Results 3,121-3,140 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (5 Jul 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I launched REFIT on 1st May and the programme opened on 1st June. Sixty one applications were received and my officials are currently in consultations with the applicants. The published target in REFIT is an additional 400 megawatts (MW). However the programme is designed in such a manner that it can continue to accept any additional applications and the capacity limit can be increased. There...

Written Answers — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (5 Jul 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I expect to issue licence offers to successful applicants in the Slyne/Erris/Donegal Round shortly. In relation to the review of licensing terms under which exploration companies operate, my Department has already carried out considerable analysis with a view to amending the licensing terms. Terms of reference for an independent review of licensing terms and the work already completed by my...

Written Answers — Navigational and Communications Technology: Navigational and Communications Technology (5 Jul 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I understand from my colleague, the Minister for Finance that Ordnance Survey Ireland has completed national coverage of GPS compatible mapping for the state and has the capability to supply such data in either the widely used Irish Grid format or new developed Ordnance Survey GPS compatible format known as Irish Transverse Mercator (ITN). I have no function in this matter.

Written Answers — Natural Gas Grid: Natural Gas Grid (5 Jul 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I have not yet received the information referred to in the Deputy's question. The company has informed my officials that there is extensive redesign work to be done, involving some ten or so different technical teams, and that, because of the developer's internal quality control procedures, it will take some time for such work to be cleared through their internal system before they are...

Written Answers — Communications Masts: Communications Masts (5 Jul 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The consensus of scientific literature to date regarding possible adverse health effects from exposure to electromagnetic fields from facilities such as power lines, mobile phones and their base stations is that there is no evidence of a causal relationship between such exposure and illhealth. The Government approved the establishment of an inter-departmental committee on the health effects...

Written Answers — Mobile Telephony: Mobile Telephony (5 Jul 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I have no function in the matter raised by the Deputy. The communications market in Ireland is fully liberalised. Responsibility for the regulation of electronic communication service providers rests with the independent regulator, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), in accordance with the requirements of the Communications (Regulation) Act, 2002 and the regulations, which...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (5 Jul 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 65, 85, 94, 111, 119, 124 and 125 together. A digital terrestrial television (DTT) pilot programme is currently being implemented by my Department. The purpose of the pilot is to bring further momentum to the transition to digital terrestrial broadcasting and to test and trial various aspects of the service. The infrastructure for the DTT pilot is now in the...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (5 Jul 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. I will consider publishing the report after the Government has considered my proposals.

Written Answers — Resource Exploration: Resource Exploration (5 Jul 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 68, 267 and 278 together. Traditionally and for sound reasons exploration for hydrocarbons and other minerals is a private sector activity licensed by the State. The Corrib Gas Field (1996) is the only recent offshore discovery that can be said at this stage to have a definite commercial viability. In the case of Seven Heads, production has not reached...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (5 Jul 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 69 and 113 together. The authorisation regime under the current regulatory framework for telecoms has lowered the barriers to entry for operators. 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. The Commission for Communications...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (5 Jul 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 72 and 110 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. The Government recognises however, that a principal reason for the slow roll-out of...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Legislation: Broadcasting Legislation (5 Jul 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The priority issues to be addressed by the legislative proposals that will form the basis of a new Broadcasting Bill are as follows: the establishment of a single content regulator for commercial, community and public service broadcasters, the establishment of RTÉ as a company under the Companies Acts, the provision of a statutory mechanism for future adjustments to the level of the...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (5 Jul 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I recently met with Mr. Pierre Danon, who is to be the non-executive Chairman of Eircom. I meet with industry players on a regular basis. Any investment in infrastructure would be a commercial decision for Eircom in a fully liberalised market. Promotion and regulation of local loop unbundling is the responsibility of the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg under the...

Written Answers — Natural Gas Grid: Natural Gas Grid (5 Jul 2006)

Noel Dempsey: Completion of the development works is clearly the principal factor that will determine the date for the developer to turn on first gas. This is a matter for the developer.

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (5 Jul 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I have no function in relation to the regulation of electricity and gas charges. This is a matter which falls within the statutory responsibility of the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) under the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999, as amended by section 3 of the European Communities (Internal Market in Electricity) Regulations 2005 (S.I. No. 60 of 2005). Nor do I currently have powers to...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (5 Jul 2006)

Noel Dempsey: On 5th April last, I announced that it was my intention, following consultation with my Cabinet colleagues, to continue to designate the current list of designated events as events of major importance to society for which the right of a qualifying broadcaster to provide coverage on a live basis on free television should be provided in the public interest. This decision was made following a...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (5 Jul 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The European Commission is undertaking a review of the regulatory framework for electronic communications, which came into force in 2003. The Commission has just recently published proposals and possible policy options for change to the overall framework as part of a consultation that will run until the end of October. The Commission's proposals are currently being examined and each of the...

Written Answers — Communications Masts: Communications Masts (5 Jul 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The international limits on exposures for non-ionising radiation, developed by the International Commission for Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP), have been adopted in Ireland on the basis of EU Council Recommendation 1999/519/EU on the limitation of exposure of the general public to electromagnetic emissions. These limits cover both mobile telephony and electricity transmission. The...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (5 Jul 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) is the statutory body responsible for the management of the radio spectrum in Ireland. ComReg recently launched a licensing scheme that will allow religious and community organisations to transmit services and events, such as religious services, for the benefit of people in local communities throughout the country. The spectrum allocated...

Written Answers — Nuclear Power: Nuclear Power (5 Jul 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The Government has confirmed that the long-standing statutory ban on nuclear power generation in Ireland will remain. Given that nuclear power is back on the international agenda because of sustainability and security of supply concerns, it is clear that all the issues and implications inherent in nuclear power will continue to be the subject of international debate from all kinds of...