Results 2,841-2,860 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

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

Eamon Ryan: As set out in the programme for Government, the Government remains fully committed to the objective of securing a viable and sustainable nationwide post office network through a range of measures including maximising the volume of both public and private sector business handled through the network. Currently 65% of the post office network's revenue comes from Government contracts. The...

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

Eamon Ryan: The National Postcode Project Board (NPPB) presented its recommendation as to the most appropriate postcode system for Ireland, the costs and benefits arising from its introduction along with a detailed implementation, promotion and maintenance plan. The proposal of the NPPB was to proceed with an alpha-numeric postal sector postcode model. A proposal concerning the introduction of postcodes...

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

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 655 and 656, inclusive, together. Matters relating to quality and levels of postal service are a matter, in the first instance, for the management and board of An Post and one in which I have no statutory function. In addition, the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, in accordance with the 2002 European Communities (Postal Services) Regulations,...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (8 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: As the Deputy will be aware, the bulk of costs associated with the Decentralisation programme are to be met by the Office of Public Works (OPW). I can advise the Deputy that other Decentralisation related costs incurred directly by my Department are reported on a regular basis to the Department of Finance and a breakdown of costs reported to date is set out in the table below: Travel and...

Written Answers — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (13 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The Irish downstream oil industry, which is fully privatised, liberalised and de-regulated, is served by a number of multi-national and domestic independent companies operating in accordance with their own commercial policies. Ireland's commercial oil distribution system is currently based on sea and road transport and the question of compulsory purchase orders for oil pipelines has not...

Written Answers — Fisheries Schemes: Fisheries Schemes (13 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I understand from the Loughs Agency of the Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission, who are administering the salmon hardship scheme in the Foyle, that there were a total of 156 applications for compensation under the scheme. To date, 128 claimants have received payment while 7 applications are still being processed. The remaining 21 applications were deemed ineligible.

Written Answers — Energy Efficiency: Energy Efficiency (13 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 546 and 550 together. I launched the pilot Home Energy Saving Scheme on 24 April. The pilot scheme, for which funding of €5 million is provided in 2008, is designed to encourage owners of older homes to improve the energy efficiency of their homes, primarily through insulation measures. The ongoing results of the pilot scheme will inform the roll-out of...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (13 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The question of assistance to former miners or any other type of employees who suffer health problems as a consequence of working conditions in the past is, primarily a matter between them and their employers, and, in so far as the State is concerned, of disability or occupational injuries benefit entitlement under the social welfare code. Accordingly the question of a new form of assessment...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (13 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I announced last month a new micro-generation programme, to be carried out by Sustainable Energy Ireland, which will support a range of research and demonstration activities in renewable and Combined Heat and Power electricity micro-generation. An initial focus of this programme will be to commission analysis on the options for commercial arrangements for small scale generation in Ireland....

Written Answers — Energy Conservation: Energy Conservation (13 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: My Colleague John Gormley T.D., Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is responsible for setting guidelines for planning authorities concerning design standards for new apartments, and for the regulation of apartment block management companies. My colleague Dermot Ahern T.D., Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform is responsible for property law, including matters...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (13 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The programme for Government includes the commitment to "modernise and consolidate all mineral development legislation". The Minerals Development Acts, 1940 to 1999 comprise five pieces of primary legislation and a number of regulations have been made thereunder. Consolidation is required to address problems and changes in policy and environment which have arisen since 1999. It will also...

Written Answers — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (13 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: Drilling operations by Shell and by Statoil Hydro off the north-west coast have not yet commenced but are expected to do so in the coming weeks. My Department is kept informed continually of progress in all drilling activities. On completion of exploration wells, the results normally require careful technical assessment over a period of some months.

Written Answers — Broadcasting Legislation: Broadcasting Legislation (13 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to address the matter raised by the Deputy in the context of the Broadcasting Bill 2008 which I intend to introduce into the Oireachtas shortly.

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (13 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The delivery of commitments by An Post in regard to access issues at company-owned post offices is an operational matter for the board and management of An Post.

Written Answers — Salmon Hardship Scheme: Salmon Hardship Scheme (14 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The purpose of the Salmon Hardship Scheme is to address hardship difficulties experienced by those commercial salmon licence holders affected as a result of the Government's decision to align the wild salmon fishery with the scientific advice from 2007 onwards. The scheme is administered on behalf of my Department by Bord Iascaigh Mhara. The scheme in respect of the Foyle area is administered...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (14 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 — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (14 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The REFIT support programme, which is administered by my Department, supports the construction of new renewable energy powered electricity production plants. This support programme is open to all qualifying projects including project proposals for the offshore islands. In addition to this general support for new renewable energy powered projects, I understand that Sustainable Energy Ireland...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (14 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The Greener Homes Scheme provides support to homeowners to invest in a range of domestic renewable energy heating technologies including solar panels, biomass boilers and stoves and heat pumps. There has been a strong interest in the scheme since it was launched in March 2006. On foot of the achievement of the original scheme targets three years ahead of schedule, Phase I of the Greener...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (14 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: 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. I have no function in the matter of the enabling of exchanges owned by private companies. However, it is hoped that the facilitation of greater...

Written Answers — Inland Fisheries: Inland Fisheries (14 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I have been informed by the ESB that only their subsidiary company, Salmara Holdings Limited, was engaged in salmon farming from 1987 to 1995. Approval to dispose of the four offshore farms operated by the company was given to the ESB in January 1995. It has not been possible to obtain the other information sought in the time available and this will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it...