Results 2,421-2,440 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

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

Noel Dempsey: My Department is particularly mindful of the value for money imperative and the need to develop and deploy in-house skills as far as possible to minimise the requirement for consultancies. The Department also seeks to avail of skills and experiences of other Departments or other parts of the public sector where appropriate. My Department's policy is to engage consultants or commission reports...

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

Noel Dempsey: The external advisers appointed to assist in the preparation of a detailed implementation plan for the establishment of TG4 as an independent entity have submitted their final report to my Department. That report considers the most appropriate methodology and structure for giving effect to the separation of the assets and trade of TG4 from RTE and establishing TG4 as an independent entity....

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

Noel Dempsey: The Dunquin prospect is situated in the Porcupine Basin off the south west coast. The acreage in which this prospect lies is currently held by Providence Resources plc and Sosina Exploration Limited under frontier exploration licence 3/04. Although this prospect looks promising, there is still a substantial amount of work required to establish the extent of the hydrocarbons in place and...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (21 Feb 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The current core businesses of Bord na Móna plc — peat stock supply and horticultural products — are finite businesses due mainly to economic and environmental factors. Bord na Móna will continue to operate its existing peat supply, solid fuels and horticultural businesses to optimise value to the group while implementing new strategic directives. I agree with the company's board and...

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

Noel Dempsey: In March 2003 the Broadcasting (Major Events Television Coverage) Act 1999 (Designation of Major Events) Order 2003 specified the events designated as events of major importance to society for which the right of a qualifying broadcaster to provide coverage on free television services should be provided in the public interest. Section 9 of the Broadcasting (Major Events Television Coverage)...

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (21 Feb 2006)

Noel Dempsey: Subject to specified criteria, a scheme to allow the capacity of a fishing vessel lost at sea before the coming into operation of the sea-fishing boat register to be accepted as replacement capacity, was launched in June 2001. The closing date for applications under the scheme was 31 December 2001. It is incorrect to describe the scheme as a compensation scheme. It was not intended to and did...

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

Noel Dempsey: The Northern Secretary recently underlined the imperative for Northern Ireland to develop a sustainable energy strategy which protects the environment, invests in renewables and delivers for consumers. We share those objectives North and South. We are progressing the sustainable agenda together in the context of the all-island energy market as well as driving ahead with our respective...

Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (21 Feb 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I refer the Deputy to the following table which outlines the post offices closed or converted in the past year. The matter of post office closures 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. Post Office closures — 1 Jan 2005 to 31 December 2005 Sub-Office County Aghabog MONAGHAN Ardlogher...

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

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 90 and 98 together. The renewable energy grants package includes funding support for domestic renewable heat technologies, including wood pellet boilers, as well as medium and large scale biomass boilers for the services, business and industrial sectors building on last year's pilot scheme. The detailed measures to roll out the programmes are being finalised...

Written Answers — Corrib Gas Pipeline: Corrib Gas Pipeline (21 Feb 2006)

Noel Dempsey: As the Deputy 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 are world leaders in the area of advanced hazard and risk assessment technologies for gas pipelines. The consultants were asked to conclude whether or not the...

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

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 92, 96, 106, 116 and 146 together. The development and roll-out of telecommunications technology is primarily a matter for the industry itself in a liberalised market. In comparison with other European countries, broadband service providers in Ireland were slow in launching competitive, affordable broadband. However, the situation is improving rapidly. In late...

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

Noel Dempsey: My Department has from time to time received communications from representative groups and interested parties on the matter of subtitling on television services. Section 19(11) of the Broadcasting Act 2001 provides that the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland shall make rules requiring each broadcaster to take specified steps to promote the understanding and enjoyment by persons who are deaf...

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

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 94, 101, 114, 145, 159 and 165 together. I have no function in regulating pricing for services or quality of service in the telecommunications market. The regulation of telecommunications operators, including regulating of pricing and quality for mobile phone services is the responsibility of the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, in accordance...

Written Answers — Consultancy Reports: Consultancy Reports (21 Feb 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 95 and 158 together. I recently received the Deloitte & Touche report on the electricity sector. I am currently considering the report in the context of the energy policy consultation paper which is being drawn up by my Department. I intend to publish the report in that context in the coming months.

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

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 97, 115, 338, 369 and 381 together. Last year I appointed Deloitte & Touche to carry out a comprehensive independent review of the electricity sector. The review included a detailed examination of the ESB's vertically integrated utility structure and its dominance in the sector, particularly in the area of power generation. The consultants were also requested...

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

Noel Dempsey: I assume the Deputy is referring to the broadcasting funding scheme operated by the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland, BCI. The Broadcasting (Funding) Act 2003 provides that the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland prepare a scheme or schemes for the funding of grants to support certain television and radio programmes. The EU Commission notified Ireland in November 2005 of its decision that it...

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

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 100 and 127 together. I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 85 of 21 February 2006.

Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (21 Feb 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The information requested by the Deputy on appointments made to the boards of State-sponsored bodies since September 2004 is set out in the following table. The number of vacancies currently existing is set out in the second table. It is my intention to fill these vacancies at the earliest opportune time. Appointments to the Boards of State-sponsored Bodies under the aegis of the Department...

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

Noel Dempsey: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 144 on 25 January 2006.

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

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 107 and 122 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. A principal reason for the slow roll-out of broadband services generally has been the...