Results 12,781-12,800 of 13,214 for speaker:Pat Gallagher

Written Answers — Inland Fisheries: Inland Fisheries (8 Feb 2005)

Pat Gallagher: Under the Fisheries Acts, primary responsibility for the conservation and management of salmon stocks rests with the relevant regional fisheries board, which in this case is the Eastern Regional Fisheries Board. I am advised by the board that data on the total run of salmon into the rivers Liffey and Boyne are provided by counters managed by the board and the Marine Institute. Information...

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

Pat Gallagher: The market development division of Bord Iascaigh Mhara, BIM, is responsible for the market development of the Irish seafood sector. To this end it monitors the species and market sectors into which Irish seafood is sold. It compiles statistics on the market and in particular comprehensive data are available on the Irish market, which is considered the most important market for Irish seafood....

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

Pat Gallagher: Under the current management system for our quotas, officials from this Department meet industry representatives at the start of the year, and on a monthly basis thereafter, to discuss how best to manage the quotas available to us. On the basis of these discussions, management regimes are agreed and implemented for the individual stocks. The guiding principles of this process have been to...

Written Answers — Marine Safety: Marine Safety (8 Feb 2005)

Pat Gallagher: The prosecution of hoax calls received by the Irish Coastguard is a matter for the Commissioners for Communications Regulation, ComReg, and the Garda Síochána. The Coastguard co-operates closely with Eircom emergency services, ComReg and the Garda Síochána in efforts to identify hoax callers and prosecute where possible. The Coastguard is aware of two cases where callers were identified...

Written Answers — Inland Fisheries: Inland Fisheries (8 Feb 2005)

Pat Gallagher: I propose to take Questions Nos. 144, 157 and 267 together. I am fully aware of the widespread concerns being expressed, not just by anglers, about the viability of salmon fishing in Ireland. While I have not yet had the opportunity to meet with anglers' representatives on the specific issue of drift net fishing, I am fully aware of their view that this method of fishing is having a damaging...

Written Answers — Coastal Protection: Coastal Protection (8 Feb 2005)

Pat Gallagher: Responsibility for coast protection rests with the property owner whether it be a local authority or a private individual. In July 2002, the Department requested all coastal local authorities to submit proposals, in order of priority, for consideration in the context of the 2003-2006 national coast protection programmes. Donegal County Council submitted a proposal relating to Maghery Beach...

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

Pat Gallagher: For many years, County Donegal, and in particular the Killybegs area, has been to the forefront of the Irish fishing industry, which has been a vital source of permanent and seasonal employment opportunities in coastal communities, as well as boosting the local economy through ancillary industries. Notwithstanding recent difficulties, I believe it will maintain this pre-eminent position in...

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

Pat Gallagher: The outcome of the EU Fisheries Council in December was generally satisfactory from an Irish viewpoint. My overall focus in these negotiations was to secure a deal that gave Irish fishermen the best possible range of fishing opportunities for 2005, taking account of the socio-economic needs of the industry and the necessity to maintain a sustainable approach. Close liaison was maintained with...

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (8 Feb 2005)

Pat Gallagher: The Castletownbere harbour development project involves the provision of an extension to the existing wharf at Dinish Island and the construction of a new auction hall on this extension. The scope of the project has changed due to the need to deal with disposal of dredge spoil and the need to increase dredging levels at the existing Dinish wharf to take account of changes in vessels using the...

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

Pat Gallagher: The Government's ports policy statement was launched on 6 January 2005. It is available to view on the Department's website. The policy aims to better equip the port sector and its stakeholders to meet national and regional capacity and service needs through: better transport policy co-ordination; clearer and more focused commercial mandates for the ports and their boards; reform of the...

Written Answers — Marine Safety: Marine Safety (8 Feb 2005)

Pat Gallagher: Since the establishment of the maritime safety directorate in 2002, a number of important initiatives have been taken or are being taken to strengthen the maritime safety regime, particularly in relation to leisure craft. A Maritime Safety Bill to provide the necessary powers to assist local authorities in adopting regulations against the improper use of certain fast powered craft such as jet...

Written Answers — Marine Safety: Marine Safety (8 Feb 2005)

Pat Gallagher: Safety standards for seagoing passenger and cargo vessels are developed and adopted at international level, principally from the Safety Conventions of the International Maritime Organisation and from initiatives at European level. Under Irish and international law all cargo vessels trading into and out of Irish ports are required to carry the appropriate certification to demonstrate...

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (8 Feb 2005)

Pat Gallagher: The pier in question is owned by Donegal County Council and its repair and maintenance is the responsibility of the local authority in the first instance. Funding of €624,057 was provided to Donegal County Council by the Department in 2000 to 2003 for pier improvement works at Portmore Pier, Malin Head. The county council has submitted an application for further funding for pier improvement...

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (8 Feb 2005)

Pat Gallagher: During 2001 and 2002 the Department, with the assistance of consultants, developed proposals for a deepwater quay and ferry terminal at Rossaveal Fishery Harbour Centre. The project was brought to planning stage at that time but was shelved due to budgetary constraints. In 2004, the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and this Department agreed to co-fund the ferry terminal...

Fisheries Protection. (8 Feb 2005)

Pat Gallagher: The Deputy will recall that a few years ago the National Salmon Commission was established to advise the Minister. The commission includes representatives of all the stakeholders, including those involved in angling tourism, drift net, draft net or snap fishing. As far as salmon fishing is concerned, we have a duty to conserve, protect and exploit this fishery in a sustainable manner. This is...

Fisheries Protection. (8 Feb 2005)

Pat Gallagher: In regard to Deputy Perry's question, I met representatives of all the regional boards shortly after my appointment and I met the chief executive and the manager of the Central Fisheries Board on a number of occasions. I am anxious to assist them because I am cognisant that small investments could be beneficial in areas where there is no alternative source of employment. In regard to the...

Fisheries Protection. (8 Feb 2005)

Pat Gallagher: For many years, County Donegal, in particular the Killybegs area, has been to the forefront of the Irish fishing industry, and has been a vital source of permanent and seasonal employment opportunities in coastal communities as well as boosting the local economy through ancillary industries. The pelagic processing industry is going through a period of change arising from various factors which...

Fisheries Protection. (8 Feb 2005)

Pat Gallagher: I presume Peterhead is investing to accommodate Irish boats because the fish, unfortunately, are close to there at this time. The Deputy will know from his contacts in Killybegs that during the early part of the year record prices are available in that area. I accept we have a responsibility to work with the producers and processors to develop the industry. This means not only providing jobs...

Fisheries Protection. (8 Feb 2005)

Pat Gallagher: I recognise the problem. My officials and I spent seven hours working with the industry to try to overcome it. I assured the industry I would raise the matter when I went to Europe. I did so, and secured a political commitment from my 24 European colleagues.

Fisheries Protection. (8 Feb 2005)

Pat Gallagher: We are working on that at present. It will be sooner rather than later but it is being actively considered. The draft, of which the Deputy is aware, was presented to the Government and the industry — processors and producers. I hope there will be a favourable decision that the industry can buy into. In the meantime, with regard to the Annex IV regulations, measures were introduced in recent...