Results 12,041-12,060 of 13,270 for speaker:Pat Gallagher

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (29 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: New fishing effort limitations for, inter alia, crab, edible crab and spider crab, were established under EU Regulation No. 1415/2004 of 19 July 2004. Separate limits, expressed in kilowatt days, were established for Ireland for International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, ICES, areas V and VI, which includes the waters off the north-west coast of Ireland, and for ICES area VII,...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (29 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: The overall management of the national fish counter programme has, to date, been primarily the responsibility of the Marine Institute which has operated directly or by sub-contracting where necessary in order to maintain the objectives of the programme. I am advised that the Marine Institute in conjunction with the regional fisheries boards, fishery owners, engineers from this Department and...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (29 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: On 6 October 2005 the European Commission published its proposal for a Council regulation establishing measures for the recovery of the stock of European eel to previous levels. I am advised that this proposed regulation has been drawn up following the work of a technical advisory group of experts, which included appropriate Irish representation. The principal element of the proposed...

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (29 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: Louth County Council owns Port Oriel harbour at Clogherhead and is responsible for the development of the harbour. The original proposal for the development of Port Oriel was based on a €6.5 million total cost project. This was subsequently increased to €8.55 million, of which the Department is providing 75% grant aid towards the total cost. I recently visited the site at Clogherhead and...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (29 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: In June 1998, the Council of Fisheries Ministers took a decision to ban drift netting for tuna with effect from 1 January 2002, a decision which was provided for in EU law by Council Regulation 1239/1998. In this regulation, the introduction of the ban on drift netting for albacore tuna was postponed until 2002. As part of the transition process to new methods of fishing this valuable...

Written Answers — Harbour Authorities: Harbour Authorities (29 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: The harbour master for Bantry Bay was appointed by the Bantry Bay Harbour Commissioners in 2001. A management team is in place consisting of a deputy harbour master and an assistant harbour master. Both the harbour master and the deputy harbour master are seconded from the port of Cork. The assistant harbour master is on full-time duty at the harbour.

Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 31: Irish Ferries Dispute. (29 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: While I am here to answer questions, I condemn in the strongest possible fashion the activities of Irish Ferries on Thursday evening last. I had responsibility for and agreed to the flagging out of the MV Normandy. I did not take that decision lightly. I had meetings at that time——

Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 31: Irish Ferries Dispute. (29 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: Let us establish the facts. I did not take that decision lightly. I met the union representatives and representatives from Irish Ferries. Given the vulnerability of the situation between Ireland and mainland Europe at that time, I took the view that it was necessary to take the decision. However, I was given a very strong assurance by the company that this would not in any way, then or in the...

Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 31: Irish Ferries Dispute. (29 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: That was the situation which was made clear to me at the time. If I did this——

Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 31: Irish Ferries Dispute. (29 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: Yes, it was a number of months ago. I first heard of the decision to offer an attractive redundancy package some ten minutes before it was announced in the media, and I heard it third or fourth hand. While I did not have to be told, as the line Minister I could have been advised in advance and could possibly have entered into negotiations or discussions at that time. On 12 October I met David...

Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 31: Irish Ferries Dispute. (29 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: The Deputy knows the history of the EU manning directive. As a result of my meeting with David Begg, SIPTU and the Seamen's Union of Ireland I asked the European Commission about its intentions regarding the possible reintroduction of that directive. It may take some time but the clock must start ticking. The Commission indicated it had no plans to introduce a similar directive. I will attend...

Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 31: Irish Ferries Dispute. (29 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: It is much easier to be an historian than a forecaster and there are some good historians around. This was done in good faith and the unions were fully aware of this. I respect the unions because this was a difficult issue for them at the time, led by Paul Smith of SIPTU. I admired the unions for their practical and pragmatic approach. There was no question of any signed deal in this issue....

Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 31: Irish Ferries Dispute. (29 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: Last week. It goes back to 1 January 2004. All companies will benefit from that approval. This is a difficult business within Europe. If there was no flagging out to the Bahamas and elsewhere the companies might not be on the same footing. I seek a level playing pitch. I am anxious to put this in place and the Commission approved the employers of seafarers PRSI refund scheme. I indicated it...

Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 31: Irish Ferries Dispute. (29 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: I did not.

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (24 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: Howth Yacht Club has expressed an interest in acquiring additional berthing space within Howth fishery harbour centre. The matter is under consideration by the Department. A decision will be made when all aspects of the proposal have been examined in detail.

Written Answers — Fishing Vessel Licences: Fishing Vessel Licences (24 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: I am currently examining proposals that have been submitted to me by the fishing industry concerning the mackerel fishery by polyvalent vessels. This examination is not confined to polyvalent vessels under 65 feet and will include vessels both above and below this size threshold. The overriding objective of the examination is to ensure a rational and orderly exploitation of the available...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (23 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: I am examining proposals that have been submitted to me by the fishing industry. I hope to complete this examination within the next few weeks with a view to the introduction of appropriate management measures from the beginning of next year.

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (22 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: No limit has been set on the number of coffee trading licences at Howth fishery harbour centre. Following a public tender process in conformity with public procurement guidelines a licence for coffee trading was awarded to the most economically advantageous tender received.

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (22 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: The Department has not set any criteria for traders seeking to obtain a stall in the new market in farmers and fisherman's market at Howth fishery harbour centre. This is solely a matter for the operator of the market who has been licensed to provide such a service. The determination of what stalls should constitute the market is solely a matter for that operator. No application seeking to...

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (22 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: Parkmore Pier, Kinvara is owned by Galway County Council and responsibility for its maintenance and development is a matter for the owner in the first instance. The county council forwarded proposals in December 2001 and again in 2003 to the Department for Exchequer funding under the national fishery harbour development programme for improvement works to the pier, estimated to cost €88,300....