Results 2,921-2,940 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey
- Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (30 May 2006)
Noel Dempsey: The opening of the electricity market to competition has meant that, in order to create a level playing field between all market participants, the Government's public service requirements need to be transparently identified and costed. ESB has in the past been obliged to provide these services. In pursuance of key energy policy objectives of security of supply, fuel diversity, environmental...
- Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (30 May 2006)
Noel Dempsey: The small size of the Irish electricity market underlines the need for greater interconnection as a means of enhancing security of supply, promoting competition and integrating the Irish electricity market into the wider European market. In this context, the East-West electricity interconnector project is a key priority for the Government. I will be bringing the matter to Government in the...
- Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (30 May 2006)
Noel Dempsey: The telecoms market is fully liberalised and is regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. ComReg is independent in the exercise of its functions, in accordance with the provisions of the Communications Regulations Act 2002 and the transposed EU Regulatory Framework.
- Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (30 May 2006)
Noel Dempsey: The opening, conversion and closure of individual post offices is a matter for the board and management of An Post. With regard to the post office network, as clearly set out in the Programme for Government, this Government and the Board of An Post are committed to the objective of securing a viable and sustainable nationwide post office network. Notwithstanding the commercial remit of An...
- Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (30 May 2006)
Noel Dempsey: Security of supply in relation to electricity is a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation in accordance with the provisions of the European Communities (Internal Market in Electricity) Regulations 2005. These Regulations give the CER formal responsibility in law for security of supply of electricity with powers to act to secure and enhance supply. The CER has been empowered to take...
- Written Answers — Regulatory Bodies: Regulatory Bodies (30 May 2006)
Noel Dempsey: I recently announced my intention to provide the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) with concurrent competition law powers in the telecoms sector, which will allow them to investigate and take action in issues such as the abuse of dominance. These proposals are being progressed within my Department in conjunction with the Office of the Attorney General. I intend to bring these...
- Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (30 May 2006)
Noel Dempsey: I have no plans for the regulation of the content of mobile phone products and services. The Office of the Regulator of Premium Rate Telecoms Services, RegTel, already authorises and supervises the content and promotion of premium rate telecommunications services within the Irish market and is independent. RegTel does not report to me as Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural...
- Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (30 May 2006)
Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 159 and 346 together. As a member of the International Energy Agency Ireland is required to maintain emergency oil stocks equivalent to at least 90 days of net imports of crude oil equivalent in the previous year. The EU imposes a similar requirement based on consumption. The National Oil Reserves Agency (NORA) is responsible for holding Ireland's strategic...
- Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (30 May 2006)
Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 160 and 294 together. The Greener Homes grant aid package for the domestic sector is being rolled-out over a five-year period from 2006 to 2010. The scheme supports investment in renewable energy heat technologies. The level of funding currently available under the package is â¬27m overall for the three technologies covered, flexibility will be maintained...
- Written Answers — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (30 May 2006)
Noel Dempsey: I recently announced that I have put a review of the current fiscal regime in motion and that my Department will shortly seek tenders to have independent experts assist in this review. Improvements to the fiscal terms will be examined in the context of the current Exploration & Production (E&P) industry climate, taking account of terms applied in other comparable jurisdictions. This process...
- Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (30 May 2006)
Noel Dempsey: I have examined the consultants' report on the implementation plan for the establishment of TG4 and have formulated my proposals, which I will circulate shortly to Government.
- Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (30 May 2006)
Noel Dempsey: I recently launched a new ocean energy strategy, which aims to put Ireland at the forefront of ocean energy development and position us to capitalise on this resource. The strategy was developed by Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) and the Marine Institute. As the first stage in implementing this strategy, we have recently upgraded the Hydraulics and Maritime Research Centre in UCC as well as...
- Written Answers — Television Licence Fee: Television Licence Fee (30 May 2006)
Noel Dempsey: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Questions Nos. 343 and 344 on 25 April, 2006.
- Written Answers — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (30 May 2006)
Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 175 and 335 together. The Porcupine Basin and the Goban Spur both lie entirely within Ireland's 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone and therefore the issue of entitlement does not arise. Ireland made a submission under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea to extend its continental shelf beyond 200 miles into the Porcupine Abyssal Plain area last...
- Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (30 May 2006)
Noel Dempsey: There are a number of incentives available to those who wish to use alternative energy. The multi-annual financial package for renewable energy announced in Budget 2006 provides funding of up to â¬65m over a 5 year period for renewable energy schemes that will include grants for a range of renewable heat, electricity and transport initiatives. The programmes cover the biofuels, biomass...
- Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (30 May 2006)
Noel Dempsey: The telecommunications sectors in both jurisdictions on the island of Ireland are fully liberalised but regulated, by ComReg in this jurisdiction and by OFCOM in Northern Ireland. My Department and Northern Ireland's Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment are jointly implementing the â¬7.56 million, EU supported, Interreg IIIa initiative, which is funding a number of projects to...
- Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (30 May 2006)
Noel Dempsey: The overall target is to more than double the current contribution from renewable energy technologies in electricity production to 13% by 2010. The target of 13.2% approximates to 1450 Megawatts of installed generating capacity operational by 2010. This target will be delivered by projects built under the preceding AER V and VI support programmes and the recently announced REFIT programme....
- Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (30 May 2006)
Noel Dempsey: The Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, in accordance with the provisions of S.I. 616 of 2002 European Communities (Postal Services) Regulations, is responsible for the monitoring, measurement and regulation of the postal sector including measuring the levels of service to be achieved by An Post and ensuring that the company abides by its statutory universal service obligations....
- Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (30 May 2006)
Noel Dempsey: Under the Greener Homes Scheme the level of grant aid available to domestic householders for the installation of solar panels is â¬300 per m2 subject to a maximum of 12 m2.
- Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (30 May 2006)
Noel Dempsey: The Government is fully committed to major development of renewable energy sources as well as to increasing energy efficiency and managing energy demand in order to reduce fossil fuel dependence, enhance environmental sustainability and limit carbon emissions. We currently have a target to increase the amount of electricity from renewable energy sources to 13.2% by 2010. This target...