Results 2,161-2,180 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (25 Jan 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I have had no meetings with the management or unions of An Post so far this year. However, during the recent industrial relations difficulties at the company, I held a number of meetings with representatives of An Post management, the chairperson and representatives of the company's unions on a number of occasions at which I emphasised to all parties the importance of an early start to the...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Infrastructure: Telecommunications Infrastructure (25 Jan 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 136, 137, 157 and 215 together. The provision of telecommunications services and the development and roll-out of telecommunications technology is primarily a matter for the industry itself. The telecoms market is fully liberalised and regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, which is independent in the exercise of its functions. As...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (25 Jan 2006)

Noel Dempsey: A proposal to update the EU television without frontiers directive, to keep pace with rapid technological and market developments in Europe's audiovisual sector was tabled by the European Commission in December last. The most significant aspect of the Commission's proposal is directed at updating the definition of the services that would be covered by the directive to ensure that all...

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (25 Jan 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I am considering the appointment of a new chairperson of the RTE Authority and will bring a proposal to Government in this regard in due course. Some weeks ago I discussed with Mr. Drury the review that is currently under way of the events that are designated as events of major importance to society and that should be available to the public on a free television service. At the time Mr. Drury...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (25 Jan 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 143 and 228 together. The EC biofuels directive sets indicative targets to member states of 2% market penetration for biofuels by end 2005. The targets in the directive are indicative and not mandatory. Noting that we are starting from a very low current production base, our objective is to meet the 2% target by 2008 through targeted fiscal measures designed...

Written Answers — Television Services: Television Services (25 Jan 2006)

Noel Dempsey: Procurement for the digital terrestrial television, DTT, pilot is well under way, with key tenders at the final evaluation stage. There are a number of stages to the pilot. The procurement processes that are under way relate to the multiplex and transmission aspects of the pilot, essentially the construction of the necessary digital terrestrial television infrastructure. I expect that...

Written Answers — Renewable Energy: Renewable Energy (25 Jan 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The draft terms and conditions of the proposed renewable energy feed in tariff, REFIT, programme have been the subject of public consultation and the views received have usefully informed the shape of the programme which is currently being finalised. I intend to launch the REFIT programme at the earliest date.

Written Answers — Corrib Gas Pipeline: Corrib Gas Pipeline (25 Jan 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 147, 151, 196, 199, 222 and 227 together. As the House is aware, I commissioned an international consulting company, Advantica, on 25 August 2005, to carry out a thorough and independent safety review of the onshore, upstream section of the Corrib gas pipeline. Advantica is a world leader in the area of advanced hazard and risk assessment technologies for gas...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Rights: Broadcasting Rights (25 Jan 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 148, 150, 161, 168 and 216 together. I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 131 of today.

Written Answers — Metropolitan Area Networks: Metropolitan Area Networks (25 Jan 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The Government is addressing the local infrastructure deficit by building high-speed open access metropolitan area networks, MANs, in 120 towns and cities nationwide, on a phased basis in association with the local and regional authorities. Phase one of this programme has delivered fibre optic networks to 27 towns and cities throughout the country, which were built on time and under budget....

Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (25 Jan 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I refer the Deputy to the following appendix that outlines the information requested on the number of post offices converted or closed in the past 12 months. With regard to the post office network, as clearly set out in the programme for Government, this Government and the board of An Post is committed to the objective of securing a viable and sustainable nationwide post office network....

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (25 Jan 2006)

Noel Dempsey: Energy conservation and energy efficiency strategies have a critical contribution to make to competitiveness, security of supply and environmental sustainability. The objective is to enable continued growth in economic output using less energy input. The impact of energy efficiency and conservation measures on future energy consumption, total final energy consumption, or future total primary...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Infrastructure: Telecommunications Infrastructure (25 Jan 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 154, 155, 167 and 176 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 independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. The principal reason for the slow roll-out of broadband services generally...

Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (25 Jan 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 158, 202 and 208 together. There will continue to be a key national role for An Post both in delivery of mails and as a quality service provider through its nationwide network of post office outlets. The development of the post office network and the delivery of services through that network is the responsibility, in the first instance, of the board and...

Written Answers — Fisheries Conservation: Fisheries Conservation (25 Jan 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The continuing need for conservation of fish stocks demonstrates the importance of having timely and accurate scientific advice available to allow for decision making. The scientific community has, for many years, expressed a general concern on both the quality and availability of fisheries data to assist it in its task of assessing fish stocks. This is a source of concern to me as it is to...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (25 Jan 2006)

Noel Dempsey: My Department regularly reviews all aspects of the broadband market and holds discussions with broadband interest groups, both public and private, to listen to their concerns. These discussions are ongoing and typically cover a range of issues relevant to broadband supply and demand nationally including the operation of the metropolitan area networks, MANs. The Government is addressing the...

Written Answers — Internet Provision: Internet Provision (25 Jan 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The introduction of the .eu domain name was an initiative that was led by the European Commission. The .eu domain name offers another way for Irish Internet users to obtain a domain name, which reflects their connection with Europe. The management of the .ie domain name is carried out by the .ie domain name registry limited, the IEDR. It is responsible for setting fees and for the day-to-day...

Written Answers — Television Services: Television Services (25 Jan 2006)

Noel Dempsey: Digital television is available in Ireland across a number of platforms. Both cable-MMDS operators and satellite operators provide subscription digital television services to an estimated 42% of Irish television households. It is estimated that 27% of households receive analogue cable-MMDS services and 31% of households avail of analogue terrestrial services as their sole means of receiving...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (25 Jan 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I am strongly committed to increasing the market penetration of renewable energy and the measures announced in budget 2006 are designed to complement and build on initiatives already in place in the renewable electricity, transport and heat sectors. The multi-annual financial package includes a five-year biofuels excise relief package worth €205 million and funding for renewable energy...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (25 Jan 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Question Nos. 170 and 187 together. Security of supply in electricity is a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation in accordance with the provisions of Article 28 of the European Communities (Internal Market in Electricity) Regulations 2005. Article 28 provides that it shall be the duty of the Commission to monitor the security of supply of electricity and that the...