Results 26,041-26,060 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Broadband Service Provision (4 Dec 2018)

Richard Bruton: The premises referred to by the Deputy are in the AMBER area on the High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie. The AMBER areas represent the target areas for the proposed State led Intervention under the NBP and are the subject of an ongoing procurement process.   The Deputy makes reference to the premises' proximity to a...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Metropolitan Area Networks Programme (4 Dec 2018)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 547 to 550, inclusive, together. The Management Services Entity (MSE) for the Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) is contractually obliged to manage, maintain, operate and market the MANs on behalf of the State. There are a number of provisions in the Concession Agreements to ensure that the MSE complies with these obligations. The MSE submits Quarterly...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Post Office Closures (4 Dec 2018)

Richard Bruton: As Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, I have responsibility for the postal sector, including the governance of An Post to ensure that the company is fully compliant with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies and the governance functions included in the statutory framework underpinning An Post. An Post is a commercial State company with a mandate...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Ministerial Meetings (4 Dec 2018)

Richard Bruton: It is my practice that my diary is published online on my Department's website at regular intervals. My diary since my appointment as Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, covering November 2018 and for October 2018, will be published on my Department's website shortly. 

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Contracts Data (4 Dec 2018)

Richard Bruton: Aramark provided catering services for two conferences held by my Department in April and June 2018 at a total cost of €2,046.20.  As per procurement procedures, formal tendering and the award of a written contract is only required where the supply of services is in excess of €25,000. Given the low value of the services provided to my Department, no contract was awarded in...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Broadband Service Provision (4 Dec 2018)

Richard Bruton: The National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to ensure that every home, school and business in Ireland - regardless of how remote or rural - has access to high speed broadband. This is being achieved through a combination of commercial investment across Ireland; and a State intervention in those areas, mostly rural areas, where commercial companies are unlikely to invest. The NBP has been a...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan Implementation (4 Dec 2018)

Richard Bruton: A contract was awarded for independent process auditor services for the National Broadband Plan procurement in May 2016 to the person referenced in the Question following an open procurement process. The process auditor’s terms of reference outline the required services, which include direct observation of the decision making process with respect to the procurement...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Broadband Service Provision (4 Dec 2018)

Richard Bruton: In April 2017 my Department published an updated High Speed Broadband Map which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie This map shows the areas targeted by commercial operators to provide high speed broadband services and the areas that will be included in the State Intervention Area under the National Broadband Plan. The Map is colour coded and searchable by address/Eircode: - The AMBER areas...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan Administration (4 Dec 2018)

Richard Bruton: In line with the requirements of the Communications Protocol, section 10 on Conflicts of Interest, the key personnel, internal and external, responsible for the NBP are listed on my Department's website at: www.dccae.gov.ie/en-ie/communications/topics/Broadband/natio nal-broadband-plan/state-intervention/Pages/Project-Team-Str ucture-and-Advisors---.aspx. This outlines the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Ministerial Meetings (4 Dec 2018)

Richard Bruton: I have not been in a position to meet with the Chairperson or Director General of RTÉ since my appointment as Minister for Communications, Climate Action & Environment. It is my intention to meet with the bodies under the remit of my Department and a date for this meeting will be scheduled in due course.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Commencement of Legislation (4 Dec 2018)

Richard Bruton: The Broadcasting Act 2009 was commenced in full on enactment on 12 July 2009.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Renewable Energy Feed-in Tariff Scheme Applications (4 Dec 2018)

Richard Bruton: According to the latest projections by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, 30.1% of our electricity came from renewable sources in 2017 and Ireland is expected to achieve over 80% of its 16% renewable energy target by 2020.   The Renewable Energy Feed-in Tariff (REFIT) schemes, which are funded by a public service obligation levy on all...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Telecommunications Infrastructure (4 Dec 2018)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 561 and 562 together. EU initiatives which impact across sectors and areas of ministerial responsibility are assessed across Government as appropriate. State security, however, is primarily a matter for my colleague the Minister for Justice and Equality.  My Department nonetheless keeps the security of the telecommunications sector under...

Seanad: Annual National Transition Statement on Climate Action and Low Carbon Development: Statements (4 Dec 2018)

Richard Bruton: Five minutes is a short time and, therefore, I will try to be concise. I attended the UN climate conference in Poland yesterday and the message was stark for anyone who was not already aware. It was made clear that the window for the world to respond to the massive challenge we face is closing fast, and that the consequences of failing to respond are truly catastrophic, not only in the...

Seanad: Annual National Transition Statement on Climate Action and Low Carbon Development: Statements (4 Dec 2018)

Richard Bruton: I will outline the six headings under which I hope to develop a whole-of-government policy working with my Government colleagues in all Departments as this cannot be confined to a single Department. One is the regulatory framework. The second is how we spur the adoption of known technologies throughout the community. The third is how we address market failure. As many Senators will know...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (5 Dec 2018)

Richard Bruton: The implementation of this measure has run into significant administrative difficulties, including data protection issues. Discussions are going on between my Department and the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection with a view to finding a way of paying it. We hope to be in a position to make an announcement on it shortly.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (5 Dec 2018)

Richard Bruton: As the Deputy probably knows, there is a whole-of-Government initiative on Internet safety. It was being led by the Department of the Taoiseach. It involves strengthening criminal law, actions to improve the education supports for young people through schools and Webwise, and making online supports available for people with mental health difficulties, an area that the Minister of State,...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Staff Data (5 Dec 2018)

Richard Bruton: My Department does not currently have any staff seconded to work in the public administrations of other EU Member States.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Broadband Service Provision (5 Dec 2018)

Richard Bruton: As outlined in my response to Parliamentary Question Nos. 2074 and 2082 of 24 July 2018, this premises is in an AMBER area according to the High Speed Broadband Map, which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie. High speed broadband will therefore be delivered through the proposed State led Intervention under the NBP, which is the subject of an...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Fuel Prices (5 Dec 2018)

Richard Bruton: The Irish retail oil sector, including the supply of home heating oil, is an open and competitive market. The retail price of home heating oil is determined by a number of factors, including the price of crude oil and refined product on the international markets, market supply and demand levels, and as oil is traded almost exclusively in US Dollars, the...