Results 81-100 of 382 for speaker:Seán Connick

Agricultural Colleges (25 May 2010)

Seán Connick: It is a matter for Teagasc to allocate financial and staff resources in accordance with its priorities and in line with the Government's policy. Ministerial responsibility is confined to matters of policy in accordance with the Act establishing Teagasc and is not concerned with its day-to-day operations. Teagasc has an important role to play in supporting the Government's strategy for the...

Agricultural Colleges (25 May 2010)

Seán Connick: There may be.

Seanad: Euro Area Loan Facility Bill 2010: Second Stage (20 May 2010)

Seán Connick: Much of the debate has been positive and Senators have touched on many of the key economic and budgetary challenges facing us which, as a member of the euro area, we must work to resolve. The debate captured the range of political views on how we should address these fundamental challenges linked to our participation in economic and monetary union. There is, however, a shared understanding...

Malt Barley Industry (12 May 2010)

Seán Connick: I am taking this Adjournment matter on behalf of my colleague, Deputy Brendan Smith, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. At the outset I should like to thank Deputy Browne for putting down this important matter for discussion tonight. I share his concern as I have seen the impact of the Greencore decision and the difficulties it is now imposing on farmers, not just in Wexford but...

Seanad: Common Agricultural Policy: Statements (12 May 2010)

Seán Connick: I thank Senators for their contributions. I have been present since 3.30 p.m. and listening to the statements has been interesting. I am fortunate to be a Minister of State at one of the country's most important Departments. This is a critical time for agriculture and fisheries. As Senators are aware, the Common Fisheries Policy, CFP, is up for review and most of my first seven weeks have...

Seanad: Common Agricultural Policy: Statements (12 May 2010)

Seán Connick: They were from my party.

Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction (Fixed Penalty Notice) (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (11 May 2010)

Seán Connick: Belview.

Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction (Fixed Penalty Notice) (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (11 May 2010)

Seán Connick: Give me a little time.

Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction (Fixed Penalty Notice) (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (11 May 2010)

Seán Connick: I welcome the opportunity to consider the issues involved in this Bill and to outline clearly the implications if the Bill was accepted and adopted.

Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction (Fixed Penalty Notice) (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (11 May 2010)

Seán Connick: I am not aware, I will continue.

Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction (Fixed Penalty Notice) (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (11 May 2010)

Seán Connick: I accept that in bringing forward this Bill, Deputy Jim O'Keeffe and Fine Gael's thinking was based on best intentions. However, the potential impacts, if it were introduced, are in my estimation not positive for the conservation of fish stocks or for the coastal communities dependent on fishing. I believe that all in this House want to see a strong and vibrant fishing industry that supports...

Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction (Fixed Penalty Notice) (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (11 May 2010)

Seán Connick: I am not convinced, unfortunately, that this Bill would contribute positively to the rebuilding of fish stocks. Quite the opposite, in fact, my belief is that it could result in increasing the level of illegal fishing and further drive down the biomass of fish stocks leading to a collapse of many of the key commercial stocks around the coast on which our fishing industry is so dependent. In...

Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction (Fixed Penalty Notice) (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (11 May 2010)

Seán Connick: The new EU fisheries control regulation introduces a new and common approach to fisheries regulation. The regulation will see the implementation of measures to regulate and control the process that sees fish caught, landed, brought to market and sold. These measures will harmonise standards for inspection activities, and procedures will help deliver uniform implementation across the EU.

Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction (Fixed Penalty Notice) (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (11 May 2010)

Seán Connick: This new approach will make use of modern technologies such as electronic log books and vessel tracking. It will introduce systematic and automated cross-checking of data collected at the catch, landing and sale stages, to make it easier to spot attempts to break the rules. Under the provisions of the new control regulation, the list of serious infringements are set down. These serious...

Coillte Business Strategy. (29 Apr 2010)

Seán Connick: My Department has been appraised of the details of Coillte's multi-annual business plan, as submitted in its strategy document, and is supportive of its business strategy. The company's strategy document, Destination 2012: Make it Happen, submitted to the Department in April 2009 outlined a number of strategies for the future development of the company. Land development is one of those...

Coillte Business Strategy. (29 Apr 2010)

Seán Connick: I thank the Deputy for raising his concerns with me but would point out to him that under the renewed programme for Government, to which he alluded, there is a strong commitment to forestry. I was somewhat enthused by my initial meetings, not just with the forestry liaison group but the officials within the Department and the other people I have met, and the renewed vigour about the forestry...

Coillte Business Strategy. (29 Apr 2010)

Seán Connick: The Deputy will understand it is an extremely difficult trading area for any company at this time, and Coillte is no different from any other company. It had a difficult year last year, as did many other companies in the country. There is a business focus to what it is trying to achieve. I would again point out to the Deputy that the interdepartmental group, with Coillte representation...

Coillte Business Strategy. (29 Apr 2010)

Seán Connick: I cannot answer that question. The Deputy will understand that in my new position that is something to which I cannot refer. I will raise the issue with my officials and ask them to respond to the Deputy directly on that issue.

Agri-environment Options Scheme. (29 Apr 2010)

Seán Connick: Under the new agri-environment options scheme which the Minister, Deputy Smith, launched on 30 March, farmers will be paid to undertake identifiable and verifiable environmental actions and have a menu of options from which to choose. The actions are designed to contribute to the priorities of biodiversity, water quality and climate change. The Government has provided for the launch of the...

Agri-environment Options Scheme. (29 Apr 2010)

Seán Connick: I thank Deputies Sherlock and Creed for their best wishes. I, too, look forward to working with them. I agree with Deputy Sherlock in regard to litter being a difficulty throughout the country. Like him I, too, am working with my colleagues at constituency level, including the local authority, county council and tidy towns committees to address this issue on our roadways. The Deputy will...