Results 2,821-2,840 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (8 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: My Department is currently finalising the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan in light of the consultative process and I will be bringing it to Government shortly with a view to launching the Plan thereafter. In that context I intend shortly to establish a Public Sector Energy Efficiency Working Group to drive collective delivery of the Government's target of 33% for the public sector....

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (8 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: Under the Fisheries Acts, primary responsibility for the management, conservation, protection and development of the inland fisheries resource rests with the Central and Regional Fisheries Boards. The rivers meeting their conservation limit and for which a surplus of fish was identified for harvest in 2008, are specified in the Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme Regulations 2007 (SI...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (8 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: Officials in my Department are in the process of finalising arrangements for the inaugural meeting of an informal geothermal working group. This group will consider relevant technical, legal and regulatory issues and is scheduled to report back to me later this year, setting out the options for the development of a proportionate and realistic regulatory regime for geothermal energy...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (8 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I have no role in the matter raised by the Deputy. The provision of telecommunications services is a matter, in the first instance, for the relevant companies operating in a fully liberalised market, regulated where appropriate by the Independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. My Department operates a dedicated website www.broadband.gov.ie where potential broadband...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (8 May 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...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (8 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: It is a key objective of my Department, in its dealings with suppliers of goods and services, to pay all invoices as soon as possible after the goods and services have been satisfactorily delivered. In addition, payments governed by the provisions of the Prompt Payment of Accounts Act 1997, are required to be made within the statutory limit of 30 days set out in the Act. The vast majority...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (8 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The social and environmental sustainability concerns raised by the Irish Missionary Union reflect the agreed need to ensure that biofuel production and utilisation is fully sustainable. The European Commission's Renewable Energy Directive proposes a 10% target for biofuels by 2020, backed up by proposals for stringent sustainable criteria. Together with other Member States, Ireland fully...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (8 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: There are a number of challenges to be addressed as we work to facilitate the widespread adoption of micro-generation. A key challenge is the absence of commercial arrangements for export of surplus electricity. The new micro generation programme which I announced recently, to be operated by Sustainable Energy Ireland, is designed to address the challenges. The new programme includes a...

Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (8 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: It is Government policy that An Post remains a strong and viable company into the future, in a position to compete in a liberalised market, provide a high quality, nationwide postal service and maintain a nationwide, customer-focussed network of post offices. Matters and decisions relating to the future of the post office and the optimum number of post offices are, in the first instance, for...

Written Answers — Budget Submissions: Budget Submissions (8 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The settlement of the Department's spending Estimates by Government in the context of annual Budget decisions for the years in question involved a process of consultation over a period of months with the Department of Finance culminating in Ministerial meetings. Meetings of this nature do not require an agenda to be circulated in advance and minutes of such meetings are not maintained as part...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (8 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: Responsibility for the management and operation of the ESB Employee Share Option Programme (ESOP) rests with the ESB ESOP Trustees (ESOT) and I have no role or function in the matter. My consent and that of the Minister for Finance, as Shareholders in ESB, however, is required for any amendments that might be proposed to be made to the ESOP Trust Deed by the Trustees. A number of such...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (8 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The maintenance and support cost to my Department of implementing the payroll system within my Department for each of the years under question is as detailed in the following table. Year Cost â'¬ 2008 14,153.06 2007 92,156.05 2006 12,237.94 2005 72,803.78 2004 50,954.21 The variation in costs between years is generally due to additional once-off costs for specific projects. Costs...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (8 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I am committed to ensuring that the development of the biofuels sector is fully sustainable. I will shortly be launching the public consultation on the proposed Biofuels Obligation in line with the Programme for Government and the Energy Policy Framework. The planned introduction of a Biofuels Obligation by 2009 would require all fuel suppliers to ensure that biofuels represent a certain...

Written Answers — Inland Fisheries: Inland Fisheries (8 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 642 and 643 together. Under the Fisheries Acts, primary responsibility for the management, conservation, protection and development of the inland fisheries resource and in this case, the issue of licences, rests with the Central and Regional Fisheries Boards. Licence duties are increased on an annual basis and such increases are in line with the Consumer...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (8 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: In line with the commitment in the Programme for Government, my Department and Sustainable Energy Ireland are consulting with the Commission for Energy Regulation with a view to identifying and removing barriers, including regulatory barriers, to the deployment of high efficiency Combined Heat and Power and district heating. I intend to bring forward proposals in the near future in light of...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (8 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The roll-out of a national smart meter programme is progressing in line with the commitment in the Government's Energy Policy Framework and in the Programme for Government. The programme is a central component of our strategy to significantly enhance management of demand for electricity and to achieve greater energy efficiency through the use of cutting-edge technology. The delivery of smart...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (8 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: Net metering, in the electricity market, requires that participating generators can access electricity meters which record both imports and exports of electricity or, at a minimum, meters which offset electricity imported by individual customers against volumes of electricity exported to the electricity system from the same property. Traditional electricity meters do not record or offset the...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (8 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: Work is well advanced on the establishment of the ocean energy development unit within Sustainable Energy Ireland which will oversee and drive the roll out of the Ocean Energy funding programme of €5.5 million this year.

Written Answers — Fuel Poverty: Fuel Poverty (8 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: There are a number of initiatives and schemes in the Energy Policy Framework designed to assist those on low incomes in relation to their energy expenditure. These initiatives include: The Department of Social and Family Affairs, Fuel Allowances Scheme Sustainable Energy Ireland's Warmer Homes Scheme- "Keep Well This Winter, Stay Well and Warm" publication Various schemes relating to local...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Policy: Broadcasting Policy (8 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 649 to 652, inclusive, together. I propose to address the matters raised by the Deputy in the context of the Broadcasting Bill 2008, which I intend to introduce into the Oireachtas shortly.