Results 12,361-12,380 of 13,270 for speaker:Pat Gallagher

Seanad: Maritime Safety Bill 2004 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages. (28 Jun 2005)

Pat Gallagher: These amendments update for deterrent purposes in line with the rest of the Bill the penalties and other provisions of the 1947, 1979, 1992 and 2000 Merchant Shipping Acts and repeal additional enactments listed in the Schedule which are superseded by the Bill's provisions or are spent.

Seanad: Maritime Safety Bill 2004 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages. (28 Jun 2005)

Pat Gallagher: I do not foresee any financial implications as a result of these provisions. Had I not introduced this group of amendments in regard to vessels below 24m, the financial implications for the owners of such vessels are too horrific to contemplate. In such circumstances, not one of those vessels would be able to go to sea after next Friday. We are all aware how long it takes to secure a...

Seanad: Maritime Safety Bill 2004 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages. (28 Jun 2005)

Pat Gallagher: The third group consists of amendments Nos. 29, 31 to 36, inclusive, 43, 45, 54, 57, 65 and 71 to 73, inclusive, which relate to boats that are less than 15m. in length. These are the boats in respect of which a licence offer was made after 1 May 2004. These amendments fill major gaps in the law or strengthen existing provisions in the Bill as passed by Seanad Éireann or other Acts. They...

Seanad: Maritime Safety Bill 2004 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages. (28 Jun 2005)

Pat Gallagher: The intention is that this will cover boats in general. I have already referred to the pressure under which the marine survey office and all the surveyors operate. Although jet skis are not yet registered, I propose to introduce a small vessels register, SVR, for this purpose as soon as possible. This can be done under existing legislation.

Seanad: Maritime Safety Bill 2004 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages. (28 Jun 2005)

Pat Gallagher: I will first address the issue of weighing. A load on, load off container must be transported on a truck. Its weight may be calculated by means of simple mathematics. The truck, which is weighed on the way in and out, has a tare weight normally displayed on the fuel tank. From experience, we determined that the weight limit for every container should be 42 tonnes, which reduced the overall...

Seanad: Maritime Safety Bill 2004 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages. (28 Jun 2005)

Pat Gallagher: The fourth group of amendments consists of amendments Nos. 6, 8 to 11, inclusive, 14 to 28, inclusive, 30, 37 to 42, inclusive, 44, 46 to 53, inclusive, 58 to 64, inclusive, 66 to 70, inclusive, and 74 to 77, inclusive. These are drafting amendments needed to clarify or correct the text for the internal consistency of the Bill and for consistency with other Acts which are to be cited when the...

Written Answers — Water Quality: Water Quality (23 Jun 2005)

Pat Gallagher: Primary responsibility for protecting water quality rests with the relevant local authorities and proposals to deal with environmental threats in this area is a matter for these bodies to decide, in consultation with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. I am aware, through the Western Regional Fisheries Board, of the concerns held by local stakeholders about the...

Written Answers — Water Pollution: Water Pollution (23 Jun 2005)

Pat Gallagher: Under the Fisheries Acts, primary responsibility for the protection and conservation of inland fisheries is a matter for the regional fisheries boards, in this case, the Western Regional Fisheries Board. I am aware, through that board, that an aggressive alien plant species known as Lagarosiphon major or curly water weed has been identified in Lough Corrib. This weed, originally from Africa,...

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (23 Jun 2005)

Pat Gallagher: On 15 June last, I was pleased to launch, on behalf of the Royal Irish Academy and the Irish Char Conservation Group, their publication entitled "Threatened Irish Freshwater Fishes". This publication makes a very valuable contribution to our knowledge of some of Ireland's rarer native species, which are an important and unique aspect of our natural heritage. The publication brings together...

Written Answers — Industrial Relations: Industrial Relations (23 Jun 2005)

Pat Gallagher: The Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources does not have a role in industrial relations matters. I have no statutory function in relation to seafarers' wages. An agreed joint statement was issued from Irish Ferries and SIPTU on 16 June 2005, stating that the parties have agreed to appoint assessors to conduct a comprehensive review of operations encompassing the Irish Sea...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (21 Jun 2005)

Pat Gallagher: I propose to take Questions Nos. 342 and 343 together. In April 2004, the European Commission convened a meeting with Ireland and the United Kingdom to examine the management of the wild Atlantic salmon in Community waters and, in particular, to look at the situation with regard to their interceptory fisheries of mixed stocks of salmon inside the 12-mile limits. The Department prepared a...

Written Answers — Inland Fisheries: Inland Fisheries (21 Jun 2005)

Pat Gallagher: Under the Fisheries Acts, primary responsibility for the protection and conservation of inland fisheries is a matter for the regional fisheries boards, in this case, the Western Regional Fisheries Board. I am aware through that board that an aggressive alien plant species known as lagarosiphon major or curly water weed has been identified in Lough Corrib. I understand, that this weed,...

Written Answers — Marine Safety: Marine Safety (21 Jun 2005)

Pat Gallagher: In accordance with the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949, every vessel which carries radio-transmitting equipment must obtain a ship station radio licence from the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. One of the requirements of the licence is that the radio operator on board the vessel must have an appropriate radio operator's certificate of competency. ComReg also issues radio...

Written Answers — Inland Fisheries: Inland Fisheries (21 Jun 2005)

Pat Gallagher: The Marine Institute is investigating a potential case of bonamia ostrea in a wild oyster bed in Lough Foyle. The Marine Institute carried out tests for bonamia in Lough Foyle as part of its routine monitoring programme. Having identified a suspect positive result, the institute then sent further samples to the Community reference laboratory, CRL, in France for confirmatory testing, as...

Written Answers — Marine Safety: Marine Safety (21 Jun 2005)

Pat Gallagher: In accordance with the Fishing Vessel (Basic Safety Training) Regulations, SI 587 of 2001, all crew members of fishing vessels must undertake basic safety training consisting of personal survival techniques, elementary first aid and fire prevention, health and safety training. However, the dates for the completion of a basic safety training course depend on whether the person is a new entrant...

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (21 Jun 2005)

Pat Gallagher: I propose to take Questions Nos. 349 and 359 together. The pier in question is not in public ownership, and therefore Kerry County Council is not responsible for carrying out repairs to the pier. Responsibility for the repair and maintenance of the pier is a matter for the owner. There is no Exchequer funding available for the repair and maintenance of privately owned piers.

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (21 Jun 2005)

Pat Gallagher: Funding of €2 million is available for the programme for funding of small harbours within the overall 2005 fishery harbours development programme. This programme is under consideration at present. The Department receives proposals from local authorities on an ongoing basis. It is difficult to provide a breakdown of the number of applications received in the Department as this changes from...

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (21 Jun 2005)

Pat Gallagher: The harbour at Ballycotton is owned by Cork County Council and responsibility for its maintenance and development is a matter for the local authority in the first instance. In 2001 the council submitted a report prepared by consulting engineers on the estimated cost of the Ballycotton harbour development plan. The proposed development was estimated to cost a total of €6 million. Cork County...

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (21 Jun 2005)

Pat Gallagher: Following consideration of the matters that were raised during my meeting with the Youghal delegation, the complex legal issues arising have been referred to the Department's legal advisers for advice. When that advice has been received and considered by the Department I will communicate further with the parties involved.

Maritime Safety Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages. (21 Jun 2005)

Pat Gallagher: Yes. I fully appreciate the points made by Deputies Broughan and Perry. I will make only three quick points, and it is important that I do so. In this Bill, we set out to deal with certain high-powered watercraft. I was extremely anxious, and with the co-operation of the Opposition I had hoped to have this enacted by the summer to allow local authorities to proceed with the various...