Results 9,241-9,260 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Digital Strategy Implementation (11 Dec 2014)

Joe McHugh: The Taoiseach and the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources attended the British Irish Council Summit (BIC) in the Isle of Man on 28 November last where digital inclusion was a main item on the agenda. Digital inclusion is central to the Government’s National Digital Strategy. The strategy aims to position Ireland to take advantage of the opportunities of digital...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Agencies Staff Remuneration (11 Dec 2014)

Joe McHugh: The employment terms and conditions for Ervia employees, other than the Chief Executive, are an operational matter for the company and not a matter in which the Minister has any role or function. In the period 2011 to early 2013, Ervia, or BGE at that time, engaged with NewERA and relevant departments, including the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, regarding its...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Post Office Network (11 Dec 2014)

Joe McHugh: It is Government policy that An Post should remain a strong and viable company, in a position to provide a high-quality postal service and maintain a nationwide customer-focused network of post offices in the community. The network stands well positioned to become the front-office provider of choice for Government and the financial services sector for both electronic transactions as well as...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Hydraulic Fracturing (11 Dec 2014)

Joe McHugh: I, Ministers and my predecessor as Minister of State at the Department of Communications Energy and Natural resources have outlined on a number of occasions that no decision will be made on any proposal for the use of hydraulic fracturing in exploration drilling as part of an unconventional gas exploration programme, until there has been time to complete and consider the outcome of a major...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Policy (11 Dec 2014)

Joe McHugh: The written consultation process on the Green Paper on Energy Policy in Ireland concluded on 31 July 2014. Over 1,240 submissions were received. The process of developing a definitive Energy Policy is continuing. Further engagement at stakeholder events at various Dublin and regional locations has been taking place over recent weeks. My Department is focussed on ensuring that all issues of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Alternative Energy Projects (11 Dec 2014)

Joe McHugh: While it is acknowledged that fossil fuels will remain part of the energy mix over the long term, progress is being made towards increasing the share of renewable energy in our generation portfolio. The 2009 EU Renewable Energy Directive set Ireland a legally binding target of meeting 16% of our energy requirements from renewable sources by 2020. In order to meet this target, Ireland is...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Strategy for Renewable Energy (11 Dec 2014)

Joe McHugh: Both wave and tidal energy are still at the research, development and demonstration stage globally and, while promising experimental devices have been developed, much research, development and demonstration is required to bring wave energy technology to commercial viability. Policy action across a range of areas is required to support developers in bringing ocean energy devices from...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Service Provision (11 Dec 2014)

Joe McHugh: The National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to ensure that every citizen and business, regardless of location, has access to a high quality, high speed broadband service. This will be achieved through a combination of commercial investments and a State-led intervention in areas where commercial services will not be provided. On the 24 November, the Minister launched a public consultation on the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Strategy for Renewable Energy (11 Dec 2014)

Joe McHugh: The overarching objective of the Government's energy policy is to ensure secure, sustainable supplies of competitively priced energy to all consumers. As a State we have ambitious targets for 16% of our energy from renewable sources by 2020 through meeting 40% of electricity demand from renewable sources, with 10% renewables in transport and 12% in heat. In 2013, 7.8% of Ireland’s...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Proposed Legislation (11 Dec 2014)

Joe McHugh: This Government is committed to our citizens’ safety both on and offline. I believe it is of critical importance that there is a cohesive Governmental response to coordinating this regulatory function and my Department is at the forefront of this response. In late 2013, an independent, expert Internet Content Governance Advisory Group (the ICGA Group) was established to report to the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Corrib Gas Field (11 Dec 2014)

Joe McHugh: Completion of the Corrib gas field development works, by the developer, is the principal factor that will determine the date for first gas. It is estimated that construction of the onshore section of the pipeline will be completed in early 2015 with first gas anticipated in mid 2015.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Offshore Exploration (11 Dec 2014)

Joe McHugh: There have been no new commercial discoveries of oil and gas within the territory of the State since the discovery of the Corrib Gas Field in 1996. With first gas expected in the first half of 2015, the Corrib gas project will make a significant contribution to the island's security of supply situation. It is estimated that the project will have an operating life span of between 15 to 20...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Seirbhísí Aeir Fóirdheonaithe (11 Dec 2014)

Joe McHugh: Tá mo Roinn i láthair na huaire ag scrúdú tuarascáil EY a rinne athbhreithniú ar an tseirbhís aeir d'Oileáin Árann. Beidh an scrúdú sin críochnaithe go luath agus déanfar cinneadh faoin tseirbhís aeir ina dhiaidh sin. Tá an cur chuige maidir le fógraíocht agus eile do sheirbhísí mar seo leagtha...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Air Strips (9 Dec 2014)

Joe McHugh: Beidh mé ag streachailt i mBéarla anois. An bhfuil sé sin ar dóigh? As the Deputy is aware, my Department has developed airstrips at Cleggan and Inishbofin in County Galway. These airstrips are not open at present. They are not licensed for use by the Irish Aviation Authority. The landing of aircraft on the airstrips is prohibited. The Department of Arts, Heritage...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Air Strips (9 Dec 2014)

Joe McHugh: I dtús báire, ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil le mo chomhghleacaithe, na hAirí, na Teachtaí Humphreys, Howlin agus Noonan as ucht a gcuid tacaíochta i rith an phróisis Mheastachán i ndiaidh an bhuiséid. Tá mé thar a bheith sásta go mbeidh airgead breise ar fáil d'Údarás na Gaeltachta. Rinne mé...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Air Strips (9 Dec 2014)

Joe McHugh: I am interested in doing something constructive with the many stakeholders and different groups in this sector. Galway County Council was heavily involved at one stage. Deputy Kyne has his ear to the ground and will certainly have ideas as well. I will speak to my officials on this matter. We will see how we can try to move it forward. If people have an interest in and are willing to use...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (9 Dec 2014)

Joe McHugh: Beidh mé i dteangmháil leis na hoifigigh sinseartha agus na hAirí idir na ranna rialtais éagsúla chun daoine a bhogadh chun tosaigh sa scéim. Tá dualgas orainn an teanga a chur chun tosaigh sna ranna agus sna seirbhísí phoiblí timpeall na tíre. Is tús maith é 6% agus is dócha go mbeidh an tír in áit...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (9 Dec 2014)

Joe McHugh: Mar is eol don Teachta, rinneadh athbhreithniú ar Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003 i gcomhréir leis an ghealltanas a tugadh i gClár an Rialtais 2011-2016. Mar thoradh ar an athbhreithniú sin, d'fhoilsigh mo Roinn cinn Bhille na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú) 2014 i mí Aibreáin seo a chuaigh thart. Déantar foráil i gceann a sé den...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (9 Dec 2014)

Joe McHugh: Tá mé cinnte faoi sin. Tá fios agam go raibh díospóireacht mhór ann roimh an cinneadh seo a dhéanamh, am nach raibh mise ceaptha mar Aire Stáit. Glacaim nach bhfuil i gceist ach figiúir de 6%. Ach is dóigh liom gur tús maith é. Mar a deirtear, is tús maith leath na hoibre. Is féidir linn tógáil ar an...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Seirbhísí Oileán (9 Dec 2014)

Joe McHugh: Tá conradh faoi oibleagáid seirbhíse poiblí i bhfeidhm idir mo Roinn agus Aer Arann Islands chun seirbhís aeir a chur ar fáil d’Oileáin Árann suas go dtí 30 Meán Fómhair 2015. Mar is eol don Teachta, d’fhostaigh mo Roinn an comhlacht EY chun athbhreithniú a dhéanamh ar riachtanas na seirbhíse aeir, i...