Results 9,141-9,160 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Hydraulic Fracturing (10 Feb 2015)

Joe McHugh: As has been outlined on a number of occasions, no decision will be made on any proposal for the use of hydraulic fracturing, as part of an unconventional gas exploration or extraction project, until there has been time to consider the outcome of a major research programme, directed at examining the potential environmental impacts of hydraulic fracturing, which was commissioned by the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Legislative Programme (10 Feb 2015)

Joe McHugh: As reported to the Deputy on the 20th January I have asked the Joint Oireachtas Committee to consider the Minerals Development Bill for pre-legislative scrutiny in advance of its submission to Government for approval to publish. I understand that the Committee expects to be in a position shortly to decide whether it can proceed with pre-legislative scrutiny in this case in the context of its...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Commercial Fishing Licences (10 Feb 2015)

Joe McHugh: Salmon stocks in Ireland are assessed on an individual river basis because each river contains a genetically unique stock. The annual assessment is carried out by the statutorily independent Standing Scientific Committee on Salmon and underpins management decisions for the coming season. This committee comprises scientists from IFI, Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), Loughs Agency, National Parks...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge (10 Feb 2015)

Joe McHugh: At the outset, I wish to inform the Deputy that my Department has the overarching responsibility for coordinating the implementation of the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030 in cooperation with a wide range of key stakeholders, including the Department of Education and Skills. In that context, my Department is in regular contact with these stakeholders with regard to...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Local Authority Funding (3 Feb 2015)

Joe McHugh: The Senator spoke about responsibility in his introductory remarks. Having a meeting as is happening-----

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Local Authority Funding (3 Feb 2015)

Joe McHugh: I was speaking to Deputy Tony McLoughlin downstairs-----

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Local Authority Funding (3 Feb 2015)

Joe McHugh: What I wish to convey to the Senator is that there are probably two routes to getting things done. One is to let things continue. As the Senator knows, there have been massive changes at local authority level. There are fewer staff, as he pointed out. They did not lose their jobs. Nobody in the public service lost their job. They would have taken one of the different packages offered. ...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Local Authority Funding (3 Feb 2015)

Joe McHugh: -----and look at ways of trying to move the matter forward in a constructive and positive way.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Local Authority Funding (3 Feb 2015)

Joe McHugh: Gabhaim mo bhuíochas leis an Seanadóir as ucht an cheist tábhachtach seo atá á fhreagairt agam ar son an Aire, an Teachta Ó Ceallaigh. As the Senator is aware, local authorities have three main sources of funding, namely, grants from central government, commercial rates and other locally raised charges. In recognition of the fact that certain local authorities...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: State Properties (3 Feb 2015)

Joe McHugh: I understand from Údarás na Gaeltachta that the organisation owns one site of approximately 2.9 acres in An Clochán, Co. Kerry which was purchased in May 1981. The purchase price was £8,200 (approximately €10,412). Údarás has confirmed that there have not been any maintenance costs with regard to the site.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Cultural Policy (3 Feb 2015)

Joe McHugh: The development of a visitor centre at Teach an Phiarsaigh is being progressed by a steering group comprising a number of key stakeholders, including Údarás na Gaeltachta, Galway County Council, the Office of Public Works, Fáilte Ireland and my own Department. While the working title for the project to date has been Cultúrlann Chonamara at Teach an Phiarsaigh,an official...

Other Questions: Aquaculture Development (29 Jan 2015)

Joe McHugh: We must always be vigilant. Any opportunity for my officials and those of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Coveney, to collaborate on an interdepartmental level is welcome. The experience in Canada and Scotland in respect of closed containment systems indicates that major upfront capital investment is required. This approach is at the development stage....

Other Questions: Aquaculture Development (29 Jan 2015)

Joe McHugh: I thank the Deputy for tabling this question. Policy on the development of the aquaculture sector is a matter for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The consistent position of Ministers and Ministers of State in my Department and Inland Fisheries Ireland, IFI, the State agency with responsibility for the inland fisheries resource, has been to support aquaculture...

Other Questions: Gas Exploration Licences (29 Jan 2015)

Joe McHugh: I thank the Deputy for the question. To assist Government bodies in making informed decisions about future licensing and management of any proposal for the use of hydraulic fracturing as part of an unconventional gas exploration or extraction project, comprehensive knowledge of the potential impacts of this process on the environment and human health is required. On behalf of the Department...

Other Questions: Gas Exploration Licences (29 Jan 2015)

Joe McHugh: I agree with the Deputy's sentiments and am at one with him on his concern, having met with a number of groups, including during the summer with Senator Pádraig Mac Lochlainn and Senator Michael Comiskey. I note that Deputy Michael Colreavy has a very strong interest in the area also. There are concerns. In fact, more than 1,000 submissions came from the community during the...

Other Questions: Gas Exploration Licences (29 Jan 2015)

Joe McHugh: I will relay the Deputy's concerns. We will look at a mechanism to disseminate that information. On Deputy Wallace's concerns on health, I note that there is a licensing round in the Atlantic margins currently. If one looks at the acreage available to Ireland in that context, Ireland is the fourth largest country in Europe in geographical terms. There is a momentum offshore and within the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Aquaculture Development (29 Jan 2015)

Joe McHugh: Policy on the development of aquaculture is a matter for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The consistent position of Ministers and Ministers of State in my Department and Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), the State Agency with responsibility for the inland fisheries resource, has been to support aquaculture development which is environmentally sustainable and which meets...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Exploration Licences Data (29 Jan 2015)

Joe McHugh: I propose to take Questions Nos. 180 and 185 together. A table outlines the exploration licences issued by my Department over the past five years. Details of all authorisations granted by my Department are published on my Department's website on a quarterly basis and can also be found in the six monthly reports to the Oireachtas, which I am obliged to lay before the Houses under the Minerals...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Natural Gas Grid (29 Jan 2015)

Joe McHugh: Completion of the Corrib gas field development works, by the developer, is the principal factor that will determine the date for first gas. Construction and testing of the infrastructure will be completed shortly, with first gas anticipated in mid 2015.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Exploration Licences (27 Jan 2015)

Joe McHugh: The tables below includes details of all petroleum exploration authorisations awarded in respect of areas of the Irish offshore during the period 2012 to 2014. No petroleum exploration authorisation was awarded in respect of any onshore area in those years. EXPLORATION LICENCES Licence Number Location Participants *operator Commencement Date Expirations Date Frontier Exploration Licence...