Results 2,881-2,900 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (30 May 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I can advise the Deputy that there was no reserve list in the AER 5 Scheme. Approximately 140MW of capacity has been reallocated with the agreement of developers from AER 5 and 6 to projects on the AER 6 reserve list. The current target is to increase the installed capacity of renewable energy powered electricity generating plant to 1450 megawatts or 13.2% by 2010. On 1st May last I launched...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (30 May 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I can advise the Deputy that I intend to publish an Energy Policy Green Paper shortly which will set out the framework for national energy policy and which will address the challenges of environmental sustainability, security of supply and competitiveness. Irish energy policy is firmly set in the global and EU context. Global demand for energy is growing and sustained high oil and gas prices...

Written Answers — Employment Rights: Employment Rights (30 May 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The issue to which the Deputy refers is a day-to-day operational matter for the Management of the semi-state companies and for contractors and subcontracts who are direct employers. I have no immediate function in this matter. My Department has, however, requested the commercial state bodies under its aegis to confirm that they have procedures in place to ensure all contractors and sub...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (30 May 2006)

Noel Dempsey: My core policy objectives for the development of the broadcasting sector are detailed in my Department's Statement of Strategy, 2005- 2007. These objectives are: to create an environment that encourages the maintenance of high quality Irish radio and television services by both independent broadcasters and RTÉ; to secure a viable future for high quality public service broadcasting; to seek...

Written Answers — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (30 May 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 86 and 322 together. The shared objective of my predecessors over the last 30 years and myself has been to realise the full potential of oil and gas reserves onshore and offshore Ireland. The following factors have been obvious to every Government and most observers over the last 20 years: that the industry does not regard Ireland's record of prospectivity as...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (30 May 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, using a range of different technologies. Ireland's broadband take-up is growing very strongly. By end-2005, there were over 270,000 broadband...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (30 May 2006)

Noel Dempsey: Responsibility for monitoring the security of Ireland's natural gas supply lies with the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER). The CER publishes annually a 7-year rolling forecast of capacity, flows and customer demand ('the Gas Capacity Statement'). The forecast also assesses whether projected supplies of gas from indigenous sources, imports and storage, are sufficient to meet forecast...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (30 May 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The introduction of metering for domestic electricity production requires a range of technical safety and systems issues to be addressed and resolved. Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) in a report on "Metering Options for Small Scale Renewable and CHP Electricity Generation in Ireland" identified a range of areas to be addressed including the ability of micro-generators to secure adequate...

Written Answers — Mobile Telephony: Mobile Telephony (30 May 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 90 and 95 together. Since my appointment as Minister in this Department I have made the abolition of roaming charges on the island a priority. In addition I raised the issue at EU level at Council. The Taoiseach pursued the issue of roaming at the recent Spring council, following which the European Council emphasised the importance for competitiveness and ease...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (30 May 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 93 and 144 together. I am establishing an Irish Energy Research Council, as a forum to advise on priorities for Irish energy research both in the medium and the longer term. The Council will co-ordinate existing energy RTDI activities, provide analysis and advice on research capacity and facilitate positioning of energy research policy with overall energy...

Written Answers — Radio Broadcasting: Radio Broadcasting (30 May 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) is the statutory body responsible for the management of the radio spectrum in Ireland. A safety issue arose recently when ComReg were notified by the Irish Aviation Authority, of interference with Air Traffic Control systems. ComReg are required by statute to investigate any interference with services, particularly where critical safety...

Written Answers — Mobile Telephony: Mobile Telephony (30 May 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I have no function in setting the prices for the mobile phone market. The setting of prices for mobile phone users is a matter in the first instance for the private sector companies operating in a fully liberalised market. The regulation of telecommunications operators, including regulatory issues surrounding pricing in the mobile phone market is the responsibility of the Commission for...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (30 May 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 97, 130, 131 and 140 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 independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. I do not have access to figures for the number of waiting applicants for...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (30 May 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 98, 154 and 180 together. Future possible directions for the electricity sector, taking into account all relevant considerations including the development of the Single Electricity Market, competition, security of supply, generation adequacy and consumer needs, will be articulated in the forthcoming Energy Policy Green Paper. I intend to publish the report by...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (30 May 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I refer the Deputy to my reply to questions numbers 18 and 27 on 6 April 2006.

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (30 May 2006)

Noel Dempsey: On 1st May I launched a new renewable energy support mechanism to support the construction of new renewable energy powered electricity generating plants powered by biomass, hydro-power or wind-power. Applications will be accepted from early June. This programme will support the construction of at least a further 400 megawatts of new renewable energy powered electricity generating plant by...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (30 May 2006)

Noel Dempsey: Following from the recommendations of the Working Group report on postcodes, I asked the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) to appoint project managers to support the postcode project by providing technical and economic advice including assessing the costs and benefits of the introduction of a postcode. The terms of reference for the project managers stipulate that the code be...

Written Answers — Mobile Telephony: Mobile Telephony (30 May 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 102, 106, 110 and 158 together. I have no function in regulating pricing, delivery or quality of services in the mobile phone market. The regulation of telecommunications operators, including regulatory issues surrounding pricing, quality and delivery of services in the mobile phone market is the responsibility of the Commission for Communications Regulation...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (30 May 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 104 and 339 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 independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. A principal reason for the slow rollout of broadband services generally has been the...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (30 May 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I have no function in this matter. Decisions relating to products and services are operational matters for the Board and management of An Post.