Results 441-460 of 1,981 for speaker:Conor Lenihan

Written Answers — Natural Heritage Areas: Natural Heritage Areas (17 Feb 2010)

Conor Lenihan: I understand that during the development work associated with the construction of a wind farm a major peat slide occurred in September 2008, which inundated the Owengar River with peat. This impacted the river down to its confluence with and into Lough Allen. I am advised by the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board that damage to the entire habitat was caused, however, I am informed that no...

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (10 Feb 2010)

Conor Lenihan: As the Deputy is aware the Inland Fisheries Bill 2009 is currently before the House. This Bill provides for the restructuring of the management of the inland fisheries sector, including the establishment of Inland Fisheries Ireland, a single authority which will replace the existing Central Fisheries Board and seven Regional Fisheries Boards. I assume the Deputy is referring to the...

Constitutional Referenda. (10 Feb 2010)

Conor Lenihan: Hope springs eternal.

Written Answers — Fishing Vessel Licences: Fishing Vessel Licences (3 Feb 2010)

Conor Lenihan: I have received a request from the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for my views on a proposal he is considering to allow Irish commercial fishing vessels to target sea bass and land it when caught in offshore waters. I have requested advice from inland fisheries authorities and scientists, given the importance of these stocks, their status and...

Research Funding. (2 Feb 2010)

Conor Lenihan: The availability of venture capital for start-up businesses is a very important issue. While my Department has addressed the issue of the availability of capital for early stage businesses in a number of ways as I will outline, there are certainly continuing challenges in relation to raising finance for new businesses. These include the fact that fewer people now have discretionary funds...

Research Funding. (2 Feb 2010)

Conor Lenihan: I assure the Deputy that encouraging increased venture capital funding is one of the Government's main objectives. That is why the innovation task force, of which I and the Taoiseach are members, is tasked primarily with examining this issue in the context of our announcement under the smart economy framework initiative to create a €500 million innovation fund. The task force is expected...

Research Funding. (2 Feb 2010)

Conor Lenihan: It is an essential element of the equation. A paradox of the success of Enterprise Ireland is that many venture capitalists outside Ireland will not invest money in small and medium-sized enterprises on this island unless the Enterprise Ireland label is associated with the fund. In many cases, such investors are not merely seeking matched funding but also assurances that the State is involved.

Research Funding. (2 Feb 2010)

Conor Lenihan: I reassure the Deputy that the encouragement of venture capital funding is the centrepiece of the work of the innovation task force. It is important to emphasise that as well as early stage companies, the innovation fund will also look at the issue of scaling up. The Deputy and others have suggested that start-up and early stage companies are where we should concentrate our efforts.

Research Funding. (2 Feb 2010)

Conor Lenihan: There is also a significant issue in terms of how we attract venture capital and innovation funding into companies that have the potential to scale up and become global operators. It is not just about early stage funding; it is also about how we support strong indigenous companies in scaling up.

Inland Fisheries Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (2 Feb 2010)

Conor Lenihan: I thank all Deputies for their contributions to this debate; they were very welcome. With regard to Deputy Deenihan's point, it is important to point out that the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation and the European Union have jointly sponsored significant research on why the salmon survival rate in the seas beyond our immediate shores is so low. Deputy Deenihan is quite right...

Inland Fisheries Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (2 Feb 2010)

Conor Lenihan: That has happened.

Inland Fisheries Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (2 Feb 2010)

Conor Lenihan: I assure the Deputy that Deputy Tom Hayes will not be disappointed because there is no threat to the Clonmel office. It is important this new body remains anchored in the river basins and other localities for which it is responsible. We are mindful of the need to avoid creating another beast which bestrides the resource but does little. Deputy Nolan spoke about the need to put local anglers...

Inland Fisheries Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (2 Feb 2010)

Conor Lenihan: Deputy Ferris raised the issue of lack of knowledge and accountability and expressed disappointment that the majority of the nine members of the slimmed down board will be appointed by Ministers. It is important that we create a body that can take the necessary decisions. We do not have many years left to us and it would be disappointing-----

Inland Fisheries Bill 2009: Referral to Select Committee (2 Feb 2010)

Conor Lenihan: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, in accordance with Standing Order 122(1) and paragraph 1(a)(i) of the Orders of Reference of that committee.

Written Answers — Skill Shortages: Skill Shortages (2 Feb 2010)

Conor Lenihan: Having regard to the significant increase in the number of PhD graduates in Ireland in recent years and the Government's objective to have more researchers in the enterprise sector, the Advisory Council for Science, Technology and Innovation (ACSTI) was requested to examine the skills that enterprise requires from 4th level Ireland, to review the role in enterprise that is filled by PhD...

Written Answers — Prospecting Licences: Prospecting Licences (2 Feb 2010)

Conor Lenihan: Six Prospecting Licences are currently held for the Stonepark and surrounding area of County Limerick by Connemara Mining Company PLC, which is in a joint venture with Teck Ireland Ltd. These licences were granted in 2005 for a six year period with the option of renewal at the end of the six year period. Connemara Mining Company PLC also holds 10 other Prospecting Licences in the wider...

Computerisation Programme. (28 Jan 2010)

Conor Lenihan: The Deputy will be aware that in November last year I published the Smart Schools = Smart Economy report, which is the new action plan for integrating ICT in schools. The report, which was produced by the joint advisory group, which the Minister established earlier last year, builds on the earlier strategy group report, Investing Effectively in ICT in Schools. It makes recommendations to...

Computerisation Programme. (28 Jan 2010)

Conor Lenihan: All the reports received by the Department indicate that a digital projector is needed in every classroom. Digital projectors are not old hat if they are not available in classrooms at present. This is required technology which is regarded as a valuable teaching resource. The Department is flexible to the extent that it will allow schools which have achieved the basic level of provision,...

Computerisation Programme. (28 Jan 2010)

Conor Lenihan: Yes, they have been officially circulated that information, which also forms the basis of the reply to the question.

Computerisation Programme. (28 Jan 2010)

Conor Lenihan: Broadband is available in 97% of schools.