Results 2,461-2,480 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

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

Noel Dempsey: In drawing up my statement of strategy for the development of the broadcasting sector from 2005 to 2007, I consulted the key stakeholders in the industry. The statement of strategy is available on my Department's website. In the day-to-day work of my Department there is ongoing engagement between my officials and the statutory bodies under the aegis of my Department in relation to a wide...

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

Noel Dempsey: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 189 of 25 January 2006.

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

Noel Dempsey: Security of energy supply is a key imperative for Ireland and the European Union. The relatively small size of the Irish electricity market underlines the need for greater interconnection as a means of enhancing security of supply, promoting competition and integrating the Irish electricity market into the wider European market. In this context, the east-west electricity interconnector...

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (21 Feb 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The National Development Plan 2000-2006 provides for an investment of €84.35 million over the period of the plan for the development and construction of fishery harbour and related facilities at key strategic fishery harbours and the construction and improvement of berthage at smaller harbours and landing places. Major fishery harbour projects proposed for funding are submitted in the...

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 independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. Market forces, and the availability of suitable infrastructure and backhaul, will determine whether a company offers broadband in any area. A...

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

Noel Dempsey: I have no function in this matter. Decisions relating to products and services are operational matters for the board and management of An Post.

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

Noel Dempsey: The administration of the habitats directive is a matter for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and not an area in which I have a function.

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

Noel Dempsey: The Deputy will be aware that the broadband demand report, which recently issued on my Department's website, is a consultation report. In that regard, no measures will be decided upon until all the submissions have been received, reviewed and evaluated. I encourage all interested parties to read the demand report and invite them to make submissions before the closing date of 1 March 2006.

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

Noel Dempsey: I will publish an ocean energy strategy shortly, which will outline a development path for ocean energy technology in Ireland. The development of ocean energy possibilities is currently being progressed by Sustainable Energy Ireland, SEI, and the Marine Institute. Demonstration projects and studies funded to date include: research and development support for three separate wave energy device...

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

Noel Dempsey: Following from the recommendations of the working group report on postcodes, I asked the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, to appoint project managers to support the postcode project by providing technical and economic advice including assessing the costs and benefits of the introduction of a postcode. The terms of reference for the project managers stipulate that the code be...

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

Noel Dempsey: I have no statutory function in this matter. It is an operational issue for the board and management of An Post.

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

Noel Dempsey: An Post operates within a regulatory framework as enshrined in EU and Irish law and therefore, the universal service obligation, which includes nationwide postal delivery requirements, is a statutory requirement for An Post, as the designated universal service provider. This is set out in Statutory Instrument 616 of 2002 European Communities (Postal Services) Regulations. Furthermore, these...

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

Noel Dempsey: The oil industry can be classified in terms of upstream exploration and production, and downstream distribution, including importation, and retail. In terms of downstream activities, the oil industry in Ireland is fully privatised, liberalised and deregulated. There is free entry to the market subject to normal planning requirements, health and safety regulations, and customs and excise...

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

Noel Dempsey: My core policy objectives for the development of the broadcasting sector are set down in my Department's statement of strategy, 2005-2007. This strategy was drawn up following consultation with key players in the industry. My objectives are: to create an environment that encourages the maintenance of high quality Irish radio and television services by both independent broadcasters and RTE; to...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (21 Feb 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The draft heads of the electricity Bill to provide for the conversion of the ESB to PLC status are being progressed and the timeframe for its re-instatement on the Government's legislative programme will be kept under review during the year. I do not consider that the revised timetable for the Bill has implications for commercial or strategic decision making by the ESB. Key regulatory and...

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

Noel Dempsey: The report to which the Deputy refers is not yet published. However, I understand that the draft report makes several recommendations covering a wide range of issues. My officials will examine the detailed recommendations of the report upon publication. The development and roll-out of broadband technology is primarily a matter for the industry itself in a liberalised market. In comparison to...

Written Answers — Natural Gas Grid: Natural Gas Grid (21 Feb 2006)

Noel Dempsey: My predecessor gave consent to construct a pipeline on 15 April 2002, subject to a number of conditions, including, the requirement to subject all pipeline and umbilical installation operations to separate approval before being rolled out on a phased basis. With regard to the onshore pipeline, the preparatory works phase has been approved under this process and further consents for, inter...

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

Noel Dempsey: My Department has participated in a programme with the national public procurement policy unit of the Department of Finance to build an in-house procurement planning capacity. As a result of that collaboration, the Department is developing a corporate procurement plan for 2006, which will profile current procurement spend and examine procurement practices with a view to securing goods and...

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

Noel Dempsey: As the Deputy will be aware, in late October 2005 the Minister for Finance announced initiatives to ensure enhanced efficiency and accountability in large scale public expenditure projects. The Government also decided in October 2005 to establish a peer review process for major ICT projects. Detailed guidelines on the implementation of the measures outlined by the Government and the Minister...

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

Noel Dempsey: The Environment Performance Index 2006, prepared by the Center for International Earth Science Information and Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy notes that the contribution of renewable energy to Ireland's energy mix in Ireland in the period 1994 to 2003 in Ireland is of the order of 1.9%. This is consistent with national statistics and reflects our heavy reliance on peat as an...