Results 2,361-2,380 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (5 Feb 2008)

Eamon Ryan: As part of the Government's decentralisation programme, the headquarters of my Department is scheduled to relocate to Cavan at the end of 2010. This will involve the relocation of approximately 300 civil service posts. An advance party of 45 is currently in situ in Cavan.

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (5 Feb 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, is a matter in the first instance for the private sector. Broadband service providers operate in a fully liberalised market regulated, where appropriate, by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. Details of broadband services throughout the country are available on my Department's broadband website...

Written Answers — Natural Gas Grid: Natural Gas Grid (5 Feb 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I have no statutory functions with regard to the connection of towns to the gas network. The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), which is a statutory independent body, has, since 2002, been charged with all aspects of the assessment and licensing of prospective operators who wish to develop and/or operate a gas distribution system within the State under the Gas (Interim) (Regulation) Act...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (5 Feb 2008)

Eamon Ryan: In December 2006, Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) was requested by my Department to initiate a pilot extension of its energy services for business, based on engaging a wider range of firms, especially SMEs, and testing the effectiveness of the energy agreements approach across the enterprise sector. SEI accordingly developed and implemented a new programme in 2007, with particular emphasis...

Written Answers — Energy Efficiency: Energy Efficiency (5 Feb 2008)

Eamon Ryan: In the context of continuing cooperation with Northern Ireland to mutual economic and social benefit on energy matters, I have agreed with Minister Nigel Dodds that the scope for further cooperation on energy efficiency initiatives will continue to be explored. Both Departments are working together to this end. In the meantime respective energy efficiency awareness campaigns are continuing...

Written Answers — EU Funding: EU Funding (5 Feb 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The following table sets out the EU funding received by the Department for programmes and schemes administered by the Department and agencies under its remit as and from 1 January 1997. It should be noted that the receipts relate to the specific responsibilities that were under the Department's remit at the time received. The receipts are shown primarily on an activity related basis. It...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (5 Feb 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The decentralisation of the Central Fisheries Board under the Government's programme involves the relocation 62 posts to Carrick-on-Shannon. To date, none of these posts has been decentralised. At present 20 staff have been recruited to posts relocating since the announcement of the Programme and some 20 staff have a relocation clause in their employment contract. The Government has always...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (5 Feb 2008)

Eamon Ryan: Serving the needs of this House and the democratic process is an essential everyday part of the work of staff in the Department. Work related to Parliamentary Questions is an important element of this process built into the business plans of individual divisions of the Department. In addition, input into individual questions varies depending on the complexity of the issue raised and the...

Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (6 Feb 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I do not have a direct role in the provision of services by An Post. Statutory requirements on the company are principally set out in the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983, and the European Communities (Postal Services) Regulations 2002. Under this legislation, An Post is required to provide a nationwide postal service including a delivery to every address in the country on...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (6 Feb 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The procurement process for a National Broadband Scheme (NBS) is under way. The NBS will provide broadband services to areas that are currently unserved and will ensure that all reasonable requests for broadband in unserved areas are met. The first phase of the procurement process (Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ)) is now complete, and four candidates pre-qualified to enter the next...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (7 Feb 2008)

Eamon Ryan: In response to recent industry announcements, and developments internationally, my Department is preparing a draft policy paper that will review current communications infrastructure policy and analyse policy options in light of industry developments, in relation to the optimum role for the Government in the planning and roll-out of next generation broadband. I have established an expert...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (7 Feb 2008)

Eamon Ryan: A Bill to confer the statutory responsibility for the safety of petroleum exploration and production on the Commission for Energy Regulation, which will implement a key finding of safety studies carried out in relation to the Corrib onshore pipeline is being prepared in my Department. It is planned that this Bill will be published during the Dáil Summer Session 2008.

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (7 Feb 2008)

Eamon Ryan: In line with the commitment made in the Government White Paper, Delivering a Sustainable Energy Future for Ireland, to increase the National Oil Reserves Agency (NORA) levy on the consumption of oil products, I have made Regulations under the National Oil Reserves Agency Act, 2007, which provide for an increase in the rate of the levy to 1.00 cent per litre. The increase came into effect on...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (7 Feb 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The established minimum targets for 2020 for the renewable energy sector in Ireland are to increase the contribution from renewable energy sources to 10% of transport fuels, 12% of heating fuels and 33% of electricity consumed. The All-Island Grid Study, which was commissioned jointly by my Department and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Northern Ireland), concludes that...

Written Answers — Departmental Offices: Departmental Offices (7 Feb 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I have set out in the following table the usage of electricity, expressed in kilowatt hours, in my Department's building at 29/31 Adelaide Road in Dublin, since July 2005, when the current supplier commenced supplying electricity to the Department. Records for the first half of 2005 are held by a former supplier and are not readily available. Kilowatt Hours consumed 2005 July 321,205...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (7 Feb 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 238 and 239 together. This project was selected for funding under the Broadband Measure of the Economic Infrastructure Operational Programme, 1994-1999. It involved the design and construction, by Chorus Communications, of a hybrid fibre coaxial network in Castlebar, County Mayo during 2000 and 2001 at a total cost of €1.3 million. A technical evaluation...

Written Answers — Energy Research: Energy Research (7 Feb 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The Energy Policy White Paper and the Programme for Government underline the Government's priority commitment to energy research in line with EU priorities. The Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy and the National Development Plan both reflect the vital importance of energy research and innovation to underpin the energy sector and the imperative to deliver sustainable, competitive...

Written Answers — Energy Conservation: Energy Conservation (7 Feb 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 241 and 242 together. The roll out of smart meters, as set out in the Government's Energy Policy Framework and in the Programme for Government, is a key component of the Government's strategy to improve management of demand for electricity and achieve greater energy efficiency through use of the latest technology. The delivery of smart metering requires a...

Written Answers — Energy Conservation: Energy Conservation (7 Feb 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I published the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan for public consultation on 3 October 2007. The draft Action Plan sets out in excess of 60 actions that Government is taking or will take in the period up to 2020 to achieve a 20% reduction in energy demand across our economy and a 33% reduction in the public sector. The draft Plan also outlines how we will begin to achieve our more...

Written Answers — Energy Review: Energy Review (7 Feb 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The National Energy Efficiency Action Plan which I will publish in April this year, details all actions being undertaken or developed to deliver Ireland's energy efficiency targets as stated in the Energy White Paper. The draft Action Plan, published for consultation in October 2007, states that we will significantly expand our demand side management (DSM) measures and will publish a...