Results 141-160 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Seanad: Broadcasting (Funding) Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (13 Nov 2003)

Dermot Ahern: Once again, the amendment follows an undertaking I gave on Committee Stage and is in keeping with the spirit of the amendment tabled by Senators Quinn and Henry. This section and the amendments relate to the review of the operational effectiveness and impact of the scheme by the BCI every three years or at such other times as I may request and a report to me thereon. The amendment provides...

Seanad: Broadcasting (Funding) Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (13 Nov 2003)

Dermot Ahern: This issue is similar to that included in the text I provided. Amendment agreed to. Amendment No. 6 not moved.

Seanad: Broadcasting (Funding) Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (13 Nov 2003)

Dermot Ahern: I thank the Acting Chairman and the Seanad officials for helping this Bill to be passed by the House in an expeditious manner. I thank Senators for their comments and their understanding that time is of the essence. This Bill needs to be passed by both Houses by the end of the year because the fund has been in place since 1 January last. Can I respond to Senator Henry's comments about lying...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (3 Feb 2004)

Dermot Ahern: I rely upon the advice of the National Salmon Commission and the regional fisheries boards managers in determining the terms of the wild salmon and sea-trout tagging scheme which, inter alia, sets out district quotas for the commercial catch. The chairman advises me that the commission has not yet completed its review of the scheme's operation in 2003 nor finalised its recommendations,...

Written Answers — Statutory Instruments: Statutory Instruments (3 Feb 2004)

Dermot Ahern: My Department is reviewing its statutory instruments for compliance with the requirements of Bunreacht na hÉireann in light of the recent High Court judgment concerning the Immigration Act 1999.

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (3 Feb 2004)

Dermot Ahern: The An Post ESOP, which was signed in 2000, provided for the transfer of up to 14.9% of the company to employees on a phased basis in return for specified costs savings and profits. Of the transfer, 5% was for transformation and 9.9% was a profit share. The purpose of the ESOP was to facilitate the transformation of An Post into a viable and profitable postal operator in order to successfully...

Written Answers — EU Presidency: EU Presidency (3 Feb 2004)

Dermot Ahern: I am responsible for a wide range of EU Presidency business across the sectoral policy areas of telecommunications, energy, broadcasting, fisheries, maritime transport and maritime safety. I also hold commensurate chairing responsibilities for the agriculture and fisheries, transport, energy and telecommunications and education, youth and culture council formations. I am working to deliver on...

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (3 Feb 2004)

Dermot Ahern: Greencastle Harbour is owned by Donegal County Council and responsibility for its repair and maintenance rests with the local authority in the first instance. In 2003, my Department provided funding of €149,431.23 towards the completion of the project to design stage. The next step is to carry out a cost-benefit analysis and it is hoped to have this undertaken in the current year subject to...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (3 Feb 2004)

Dermot Ahern: The An Post ESOP, which was signed in 2000, provided for the transfer of up to 14.9% of the company to employees on a phased basis in return for specified costs savings and profits. Of the transfer, 5% was for transformation and 9.9% was a profit share. The purpose of the ESOP was to facilitate the transformation of An Post into a viable and profitable postal operator in order to successfully...

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (3 Feb 2004)

Dermot Ahern: I wish to advise the Deputy that the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Fahey, visited Chile in 2001 in his official capacity as Minister with responsibility for marine and natural resources to gain a deeper understanding of the Chilean salmon industry, in particular, those factors which have enabled very significant growth in their industry in...

Written Answers — Prospecting Licences: Prospecting Licences (3 Feb 2004)

Dermot Ahern: The question of funding for site investigations to assess mineral deposits was dealt with in the reply to Question No. 116, delivered last Thursday, 29 January. The land in question is not owned by the Department. Officials of the Department met representatives of the local community on 29 January. The community's concerns will be fully considered insofar as they relate to development of...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (3 Feb 2004)

Dermot Ahern: ESB telecommunications is currently undertaking a trial of powerline carrier technology in Tuam, County Galway. Powerline carrier technology harnesses existing ESB infrastructure to provide broadband Internet access. A home can receive high-speed Internet connections by simply plugging a computer into an electricity outlet. Broadband powerline carrier systems have the potential to provide an...

Written Answers — Departmental Offices: Departmental Offices (3 Feb 2004)

Dermot Ahern: An independent catering company is contracted to provide the food served in the canteens in my Department. The Department's partnership canteen committee, which represents staff, monitors the service provided including the price, range and quality of the food. So called "fast food" is not available in the canteens. It is the collective aim of senior management and staff in the Department to...

Written Answers — Departmental Travel: Departmental Travel (3 Feb 2004)

Dermot Ahern: The information requested is not available as separate figures are not accessible in respect of expenses for car mileage and expenses for rail and bus transport. The total paid out by the Department in 2003 in respect of non-recoverable travel expenses within Ireland was €916,143.

Leaders' Questions. (10 Feb 2004)

Dermot Ahern: Deputy Allen is a lawyer now.

Written Answers — Port Development: Port Development (10 Feb 2004)

Dermot Ahern: Certain matters relating to the application by the Dublin Port Company for authorisation under the Foreshore Acts for the proposed reclamation of an area of foreshore in Dublin Bay are being pursued with the port company. These include matters concerning the environmental impact statement submitted with the application and queries relating to the title to the foreshore in question. Decisions...

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (10 Feb 2004)

Dermot Ahern: Buncrana harbour is owned by Donegal County Council and responsibility for its repair and maintenance rests with the local authority in the first instance. In November 2003 the county council submitted a proposal to my Department for funding to dredge Buncrana harbour at an estimated cost of €200,000. The question of providing funding for this project in the 2004 to 2006 period will depend...

Written Answers — Mayo Landslide: Mayo Landslide (10 Feb 2004)

Dermot Ahern: I am not in a position to respond to the Deputy's question as the report referred to in his question has not been made available to me.

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (10 Feb 2004)

Dermot Ahern: The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, is a matter in the first instance for the private companies operating in a fully liberalised market regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. The Government recognises the importance of a balanced regional roll-out of broadband and, in this regard, is taking a series of initiatives to support and...

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (10 Feb 2004)

Dermot Ahern: The five fishery harbour centres at Howth, Dunmore East, Castletownbere, Rossaveel and Killybegs are owned by my Department and are directly managed by the Department under the Fishery Harbour Centres Acts 1968 to 1998. These arrangements are subject to ongoing review in the context of further streamlining of the executive functions of the Department. The position of Dingle Harbour will be...