Results 12,841-12,860 of 13,214 for speaker:Pat Gallagher

Seanad: Dumping at Sea (Amendment) Bill 2000 [[i]Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil[/i]]: Report and Final Stages. (28 Oct 2004)

Pat Gallagher: The Senator's initial point is no longer part of my remit but we dealt with this matter on numerous occasions when I served in the then Department of the Environment and Local Government. Illegal cross-Border dumping appears to be big business. Waste to be disposed of in this way is not just coming from Border counties; it is emanating from counties situated much further south. As regards his...

Seanad: Dumping at Sea (Amendment) Bill 2000 [[i]Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil[/i]]: Report and Final Stages (Resumed). (28 Oct 2004)

Pat Gallagher: I wish to clarify an issue. The Department does not permit the dumping of rubbish or other material at sea. The provision strictly applies to permits to dispose at sea suitable dredged material. We would much prefer if the material could be taken ashore for land reclamation. Permits will not apply to rubbish.

Seanad: Dumping at Sea (Amendment) Bill 2000 [[i]Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil[/i]]: Report and Final Stages (Resumed). (28 Oct 2004)

Pat Gallagher: I thank Senators McHugh and Quinn for their kind comments and look forward to working with them during my period in office. Senator Quinn's contributions are always taken seriously. It is gratifying to note that his proposals have found their way into the Bill. While this has not always been the case, it underlines the importance of this House. I also appreciate the Senator's comments...

Seanad: Dumping at Sea (Amendment) Bill 2000 [[i]Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil[/i]]: Report and Final Stages (Resumed). (28 Oct 2004)

Pat Gallagher: I congratulate Senator McHugh on his appointment as marine spokesperson. I look forward to working with him. I also congratulate him on his personal good news. The people of north-east Donegal will be delighted to hear that it might be on his agenda to move to another part of the country. If that is the case, it is even better news politically. On a serious note, I wish the Senator well.

Seanad: Dumping at Sea (Amendment) Bill 2000 [[i]Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil[/i]]: Report and Final Stages (Resumed). (28 Oct 2004)

Pat Gallagher: There are no vacancies. In response to Senator Quinn, I accept that the Bill has been around since 2000. It was a question of finding a slot. It might not be a great defence but perhaps if the Bill had been enacted then, we might have had to wait a much longer period to improve it. While this is the only defence, I thank all speakers for their contributions. In exercising the Dumping at Sea...

Written Answers — Coastal Protection: Coastal Protection (19 Oct 2004)

Pat Gallagher: The Irish Coastguard of my Department operates a station house building programme for coastal units around the coast. The Office of Public Works, OPW, manages this programme for the coastguard. The coastguard and the OPW are together giving top priority to the project for a search and rescue station house at Doolin, County Clare. The position regarding the project is that, while financial...

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (19 Oct 2004)

Pat Gallagher: In March 2002, Dungarvan Town Council submitted an application under the marine tourism grant scheme of the national development plan for funding towards a feasibility study for dredging and reclamation works. However, the grant scheme was suspended in December 2002 due to lack of funding and each of the applicants was so notified. No funding was available for the grant scheme in 2003 or in...

Written Answers — Aquaculture Licences: Aquaculture Licences (19 Oct 2004)

Pat Gallagher: Following the granting of two aquaculture licences for the bottom cultivation of mussels in Lough Swilly, local oyster fishermen claimed that parts of the licensed areas overlapped with wild oyster beds in the lough. On foot of these complaints, the aquaculture initiative was asked to undertake a survey of the lough. This survey examined the location and size of the oyster beds and sought to...

Seanad: National Monuments (Amendment) Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (7 Jul 2004)

Pat Gallagher: I thank the House for facilitating the passage of this extremely important and urgent Bill. Once the legislation is enacted, work can continue on the south-eastern motorway. Those who opposed this Bill were saying very clearly that they did not want the two ends of the motorway to be connected or an improvement in our infrastructure. The Bill is required due to the economic atmosphere created...

Seanad: National Monuments (Amendment) Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (7 Jul 2004)

Pat Gallagher: I will be looking to Senator Bannon for advice.

Seanad: National Monuments (Amendment) Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (7 Jul 2004)

Pat Gallagher: If the amendment was accepted, section 5 would be deleted. However, the section is at the heart of the legislation, as it contains detailed procedures to be followed in respect of consents and directions, and there is no question of the amendment being accepted. The Bill does not confer new powers on the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Under section 14(3) of the...

Seanad: National Monuments (Amendment) Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (7 Jul 2004)

Pat Gallagher: If we accepted this amendment it would remove section 6 completely. I will give the background to this situation. Section 6 amends the provision in section 22 of the principal Act relating to the discovery of archaeological objects by removing the requirement to report such objects found by a person in pursuance of a consent granted or directions issued by the Minister under section 14 or in...

Seanad: National Monuments (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (6 Jul 2004)

Pat Gallagher: It is generally accepted that we need to improve our method of designating national monuments. While in principle I am not opposed to this proposal, it is best covered by the consolidation of the National Monuments Acts which is already under way in my Department. I am confident we will deal with the issue by this means and Senator Bannon might await the publication of the consolidation Act....

Seanad: National Monuments (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (6 Jul 2004)

Pat Gallagher: There is no question of procrastination as far as the consolidation of the National Monuments Acts is concerned. The Government will strive for the publication of the Bill in the autumn with a view to having it debated in the House next year, not a number of years down the road. I appreciate the work and input of the executive on the local authorities which have responsibility for heritage....

Seanad: National Monuments (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (6 Jul 2004)

Pat Gallagher: That there is wide general support on both sides of the House for the establishment of a register of national monuments as proposed in the amendment is obvious from the contributions of Senators Bannon, Ó Murchú and Kitt. The proposal has much merit in that it suggests a clear mechanism for establishing what constitutes a national monument. Only monuments entered on the register would enjoy...

Seanad: National Monuments (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (6 Jul 2004)

Pat Gallagher: In my initial response I referred to a pilot study in Kilkenny on monuments that could and should be listed in a register. I have no intention of doing anything other than that at present. The intention and the commitment is to compile such a register and to introduce a consolidated Bill by next year or, hopefully, late this year. If not, it will be introduced early next year and we can move...

Seanad: National Monuments (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (6 Jul 2004)

Pat Gallagher: It is my understanding that the local authorities would be familiar with the declaration of exempted works and I hope this is something we can flesh out to ensure we have a much clearer view on it. There is always some discretion that can be exercised, as is the case in all walks of life, but I am anxious to ensure that those who take decisions after consultation in regard to exempted works...

Seanad: National Monuments (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (6 Jul 2004)

Pat Gallagher: What the Senator said about seeking a declaration from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government does not surprise me. This is a matter for the local authorities. The Senator will appreciate that if we impose our views and the regulations are too centralised, we can be criticised. In framing and drafting the new legislation, I will consider the possibility of providing...

Seanad: National Monuments (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (6 Jul 2004)

Pat Gallagher: Planning permission may be required, but if the view is that the work proposed is exempted, then it will not be required. My answer clearly indicated that this was a matter for the local authority, but we can discuss it with the local authorities and get their views on it. I am sure the Senator in his local authority may have firm views in this regard. We are always prepared to listen. The...

Seanad: National Monuments (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (6 Jul 2004)

Pat Gallagher: I am very pleased that the House has accepted section 5 unanimously. To remove it would be to remove the heart of the Bill.