Results 121-140 of 2,304 for speaker:John Browne
- Seanad: Maritime Safety Bill 2004: Second Stage. (30 Jun 2004)
John Browne: Molaim an Bille seo don Teach seo. I commend the Maritime Safety Bill 2004 to the House. The primary purpose of the Bill is to enhance public safety and amenity and protect natural and other heritage areas by strengthening the law against the improper use, in the waters off the coast and in lakes and rivers, of certain fast powered watercraft such as jet skis and speedboats. Tourism and...
- Seanad: Maritime Safety Bill 2004: Second Stage. (30 Jun 2004)
John Browne: I thank Senators for their support of the Bill and for their clear message to the public to take greater care and to have greater consideration for others when using rivers, canals, lakes and waters around the coast. Many Senators called for the striking of a balance between the usage of waters by the public and the safety measures that need to be implemented. The Bill considerably...
- Seanad: Deer Farming. (27 Oct 2004)
John Browne: I thank Senator John Paul Phelan, ably supported by Senator Bradford, for raising this issue. The reform of the CAP, which was concluded in Luxembourg last year, was the most fundamental reform since the inception of the policy. It offered a new framework within which the agriculture and food sector could face up to new global challenges. The effect of the reform has yet to be felt across the...
- Seanad: Physical Education Facilities. (9 Nov 2004)
John Browne: I thank Senator Paddy Burke for raising this issue and giving me the opportunity to outline to the House the Department of Education and Science's proposals for a new sports hall at Davitt College in Castlebar, County Mayo. The Department received an application from Mayo VEC for a physical education hall at the college in March 1996. The proposed project was included in section 8 of the 2004...
- Seanad: Physical Education Facilities. (9 Nov 2004)
John Browne: The project is being considered, as part of the review under way in the Department of Education and Science, with a view to including it in the multi-annual schools building programme from 2005.
- Seanad: Live Cattle Exports. (9 Nov 2004)
John Browne: I thank Senator Dooley for raising this important issue. I emphasise that the Government has consistently stressed that live exports provide a vital and legitimate market outlet for the livestock sector. The Government's role in the promotion and preservation of any commercial trade is to create an environment in which it can be conducted in an economic and sustainable manner and which allows...
- Renewable Energy Crops. (27 Jan 2005)
John Browne: Promotion and development of renewable energy in Ireland are matters in the first instance for the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. In so far as renewable energy crops are concerned, Council Regulation (EC) No. 1782/2003 establishing the single payment scheme introduced an aid of â¬45 per hectare per year for areas sown with energy crops. The aid is granted in...
- Renewable Energy Crops. (27 Jan 2005)
John Browne: My Department and the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources are quite confident that we will reach the targets laid down by the European Union. It is a matter under consideration by the bioenergy strategy group, which involves both Departments, and the renewable energy development group, in which my Department is involved. There are a number of pilot schemes in operation...
- Agri-food Sector: Motion (Resumed). (2 Feb 2005)
John Browne: I wish to share time with Deputies Brady, Callanan, Michael Moynihan, Cregan, Carty and Nolan.
- Agri-food Sector: Motion (Resumed). (2 Feb 2005)
John Browne: Last night my Government colleague, the Minister for Agriculture and Food, Deputy Coughlan, outlined, in very clear terms, this Government's excellent record of actions to support the agri-food sector over the past few years. I will outline to the House the progress we have made in other areas which are important to the continued development of the sector. A high health status in the national...
- Seanad: Future Development of An Post: Statements. (3 Feb 2005)
John Browne: The Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Noel Dempsey, who is out of the country, extends his regret that he cannot be in the House today to address Members on this matter. The Government recognises the critical importance of a nationwide, reliable and efficient postal service. Despite the changes that have taken place in recent years, particularly with regard to...
- Social Welfare Benefits. (22 Feb 2005)
John Browne: I thank Deputy Durkan for raising this issue and apologise for the absence of the Minister. The rent supplement scheme is administered on the Minister's behalf by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive. The Department of Social and Family Affairs has no role in determining entitlement in individual cases. A number of measures were introduced in the rent supplement...
- Social Welfare Benefits. (22 Feb 2005)
John Browne: In one case, the person concerned was awarded a rent supplement from 1 January 2005. She was also assisted by way of an exceptional needs payment in respect of a rent deposit to help her secure accommodation.
- Social Welfare Benefits. (22 Feb 2005)
John Browne: In another case, the person concerned has been in receipt of rent supplement since August 2003, which predates the changes introduced in January 2004.
- Social Welfare Benefits. (22 Feb 2005)
John Browne: While there have been revisions in the amount of rent supplement paid in this case, these arose as a result of routine reviews carried out in the normal course to take account of changes in the recipient's financial circumstances. Rent supplement is not in payment in the remaining two cases. There is no record of an application for rent supplement for the person in one case.
- Social Welfare Benefits. (22 Feb 2005)
John Browne: In the other case, the person concerned was asked to provide clarification regarding her domestic and financial circumstances so that an accurate assessment of her eligibility for rent supplement could be determined. The applicant has failed to provide these details to date. Overall, the Minister is satisfied that the conditions for receipt of rent supplement and the discretion available to...
- Job Losses. (22 Feb 2005)
John Browne: I share Deputy Cregan's concerns for those workers affected by the recently announced job losses at Castlemahon Food Products Limited. The decision by the company to lay off 150 staff has been taken in the context of a major restructuring programme designed to improve its cost base and to secure its future operation. This is a commercial decision by the company. Castlemahon is owned by...
- Child Care Services. (22 Feb 2005)
John Browne: I apologise for the absence of the Minister but I assure Deputy Boyle the views he expressed will be passed on. I thank the Deputy for raising the matter and for giving me the opportunity to update the House on the important issues of child care and its development in Cork city and county. Child care is an important priority for the Government and it has increased funding for this important...
- Animal Diseases. (2 Mar 2005)
John Browne: Avian influenza is an infectious disease of birds. Migratory waterfowl, most notably wild duck, are the natural reservoir of avian influenza viruses, and these birds are also most resistant to infection. Domestic poultry, including chickens and turkeys, are particularly susceptible to epidemics of rapidly fatal influenza. Avian influenza viruses rarely affect humans and do not normally infect...
- Animal Diseases. (2 Mar 2005)
John Browne: The resources are not a difficulty, they are more than adequate. Moreover, all consignments being imported into the EU must first be presented at EU border inspection posts. At the BIPs they undergo a documentary and identity check and the physical checks are carried at frequencies laid down by EU law. Where required, samples for laboratory analysis for the purpose of safeguarding human and...