Results 2,401-2,420 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Energy Resources. (21 Feb 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I do not have powers to direct the regulator, except in extremely general terms. Under the Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, which the Deputy will be pleased to hear will be published shortly——

Energy Resources. (21 Feb 2006)

Noel Dempsey: ——a provision will be included to enable a Minister in an emergency to direct the commission and individual market players to take appropriate safeguard measures in the area of security of supply. It will also extend the remit of CER in some areas, particularly safety and security of supply. Regarding the point made by the Deputy on the Kyoto Protocol, I was involved in its final...

Energy Resources. (21 Feb 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The communication on biofuels published on 8 February is part of the broader EU biomass action plan published in December 2005 and proposes a range of detailed policy measures to encourage biofuels and remove market barriers. I welcome this initiative by the Commission and my Department is examining the communication in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture and Food and the...

Energy Resources. (21 Feb 2006)

Noel Dempsey: When I was in Government with the Labour Party, I did not notice a rush away from the Mercedes.

Energy Resources. (21 Feb 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The Deputy will be pleased to note when I was in the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, I made inquiries about a Toyota Prius hybrid car and was informed that the purchase of the cars for the ministerial fleet was a matter for the Garda Commissioner. I think we might have been restricted to EU cars. The Deputy will be pleased to know I have again requested a hybrid...

Energy Resources. (21 Feb 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The figure for penetration of biofuels by the end of 2005 was approximately 0.06%. This will increase to 0.13% by the end of this year and the initiatives announced in the budget will bring us to our target of 2% by 2008. Few member states, approximately ten, have identified targets of more than 2% for 2005. I am supportive of moving this up but we have to create the infrastructure. That is...

Energy Resources. (21 Feb 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I was about to say that. I agree with the Deputy that we should have firm targets and meet them. Although our EU targets in this area are not mandatory, the Commission is attempting to pursue us legally on that matter and we will resist that strongly.

Energy Resources. (21 Feb 2006)

Noel Dempsey: While I agree with the Deputy we first need to set up the infrastructure, create the demand, and afterwards explore the route he outlined. When I referred to mandatory targets I meant those that the Commission might set. I think we would follow the route he suggested and I anticipate that this could happen sooner rather than later.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions. (21 Feb 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 69 and 80 together. As I mentioned earlier, 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 Kyoto through participation in the EU emissions trading...

Greenhouse Gas Emissions. (21 Feb 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I agree with the Deputy that investment in energy research and development is extremely important. That is why we have focused on this. We are putting in place an energy research council to focus efforts on this and on other areas within the Department. It is extremely important, not just nationally. The EU, in its Seventh Framework Programme, has signalled clearly that it intends to focus on...

Greenhouse Gas Emissions. (21 Feb 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I was not praising us too much in what I said earlier and the situation is not as bad as had been projected. I accept, absolutely, the point the Deputy is making, however. We need to do much better and to examine ways and means to ensure that our emissions are as near to the 13% plus as possible.

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

Noel Dempsey: Security of electricity supply is a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation under Article 28 of the European Communities (Internal Market in Electricity) Regulations 2005. In the performance of its monitoring and corrective functions the Commission is advised by ESB National Grid-EirGrid as the transmission system operator. The transmission system operator's report on generation...

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

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 71, 89, 102, 124, 132, 137, 161 and 169 together. The regulation of telecommunications operators, including regulatory issues surrounding pricing for mobile services and quality, is the responsibility of the Commission for Communications Regulation in accordance with the requirements of the Communications (Regulation) Act 2002 and regulations made under the EU...

Written Answers — Energy Policy: Energy Policy (21 Feb 2006)

Noel Dempsey: Government policy on the creation of an all-island energy market is set out in the all-island energy market development framework which I jointly published with my Northern counterpart in November 2004. The framework document provides the policy context for the actions needed to create an all-island energy market. The process is overseen by a joint steering group comprising my Department, the...

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

Noel Dempsey: The Office of the Regulator of Premium Rate Telecoms Services, RegTel, which authorises and supervises the content and promotion of premium rate telecommunications services within the Irish market is independent and does not report to me as Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. I, therefore, have no plans to amend RegTel's statutory basis nor have I received any request...

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

Noel Dempsey: The recent developments at An Post, where the parties have accepted the Labour Court recommendations of 22 November last leading to a resolution to the industrial relations difficulties at An Post, are most welcome. I understand that both parties have recently signed off on the implementation plan which has given the green light to the implementation of the recovery strategy in line with the...

Written Answers — Energy Reserves: Energy Reserves (21 Feb 2006)

Noel Dempsey: A new discovery resulting from petroleum exploration is reported to the petroleum affairs division, PAD, of my Department. The PAD holds regular meetings with the operators of all exploration authorisations to monitor the progress of the work programmes attached to each authorisation. What the Deputy refers to in his question as new gas discoveries in the Lough Allen Basin is an article in a...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (21 Feb 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 77, 105 and 153 together. The proposed directive on energy efficiency and energy services sets national indicative targets for energy saving and requires member states to produce energy efficiency action plans from 2007. The target is to save an annual quantity of energy equal to 1% of the quantity of energy supplied and-or sold to end customers, amounting to...

Written Answers — Television Advertising: Television Advertising (21 Feb 2006)

Noel Dempsey: There are no existing legislative provisions prohibiting television advertisements that are directed at children in relation to food products. Section 19(1)(c) of the Broadcasting Act 2001 provides that the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland shall prepare a code specifying standards to be complied with and rules and practices to be observed, in respect of advertising which relate to matters...

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

Noel Dempsey: I have no statutory function in this matter. Matters relating to quality and levels of postal service are a matter in the first instance for the management and board of An Post.