Results 26,421-26,440 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (25 Nov 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 62 and 86 together. Government policy pertaining to the electronic communications market in Ireland is set out in "Next Generation Broadband — Gateway to a Knowledge Ireland", which I published in June 2009. The policy paper was developed in accordance with various key principles which are crucial to the development of the market including (i)...

Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (25 Nov 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The second progress report by the Monitoring Committee was presented to me in early November 2009 and can be viewed under the Corporate Publications section of my Departments website. The report has been circulated widely to interested parties who have been invited to submit observations on its content, together with a general invitation to raise any issues concerning the Sectoral Plan with...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (25 Nov 2009)

Eamon Ryan: Government policy pertaining to the electronic communications market in Ireland is set out in "Next Generation Broadband — Gateway to a Knowledge Ireland", which I published in June 2009. The policy paper was developed in accordance with various key principles which are crucial to the development of the market including (i) competition, at platform and service levels, which drives...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (25 Nov 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The two regulators, North and South, have been working together since late 2007 to develop joint proposals for the Common Arrangements for Gas (CAG) whereby all players in the gas market could buy, sell, transport and contribute to the development and planning of the natural gas market North and South on an all-island basis. The work of the Regulators has included a Cost Benefit Analysis of...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (25 Nov 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The Foreshore & Dumping at Sea (Amendment) Bill 2009 published on 6 November, provides for the transfer of certain functions relating to the foreshore from the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has confirmed that following the transfer of functions,...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (25 Nov 2009)

Eamon Ryan: Combined Heat and Power (CHP) is a highly efficient way of generating onsite heat and electricity simultaneously. It can offer significantly reduced energy bills for the end user and is a particularly efficient form of energy generation as it minimises any transmission losses involved in getting power to the site. Traditionally, CHP plants were only used in large industrial units with a...

Written Answers — Television Licence Fee: Television Licence Fee (25 Nov 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The issue of "free television licences" under the Household Benefits Package is a matter in the first place for my colleague, the Minister for Social and Family Affairs. The present position is that the Department of Social and Family Affairs compensates my Department for the cost of any "free licences" which it grants under the Household Benefits package. My Department then transfers a...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Legislation: Broadcasting Legislation (25 Nov 2009)

Eamon Ryan: Part 7, Chapter 6 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 provides for the development of an Oireachtas Channel and a film channel. Part 8 of the Act provides for a right of carriage on the RTÉ digital terrestrial television multiplex in respect of these channels. The Broadcasting Act 2009 provides that the Commission of the Houses of the Oireachtas may establish a public service channel to be made...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (25 Nov 2009)

Eamon Ryan: Ireland's ocean energy strategy is being overseen and implemented by the Ocean Energy Development Unit in Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) working with my Department and in partnership with all key players. Ocean energy technologies are still at the research and development phase globally. Work towards the commercialisation of ocean energy technology continues in Ireland and abroad. The...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (25 Nov 2009)

Eamon Ryan: It is accepted that even after the full roll-out of the National Broadband Scheme (NBS) there will still be a small percentage of premises that will not be capable of receiving broadband services. This is primarily due to technical and other reasons (suitability of a telephone line, distance from an enabled exchange, no line of sight etc.). The European Economic Recovery Programme includes...

Written Answers — Energy Costs: Energy Costs (25 Nov 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 79 and 89 together. Ireland's high energy costs, by comparison with much of Europe, are primarily due to significant dependence on imported fossil fuels, particularly gas, as well a requirement for very significant investment in energy infrastructure, following two decades of under-investment in the networks. The under-investment in networks and power...

Written Answers — Smart Metering: Smart Metering (25 Nov 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The Smart Metering Programme is progressing in line with the commitment in the Government's Energy Policy Framework and the Programme for Government. The Smart Metering Programme is a central component of the strategy to radically enhance management of energy demand deliver smart networks and to deliver greater energy efficiency through the use of cutting-edge technology. Smart Metering is...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (25 Nov 2009)

Eamon Ryan: Phase I of the Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) Programme has delivered optical fibre based networks to twenty-seven towns and cities throughout the country. All twenty-seven are operational and open for business and thirty-six service providers are currently offering services on twenty four of the Phase I MANs. Three of the Phase I MANs are not currently used by service providers. These...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (25 Nov 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The "All Island Grid Study" published early last year, examined the ability of the electricity systems on an All-Island basis to absorb power from renewable energy powered projects. Without being prescriptive, the study's findings showed that penetration of up to 42% renewable electricity is technically feasible without any major increase in pumped storage. There are however, a number of...

Written Answers — Energy Conservation: Energy Conservation (25 Nov 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The Home Energy Saving Scheme, which is administered by Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI), provides grant assistance to homeowners for energy efficiency retro-fitting measures including attic and wall insulation, very high-efficiency boilers, heating controls and Building Energy Rating (BER) assessments. Persons on low incomes are not excluded from the Home Energy Savings Scheme. It is,...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (25 Nov 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The possibility of merging the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland and ComReg is one of a range of proposals made by the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes in relation to my Department. These proposals are being considered in the context of the 2010 Estimates and Budget preparations. It would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this stage on any of...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (25 Nov 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The decentralisation programme as originally announced in December 2003, included the proposal to relocate the Headquarters of my Department to Cavan. As announced by the Minister for Finance in his statement of 14 October 2008, the Government has deferred decisions on the timing of the implementation of elements of the decentralisation programme including that of my Department, pending a...

Fuel Poverty. (25 Nov 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I am reporting good news. The warmer home scheme has been ramped up. When I came into office more than two years ago, approximately 2,000 homes were being done but now approximately 15,000 homes are being done. It is targeting those most at risk, in particular older people who we need to keep warm in winter. It makes a transformational difference to houses if the proper insulation is put...

Fuel Poverty. (25 Nov 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The provision of 1,500 houses represents action rather than aspirations. I agree with the Deputy that in terms of social housing, we have to consider some of the technologies we have developed. In the home energy scheme we have introduced the exterior insulation for particular support. I agree with the Deputy that such technology can be of particular use in regard to social housing. It...

Telecommunications Services. (25 Nov 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The widespread provision of broadband services is a priority for the Government. My Department has undertaken a number of initiatives to address the provision of broadband throughout the country, including the mid-west region. These initiatives include the national broadband scheme, NBS; the metropolitan area networks, MANs, programme; the broadband for schools programme, which is being...