Written Answers - Departmental Bodies.
David Stanton
Question:
84
Mr. Stanton
asked the
Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources
the title, role and composition of all task forces, review groups, advisory bodies and any other agencies operating under the aegis of his Department; the date of establishment of each body; and the reports, if any, published by each group in the past 12 months.
[24877/98]
The information requested by the Deputy is as follows:
1. Task Force on the Management and Marketing of Herring.
Role
To comprehensively assess the management and marketing of herring with the objective of maximising the returns for the catching, processing and exporting sectors of the Irish fishing industry. The task force was asked to take particular account of:
– global factors and trends (EU and international) in herring supply and demand;
– all relevant factors in the herring fisheries which impact on the volume, quality and pattern of landings;
– co-operation and co-ordination across the supply, processing and distribution chain; and
– arrangements for marketing herring and herring products and the scope for enhanced co-operation, co-ordination and initiative in this area.
The Task force was asked to recommend concrete measures to tackle identified difficulties and to improve the overall management and marketing of herring and to assess and advise on the financial, sectoral, organisational and fisheries management implications of its recommendations.
Membership
The task force was chaired by Ms Sara White, Assistant Secretary, Department of Marine and Natural Resources, and comprised the following members:- Mr. Hugo Boyle, Celtic Sea Herring Fleet Mr. Ted Breslin, Killybegs Fishermen's Organisation Ltd.
Mr. Tom Groghegan, Irish Fish Processors & Exporters Association.
Mr. Tom Jones, Celtic Sea Fish Processors.
Mr. Joe Maddock, Irish Fishermen's Organisation Ltd.
Mr. Brendan McGinty, Marine Food Council.
Mr. Sean McGuinness, Irish Fish Processors and Exporters Association.
Mr. John Molloy, Marine Institute.
Mr. John Nolan, Irish Fisheries Cooperatives Federation.
Mr. Eoin Ó Cathain, Irish Fish Processors and Exporters Association.
Mr. Seán O'Donoghue, Board Iascaigh Mhara.
Mr. David Owens, Irish Fish Producers Organisation
Ms Patricia Slevin, Bord Iascaigh Mhara.
Mr. Jason Whooley, Irish South & West Fish Producers; Organisation.
Dr. Cecil Beamish, Department of Marine and Natural Resources.
Mr. Jim Condon, Department of the Marine and Natural Resources.
Mr. Brendan Hogan, Department of Marine and Natural Resources (Secretary).
Date of Establishment
November 1997.
Report Published
The task force's report was published on the 6 May 1998.
2. Sea Fisheries Liaison Group
Role
The purpose of the group is to facilitate liaison between the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources and the sea fisheries industry.
Membership
The Group comprises representatives of the following:-
Killybegs Fishermen's Organisation;
Irish Fishermen's Organisation;
Irish Fish Producers Organisation;
Irish South & West Fish Producers' Organisation;
Irish Fish Processors and Exporters Association;
The Marine Institute;
Bord Iascaigh Mhara; and The Department of the Marine and Natural Resources.
Date of Establishment
The group was set up a number of years ago and meets on a regular basis, every four to six weeks.
Report Published
The group does not issue reports.
3. Aquaculture Forum
Role
To improve existing communications between the State agencies, the fish farming sector of the IFA and the fish farming industry.
Membership
The forum is chaired by Mr. Maurice Mullen, Principal Officer, Department of the Marine and Natural Resources and comprises the following membership:
Mr. Jerry Gallagher, Hydro Seafood.
Mr. Richie Flynn, Irish Farm Centre.
Mr. Donal Maguire, Bord Iascaigh Mhara.
Mr. Michael Molloy, Blackshell Farm Ltd.
Dr. John Joyce, Marine Institute.
Mr. Michael Corduff, Údarás na Gaeltachta.
Mr. James Ryan, Killary Salmon Co. Ltd.
Mr. Jan Feenstra, Hydro Seafood.
Mr. Jim Harty, Dungarvan Shellfish.
Mr. John Hayden, Araglen Trout Farm.
Mr. Joe McElwee.
Mr. Tom Tobin, Department of the Marine and Natural Resources.
Mr. Vincent Edwards, Department of the Marine and Natural Resources.
Date of Establishment
The forum was established on 16 November 1997.
Report Published
No reports to date.
4. Southern Regional Fisheries Commission
Role
The commission was established to take over the protection, management and conservation function of the southern board.
Membership
Its sole member is Mr. Thomas Rice.
Date of establishment
The commission was established on the 23 February 1996.
Report
The commission has not published any reports.
5. Liaison Group on Training and Education in the Forestry Industry
Role
To comprehensively review human resource training in forestry.
Membership
The liaison group was chaired by Mr. Michael Daly, Principal Officer, Department of the Marine and National Resources, and comprised the following members:
Professor J. F. Gardiner, UCD. Seán Moloney, University of Limerick.
Eoghan Brangan, Department of the Environment and Local Government.
Pacelli Breathnach, Coillte Teoranta.
Jim Reidy, Teagasc.
Dr. Jos Evertsen, Enterprise Ireland.
John O'Shea, FÁS.
Seamus O'Donoghue, Irish Timber Growers Association.
Leonard Gallagher, Society of Irish Foresters.
Mick Ryan, Irish Forestry Contractors Association.
Ned Morrissey, Irish Forest Nurseries Association.
Margaret Gormley, Tree Council of Ireland.
Diarmuid McAree, Forest Service.
John Connelly, Forest Service.
Date of Establishment
December 1997
Report Published
Final report published in June 1998.
6. Review Group on Forestry Legislation
Role
To review all current forestry legislation with the aim of establishing a long-term and comprehensive legislative framework to ensure the development of a modern, sustainable and high quality forest sector.
Membership
The review group is chaired by Mr. Michael Daly, Principal Officer, Department of the Marine and Natural Resources, and is comprised of the following members:
J. Connolly, Forest Service.
G. Fogarty, Forest Service.
G. Cody, Forest Service.
P. Donovan, Forest Service
C. Murray, Forest Service.
C. Colthurst, Irish Timber Growers Association.
J. McCarthy, Irish Forest Nurseries Association.
G. Gallagher, Consultant.
P. Byrne, Coillte Teoranta.
Date of Establishment
June 1998
Report Published
The work of the review group is ongoing and no report has been published to date.
7. Task Force On Seafarer Training and Employment
Role
The task force was established to ascertain the facts in relation to seafarer training in Ireland, including current output, employment, qualifications and standards; to determine opportunities and threats to seafarer employment; to establish the potential for increasing employment of Irish seafarers; to address Ireland's current seafarer training capabilities; and to consider potential sources of funding.
Membership
The Task Force is chaired by Mr. Brian Kerr, Director, Irish Chamber of Shipping and corprises of the following members:-
Capt. F. Allen, Irish Chamber of Shipping.
D. Burke, Cork Institure of Technology.
J. Caddle, Department of Finance.
Capt. A. Coughlan, Shannon Estuary Ports.
B. Dempsey, Arklow Shipping Ltd.
D. Glynn, Department of the Marine and Natural Resources.
I. Hyland, FÁS.
Capt. J. Kelly, Marine Survey Office.
D. Moore, IBEC.
J. Nash, SIPTU.
Capt. K. O'Higgins, Irish Institute of Master Mariners.
M. Troy, Department of Education and Science.
Date of Establishment
February 1998.
Report Published
The task force presented their report to the Minister on 19 October 1998.
8. Task Force on the Dumping of Radioactive Materials in the Maritime Area
Role
To review and assess and information becoming available on the dumping of radioactive materials in the maritime area and based on this review, to advise on monitoring and management measures so as to ensure maximum protection to our marine resouces and to restore public confidence in the quality of the marine environment.
Membership
The task force is chaired by Ms Nuala Butler, barrister, and comprises the following members:-
Dr. T. O'Flaherty, Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland.
J. Cunningham, Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland.
Dr. P. Mitchell, UCD.
Dr. B. Healy, UCD.
Dr. P. Heffernan, Marine Institute.
J. Keohane, Department of the Marine and Natural Resources.
J. Mooney, Department of Public Enterprise.
Date of Establishment
10 July 1997.
Report Published
Report not yet completed.
9. Marine Emergency Advisory Group
Role
To advise the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources and the Director of the Irish Marine Emergency Service (IMES) on marine emergency planning and response.
Membership
Capt. L. Kirwan, IMES.
Capt. G. Livingstone, IMES.
L. O'Donnell, IMES.
Capt. J. Kelly, Marine Survey Office.
CmDr. J. Kavanagh, Naval Service.
Brig. Gen. P. Cranfield, Air Corps.
S. Hogan, Department of the Environment and
Local Government.
F. O'Connor, Irish Aviation Authority.
M. Vlasto, RNLI.
C. Williams, RNLI.
Asst. Commr. J. Egan, Garda Síochána.
J. Caddle, Department of Finance.
Date of Establishment
1991.
Report Published
No report in last 12 months.
10. Steering Group for Expenditure Review of IMES
Role
To review the expenditure of the Irish Marine Emergency Service.
Membership
Capt. L. Kirwan, IMES.
Capt. G. Livingstone, IMES.
J. McGrath, IMES.
L. O'Donnell, Department of the Marine and Natural Resources.
M. O'Dwyer, Department of the Marine and Natural Resources.
M. McSweeney, Department of Finance.
Date of Establishment
April 1998.
Report Published
None to date.
11. Petroleum Affairs Advisory Groups
Within the Department's petroleum affairs division three groups have been established within the last month. These groups are informal and are composed of representatives of relevant agencies, universities and industry sectors. Two of these groups will advise on the selection of proposals for funding under the petroleum infrastructure programme. The final group will assist in reviewing and updating the safety measures and procedures in place for hydrocarbon and production activities. No reports will be published.
