Results 29,581-29,600 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (11 Oct 2007)

Eamon Ryan: I have no function in this matter. Matters relating to post office closures are for the board and management of An Post. As set out in Section 12(3) of the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983 'the company shall have power to do anything which appears to it to be requisite, advantageous or incidental to, or which appears to it to facilitate, either directly or indirectly, the...

Written Answers — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (11 Oct 2007)

Eamon Ryan: I recently launched a new Licensing Round in the Porcupine Basin inviting applications for exploration licence from interested parties. The closing date for applications is 18 December 2007. The Licensing Round offers the industry an opportunity to obtain exploration licences to invest in exploration activity in the Porcupine Basin which has recognised hydrocarbon bearing potential. The...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (11 Oct 2007)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 38 and 64 together. The provision of telecommunications services, including wired broadband, is a matter for the service providers that provide wired broadband services. Broadband service providers operate in a fully liberalised market, regulated, where appropriate, by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. Difficulties...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (11 Oct 2007)

Eamon Ryan: The draft general scheme of the Broadcasting Bill was submitted to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources in September 2006 for the purposes of public consultation under the eConsultation initiative. The Joint Oireachtas Committee published its conclusions on the draft general scheme in April 2007. It is proposed to publish the consequent Broadcasting...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Regulation: Telecommunications Regulation (11 Oct 2007)

Eamon Ryan: Responsibility for the regulation of the content and promotion of premium rate telecommunications services, including subscription-based services, is a matter for the Regulator of Premium Rate Telecommunications Services (RegTel), an independent self-regulatory body. RegTel does not report to me as Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. The area of consumer protection...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (11 Oct 2007)

Eamon Ryan: My Department is continuing to undertake a Value for Money and Policy Review on Phase I of the Metropolitan Area Networks Programme. The review is being carried out in close co-operation with the Department of Finance. This Review, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2007, along with other policy analysis being undertaken at present, will help to inform my decisions on future...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (11 Oct 2007)

Eamon Ryan: The tender for the provision of the emergency call answering service was launched in September 2007. The closing date for the receipt of applications is the 7th December 2007. It is not possible to provide details of the cost of the provision of the service at this stage. The tender requires a potential operator to detail the transition arrangements for the provision of the new service....

Written Answers — Telecommunications Security: Telecommunications Security (11 Oct 2007)

Eamon Ryan: Security issues in relation to public communications networks provided by eircom and other service providers are matters in the first instance for the service providers who are regulated by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). A function of ComReg is the investigation of complaints from consumers in relation to the supply of, and access to, electronic...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Sector: Telecommunications Sector (11 Oct 2007)

Eamon Ryan: The provision of telecommunications services is a matter in the first instance for the private sector companies operating in a fully liberalised market, regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), the independent regulator. I recently received a discussion paper from eircom on the communications sector in general which includes their proposals to separate its retail...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (11 Oct 2007)

Eamon Ryan: The Deloitte and Touche and William Fry report referred to by the Deputy, was prepared to aid the establishment of TG4 as an independent statutory body. It has always been the intention to publish the report at an appropriate time. TG4 became an independent statutory body from 1 April last, a result of a Government decision taken in July 2006. A Project Management Group, chaired by my...

Written Answers — Biofuels Industry: Biofuels Industry (11 Oct 2007)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 46, 56, 60, 61 and 186 together. The Programme for Government commits to the development of an Irish biofuels industry and to the development and deployment of bio-energy generally in Ireland. In this context, the Government has announced its intention to introduce a Biofuels Obligation in 2009, which will require all fuel suppliers to ensure that biofuels...

Written Answers — Energy Market: Energy Market (11 Oct 2007)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 48 and 179 together. Preparations are fully in train for the establishment of the Single Electricity Market and actual market trials are underway by the industry North and South in the run-up to the actual commencement date for the market. The market is on track to 'go-live' on 1 November 2007. A formal decision in that regard is to be taken by the two...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (11 Oct 2007)

Eamon Ryan: A proposal on postcodes was brought to Government earlier this year. Before the project can proceed however, the Government decided that further analysis and quantification of the benefits of postcodes is required. The upfront cost of establishing a postcode address database, implementing and promoting the postcode has been estimated in the region of €15m. There would also be ongoing...

Written Answers — Renewable Energy Resources: Renewable Energy Resources (11 Oct 2007)

Eamon Ryan: The Programme for Government reaffirms the Energy Policy White Paper target for Ireland of 33% of gross electricity consumption from renewable energy sources by 2020. As was clarified at the time, the comment by an officer of Sustainable Energy Ireland earlier this year related to the contribution from renewable energy sources to overall energy use i.e. the electricity, heat and transport...

Written Answers — Water Supply: Water Supply (11 Oct 2007)

Eamon Ryan: Groundwater resources are assessed by the Geological Survey of Ireland, a division of my Department, through their aquifer classification and groundwater vulnerability mapping. Groundwater in Ireland is protected under European Community and national legislation, and local authorities and the Environmental Protection Agency are responsible for enforcing this legislation. The Geological...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (11 Oct 2007)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 52 and 62 together. 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 make up. The first step in implementing the programme for Government commitment, in relation to micro-generation, is the...

Written Answers — Electricity Market: Electricity Market (11 Oct 2007)

Eamon Ryan: As a peripheral island energy market, Ireland fully supports the progressive integration of European markets and European energy networks. The Energy Policy White Paper underlines the Government's commitment to the progressive development of a regional electricity market with UK and North West Europe over the coming years The all-island Single Electricity Market from November this year and...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (11 Oct 2007)

Eamon Ryan: The Government's objective for Bord na Móna is to ensure the long-term viability of the company having regard to the finite nature of its existing businesses. It was clear in 2005 that new strategic directions were needed to ensure a sustainable future for the company. With Government approval, Bord na Móna is actively developing opportunities in the renewable energy, waste management and...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (11 Oct 2007)

Eamon Ryan: The commercial development of a proposed large scale wind-farm on the Arklow Banks is primarily a matter for the project developers. A proposal for a smaller phase 1 project of 25 megawatts (MW) on the same site has been submitted into the offshore wind category of round 6 of the Alternative Energy Requirement support programme (AER 6), operated by my Department. Evaluation of applications in...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (11 Oct 2007)

Eamon Ryan: In line with the Programme for Government commitment to ensure that the ESB installs smart electronic meters in every home, I have mandated my Department to work as a priority with the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), ESB Networks, and Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) to expedite a costed national smart meter roll-out programme, building on research and pilot projects to date as well...