Results 7,361-7,380 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — Energy Costs: Energy Costs (21 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 117 and 119 together. The Commission for Energy Regulation is statutorily required to protect the interests of final customers as well as taking into account the needs of vulnerable customers. CER has put measures in place to ensure that consumer interests are represented in the CERs decision making process and that customer complaint mechanisms are enhanced....

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (21 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: Subsections 11 to 13 of Section 19 of the Broadcasting Act 2001 empower the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI) to make rules requiring each broadcaster to take specified steps to promote the understanding and enjoyment, by persons who are deaf or hard of hearing, of programmes transmitted by that broadcaster. The rules drawn up by the BCI following a comprehensive public consultation...

Written Answers — Energy Costs: Energy Costs (21 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 120 and 146 together. I am aware of varying energy costs within the European Union. I do not have any function in relation to the pricing of electricity and gas, as this falls within the remit of the Commission for Energy Regulation, (CER), the independent regulator for electricity and gas. I am advised that an analysis of the most recent Eurostat data on gas...

Written Answers — Mobile Telephony: Mobile Telephony (21 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I have no function in the regulation of premium rate numbers. These are commercial products in a commercial market and responsibility for the regulation of the content and promotion of premium rate telecommunications services is a matter for Regtel, the independent regulator. The Deputy should be aware however, that legislation is already in place to address the sending of indecent or...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (21 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: In April 2005 a team of advisors was engaged to examine the potential for enhancing and augmenting existing state owned infrastructure. This team submitted a Feasibility Report in December 2005. The report found that, while technically feasible, there would be considerable financial, legal, regulatory, operational and organisational challenges in harnessing and enhancing the existing state...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (21 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 127, 152, 163 and 168 together. A digital terrestrial television (DTT) pilot programme is currently being implemented by my Department. The purpose of the pilot is to bring further momentum to the transition to digital terrestrial broadcasting and to test and trial various aspects of the service. The DTT pilot is now in the "soft trial" phase during which the...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (21 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I have no function in these matters.

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (21 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I am aware that Eircom has highlighted the infrastructure enhancements required in order to provide broadband services throughout its network. I also recognise that despite private and public investment in broadband infrastructure there are still some parts of the country where the private sector will be unable to justify the commercial provision of broadband connectivity. Options to address...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (21 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: Total Allowable Catches (TACs) and Quotas and associated conditions for fisheries for 2007 under the Common Fisheries Policy will be decided at the Council of Agriculture and Fisheries Ministers from 19-21 December 2006. The Council will be preceded by a series of working groups and other meetings at which each Member State will endeavour to negotiate the best possible outcome in the...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (21 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (Single Electricity Market) Bill 2006, which was published on 20 November, provides for the establishment and operation of a single competitive wholesale electricity market on the island of Ireland. The Bill will, inter alia, provide a framework for the performance of the functions of the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) relating to the single...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (21 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The telecommunications market in Ireland is fully liberalised and open and the provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, is a matter in the first instance for the private sector companies. Statutory responsibility for the regulation of this sector rests with the independent regulator, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), under the Communications...

Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (21 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: My colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, has lead responsibility for Government policy on meeting Ireland's target under the Kyoto Protocol. The energy sector will make its contribution to meeting our obligations under the Kyoto protocol through participation in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme. The Government has already decided, in the context of the...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (21 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: Matters relating to quality and levels of postal service are a matter in the first instance for the management and board of An Post. The Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, in accordance with the provisions of S.I. 616 of 2002 European Communities (Postal Services) Regulations, is responsible for the monitoring, measurement and regulation of the postal sector including measuring...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (21 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: There are no market problems as implied by the Deputy's question and the deployment of the technologies concerned is continuing as normal. The Greener Homes Scheme, which I launched in March, provides grant aid for domestic renewable heat technologies. Approximately 44% of the applications received to date relate to wood pellet boilers or stoves. The BioHeat Programme, which I launched in...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (21 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: Over-fishing and illegal practices by other EU fishing fleets in Irish waters are and have been a matter of ongoing concern to me, to my colleague Minister of State Browne, and to the Department. Illegal practices militate against the protection of our fisheries resources, and their exploitation in a sustainable way into the future. I have previously raised Ireland's concerns on these issues...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (21 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 137 and 147 together. The economy and society overall require that energy supply meets the demands of Irish consumers, and industry, at all times. The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), has broad statutory functions in relation to security of electricity supply in line with EU Directives. It is the duty of the CER to monitor the security of supply of...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (21 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The Government's Green Paper on Energy Policy outlines future directions for energy policy based on the three pillars of: security of supply; environmental sustainability and; economic competitiveness. Ireland's continued economic growth and competitiveness depends on a reliable and competitively priced energy supply. The competitiveness of Irish energy supply requires action on a number of...

Written Answers — Bord na Móna: Bord na Móna (21 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The Government's objective with regard to Bord na Móna is to ensure the long-term viability of the Company having regard to the declining and finite nature of its existing businesses. I approved, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, Bord na Móna's future strategy proposals in October 2005. Included in the strategy are projects in the renewable energy, waste management and...

Written Answers — Aquaculture Development: Aquaculture Development (21 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: Minister of State John Browne and myself established the Seafood Strategy Review Group in June 2006 with the objective of consulting with all stakeholders to devise a strategy for the 2007-13 period for the delivery of a sustainable and profitable seafood industry in Ireland. I expect to receive the report of the Seafood Strategy Review Group within the next two to three weeks. This report...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (21 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) is the statutory body responsible for spectrum management. Earlier this year ComReg established a licensing scheme to permit wireless public address systems (WPAS), and allow what is seen as a valuable community service to continue in a way that is regulated and will not cause problems for the broadcasting content regulator and other users...