Results 2,441-2,460 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

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

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 108 and 113 together. I asked An Post to bring forward a strategy for the long-term development of the post office network that satisfies the needs of existing customers, while attracting new customers into the post office. The overriding objective is to put the network on a long-term financially sustainable footing while maintaining a nationwide post office...

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

Noel Dempsey: In total, 11 appeals have been referred to appeal panels. One appeal by Hutchison 3G Ireland Limited was determined by an appeal panel finding in favour of the appellant. Six appeals concluded following the annulment of ComReg's decisions by an appeals panel. These six appeals related to findings of joint dominance by ComReg against Vodafone and O2. Four appeals were withdrawn prior to a...

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

Noel Dempsey: Liberalisation of the postal sector, as set out in two European Union postal directives, has already commenced in Ireland with some sectors such as outbound international mail already fully subject to competition. An Post, like all other postal operators, will face more intense competition on full opening of the market, which the European directives propose to happen, subject to political...

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

Noel Dempsey: This Government, as clearly set out in the programme for Government, and the board of An Post, are committed to the objective of securing a viable and sustainable nationwide post office network. The future 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 management of the company. In regard...

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

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 117, 147, 164, 330, 331, 332, 333 and 356 together. 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. In...

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

Noel Dempsey: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 82 of today.

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

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 120 and 150 together. I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 115 of 16 November 2005.

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

Noel Dempsey: By international standards, Sweden and its economy has a small dependence on oil and has recently announced its intention to eliminate this dependency completely by 2020. In this context, it is important to compare like with like. For instance, in Sweden the fuel mix for electricity production is about 45% nuclear and 47% hydro which is in stark contrast to our situation where we have very...

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

Noel Dempsey: The current target for the increased use of renewable energy technologies in the electricity market is to more than double the current contribution from approximately 5% of total consumption to 13% by 2010. Targets beyond 2010 will be determined in the context of the development of an all-island electricity market. A joint North-South public consultation process on an all-island vision for...

Written Answers — Fuel Storage Facilities: Fuel Storage Facilities (21 Feb 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 126 and 131 together. As a member of the IEA, Ireland is required to maintain emergency oil stocks equivalent to at least 90 days of net imports of crude oil equivalent in the previous year. The EU imposes a similar requirement based on consumption. At 1 December 2005 Ireland's oil stock reserves were estimated at 102 days net imports — IEA methodology....

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

Noel Dempsey: 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 Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, the independent regulator. It has been clear for some time that the sector has failed to invest at the level necessary to keep pace with the demand for...

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

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 130 and 148 together. My Department has recently published a request for tenders for a gas to the north west study, in the context of the Government's objective for regional policy in the national development plan and having regard to the national spatial strategy. The scope of work of this study is first to determine the feasibility of bringing gas from the...

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

Noel Dempsey: The management of the .ie domain name is carried out by the IE Domain Name Registry Limited, IEDR. It is responsible for the setting of the fees and for the day to day management of all aspects of the administration of the registry. I have no role in the day to day operation of the IEDR. I recently concluded a consultation process, which contained proposals on the regulation of the .ie domain...

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

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 135, 156, 160, 321, 328 and 380 together. The multi-annual financial package for renewable energy announced in budget 2006 includes a grant aid package for the domestic sector, which will provide for individual grants to install renewable energy technologies including wood pellet boilers, solar panels and geothermal heat pumps. All the technologies are being...

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

Noel Dempsey: I will shortly bring forward proposals in the form of a Bill to enhance the regulatory powers of ComReg in relation to the telecommunications sector. In addition to these proposals, the EU Commission is undertaking a review of the telecoms regulatory framework and I will be contributing to that review in due course.

Written Answers — Digital Hub: Digital Hub (21 Feb 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 119 of 25 January 2006.

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

Noel Dempsey: This is an operational issue for the service provider concerned. Responsibility for the regulation of electronic communication service providers rests with the independent regulator, the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, in accordance with the requirements of the Communications Regulation Act 2002 and the regulations, which transpose the EU regulatory framework for electronic...

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

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 140 and 341 together. The development and roll-out of broadband technology is primarily a matter for the industry itself in a liberalised market. In comparison to other European states, broadband providers in Ireland were slow in launching competitive, affordable broadband. The lack of competition between providers and the reduction in investment in the...

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

Noel Dempsey: The all-island energy market development framework is the roadmap for the development of the all-island energy market across a range of strategic areas in the short and medium term. In the context of the framework, the development of a single regulatory body is identified within the detailed development programme as a longer-term strategic goal. An examination of the benefits and requirements...