Results 2,701-2,720 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (25 Apr 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. The Department's regional broadband programme is addressing the infrastructure deficit by building high-speed, open access...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (25 Apr 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 336 and 337 together. The domestic grants scheme is being rolled out on behalf of my Department by Sustainable Energy Ireland, SEI. Verification of an installer's qualifications is the responsibility of each applicant but SEI requires that applicants must use installers who have registered with SEI. From quality assurance and safety perspectives, this...

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (25 Apr 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I represented the Government in Seattle, Washington, on 17 and 18 March. During the visit I took the opportunity to advance Ireland's economic interests, meet with influential political representatives and the broad Irish community and engage in cultural events. I met various business, political and Government representatives to exchange views on matters relating to energy and communications...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (25 Apr 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The Athenry-Craughwell group broadband scheme was launched in March 2006. The recent event relating to Monaghan, Carrickmacross, Dundalk, Drogheda and Cavan was the launch of the open access metropolitan area networks, MANs.

Written Answers — Gas Supply: Gas Supply (25 Apr 2006)

Noel Dempsey: As a peripheral market on the edge of Europe, Ireland supports the development of an open, transparent and competitive single energy market, which delivers secure supplies of electricity and gas at competitive prices, in the interests of consumers. The recent statement by the British Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Gordon Brown, was made in response to a parliamentary question in the House...

Written Answers — Television Licence Fee: Television Licence Fee (25 Apr 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 343 and 344 together. Section 1 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1972, as amended by section 2 of the Broadcasting and Wireless Telegraphy Act 1988, provides the current statutory definition of devices requiring a television licence. It states: "Television set means any apparatus for wireless telegraphy capable of receiving and exhibiting television programmes...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (25 Apr 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The individual concerned is a former harbour master who retired in 2000. In 2004, the harbour master salary was upgraded on the basis of changes in the requirements of the post. In accordance with present pensions policy, an upgrading on the basis of changes in job requirements is not applicable to staff who retired prior to the effective date of the upgrading. The upgrading of the harbour...

Written Answers — Legal Services: Legal Services (25 Apr 2006)

Noel Dempsey: In the time available, it has not been possible to identify and assemble the information requested. I will revert to the Deputy when I am in a position to issue a final reply.

Written Answers — Legal Services: Legal Services (25 Apr 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The employment of legal advisers or lawyers by State bodies under the aegis of my Department is a matter solely for those bodies and I have no function in that regard.

Written Answers — Legal Services: Legal Services (25 Apr 2006)

Noel Dempsey: My Department does not retain its own legal adviser. It avails of the services of the Office of the Attorney General in this regard.

Written Answers — Commemorative Stamp: Commemorative Stamp (26 Apr 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The design of the stamp, to commemorate the centenary of the death of Michael Cusack, received Government approval on 20 December 2005. The stamp, which features a specially commissioned portrait of Michael Cusack, is due to be issued in October of this year.

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (27 Apr 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I have had no discussions with Greencore plc., on the issue of utilising the Mallow plant to produce ethanol. The potential for using the existing facilities in Mallow for such purposes is ultimately a commercial decision for Greencore plc. The new biofuels excise relief programme, which is subject to State aid approval, will provide a framework in which potential developers can consider such...

Energy Resources: Motion. (3 May 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following: "—recognises: —that the development of lreland's natural resources benefits the citizen of the State: —that the present fiscal terms for petroleum are based on the present perception of prospectivity in offshore Ireland and recognise that we compete with other jurisdictions for exploration...

Energy Resources: Motion. (3 May 2006)

Noel Dempsey: ——in the real world. It is especially difficult to find and exploit in the waters off the west coast of Ireland. Historically, exploration companies come here with a 20-1 chance of even finding oil or gas, and that is at a huge cost. Even to drill one exploration well can cost in excess of €20 million.

Energy Resources: Motion. (3 May 2006)

Noel Dempsey: Thank you, a Cheann Comhairle. Even to drill one exploration well can cost in excess of €20 million in the area we are talking about. What the Deputies are proposing is that the Irish taxpayer foots this bill on a 20-1 chance. My anxiety increases when we examine other aspects of what the Deputies are saying in the motion. They appear to be unable to grasp the timing in this issue. Oil...

Energy Resources: Motion. (3 May 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I am prepared to accept that the Deputies opposite were caught on the hop with the bank holiday weekend. How else could one explain that in the initial draft of the motion——

Energy Resources: Motion. (3 May 2006)

Noel Dempsey: ——the proposers did not know that the corporation tax on exploration was 25%, not 12.5% as they originally put in their motion? How else can we explain the fact that they do not know royalties are still being paid for the Kinsale gas field or the statement in their motion that we "allow oil companies to sit for up to 20 years on exploration and still do no exploration"? That statement is...

Energy Resources: Motion. (3 May 2006)

Noel Dempsey: Based on that level of ignorance the motion asks us, at a time of growing concern over the availability and price of hydrocarbons, to freeze the issuing of any further exploration licences and the establishment of procedures and bodies that would ensure no indigenous supplies of gas or oil would come to this country virtually ad infinitum. This group of intrepid parliamentarians appear to...

Energy Resources: Motion. (3 May 2006)

Noel Dempsey: This State has a relatively clear set of choices when it comes to the exploitation of oil and gas resources. The Deputy should bring himself up to date and get his facts right. What he said tonight was wrong.

Energy Resources: Motion. (3 May 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The first option we have is to do nothing and leave the resources where they are because to touch them means there would be some impact on the environment or whatever. Some people, admittedly a small minority — I am not sure if there are any on the opposite side of the House — advocate that course of action. Given that it is clear that the commercial production of oil and gas can make a...