Results 8,861-8,880 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

Seanad: Petroleum (Exploration and Extraction) Safety Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (1 Jul 2015)

Joe McHugh: I will address both points. While the subject we are discussing is broad and complex in its scope, I want to reiterate that the Bill is a narrow piece of legislation. Many proposals were implemented through legislation in 2010. On gas flaring, for the purpose of clarity and context, I would like to establish that the transposition of the offshore safety directive, which is the purpose of...

Seanad: Petroleum (Exploration and Extraction) Safety Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (1 Jul 2015)

Joe McHugh: Section 7 of the Bill imposes a range of obligations regarding petroleum undertakings on operators and owners. These obligations include an obligation on an operator or owner to take suitable measures, including suspending an activity where the activity poses an immediate danger to human health or significantly increases the risk of a major accident. Section 15(2) of the Bill already...

Seanad: Petroleum (Exploration and Extraction) Safety Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (1 Jul 2015)

Joe McHugh: The focus of this Bill is safety and the prevention of major accidents related to oil and gas exploration and production activities. I accept the Senator's point regarding current momentum in the context of the current round of the Atlantic margin ending in mid-September next. However, I must again reiterate that the focus of this Bill is specifically safety and regulation of oil and gas...

Seanad: Petroleum (Exploration and Extraction) Safety Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (1 Jul 2015)

Joe McHugh: I agree on the need to learn from past mistakes. No greater mistake was made than that in respect of the construction industry. The old adage that those who fail to plan plan to fail comes to mind. I agree with the overall principle of the Senator's argument. It is important, however, to point out that in the history of this State only four fines have been issued in respect of commercial...

Seanad: Petroleum (Exploration and Extraction) Safety Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (1 Jul 2015)

Joe McHugh: There are a lot of broader issues being discussed here. As I stated at the outset, it is a complex issue. There is no harm in raising the issues and, at a different stage, having these debates. There is a safety regime that has been agreed to, with a system of fines for companies that are not following the proper implementation of that safety regime. The issue of environmental damage is...

Seanad: Petroleum (Exploration and Extraction) Safety Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (1 Jul 2015)

Joe McHugh: The purpose of these technical amendments is to correct typographical errors with regard to the cross-referencing of sections within the Bill. I commend them to the House.

Seanad: Petroleum (Exploration and Extraction) Safety Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (1 Jul 2015)

Joe McHugh: I will try to be as co-operative as possible. Every company has bought into a safety regime, and companies will have their triggering and alert systems. That is done straight away, but this provision is about providing a report. It is not a one-line or two-line message stating that an incident has happened at such-and-such a place. It refers to a full and extensive report. The purpose of...

Seanad: Petroleum (Exploration and Extraction) Safety Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (1 Jul 2015)

Joe McHugh: I will address the point, which may put the Leas-Chathaoirleach at ease also. If an incident occurs it is a case of instant notification. That is the prescription for a potential incident but, obviously, the focus is on preventing it from happening. Within that 24-hour period, a full written report of what happened has to be provided. I assure the Senator that if an incident occurs off...

Seanad: Petroleum (Exploration and Extraction) Safety Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (1 Jul 2015)

Joe McHugh: I do not propose to accept the amendment, but if the Senator wants me to read my reply into the record for clarification purposes, I will do that.

Seanad: Petroleum (Exploration and Extraction) Safety Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (1 Jul 2015)

Joe McHugh: I propose to discuss amendments Nos. 10 and 11 together. Article 26 of the directive relates to an investigation following a major accident. It provides that member states shall initiate thorough investigations of major accidents occurring in their jurisdictions. A summary of the findings pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be made available to the European Commission either at the conclusion...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Natural Gas Grid (30 Jun 2015)

Joe McHugh: I thank the Senator raising the matter, which I will address on behalf of the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Alex White. I will certainly convey the Senator's concern today. I will cover in my remarks how Ireland's natural gas network infrastructure is assessed, planned, rolled out and funded under our own and EU-compliant gas regulatory framework. The...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Natural Gas Grid (30 Jun 2015)

Joe McHugh: I will convey the Senator's message to the Minister. However, I must reiterate the importance of strategic decision-making. Athenry, Craughwell, Headford and Tuam in County Galway and Ballina, Ballyhaunis, Castlebar, Claremorris, Crossmolina, Knock and Westport in County Mayo were included in phase 1. Construction on this €40 million project has been completed and the towns of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Inland Fisheries (30 Jun 2015)

Joe McHugh: While I have met with a number of delegations representing eel fishermen in recent months, my office has no record of a meeting involving the person referred to in the Question or a request for such a meeting. A full 30 day public consultation process on Ireland's eel Management Plan, under EU Regulation 1100/2007, closed on 17 June. Under this process all stakeholders could avail of the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Inland Fisheries Regulation (30 Jun 2015)

Joe McHugh: Angling clubs are independent organisations. The process and cost as regards issuing day permits to visiting anglers, in relation to waters on which the fishing rights are under the control of an individual club, is a matter for the club itself.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Irish Language (30 Jun 2015)

Joe McHugh: The Irish language was given full official and working language status in the EU from 1 January 2007 under Regulation 920/2005. The Regulation included a partial derogation to be reviewed every five years, with the first period lasting until 31 December 2011. Following a review, the partial derogation was extended for a second period until 31 December 2016 under Regulation 1257/2010. Under...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Scéimeanna Teanga (30 Jun 2015)

Joe McHugh: Eisíodh litir chuig an Choimisiún um Chaighdeáin in Oifigí Poiblí ar an 22 Meitheamh 2015 inar iarradh ar an chomhlacht poiblí sin dréachtscéim teanga a ullmhú faoi alt 11 d’Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla. I gcomhréir leis an reachtaíocht, tá tréimhse sé mhí tugtha don chomhlacht poiblí chun an...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Irish Language (30 Jun 2015)

Joe McHugh: The 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030is the cornerstone of the Government’s policy with regard to the language and the implementation of the Strategy is a key priority for my Department. My Department is responsible for coordinating the implementation of the Strategy in conjunction with a wide range of key stakeholders. The Deputy may be interested in the latest...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Inland Fisheries Stocks (25 Jun 2015)

Joe McHugh: Ireland's Eel Management Plan (EMP) was accepted by the EU in 2009 under the EU Eel regulation 1100/2007. The plan outlined the following main management actions aimed at reducing eel mortality and increasing silver eel escapement to the sea:a cessation of the commercial eel fishery and closure of the market; -mitigation of the impact of hydropower installations; - ensure upstream migration...

Seanad: Petroleum (Exploration and Extraction) Safety Bill 2015: Second Stage (24 Jun 2015)

Joe McHugh: Molaim an Bille seo don Teach. Before I introduce this new Bill to the House, I would like to convey my apologies to Senators for the short notice in bringing this Bill before them today. I know this was the subject of debate last week and I hope Senators got an opportunity to brief themselves on the information at their disposal since then. As a former Senator myself, I am aware of the...

Seanad: Petroleum (Exploration and Extraction) Safety Bill 2015: Second Stage (24 Jun 2015)

Joe McHugh: I thank Senators for their contributions. I agree it would be good to have a broad debate where people offer a critique. While this legislation is very specific, it provides an opportunity to discuss a number of items. Senator Daly made a wider argument around the transposition of EU directives. I share his frustration. I refer to the 1992 habitats directive and the tensions which have...