Results 8,001-8,020 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (27 Sep 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 870 and 871 together. The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, 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. The question of enabling telephone exchanges for broadband is an...

Written Answers — Census of Population: Census of Population (27 Sep 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I can advise that my Department has, from time to time, used relevant statistics and data compiled by the Central Statistics Office as appropriate to our policy goals and operational needs across the Communications, Energy, Fisheries and Earth Screening Sectors. As the Deputy will appreciate, relevant statistics and data sets are a useful resource and I am pleased that the relevant data...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (27 Sep 2006)

Noel Dempsey: A total of 361 applications have been received from the Kildare and Carlow region, for grant aid under the €27m Greener Homes domestic grants scheme, which I launched on 27th March. A further two applications from this region have been made for funding under Sustainable Energy Ireland's commercial Bioheat and Combined Heat and Power programmes. Assessments are ongoing in relation to the...

Written Answers — Electricity Service: Electricity Service (27 Sep 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The issue of ESB meter inspections is a day-to-day operational matter for the ESB and not one in which I have a function.

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (27 Sep 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 875 and 885 together. The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, 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. The upgrading of telephone exchanges for the provision of broadband...

Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (27 Sep 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The matter of the automation of post offices is, in the first instance, an operational matter for the Board and management of An Post and one in which I have no statutory function. I have received no report on this matter. However, on making enquiries with An Post, I understand that the period for which the pilot project is being conducted is from 1st October 2005 to 30th September 2006. I...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (27 Sep 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The Renewables Directive (2001/77/EC) obliges Ireland to develop and implement a programme capable of increasing the amount of electricity from renewable energy sources to 13.2% of total consumption by 2010. The target of 13.2% approximates to 1450 megawatts (MW) of installed generating capacity to be operational to the electricity network by 2010. Currently there are over 860MW of...

Written Answers — Mobile Telephony: Mobile Telephony (27 Sep 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The Interdepartmental Committee on the Health Effects of Electromagnetic Fields is at an advanced stage in its consideration of the policy issues regarding any potential health effects. An Expert Group of independent national and international scientific and medical experts, commissioned by the Interdepartmental Committee, is currently finalising its report and will shortly submit it to the...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (27 Sep 2006)

Noel Dempsey: We have more than doubled the capacity of renewable energy powered electricity generating plants connected to the electricity network in the last two years. The 2010 target of 13.2% of total consumption from electricity generated from renewable energy sources will be met and exceeded. I have recently announced an ambitious programme to almost treble the contribution by renewable energy...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (27 Sep 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, is a matter in the first instance for the private sector companies operating in a fully liberalised market under the regulation of the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. My Department administers a Group Broadband Scheme which offers small towns and rural communities of less than 1,500 people the...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (27 Sep 2006)

Noel Dempsey: Earlier this year, I launched a new ocean energy strategy, which aims to put Ireland at the forefront of ocean energy development and position us to capitalise on this resource. The strategy was developed by Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) and the Marine Institute. As the first stage in implementing this strategy, we have recently upgraded the Hydraulics and Maritime Research Centre in UCC...

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (27 Sep 2006)

Noel Dempsey: My Department does not currently have on record a request for funding from the Association of Irish Energy Agencies. I am very supportive of the work of the Energy Agencies North and South to promote renewable energy and the rational use of energy. The Association is a network set up with the support of the EU Commission. I look forward to the Association's contribution to the consultation...

Written Answers — Communications Masts: Communications Masts (27 Sep 2006)

Noel Dempsey: Figures obtained from the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) indicate that, as of 25th September 2006, there are 4,505 mobile telecommunications sites in Ireland. This figure includes both the traditional stand-alone masts and the sites that are located on buildings or other support structures. The location of these mobile telecommunications sites is madepublicly available on...

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed) (27 Sep 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I am grateful for this opportunity to conclude the Second Stage discussion of the provisions of the National Oil Reserves Agency Bill. The Bill is one of a range of measures being pursued by the Government in order to develop the energy agenda. It provides NORA with the freedom to operate as a stand-alone agency, while at the same time reinforcing appropriate public policy and corporate...

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Referral to Select Committee (27 Sep 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, in accordance with Standing Order 120(1) and paragraph 1(a)(i) of the Orders of Reference of that committee.

Written Answers — Energy Conservation: Energy Conservation (6 Jul 2006)

Noel Dempsey: Ireland's housing stock is proportionately the youngest and fastest growing in Europe, and therefore Building Regulations, under the mandate of the Department of the Environment, Heritage & Local Government, have represented an important policy instrument for ensuring satisfactory standards of thermal insulation and other energy performance features in new housing stock. Approximately half of...

Written Answers — Communications Masts: Communications Masts (6 Jul 2006)

Noel Dempsey: Legislation in relation to planning issues is a matter for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in the first instance.

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (6 Jul 2006)

Noel Dempsey: Sustainable Energy Ireland's Renewable Energy Information Office is a national service of Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI). This service has been successfully delivered under contract for a number of years. The current contract was awarded following an OJEU tendering process during 2000/2001. South Western Services (SWS) in Bandon, Co. Cork was the successful tenderer on the basis of defined...

Written Answers — Building Regulations: Building Regulations (6 Jul 2006)

Noel Dempsey: House of Tomorrow is a research, development and demonstration programme with a focus on stimulating widespread uptake of more sustainable energy planning, design, specification and construction practices in the Irish housing market. The aim is to develop capability in the building industry and create a growing network of visible model examples of such superior practices, so as to lever...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (6 Jul 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I am committed to developing the necessary structures required to ensure that householders can avail of renewable electricity generating technologies. There are however, a number of technical and administrative issues which require to be addressed in order to pursue this objective. Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) has published a study on the metering options for Small Scale Renewable...