Results 341-360 of 1,981 for speaker:Conor Lenihan

Petroleum (Exploration and Extraction) Safety Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (24 Mar 2010)

Conor Lenihan: I believe there is. The authority makes the standard and establishes Irish standards in all areas that require a standard. That, clearly, is its remit and role. The Deputy rightly identified that it must have this capacity if it is to be the standard setter in this area.

Petroleum (Exploration and Extraction) Safety Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (24 Mar 2010)

Conor Lenihan: I move amendment No. 28: In page 17, line 20, to delete "(c) the safety standards" and substitute "(d) the safety standards".

Petroleum (Exploration and Extraction) Safety Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (24 Mar 2010)

Conor Lenihan: I move amendment No. 29: In page 17, line 24, to delete "(d) the procedures" and substitute "(e) the procedures".

Petroleum (Exploration and Extraction) Safety Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (24 Mar 2010)

Conor Lenihan: I move amendment No. 30: In page 17, line 29, to delete "(e) the relevant performance" and substitute "(f) the relevant performance".

Petroleum (Exploration and Extraction) Safety Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (24 Mar 2010)

Conor Lenihan: I do not propose to accept Deputy Coveney's amendments. Having listened to the concerns raised on Committee Stage, I believe that the additional public consultation process I proposed in the context of the safety framework, together with the existing consultation process in the designation of petroleum activities and the development of safety case guidelines, allows a high degree of access...

Petroleum (Exploration and Extraction) Safety Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (24 Mar 2010)

Conor Lenihan: We must put this in context. There is an oral hearing in the planning process and the actual environmental impact process will deal with this, as will the Environmental Protection Agency. It is important to remember that the CER will be represented at these hearings. It is not the case that the public will be outside the loop concerning the safety of what is being proposed in individual...

Petroleum (Exploration and Extraction) Safety Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (24 Mar 2010)

Conor Lenihan: Yes, but with respect, by adding-----

Petroleum (Exploration and Extraction) Safety Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (24 Mar 2010)

Conor Lenihan: I am not suggesting we should bulldoze anything. If we add an extra layer as proposed by Deputy Coveney, we will do what is not done in other jurisdictions. One of the big problems, from an investment point of view, is the legacy of Corrib. As a result of that case, many people are not prepared to apply for Irish exploration licences. There is a perception that the process is difficult,...

Petroleum (Exploration and Extraction) Safety Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (24 Mar 2010)

Conor Lenihan: I appeal to Deputy Coveney to understand that as part of the current planning process, local communities can have their say at the oral hearing stage, at which representatives of the CER are present.

Petroleum (Exploration and Extraction) Safety Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (24 Mar 2010)

Conor Lenihan: In other words, anything that is required - letters, submissions or campaigning statements - can be done as part of the planning process. The approach advocated by the Deputy is already provided for in the oral appeals stage of the planning process. The important point is that officials from the CER are present at such hearings. They can respond to local people in that context, just as I...

Petroleum (Exploration and Extraction) Safety Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (24 Mar 2010)

Conor Lenihan: The CER will be represented at the oral hearings. Not only will its officials will be able to respond to specific local and community concerns, worries and anxieties at that forum, but they will also be in a position to respond further in writing at a later stage, if necessary. There is no problem with people making submissions at that time. Those who make representations may receive a...

Petroleum (Exploration and Extraction) Safety Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (24 Mar 2010)

Conor Lenihan: I thank Members opposite for their positive engagement in the debate. The Minister and I will continue to take the same approach in this area. I did not mean, in making my remarks a short time ago, to cast any aspersion on Members opposite. I recognise that they are as motivated as I am to create jobs and simplify our response in terms of international investment in Ireland.

Petroleum (Exploration and Extraction) Safety Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (24 Mar 2010)

Conor Lenihan: By way of information for Deputy McManus, ours is a small Department and the officials work extremely hard on a very heavy legislative workload. However, I will reaffirm to the officials who work under my direction that they should, when bringing forward additional amendments in transit, partake in comprehensive briefing of Opposition Deputies. I am open to making sure there is fuller and...

Petroleum (Exploration and Extraction) Safety Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Order for Report Stage (24 Mar 2010)

Conor Lenihan: I move: "That Report Stage be taken now."

Petroleum (Exploration and Extraction) Safety Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Report Stage (24 Mar 2010)

Conor Lenihan: I thank Deputies Coveney and McManus for their wise contributions on Committee Stage. I indicated on Committee Stage that the Health and Safety Authority has responsibility for occupational safety and requires in-depth reporting in the context of demonstrating inter alia that a major accident prevention policy and safety management system for implementing it have been put into effect and...

Petroleum (Exploration and Extraction) Safety Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Report Stage (24 Mar 2010)

Conor Lenihan: I move amendment No. 2: In page 8, to delete lines 1 to 3 and substitute the following: "'safety framework' means the risk-based petroleum safety framework established under section 13I;". As amendments Nos. 2, 16, 18 and 24 were not referred to on Committee Stage, they will be recommitted. I propose to discuss the amendments together with amendment No. 17. The core objective of these...

Petroleum (Exploration and Extraction) Safety Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Report Stage (24 Mar 2010)

Conor Lenihan: I move amendment No. 3: In page 10, to delete lines 1 to 8 and substitute the following: "13C.—This Part applies to any petroleum undertaking that— (a) proposes to carry on a designated petroleum activity, or (b) is carrying on an established petroleum activity.". This amendment was not mentioned on Committee Stage and, therefore, it is being recommitted. On Committee Stage I introduced...

Petroleum (Exploration and Extraction) Safety Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Report Stage (24 Mar 2010)

Conor Lenihan: I propose to consider amendments Nos. 4 and 19 to 23, inclusive, together. Their common feature is a desire to achieve an appropriate level of public consultation. Deputy Coveney's amendment seeks to add a formal public consultation process to the designation of petroleum activities. Having listened to the views expressed by Deputies Coveney and McManus on Committee Stage, I now propose to...

Petroleum (Exploration and Extraction) Safety Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Report Stage (24 Mar 2010)

Conor Lenihan: I will. I welcome the Deputy's support and that he may not press this issue. It is not common in other jurisdictions to have consultation on the safety case. I am extremely worried about this point, as I believe are all other Members given that worry was certainly reflected during the Committee Stage discussions - I was very happy about that. The unconscionable delays associated with the...

Petroleum (Exploration and Extraction) Safety Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Report Stage (24 Mar 2010)

Conor Lenihan: I move amendment No. 5: In page 11, to delete lines 10 to 12 and substitute the following: "(v) the Irish Aviation Authority, and (vi) such other persons as may be prescribed by order by the Minister.". There was some debate on Committee Stage about the bodies that should be specified for the purposes of the various safety framework consultation processes that are required under this Bill....