Results 12,101-12,120 of 13,270 for speaker:Pat Gallagher

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (16 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: The Deputy's question refers to the Supreme Court judgments in the cases of Vincent Browne of 16 July 2003 and Tom Kennedy of 31 May 2005. The provisions of section 14 and section 15 of the Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Bill 2005, the Second Stage of which is scheduled to be discussed in this House tomorrow, are designed to address the outcome of both cases with regard to fishery...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (16 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: I assume the Deputy is referring to the judgment of the European Court of Justice, dated 18 November 2004 under Article 226 of the European treaty, which related to a number of cases of Irish fish quotas being exceeded in 1995 and 1996. In the light of this judgment, the European Commission asked Ireland to indicate by 22 January 2005 details of the measures that had been taken or would be...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (16 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: I propose to take Questions Nos. 126 and 156 together. The Government has consistently ruled out buy out as an effective means of achieving the restoration of salmon stocks and has instead, since 2002, promoted the application of quotas on commercial fishing and bag limits on angling to achieve catch reductions as the best instrument available to achieve this objective. Moreover, no...

Written Answers — Marine Safety: Marine Safety (16 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: I propose to take Questions Nos. 127 and 147 together. The Department's specific role in the incident involving a group of people found stranded on an island off the coast of Skerries, County Dublin, was twofold. The first priority was to ensure that rescue services answered the emergency call and brought the persons safely to shore. This operation was carried out successfully and,...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (16 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: The State is responsible for enforcement of the Common Fisheries Policy which requires that the appropriate resources are in place to monitor and control fishing activity and that the necessary legal tools are available to provide for the prosecution of those who are found fishing illegally. The EU Commission monitors compliance by member states with their responsibilities under the CFP. In...

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (16 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: The Second Stage consideration of the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Bill was postponed to allow time to consider issues raised at a meeting of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources on 12 October, particularly to seek further advice from the Attorney General on the committee's proposals for the introduction of administrative sanctions to...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (16 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: The recently published report by the Joint Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources regarding the future management of the wild salmon resource in Ireland has illuminated the various and wide ranging issues surrounding the management of this important natural resource. When addressing the public hearings held by the joint committee in connection with the preparation of its...

Written Answers — Fishing Vessel Licences: Fishing Vessel Licences (16 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: The purpose of the Sea Fisheries (Tuna and Certain Other Species) Fishing Regulations 2005 is to implement EU Regulation 1329/98 which bans the fishing for albacore tuna by means of drift net. The S.I. allows for the fishing of this stock by other legal means. In Ireland, this fishery is pursued by means of pair trawling and long lining. Ireland can authorise up to 50 boats to fish for...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (16 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: I refer the Deputy to my previous reply on this matter to Question No. 176 on 12 October 2005. While I am aware of the argument that the effect of drift netting on salmon stocks is a reason for the decline in tourism angling in Ireland, I am not, however, aware of any study having been carried out that supports this particular premise. For this reason, the Department has recently taken up...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (16 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: I propose to take Questions Nos. 173 and 177 together. The cost of providing the monitoring, inspection and enforcement of Ireland's sea fisheries management system is borne by both the Department of Defence and by the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. The Department of Defence makes budgetary provision for the Naval Service and for the Air Corps, who in turn monitor...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (16 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: The National Salmon Commission is a statutory body established to assist and advise me, as Minister with responsibility for the marine, in regard to the conservation, management, protection and development of the wild salmon and sea trout resource in Ireland. The salmon commission includes representatives of the commercial salmon fishing sector, the angling sector and other relevant...

Written Answers — Ferry Operations: Ferry Operations (16 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: At present, EU Commission initiatives in the area of seafarer employment and working conditions are being progressed by the directorate general for energy and transport, which reports to Mr. Jacques Barrat, Vice-President of the European Commission and Commissioner for Transport. In 1998, the Commission had put forward proposals for a directive on the manning of regular passenger and ferry...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (16 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: As I indicated in my reply to Question No. 98 of 20 October 2005, catch data provided to the Department by the Southern Regional Fisheries Board on behalf of the fishermen concerned were forwarded to South Tipperary County Council. I understand that the county council has no proposals to reconsider the location of the outfall diffusers. In view of the local authority's position on the matter,...

Written Answers — Port Development: Port Development (16 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: It would not be appropriate for me to interfere in the day-to-day operations of a commercial State body such as Dublin Port Company in the manner suggested. In January 2005, I launched the Government's ports policy statement which 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...

Fishing Industry Development. (16 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: Mussel seed is a naturally occurring resource that requires a management and development strategy to maximise the potential return and ensure sustainability of the stock. Access arrangements to Irish and Northern Irish waters are governed by the Voisinage Agreement, a neighbourhood agreement formally recognised under the London Fisheries Convention and adopted as far back as March 1964 by 13...

Fishing Industry Development. (16 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: If we are to make progress on this issue, the most positive step that could be taken depends on the industry, which I have invited to nominate representatives to the management committee. They would have an input into SMAC, which advises and makes recommendations to DARD in Northern Ireland and the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. It has an input into the management...

Fishing Industry Development. (16 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: There was an exchange of correspondence between the Department and several stakeholders, both individually and collectively, and the view they take is that it is not a legal entity. The advice that I have received is that it is legal and that we are bound by the March 1964 Voisinage Agreement. I do not know what the best decisive action on my part might be. However, I would have the support...

Fishing Industry Development. (16 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: I will supply it to the Deputy.

Marine Rescue Service. (16 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: I am conscious of the need for a new station house for the coastal unit at Doolin, County Clare and want to see it provided as quickly as possible. The Irish Coast Guard and the Office of Public Works have been doing everything they can to acquire a suitable site in the area, but despite intensive local discussions and negotiations it has not been possible to reach agreement for a site to...

Marine Rescue Service. (16 Nov 2005)

Pat Gallagher: I appreciate the difficult circumstances in which the team in Doolin is working. There are 45 coastal units around the State. The Department has a programme in place to provide new stations or extensions and refurbishments to existing ones. In the past 12 months I have had the pleasure of opening many of them. It is not that Doolin is not high on the priority list. The Deputy is correct as...