Results 8,561-8,580 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Flood Prevention Measures (13 Jan 2016)

Joe McHugh: I propose to take Questions Nos. 887 and 889 together. There is no prohibition, within the Fisheries Acts, on landowners taking material, including gravel, from rivers. However there are conditions attached to such activity and penalties for their contravention which are set out respectively in sections sections 131 and 173 of the Fisheries Act of 1959. I am advised that, on request...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Inland Fisheries (13 Jan 2016)

Joe McHugh: I am advised by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) that a funding allocation was made, under the Salmon Conservation Fund, towards a project addressing engineering issues relating to a counter for the River Glyde. An engineered bypass channel on the White River at Connor’s Mill has been identified as the preferred option at that location, and a similar funding allocation was also made in...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Údarás na Gaeltachta (13 Jan 2016)

Joe McHugh: I am advised that employment figures in Údarás na Gaeltachta client companies at the end of 2014 by county were as set out in the following table. County Year end 31/12/2014 Donegal 1,942 Mayo 685 Galway 2,835 Meath 186 Kerry 671 Cork 586 Waterford 148 Total 7,053 Údarás na Gaeltachta has informed me that the comparable figures for the year to end-2015 are...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Údarás na Gaeltachta Funding (13 Jan 2016)

Joe McHugh: I understand from Údarás na Gaeltachta that Cló Ceardlann na gCnoc has been a client company since 1998. I have been informed that Cló Ceardlann na gCnoc has received funding of €461,489 under the Visual Arts Infrastructure Programme towards costs associated with the planning and development of a visual arts workshop on the Gaoth Dobhair Business Park and the...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Irish Language (17 Dec 2015)

Joe McHugh: In 2013 a grant of €1.747m was provided under the Gaeltacht Support Schemes of my Department towards this development at Baile an Fheirtéaraigh. A total of €1.697m of this allocation has been paid out by my Department to date. As the Deputy is aware, the centre was developed by the local community through Comharchumann Chorca Dhuibhne in cooperation with my Department and...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Air Services Provision (17 Dec 2015)

Joe McHugh: In relation to the Aran Islands air service, my Department currently has two contracts in place. The first of these contracts is for the provision of the air service itself and is to run from 1 October 2015 to 30 September 2016 at a cost of €1,620,120. The second contract is for management of aerodromes, which primarily relates to the aerodromes on the Aran Islands that are the points...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Clár Forbartha Tuaithe (16 Dec 2015)

Joe McHugh: Is féidir liom a chur in iúl don Teachta go raibh plé iomlán agus fiúntach agam le grúpaí éagsúla ar Inis Oírr nuair a thug mé cuairt ar an oileán sin ar 10 Nollaig. I measc na nithe a pléadh, bhí forbairt an ché ar an oileán, an tseirbhís aeir, cúrsaí iascaireachta agus saincheisteanna eile a...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Clár Forbartha Tuaithe (16 Dec 2015)

Joe McHugh: Mar is eol don Teachta, is cúram do Chomhairle Contae na Gaillimhe Cé an Chalaidh Mhóir ar Inis Meáin. É sin ráite, tá mé sásta, ar ndóigh, bualadh le toscaireacht ón oileán maidir leis an gcé ach dáta do chruinniú dá leithéid a aontú leo. Tá sé sin curtha in iúl agam d'ionadaithe Inis...

Other Questions: Hydraulic Fracturing Policy (15 Dec 2015)

Joe McHugh: As the Deputy may be aware, the EPA has commissioned a research programme into the potential impacts of unconventional gas exploration and extraction on the environment and human health. This all-island programme of research, which is being administered by the EPA, comprises five interlinked projects and involves field studies as well as an extensive desk-based literature review of...

Other Questions: Hydraulic Fracturing Policy (15 Dec 2015)

Joe McHugh: No applications have been submitted and even if they were, they would not be accepted because it is clear fracking is not allowed. I want to give the steering committee time and space to consider the possibility of producing an interim report. The committee has produced a significant body of work and the research has been conducted on a joint basis. I have long been an advocate of...

Other Questions: Hydraulic Fracturing Policy (15 Dec 2015)

Joe McHugh: The company was selected independently and the EPA dealt with that at the joint committee meeting.

Other Questions: Hydraulic Fracturing Policy (15 Dec 2015)

Joe McHugh: It is important to emphasise that the EPA is independent of the Government. Instead of reading out the formal response I will take up the point made by Deputy Clare Daly. A decision was taken in 2011 to inform ourselves as policy agents and as legislators on the best thing to do on foot of the research and based on the best evidence available. I have taken a decision to approach the...

Other Questions: Hydraulic Fracturing Policy (15 Dec 2015)

Joe McHugh: Queen's University is still involved in a reviewing capacity but it was not able to commit to the original proposition for funding reasons. It is important to point out that the information is garnered on a cross-Border basis. Some of those involved include the British Geological Survey, universities in Northern Ireland, UCD and the EPA. We have a collection of expertise and they form the...

Other Questions: Hydraulic Fracturing Policy (15 Dec 2015)

Joe McHugh: Let us be clear, this is a significant piece of work that will be completed by the end of January. It will cover areas such as those mentioned by Deputy Clare Daly, namely, ground water, surface water, associated ecosystem, seismicity, air quality, impacts and mitigation measures for project operations and a regulatory framework for environmental protection. Significant work is being done...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Alternative Energy Projects (15 Dec 2015)

Joe McHugh: TTIP will involve the European Union and the United States, so that is a wider question. Sticking to this question and this issue, making that presentation to the Joint Committee on Transport and Communications will be considered. It is also important to point out that representatives of the EPA have appeared before the committee and made a very worthwhile presentation. The steering...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Alternative Energy Projects (15 Dec 2015)

Joe McHugh: All I am saying is that we are asking the steering committee to produce the findings of its significant work. Nothing will happen until that is achieved.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Alternative Energy Projects (15 Dec 2015)

Joe McHugh: I acknowledge the Deputy's consistent approach to this matter which he is keeping live. I also acknowledge the work done by him and his constituency colleagues, Deputy Tony McLoughlin and Senator Michael Comiskey, who have had regular meetings with me to discuss this important matter. No doubt we will get into the Deputy's last question in a supplementary reply, but, first, I wish to...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Alternative Energy Projects (15 Dec 2015)

Joe McHugh: Ireland is a small country.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Alternative Energy Projects (15 Dec 2015)

Joe McHugh: This is a small island and I am on the record as having expressed my own reservations about this industry. It is also important to point out that this work was initiated in 2011 by the previous Minister, Deputy Pat Rabbitte, who wanted to find out what was best practice. There was consultation and the Deputy knows the history. Timeframes were set. I want to highlight a couple of important...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Alternative Energy Projects (15 Dec 2015)

Joe McHugh: No; this is important, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle. It is important to point out that that is not going to happen within the timeframe set. As the tendering process for the second phase of the research programme has not commenced, there cannot be a final report by 2018. I will ask the steering committee to publish an interim report on the significant findings made at the end of January.