Results 581-600 of 1,981 for speaker:Conor Lenihan

Written Answers — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (7 Jul 2009)

Conor Lenihan: I refer the Deputy to my reply to his Question No. 433 of Tuesday, 23rd June 2009.

Written Answers — Fishing Licences: Fishing Licences (7 Jul 2009)

Conor Lenihan: Conservation of Eel Fishing Bye-law No CS303 2009, which prohibits fishing for eel and Conservation of Eel Fishing (Prohibition on Issue of Licences) Bye-law No 858, 2009, which prohibits the issue of eel fishing licenses in any fishery district, were recently introduced in an effort to protect our dwindling eel stocks. For this reason it is not possible for the regional fisheries board to...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (7 Jul 2009)

Conor Lenihan: I am advised by the South Western Regional Fisheries Board (SWRFB) that the installation of the fish counter referred to by the Deputy is not yet complete but will be operating effectively to capture the main run of salmon this season. The total cost of the counter has not yet matured but I understand the projected cost is expected to be close to €100,000. The location was selected on the...

Written Answers — Fishing Licences: Fishing Licences (7 Jul 2009)

Conor Lenihan: Under the Fisheries Acts 1959 to 2001, the Regional Fisheries Boards are empowered to apply a permit charge for angling on fisheries under their control. The application of such a permit charge is a day-to-day operational matter for the relevant Board, in this instance the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board (ShRFB). Within the region, the ShRFB controls 27 fisheries including the River Suck....

Higher Education Grants. (2 Jul 2009)

Conor Lenihan: The passage of the Student Support Bill will facilitate progress on the two significant pillars of an overall programme of legislative and administrative reform of student grants, the development of a single unified grants scheme and the consolidation of the administration of student grants within the VEC sector. Amendments to the Student Support Bill are at the final stages of preparation...

Higher Education Grants. (2 Jul 2009)

Conor Lenihan: The hope is we will have it ready for the autumn and be ready to present it then.

Higher Education Grants. (2 Jul 2009)

Conor Lenihan: One of the legal considerations for the Attorney General concerns the introduction of grant support for part-time courses. The economic circumstances are not exactly benign for the prospects of funding short-time or part-time courses but it is hoped that an enabling amendment will be added to the Bill to facilitate that in the future when resources become available.

Higher Education Grants. (2 Jul 2009)

Conor Lenihan: We may have to go back to Cabinet on these matters.

Higher Education Grants. (2 Jul 2009)

Conor Lenihan: It is a great source of disappointment to me that people are still waiting for their payments from a public service organisation. If the Deputy has details about the circumstances we would be delighted to see them so that we can determine why a blockage has occurred. The purpose of this Bill is to transfer these matters to the VEC sector.

Higher Education Grants. (2 Jul 2009)

Conor Lenihan: It will involve streamlining and produce greater efficiency in the scheme. We also hope we will be able to electronically transfer some of the funds.

Higher Education Grants. (2 Jul 2009)

Conor Lenihan: If we are introducing the Bill in the autumn we would hope to have it in place in the years ahead. Again, it will be subject to the resources available to the Department.

Higher Education Grants. (2 Jul 2009)

Conor Lenihan: We are facing into a difficult period of Exchequer retrenchment so I will not commit to any particular timeframe.

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (2 Jul 2009)

Conor Lenihan: As the Deputy is aware, I stated in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 266 of 16 June 2009 that it is my intention to bring forward legislative proposals on geothermal energy at the earliest opportunity. I further stated in my reply, complex legal issues arise in relation to geothermal energy and that my officials are actively engaging with the Office of the Attorney General in this...

Seanad: Job Losses (2 Jul 2009)

Conor Lenihan: I thank Senator Kieran Phelan for raising this matter on the Adjournment. He is a good Senator who is very focused on his constituency and I have a certain sympathy for him in this case. I am aware of the situation in Meadow Meats, a client of Enterprise Ireland. I understand jobs are being transferred to Grannagh, County Waterford, as part of the company's rationalisation strategy to...

Seanad: Job Losses (2 Jul 2009)

Conor Lenihan: I assure the Senator we will do everything we can and I will speak directly to the Tánaiste about this matter in the morning.

Seanad: Northern Ireland Issues (2 Jul 2009)

Conor Lenihan: As the Senator will be aware, the Ryan report dealt with the dreadful abuse which took place in residential institutions, so its direct relevance to the case referred to by the Senator is not immediately apparent. In any event, the persons referred to by the Senator have, over a number of years, made a series of wide-ranging allegations against the courts, State agencies and professional and...

Seanad: Garda Vetting Procedures (2 Jul 2009)

Conor Lenihan: On behalf of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, I thank Senator Regan for raising this matter. I assure the Senator that the provisions of section 258 of the Children Act 2001 are taken fully into account by the Garda authorities in the vetting process as a matter of routine. Section 258 of the Children Act 2001 provides for the non-disclosure of certain findings of guilt in...

Seanad: Garda Vetting Procedures (2 Jul 2009)

Conor Lenihan: I thank the Senator for that. It is important he makes that specific point directly to the Minister. I will convey directly to the Minister that some reference be included on the form to acknowledge that. I appreciate the point the Senator is making in that regard.

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (1 Jul 2009)

Conor Lenihan: The harvest of wild salmon by commercial and recreational means is only permitted in those rivers that are meeting their conservation limits and which have an identified surplus. Based on scientific advice, the Conservation of Salmon and Sea Trout Bye-law No. CS 301, 2008, provides that the River Maigue is closed for salmon fishing as it is not meeting its conservation limit. The decline in...

Written Answers — Salmon Fishing Licences: Salmon Fishing Licences (30 Jun 2009)

Conor Lenihan: The number of commercial salmon fishing licences available for issue is governed by the Control of Fishing for Salmon Order, 2009 (S.I. No. 142, 2009). Licences are issued by the Regional Fisheries Boards. I have been informed by the Boards that a total of 149 commercial salmon licences have been issued in 2009 to date. A further 28 licences have been issued by the Loughs Agency in respect...