — Fishing Vessel Licences: Fishing Vessel Licences (16 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: The purpose of the Sea Fisheries (Tuna and Certain Other Species) Fishing Regulations 2005 is to implement EU Regulation 1329/98 which bans the fishing for albacore tuna by means of drift net. The S.I. allows for the fishing of this stock by other legal means. In Ireland, this fishery is pursued by means of pair trawling and long lining. Ireland can authorise up to 50 boats to fish for...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (16 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: I refer the Deputy to my previous reply on this matter to Question No. 176 on 12 October 2005. While I am aware of the argument that the effect of drift netting on salmon stocks is a reason for the decline in tourism angling in Ireland, I am not, however, aware of any study having been carried out that supports this particular premise. For this reason, the Department has recently taken up...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (16 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: I propose to take Questions Nos. 173 and 177 together. The cost of providing the monitoring, inspection and enforcement of Ireland's sea fisheries management system is borne by both the Department of Defence and by the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. The Department of Defence makes budgetary provision for the Naval Service and for the Air Corps, who in turn monitor...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (16 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: The National Salmon Commission is a statutory body established to assist and advise me, as Minister with responsibility for the marine, in regard to the conservation, management, protection and development of the wild salmon and sea trout resource in Ireland. The salmon commission includes representatives of the commercial salmon fishing sector, the angling sector and other relevant...

Written Answers — Ferry Operations: Ferry Operations (16 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: At present, EU Commission initiatives in the area of seafarer employment and working conditions are being progressed by the directorate general for energy and transport, which reports to Mr. Jacques Barrat, Vice-President of the European Commission and Commissioner for Transport. In 1998, the Commission had put forward proposals for a directive on the manning of regular passenger and ferry...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (16 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: As I indicated in my reply to Question No. 98 of 20 October 2005, catch data provided to the Department by the Southern Regional Fisheries Board on behalf of the fishermen concerned were forwarded to South Tipperary County Council. I understand that the county council has no proposals to reconsider the location of the outfall diffusers. In view of the local authority's position on the matter,...

Written Answers — Port Development: Port Development (16 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: It would not be appropriate for me to interfere in the day-to-day operations of a commercial State body such as Dublin Port Company in the manner suggested. In January 2005, I launched the Government's ports policy statement which aims to better equip the port sector and its stakeholders to meet national and regional capacity and service needs. One of the key challenges that lies ahead is the...

Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Bill 2005: Second Stage. (17 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." The primary purpose of this Bill is to modernise the legislative framework for sea-fisheries. The principal Act currently in place was adopted in the mid 20th century and was subject to a number of amendments. It was designed for a sea fishing industry which primarily involved short trips by small Irish boats. The sea fishing industry has...

Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Bill 2005: Second Stage. (17 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: We will have to remove the gun from him as well.

Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Bill 2005: Second Stage. (17 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: I want to make it abundantly clear to the House that it will be removed and that an amendment will be introduced on Committee Stage to remove the gun and the reference here.

Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Bill 2005: Second Stage. (17 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: Section 28 updates and consolidates penalty provisions, dating from 1978, and updated subsequently on an ad hoc basis, for a variety of sea fisheries offences according to the following principles. The EU Common Fisheries Policy requires a deterrent and dissuasive system of penalties, applicable to any offenders against Irish law. A person who fishes illegally should not benefit from that...

Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Bill 2005: Second Stage. (17 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: It is true generally.

Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Bill 2005: Second Stage. (17 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: It is true generally. Notwithstanding the matter of administrative penalties, the Bill reflects the considered view of the Government that it is critically important to have in place fines and forfeitures that are genuinely dissuasive. Section 28 sets maximum fines that may be applied for any particular offence and must take account of the scale of the offence and whether or not it is a...