Results 2,701-2,720 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Telecommunications Services. (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The provision of broadband services is, in the first instance, a matter for the private sector. Broadband service providers operate in a fully liberalised market, regulated, where appropriate, by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. The role of the Government is to formulate regulatory and infrastructure policies to facilitate the provision of high quality...

Telecommunications Services. (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: There are 90.

Telecommunications Services. (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: There are 90 due to be completed by the middle of this year.

Telecommunications Services. (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The national broadband scheme is designed exactly to cover rural areas. We are currently tendering and the winning company will cover areas which are not currently covered. That is the purpose of the scheme and it is exactly what it is designed to do. Going back to what Deputy Coveney stated, the provision of broadband completely across the country is a first step, not the conclusion. We...

Telecommunications Services. (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I cannot, in the middle of a tendering process, go into the specific contract details because the issue is subject to a competitive tendering process. On a broad basis, we wish to be in a position where we can ramp up speeds. The number of MANs is currently approximately 60 or 65. It changes as many will have been opened in the first quarter or half of this year. To apply a football...

Energy Resources. (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: Our capacity to deliver a secure energy supply at competitive cost is critical for Ireland's ability to attract and retain foreign direct investment. It is also critical for all sectors of indigenous Irish enterprise competing in global markets. Increasing the contribution of indigenous renewable energy will improve security of supply by substituting for expensive and volatile fossil fuel...

Energy Resources. (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: As I understand it, the dividend is paid to the Department of Finance. Our overall budget allocation is then given to us by that Department. The issue of high energy prices is crucial. We are engaged in a retreat from fossil fuels. At the same time, my Department is promoting an advance in digital technologies. The latter requires a great deal of electricity. As the advance into such...

Energy Resources. (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: It is my opinion.

Energy Resources. (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The second reason related to very poor performance by a number of ESB plants during peak periods. We have, therefore, an urgent need to keep electricity prices here low. By investing in renewable sources of energy, we can do so. The fuel price is free. As already stated, renewable energy often provides a good hedge against varying gas prices and brings the overall cost of electricity...

Energy Resources. (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: Yes. I explicitly support the development of the emissions trading scheme in such a way that rather than giving free allocations, energy providers will be obliged to auction in order to purchase. I look forward to the introduction of such a change to the scheme so that we can obtain greater efficiencies in our electricity system. This change will also deliver funds that will help develop...

Energy Resources. (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: No, it will be 2012. If possible, we will do it sooner. However, it must be done within the European Union context. We will need to develop the infrastructure, particularly that relating to the grid, and this will help us deliver some of the technologies to which I referred earlier. That will probably be one of the biggest constraints. I replied to Deputy McManus's original question in...

Energy Resources. (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: Perhaps what we should do is cite the work of the CBI — IBEC's counterpart in the UK — which has drawn up a very progressive and ambitious programme of change.

Energy Resources. (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I listen with due consideration and every respect to IBEC. However, I cite the CBI's recent report as a best case example of industry groups seeing the opportunities as well as the challenges that exist in the context of our new energy future.

Telecommunications Services. (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 72 and 78 together. The role of the Government is to formulate regulatory and infrastructure policies to facilitate the provision of high quality telecommunications services by competing private sector service providers. The widespread provision of broadband services continues to be a priority for the Government. In that regard my Department has undertaken...

Telecommunications Services. (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: First, I am reluctant to say anything in terms of anyone's court challenge, and particularly not to outline the case for someone from the other side. If the Deputy does not mind, I will restrict my comments in that regard.

Telecommunications Services. (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The timetable is that there is a hearing for a judicial review on 10 June. My expectation and hope is that it will not unduly delay the development of the completion of contracts and the roll-out of the programme. That is something that will be subject to judicial decision but my firmly held expectation is that we will continue this project on time and deliver as soon as possible because we...

Telecommunications Services. (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: It is the technical and scientific assessment. There will always be houses that cannot be covered for a variety of reasons. Even in our current system under the universal service obligation, which we discussed earlier, there are houses that the fixed-line provider cannot get to. In such circumstances alternatives will always be put in place. In terms of broadband, the most likely...

Telecommunications Services. (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I said I am reluctant to discuss the details of the judicial review but there will always be exceptions, no matter what technology we deliver and what country one is in. By dint of geography there will be houses that cannot be covered as there are in the delivery of the universal service obligation with regard to fixed lines. In those circumstances, it is right for us to allow for an...

Telecommunications Services. (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: Just as I do not wish to talk about a legal case, we are in the middle of a tendering process so I will not speculate on what a company might do.

Telecommunications Services. (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The principle here is to get to those communities and the definition used is the areas that do not have coverage at present under mobile, fixed line or other wireless services. Satellite covers most of the country so that exists as a covering system but was not what we were examining in the mapping process. It was to do with the communities that do not have other technologies. There may be...