Results 12,081-12,100 of 13,214 for speaker:Pat Gallagher

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (15 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: The practice whereby fishing gear is discarded and left on the seabed and which can thus lead to the occurrence of so-called "ghost-fishing" is in my view a completely unacceptable practice and is a cause for serious concern. This issue is of an international nature and requires an international response in the context of the Common Fisheries Policy. Following the receipt of the Deepnet...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (15 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: The Commission introduced a proposal on management measures for the sustainable exploitation of fishery resources in the Mediterranean Sea in October 2003. However, despite intensive negotiations, most recently at Agriculture and Fisheries Council in September 2005, a regulation has not yet been agreed. The Common Fisheries Policy is in fact much less developed in the Mediterranean than in...

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (15 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: As I previously advised the House, new EU control requirements on pelagic fisheries introduced in 2004 and which continued for 2005 created onerous obligations for member states to ensure that all landings of pelagic fish over 10 tonnes were weighed in the ports in the presence of controllers. During extensive discussions with the industry on the implementation of the new EU procedures, the...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (15 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: The Department has responsibility for marine emergency preparedness and response, maritime safety and ship and port security. A high level of co-operation already exists between EU member states in these areas. In addition, in recognition of the desire of member states and the Commission to strengthen links and create synergies between enforcement authorities, such as national coastguard...

Written Answers — Water Pollution: Water Pollution (15 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: Primary responsibility for water quality rests with my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The processes that are in place and the introduction of new measures to stop water pollution in Irish rivers and lakes are matters for the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, and the relevant local authorities which come under its aegis,...

Written Answers — Heritage Projects: Heritage Projects (15 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: While I have powers under section 46 of the Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Casualties) Act 2000 to make funding available for the purposes of marine or natural resource based tourism or heritage projects, I have no specific proposals at present for the provision of such funding. Primary responsibility for nature conservation and heritage matters rests with my colleague, the...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (10 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: I propose to take Question Nos. 129, 130 and 133 together. Under the Fisheries Acts, the central and regional fisheries boards are primarily responsible for the management and protection of fisheries, including measures relating to enforcement. The wild salmon and sea trout tagging scheme, first introduced by the Department through the fisheries boards in 2001, is intended to inter alia...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (10 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: I have not received any reports regarding the poor quality of flesh of the 2005 coddling catch. Following inquiries, I have been advised that fish processors and fish buyers in a number of locations around the coast have not reported any quality problems with this fishery. I understand that the Deputy's question is related specifically to filleting problems and in that regard I am informed...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (10 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: I have no plans at present to introduce a buy-out of commercial salmon fishing licences but I am continuing to review the matter. In this regard, I would be open to any relevant proposals presented to me whereby stakeholders benefiting from any reduction in commercial catch would engage in the first instance with licence holders and indicate a willingness to address any compensation issues...

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (9 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: The harbour at Kilteery is owned by Limerick County Council and responsibility for its maintenance and development is a matter for the local authority in the first instance. A proposal has been received from Limerick County Council seeking funding for the installation of bollards at Kilteery Pier for safety reasons, costing approximately €26,000. This proposal is under consideration at...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (9 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has primary responsibility for the implementation in Ireland of Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and wild flora and fauna. As the complaint concerns drift net fishing in Irish waters, the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources is continuing to work very closely with the Department...

Seanad: Broadcasting Legislation. (9 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: On behalf of the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Noel Dempsey, I thank Senator Mooney for raising this important issue, the provision of Irish television services to the Irish community in Britain. RTE's mandate to provide radio and television services is defined in section 28(1) of the Broadcasting Act 2001. This Act states that the national television and...

Written Answers — Ferry Services: Ferry Services (8 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: The number of vessels licensed to carry passengers to the Great Blasket Island from Dingle and from Dún Chaoin is as shown in the following table. There are a total of 25 vessels, both passenger ships and passenger boats. My Department has no involvement with the arrangements and schedules that exist for ferrying passengers to and from the island, nor does it have details of the actual...

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (8 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: I assume the Deputy is referring to the Council of Agriculture and Fisheries Ministers which will take place in December and decide on the total allowable catches, TACs, and quotas and associated conditions for fish stocks for 2006. The priority for Ireland at this Council will be to achieve a balanced outcome that will provide for a sustainable future for the Irish fishing industry. The need...

Written Answers — Port Development: Port Development (8 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: In January 2005, I launched the Government's ports policy statement. The policy statement aims to better equip the port sector and its stakeholders to meet national and regional capacity and service needs. One of the key challenges that lies ahead is the provision of adequate in-time port capacity, particularly for unitised trade. The policy statement sets out a framework to ensure that...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (8 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: While an abundance of salmon continues to return to Irish rivers, the Government has accepted the scientific advice that reductions in the overall fishing effort are required to sustain and rebuild salmon stocks nationwide. Therefore, the Government's policy has been designed to bring spawning escapement up to the scientifically advised conservation limits as soon as possible. In keeping with...

Written Answers — Irish Ferries: Irish Ferries (8 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: The Department has received applications from Irish Ferries Limited and Irish Continental Line Limited to be allowed to remove three ships from the Irish Ship Register for the purpose of putting them on the Cypriot Ship Register. The applications have not been acceded to on the grounds that the companies have not provided information that would allow their applications to be granted. It is...

Written Answers — Fishing Fleet Protection: Fishing Fleet Protection (8 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: Bord Iascaigh Mhara, the implementing authority for the fishing vessel decommissioning scheme, has advised me that 64 applications were received before the scheme's closing date of 5 p.m. on Tuesday, 1 November 2005. The total amount of grant aid applied for in this tranche is approximately €30 million, which is less than the €45 million the Government has committed for the scheme. BIM...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (8 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: I have previously advised the House that the works carried out on the weir at Lacken Bridge on the River Nore in Kilkenny city were undertaken on behalf of, and are therefore the responsibility of, the Office of Public Works. Earlier this year, I became aware of difficulties arising from the works when I was advised by Deputy McGuinness, who recently gave me some DVD footage, and the Southern...

Written Answers — Tourism Promotion: Tourism Promotion (8 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: As part of its research, development and co-ordination brief, the Marine Institute has supported a range of activities in the marine and water-based tourism sector. It has also participated in a EU INTERREG funded project, Marine Ecotourism for the Atlantic area. I have been advised that the project resulted in the establishment of a cluster group of marine ecotourism providers, the...