Results 1,301-1,320 of 2,304 for speaker:John Browne

Fish Quota. (14 Feb 2007)

John Browne: We inherited this problem. The Minister, Deputy Noel Dempsey, and I had an initial meeting with Commissioner Borg to discuss how the balance of the 34,000 tonnes of mackerel that were illegally landed would be dealt with. Our objectives were to minimise the impact of the quota reductions on the majority of fishermen who had little or nothing to do with illegal fishing, to set the reductions...

Fish Quota. (14 Feb 2007)

John Browne: As the Deputy is aware, Dr. Cawley has agreed to continue as chair of the implementation group.

Fish Quota. (14 Feb 2007)

John Browne: I welcome this because it gives the group a certain level of independence. The delay in the commencement in mackerel fishing has, as already stated, ensured a substantial increased in the amount of this fish landed and processed in Ireland this year. This is good for the processors and for job creation, particularly in the north-west. We hope this will continue to be the case in the future....

Fish Quota. (14 Feb 2007)

John Browne: I attended the negotiations that took place in Brussels at Christmas. The final meeting concluded at approximately 4 a.m. and we managed to secure the same quota for blue whiting for 2007 as that which obtained in 2006. This was despite the fact that practically every other country wanted to substantially reduce the level of Ireland's quota. We have the same quota this year as we had last year.

Fish Quota. (14 Feb 2007)

John Browne: There is always potential. However, the difficulty lies in securing additional quota. We were obliged to negotiate the best deal for Ireland. For the first time in ten years, we managed to secure substantial increases in respect of a number of species and we managed to retain the same quota for blue whiting as that which obtained in 2006. The latter was quite an achievement. I must...

Seanad: Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (13 Feb 2007)

John Browne: I am only too pleased to acknowledge the contribution made by Senators on the Second Stage debate here. As Senator Norris pointed out, a strong recommendation and argument was made that the proposed legislation should require RTE to provide this radio service as well as a television service to Irish communities abroad and, as a consequence, section 3(1) was amended on Committee Stage to...

Written Answers — Fishing Licences: Fishing Licences (13 Feb 2007)

John Browne: I am aware that while certain anglers are fishing on the River Moy at present, others may have concerns relating to the regulations and bye-laws brought into effect for the current season. I expect to learn more about these shortly.

Written Answers — Fishing Licences: Fishing Licences (13 Feb 2007)

John Browne: There are no public draft net licences available on the River Moy. The North Western Regional Fisheries Board is responsible for management of the State owned Moy Fishery which includes draft netting rights on the Moy Estuary. Under the Board's 1992 Development Plan, draft netting on the Moy ceased in 1994. I have been advised by the Board that at present it has no plans to resume issuing...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (13 Feb 2007)

John Browne: Details of the Hardship Fund for drift net fishermen are being finalised and will be widely published shortly. I understand that the Loughs Agency has initiated a consultation process on how it proposes to address its obligations to put an end to interceptory fishing for wild salmon and fishing of river stocks not reaching their conservation limits. I believe interested parties are...

Written Answers — Fishing Fleet Modernisation: Fishing Fleet Modernisation (13 Feb 2007)

John Browne: As things stand the next scheduled round of decommissioning will take place within the context of the strategic report on the fishing industry, Steering A New Course. This report calls for a decommissioning scheme aimed at the Whitefish Fleet and recommends the removal of up to 45% of the capacity of the whitefish fleet 18 metres in length and over. €66 million is earmarked by Government...

Written Answers — Coastal Protection: Coastal Protection (13 Feb 2007)

John Browne: Surgeview, Blacksod, Co. Mayo is owned by Mayo County Council and responsibility for its maintenance is a matter for the local authority in the first instance. The Department is currently preparing the 2007 Harbours & Coastal Development Programme and has received applications for funding of Coastal Protection works and Fishery Harbour projects in Mayo. However, Surgeview, Blacksod,...

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (13 Feb 2007)

John Browne: I thank those Deputies who participated in the debate on Committee and Report Stages, particularly Opposition spokespersons, and I appreciate the constructive contributions made on the contents of the Bill. I am satisfied the amendments the House has agreed have improved and strengthened the Bill and I look forward to discussing them in the Seanad at the earliest opportunity.

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (13 Feb 2007)

John Browne: At the end of December 2006, Ireland held 113 days of stocks, 75 of which were held within the State. Subsection (4) of section 33, as agreed on Committee Stage, makes specific provision for circumstances which, in the Minister's view, may warrant a need for specific volumes of particular categories of oil stocks to be held in the State. Examples of particular categories of stocks include...

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (13 Feb 2007)

John Browne: The provision, as drafted, provides for the release of strategic reserves by NORA in emergency situations. To meet its obligations to the International Energy Agency, IEA, and the EU, for instance, Ireland may be required to release oil reserves to avoid a supply disruption. A second example would be a local shortage of a specific product. In the case of NORA, the release of stocks would...

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (13 Feb 2007)

John Browne: I am well aware of the problems of oil rationing. Indeed, I worked in the oil business before I became a Member of the House.

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (13 Feb 2007)

John Browne: I am a socialist; I do not know about him. The Fuels (Control of Supplies) Acts 1971 and 1982 were put in place to safeguard the supply and distribution of oil in an emergency. They provide for significant State intervention in the market in the event of a major oil supply crisis. Under this legislation, the Government may make an order authorising the Minister for Communications, Marine...

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (13 Feb 2007)

John Browne: I move amendment No. 73a: In page 22, to delete line 28 and substitute the following: "(a) the contract provides for an agreed volume of petroleum products owned by the oil consumer to be so held by the other person for the purpose of a claim by the oil consumer for exemption from levy under this section, and". This amendment arises as a consequence of proposed amendments to section 62. It...

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (13 Feb 2007)

John Browne: I move amendment No. 73b: In page 22, line 30, before "were" to insert the following: "(within the meaning assigned by section 62)". The House will be aware that, on Committee Stage, I moved an amendment to provide for the Minister's prior approval for certain stockholding contracts. Subsequent consultations with the Office of the Attorney General established that the provisions of the...

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (13 Feb 2007)

John Browne: This Bill is concerned with strategic stockholding and NORA has no function with regard to the quality of oil stocks, imports or price.

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (13 Feb 2007)

John Browne: The Minister's function is to approve stockholding contracts. The object of the amendment agreed on Committee Stage was to strengthen the Department's position with regard to the approval of stockholding contracts. Subsequent consultations with the Office of the Attorney General established that the provisions of the section, as agreed on Committee Stage, would result in unintended...