Results 3,021-3,040 of 5,534 for speaker:Maureen O'Sullivan

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Broadband Service Provision (22 Sep 2015)

Maureen O'Sullivan: We can all agree that a high speed broadband service is vital in the battle against rural decline, especially when we take into account the number of closures that have happened, such as Garda stations, post offices, banks and other services. It is also important in preventing further depopulation of the islands. Broadband could provide employment, online education and online help for...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Broadband Service Provision (22 Sep 2015)

Maureen O'Sullivan: I will take up the Wild Atlantic Way with the Minister of State another time because some of the islands feel highly aggrieved that they were very much sidestepped. That is another debate. We have to accept that islands and islanders are different. My experience is that islanders are dedicated to their community and want to stay on the islands. Broadband is a major step forward. The...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Emergency Services Personnel (22 Sep 2015)

Maureen O'Sullivan: 91. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he is aware of a recent paper stating that the emergency call answering service has performed to a consistently high standard, with the average speed of answer for a caller being 0.6 seconds, which is one of the fastest in Europe; and that the workers have concerns regarding conditions and cover for this vital...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Emergency Services Personnel (22 Sep 2015)

Maureen O'Sullivan: My question relates to the emergency call answering service, particularly the professionalism and performance of the operators. The workers have concerns about the conditions and cover for the service, so I ask if the Minister of State is aware of these concerns.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Emergency Services Personnel (22 Sep 2015)

Maureen O'Sullivan: I thank the Minister of State. I also acknowledge the professionalism and efficiency of the emergency call answering service. It operates 24-7 all year round, engaging with services and, occasionally, the Coast Guard. It is absolutely vital. However, there is a high turnover of staff at one centre, at East Point in Dublin. This high turnover of staff means there is a loss of very...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Emergency Services Personnel (22 Sep 2015)

Maureen O'Sullivan: Unfortunately, the employer has been ignoring all requests from the Communication Workers' Union to meet. I know the workers who handle the calls to the ambulance and fire service are members of SIPTU but the emergency call answer personnel are being denied this right. ComReg also indicated that because of the critical nature of an emergency call, the system cannot be run like a fully...

Other Questions: Renewable Energy Generation Targets (22 Sep 2015)

Maureen O'Sullivan: 94. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he is confident that Ireland will reach its 16% target for renewable energy by 2020; the measures that are being taken by his Department to ensure this target will be met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31763/15]

Other Questions: Renewable Energy Generation Targets (22 Sep 2015)

Maureen O'Sullivan: Is the Minister of State confident that Ireland will reach its 16% target for renewable energy by 2020 and will he outline the measures that are being taken by the Department to ensure the target will be met?

Other Questions: Renewable Energy Generation Targets (22 Sep 2015)

Maureen O'Sullivan: I note that, in 1990, we were 98% dependent on imported fossil fuels and, in 2013, we were still importing 90% of our energy needs. Hydro power counts for only 0.5% of our energy and other renewables 6%. Even though there is an increase in gas power, which generates lower emissions, nevertheless it is still a fossil fuel. There are reports that we will not achieve the 2020 targets, and...

Other Questions: Renewable Energy Generation Targets (22 Sep 2015)

Maureen O'Sullivan: The word is "urgency", and the other important word is "creativity". If we can bring the two together, then I think we might see some progress. According to new figures published, we are more reliant on imported energy than almost every other country in the European Union. Among the new technologies is wave technology, and wastewater is also a resource. I accept that wind technology...

Other Questions: Energy Policy (22 Sep 2015)

Maureen O'Sullivan: 95. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views that with Ireland's high level of dependency on energy imports, in excess of 90%, this country is in a precarious position and vulnerable to geopolitical conflicts due to its high reliance on imports of fossil fuels; his further views that there is a need to be more self-reliant as is the case with other...

Other Questions: Energy Policy (22 Sep 2015)

Maureen O'Sullivan: My question is to ask the Minister of State his views on Ireland's high level of dependency on energy imports, in excess of 90%. We are in a precarious position and are very vulnerable to geopolitical conflicts due to this high reliance on the import of fossil fuels. I ask the Minister of State to examine our need to be more self-reliant, as is the case with other European Union countries.

Other Questions: Energy Policy (22 Sep 2015)

Maureen O'Sullivan: Yes.

Other Questions: Energy Policy (22 Sep 2015)

Maureen O'Sullivan: There is no doubt that we have a very high dependency on imported fossil fuels and I saw a figure of €6.5 billion that we are spending on it. We are very vulnerable and are at the mercy of international markets and prices. We saw what happened to Ukraine with its reliance on natural gas from Russia. Over the weekend I read a story about a green plan by firefighters at the fire...

Other Questions: Energy Policy (22 Sep 2015)

Maureen O'Sullivan: I was struck by the fact that three years ago Denmark was able to export energy after securing all its own needs. I want to put the issue in the broader context of climate change. We are moving into sustainable development goals and Ireland has been playing a very strong role at EU and UN level. However, we are giving with one hand - and we have a very strong reputation regarding...

Hospital Waiting Lists: Motion [Private Members] (22 Sep 2015)

Maureen O'Sullivan: We have a very significant health budget which one would imagine would translate into a state-of-the-art health service. While we have very professional, hard-working and committed staff and excellence in certain areas, including, I acknowledge in particular, in the treatment of cancer, the stark reality is that we do not have a state-of-the-art service and there are glaring deficiencies. I...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (22 Sep 2015)

Maureen O'Sullivan: 103. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the investment State dispute settlement as part of the Transatlantic Trade Investment Partnership, and its ability to challenge indirect expropriation, when the potential profits of an investment may be reduced because of a regulatory change or other decisions by a public authority which includes bans on...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Generation (22 Sep 2015)

Maureen O'Sullivan: 106. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the action being taken by his Department to encourage development of new wave technology, which provides a sustainable way to harness the natural resources available on the coast here by the use of tidal turbines; and his views that given the extensive coastline here, this form of renewable energy has significant...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Resources (22 Sep 2015)

Maureen O'Sullivan: 113. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the action being taken to explore the possibilities of treatment and extraction from wastewater, which has great potential as a sustainable resource. [31762/15]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Illicit Trade in Tobacco (22 Sep 2015)

Maureen O'Sullivan: 374. To ask the Minister for Finance the extent of seizures of illegal cigarettes in the past 12 months; the amount of revenue lost to the State; and his plans to combat the very serious matter of illegal cigarettes being brought into and sold in this country. [27070/15]