Results 1,521-1,540 of 2,304 for speaker:John Browne

Written Answers — Aquaculture Development: Aquaculture Development (1 Nov 2006)

John Browne: A Co-Ordinated Local Aquaculture Management System (CLAMS) was initiated in respect of Killary Bay some time ago. CLAMS is designed to provide operators with a forum to discuss how best to manage the development of aquaculture in bays and inshore waters throughout Ireland at a local level. The CLAMS process has had remarkable success in the bays where it has been introduced in enabling fish...

Written Answers — Aquaculture Development: Aquaculture Development (1 Nov 2006)

John Browne: While I am aware of the falling productivity and slowing growth rates in the area the Deputy refers to, the shellfish sector in general has performed consistently well in the context of Irish aquaculture. To ensure the continuation of this success, the Department is taking action in a number of areas. I have asked An Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) together with the Marine Institute (MI) and in...

Written Answers — Aquaculture Licences: Aquaculture Licences (25 Oct 2006)

John Browne: As the Deputy will be aware the Department is engaged in detailed discussions with the Northern Ireland Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) in relation to a Bill which will confer additional powers on the Loughs Agency of the Foyle and Carlingford Irish Lights Commission as envisaged in the British Irish Agreement Act 1999. In the course of finalising the draft Bill, DARD...

Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed). (25 Oct 2006)

John Browne: The amendment is not being accepted. We do not object in principle to Deputy Ryan's support of marked electronic metering and the various potential benefits it may bring to energy efficiency. However, the amendment is premature while the Commission for Energy Regulation is consulting on these issues. We believe CER is best placed to deal with the technical issues relating to facilitating...

Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed). (25 Oct 2006)

John Browne: The Government sets the high-level policy principles and the CER is dealing with the detailed technical measures required to implement these policies. The consultation paper on micro-generation has been published against a backdrop of technical advantages and increasing interest in this area, which is ongoing. For that reason we should wait until the consultation process is over. We are...

Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed). (25 Oct 2006)

John Browne: He will be back later.

Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed). (25 Oct 2006)

John Browne: The Deputy is all right, he has a safe seat.

Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed). (25 Oct 2006)

John Browne: These amendments are not accepted as they would have the net effect of interfering with the independence of the regulator and would add an unnecessary bureaucratic layer to the process and the date of delivery of the single electricity market. It is considered that the CER is already sufficiently accountable under the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 with regard to the performance of its...

Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed). (25 Oct 2006)

John Browne: The responsibilities of the CER include ensuring market stability and encouraging new market entrants; ensuring that tariffs are cost reflective; not discriminating unfairly between licensed operators in the State sector, such as ESB or Bord Gáis or the private sector; and exercising its functions in a manner that protects the interests of the final customers. It is important to maintain...

Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed). (25 Oct 2006)

John Browne: The proposed amendment is not accepted on the basis that the functions of the commission as set out in this section would be subject to directions by the Minister under section 10 and section 10(A) of the Electricity Regulation Act 1999. The proposed amendment is, therefore, unnecessary.

Health Services. (19 Oct 2006)

John Browne: I thank both Deputy Mitchell and Deputy Rabbitte. I see that Deputy O'Connor is also present and has an interest in the issue. I apologise for the absence of the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney. In late 2005, the Health Service Executive, HSE, at the Minister's request, undertook a review of tertiary paediatric services. McKinsey and Company were engaged by the HSE and its...

Job Losses. (19 Oct 2006)

John Browne: When the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Martin, returns from abroad, he will meet Deputies Broughan and Martin Brady to discuss this issue. Both the Minister and Enterprise Ireland were aware for some time that the company was carrying out a strategic review of its operation in Coolock. It was only completed recently. During the course of the review, the company...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (19 Oct 2006)

John Browne: The Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006 (No. 8) came into force on 4 April 2006 with the exception of Chapter 5 of Part 2, the establishment and functions of the independent statutory Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority, which will come into operation on 1 January 2007 in accordance with the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (Establishment Day) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 376 of 2006)....

Written Answers — Foreshore Licences: Foreshore Licences (19 Oct 2006)

John Browne: There are currently no proposals to amend the procedures for processing applications for foreshore leases and licences. The Department has received a communication from Shell E & P Ireland Limited in respect of proposed survey activity in the vicinity of Sruwaddacon Bay, Co. Mayo. The proposed survey activity is to provide additional data to assist in the company's review of possible route...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (19 Oct 2006)

John Browne: The EU Council that will take place from 19-21 December next will decide on the Total Allowable Catches (TACs) and Quotas and associated conditions for fish stocks for 2007. The Council will be preceded by a series of working groups, technical expert groups and other meetings at which each Member State will endeavour to negotiate the best possible outcome to meet the interests of its own...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (19 Oct 2006)

John Browne: The competent authority for fisheries control in Ireland is the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources through its control services. This work is carried out through close co-operation with the Irish Naval Service and Aer Corps. The Naval Service, from its base at Haulbowline, controls and monitors all fisheries activities within Ireland's Exclusive Fisheries Zone (EFZ)....

Written Answers — Inland Fisheries: Inland Fisheries (19 Oct 2006)

John Browne: I have just received the report of the Independent Group this week, which I established earlier this year to examine the implications for the commercial sector in 2007 and beyond arising from alignment of the management of the wild salmon fishery with the scientific advice. This is to be presented to Government for their consideration shortly. Until such time as the report is presented to...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (19 Oct 2006)

John Browne: As the Deputy is aware I have undertaken to follow the recommendations of the Standing Scientific Committee of the National Salmon Commission to fully align the management of the fishery with their scientific advice for 2007. I expect that the National Salmon Commission, having considered the advice of the Standing Scientific Committee and the fishery managers, will bring forward in...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (19 Oct 2006)

John Browne: Following reporting by the United Kingdom authorities to the EU Commission of undeclared landings of mackerel by Irish vessels into Scotland in 2005, the EU Commission deducted 6,578 tonnes from Ireland's 2006 mackerel quota under Commission Regulation 742/2006. Following extensive consultations with the European Commission, the Attorney General's Office, and industry representatives and...

Written Answers — Coastal Zone Management: Coastal Zone Management (19 Oct 2006)

John Browne: I am advised that pair trawling does occur in the Shannon Estuary. However, I also understand that such trawling takes place sporadically for herring and sprat and is seasonal in nature. The vessels involved mainly fish during late autumn and winter and I am advised that the main calving season for Bottlenose Dolphins in this area is in early summer and consequently pair trawling is not...