Results 2,621-2,640 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (7 Mar 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The renewables directive, Directive 2001/77/EC, obliges Ireland to develop and implement a programme capable of increasing the amount of electricity from renewable energy sources to 13.2% of total consumption by 2010. The target of 13.2% approximates to 1,450 MW of installed generating capacity to be operational to the electricity network by 2010. Ireland has approximately 765 MW of renewable...

Written Answers — Broadband Network: Broadband Network (7 Mar 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 293 and 294 together. The collation of data on broadband subscriber numbers is a matter for broadband service providers in co-operation with the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. The Department's website www.broadband.gov.ie lists broadband providers and their product offerings on a by town or district basis. Service providers make available...

Written Answers — Broadband Network: Broadband Network (7 Mar 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, is a matter in the first instance for the fully liberalised private sector, regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. The upgrading of telephone exchanges for the provision of broadband is an operational matter for Eircom, and I do not have any function in the matter.

Written Answers — Mobile Telephony: Mobile Telephony (7 Mar 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The Commission for Communication Regulation — ComReg — audits emissions of non-ionising radiation from telecommunication sites including masts. So far in 2006, 17 sites have been monitored, with a further 20 sites to be monitored over the next month. To date, ComReg has not received any written requests to monitor any mast or site in Glin, County Limerick, or its environs. I will ask...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (8 Mar 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The announcement on budget day of a five-year renewables package of €65 million underlines this Government's commitment to developing renewable energy potential. Under this package I intend to launch a range of innovative grant schemes relating to biofuels, combined heat and power, biomass commercial heaters and domestic heat grants. My Department in consultation with SEI, is currently...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (8 Mar 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I understand that the Deputy is referring to the public service obligation levy which is payable by all final customers of electricity. The imposition on the ESB of public service obligations is provided for by section 39 of the Electricity Regulation Act 1999. The section provides that the Minister shall by order direct the Commission for Energy Regulation to impose on the ESB, or other...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (9 Mar 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The multi-annual financial package for renewables 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. My Department, in conjunction with Sustainable Energy Ireland, SEI, is developing the necessary detailed measures...

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (9 Mar 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I will represent the Government in Seattle, Washington, during St. Patrick's week. I will be availing of the excellent opportunities to promote Ireland while in the US by advancing Ireland's economic interests, meeting with influential political representatives and the broad Irish community and engaging in events to showcase Irish culture. While in the US, I will meet with various business,...

Written Answers — Industrial Relations: Industrial Relations (21 Mar 2006)

Noel Dempsey: Mr. Éamonn Ryan's remit, as a facilitator between An Post and the Irish Postmasters' Union, is to assist in advancing issues of strategic importance to postmasters with a view to ensuring that postmasters continue to play a key role in the operation of the post office network. I have appointed Mr. Ryan for four months to end of April and while I have asked him to keep me updated on all...

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

Noel Dempsey: Local loop unbundling, LLU, is mandated by a European Council regulation and responsibility for its implementation is a matter for the independent regulator, the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, under the Communications Regulation Act 2002 and the transposed EU regulatory framework for electronic communications networks and services. Telecoms legislation is being prepared in...

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

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 355 to 358, inclusive, 362 and 367 to 369, inclusive, 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 Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, the independent regulator. It has been clear for some...

Written Answers — Geological Survey of Ireland: Geological Survey of Ireland (21 Mar 2006)

Noel Dempsey: Geological data is made available from three divisions of the Department, all of whom utilise on-line facilities for the provision of geological data to varying extent. The Geological Survey of Ireland, which is the national earth science organisation, provides data, maps, publications and services on line as well as downloads, web-based geographic information services and metadata, that is,...

Written Answers — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (21 Mar 2006)

Noel Dempsey: All relevant approvals from my Department have issued in respect of the proposed development of the Corrib gas field since 2002. These approvals include the plan of development approval on 15 April 2002 under the Petroleum and Other Minerals Development Act 1960; consent to construct a pipeline dated 15 April 2002 under the Gas Act 1976 as amended; consent under section 5 of the Continental...

Written Answers — Electricity Supply: Electricity Supply (21 Mar 2006)

Noel Dempsey: Customer service is, in the first instance, a matter for ESB and not one in which I have a function. I have made inquiries and understand that the position is as follows. ESB operates a national customer contact centre that deals with all customer queries from any of its 1.8 million customers. In 2005, a huge volume increase occurred in calls to the NCCC, driven by a number of factors...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (21 Mar 2006)

Noel Dempsey: A decision by any company to set up a business is a commercial matter for themselves and a matter in which I have no function. My Department and the agencies under its aegis, do not provide any grant assistance for such companies.

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (21 Mar 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. There are no plans to roll out a fibre-optic network to every home and business here. It would not make economic sense nor would it be...

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

Noel Dempsey: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 124 on 3 November 2005.

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (21 Mar 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. It is a commercial operational matter for the Internet service providers to determine such issues as the cost of establishing broadband...

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

Noel Dempsey: The maintenance and development of the post office network is the responsibility of the board and management of An Post. The Government and the board of An Post are committed to the objective of securing a viable and sustainable nationwide post office network. The challenge for all stakeholders in An Post is to generate sufficient profitable business to maintain the network at its current...

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

Noel Dempsey: : In March 2005, Government approval was given to issue a commemorative stamp in honour of Michael Davitt, as part of the 2006 special and commemorative stamp programme. The design of the stamp was approved by Government in December last and is due to issue in September.