Results 29,481-29,500 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Written Answers — Departmental Transport: Departmental Transport (6 Nov 2007)

Eamon Ryan: The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table herewith. Period Mileage Expenses Rail and Bus Ticket Expenditure â'¬ â'¬ July-September 2007 100,322 5,014 July-September 2006 105,294 4,935

Written Answers — Unsolicited Mail: Unsolicited Mail (1 Nov 2007)

Eamon Ryan: The public receives a wide variety of mail from a number of sources, much of which could be regarded as unsolicited mail, including unaddressed mail material, which may be delivered by An Post or other operators. An Post is statutorily obliged under Section 12 of the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act, 1983 to satisfy all reasonable demands for postal services throughout the State....

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (1 Nov 2007)

Eamon Ryan: The scheme of performance-related awards in the civil service applies to Deputy and Assistant Secretaries and equivalent grades. It does not apply to Secretaries General. Details of awards to individual officers under the performance related scheme are not disclosed on the basis that they are confidential to the officer concerned. However I can say that during 2007 awards totalling €51,200...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (31 Oct 2007)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 580 and 581 together. Phase I of the Greener Homes Scheme fulfilled all of its initial objectives and surpassed its targets ahead of schedule. In light of the success of Phase I, Phase II of the Greener Homes Scheme was launched on 1st October with some adjustments reflecting market developments. The grant levels have been reduced for some technologies where...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (31 Oct 2007)

Eamon Ryan: The Energy Policy White Paper and the Programme for Government contain a range of actions to deliver greater competition, energy security of supply and a low carbon future for Ireland, including the transfer to EirGrid of ownership of the transmission assets and the sale or divestment of ESB capacity under the CER-ESB Asset Strategy. While the decisions regarding practical implementation of...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (31 Oct 2007)

Eamon Ryan: Section 28(2)(b) of the Broadcasting Act, 2001 mandates RTÉ to provide programmes of news and current affairs in the Irish and English languages, including programmes that provide coverage of proceedings in the Houses of the Oireachtas and the European Parliament. Section 45(4)(c) of the 2001 Act mandates TG4 to provide coverage of proceedings in the Houses of the Oireachtas and the European...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (31 Oct 2007)

Eamon Ryan: The Government is fully committed to developing both domestic and commercial scale renewable technologies. In relation to biomass heating, support has been focussed on stimulating demand for wood heating products in the market, both at domestic and commercial level. A range of measures are in place which are designed to increase market penetration of renewable energy in the heat sector and...

Written Answers — Communications Masts: Communications Masts (31 Oct 2007)

Eamon Ryan: The Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) is responsible for ensuring compliance by mobile network operators with certain conditions, one of which relates to non-ionising radiation emissions from radio installations associated with Mobile Telephony networks. Section 5(4) of Statutory Instrument No.339 of 2003, entitled Wireless Telegraphy (GSM Mobile Telephony Licence) (Amendment)...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (31 Oct 2007)

Eamon Ryan: I wish to advise the Deputy that an amount of €52,750.06 was spent by my Department in respect of official hospitality, including official entertainment and official gifts, in the period 1 October 2006 to 30 September 2007.

Written Answers — Departmental Facilities: Departmental Facilities (31 Oct 2007)

Eamon Ryan: There are staff restaurants in two buildings operated by my Department at the following locations: DCENR, 29/31 Adelaide Road, Dublin 2, and DCENR, Leeson Lane, Dublin 2. Both restaurants are operated through external franchise by Regent Catering, which purchases its meat from certified Irish sources.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (25 Oct 2007)

Eamon Ryan: Subhead E of my Department's vote provides for the Exchequer grant to the fisheries boards and the Foyle Carlingford Irish Lights Commission (Loughs Agency). The 2007 funding provision published in the Revised Estimates Volume, along with additional resources subsequently secured from within the Department's vote, has been fully allocated and will be paid in accordance with agreed profiles....

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (25 Oct 2007)

Eamon Ryan: The Greener Homes Scheme provides support to homeowners to invest in a range of renewable energy heating technologies including biomass boilers and stoves, heat pumps and solar technology. Biomass in this context refers to wood pellets technology. One of the main drivers of the Greener Homes Scheme is to demonstrate to the consumer that wood fuels are a realistic alternative to oil and gas...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (24 Oct 2007)

Eamon Ryan: Section 28(1) of the Broadcasting Act 2001 requires RTÉ to provide a national television and sound broadcasting service free-to-air, insofar as it is reasonably practicable, to the whole community on the island of Ireland. This is a function in which the Oireachtas has provided statutory responsibility to RTÉ and in which I have no role.

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (24 Oct 2007)

Eamon Ryan: Reception issues associated with terrestrial reception of the national broadcasting channels are a matter for RTÉ. There is currently overspill of UK analogue TV broadcasts from Wales and Northern Ireland into Ireland. This overspill may be received in the South East of the country and along the border with Northern Ireland. This is expected to cease in the next few years as the UK...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (24 Oct 2007)

Eamon Ryan: The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, is a matter in the first instance for the private sector. Broadband service providers operate in a fully liberalised market, regulated, where appropriate, by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, (ComReg). The role of the Government is to formulate regulatory and infrastructure policies to facilitate the...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (24 Oct 2007)

Eamon Ryan: The Programme for Government commits to developing Ireland's considerable potential for distributed generation, including micro-generation. In terms of international best practice we have a considerable distance to catch up. The first step in implementing the Programme for Government commitment, in relation to micro-generation, is the facilitation of a 'net metering' system whereby local...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (23 Oct 2007)

Eamon Ryan: I understand that representations were received by An Taoiseach from OPEN, requesting support for the inclusion of an Article in the new EU treaty, in relation to a Trans European Network on Renewable Energy Sources. The existing programme run by the European Commission for Trans-European Networks in Energy (TENS-E) makes provision for feasibility studies for energy networks with a...

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (23 Oct 2007)

Eamon Ryan: I issued a press release on 3rd September last announcing that Phase I of the Greener Homes Scheme had fulfilled all of its initial objectives and surpassed its targets ahead of schedule. My Department's website was updated accordingly. Sustainable Energy Ireland's (SEI) website was also updated on that day with information on the scheme and all suppliers were notified directly by SEI....

Written Answers — Prospecting Licences: Prospecting Licences (23 Oct 2007)

Eamon Ryan: Issues relating to access to lands arise occasionally in relation to mineral prospecting. These often come to attention in the context of public consultation phases of applications for prospecting licences. In the case of prospecting under licence, a landowner does not have the legal right to refuse access. I have no applications for State mining leases for gold mining at present but the...

Written Answers — Energy Efficiency: Energy Efficiency (23 Oct 2007)

Eamon Ryan: The Government is committed to promoting and incentivising energy efficiency in the residential sector. In the context of the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan and the Programme for Government, we will be giving particular priority to upgrading the energy efficiency of older housing stock. I have mandated my Department to develop detailed proposals for the requisite scheme and related...