Results 3,141-3,160 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey
- Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (5 Jul 2006)
Noel Dempsey: Exchequer expenditure at the Digital Hub since 2000 is approximately â¬127 million to date. This includes approximately â¬76 million investment in property and infrastructure as well as approximately â¬51 million in operational costs. The Digital Hub has been and will continue to be successfully developed as a digital industry cluster, as well as a regeneration of an historic community...
- Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (5 Jul 2006)
Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 92 and 118 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. Part of the difficulty lies in the slow pace of Local Loop Unbundling (LLU). Promotion...
- Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed 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 RTÃ as a company under the Companies Acts. The provision of a statutory mechanism for future adjustments to the level of the...
- Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (5 Jul 2006)
Noel Dempsey: I was recently apprised of a decision by the ESB Board not to undertake any further significant investment in the 620 Megawatt generating station at Tarbert, which is likely to lead to the closure of the plant within a number of years. I am also aware that a number of other plants within the ESB's portfolio may be subject to similar consideration over the next few years, however I have not...
- Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (5 Jul 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 RTÃ. To secure a viable future for high quality public service broadcasting. To seek...
- Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (5 Jul 2006)
Noel Dempsey: This Government has no plans to privatise or part-privatise An Post.
- Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (5 Jul 2006)
Noel Dempsey: My Department engages fully with the EU Commission on communications issues. As the Deputy may be aware, universal service in the communications area is a safety net for those whose financial resources or geographical location do not allow them to access the basic communications services that are already available to the great majority of citizens. The Commission concluded that the mobile...
- Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (5 Jul 2006)
Noel Dempsey: The future development and continued viability of An Post and its services is, in the first instance, a matter for the board and management of An Post. I believe that there will continue to be a key national role for An Post, both in delivery of mails and as a quality service provider of Government and financial services through its nationwide network of post office outlets. However, it must...
- Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (5 Jul 2006)
Noel Dempsey: Access to spectrum space is an essential requirement for many sectors including telecommunications, broadcasting, aviation, shipping, public safety and defence services. This, together with the significant pace of change of radio communications technology, makes the management of the radio spectrum a complex task with no single approach being applicable for all services. Both my Department...
- Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (5 Jul 2006)
Noel Dempsey: I assume that the Deputy is referring to the EU Commission's investigation into the funding of RTÃ. As the Deputy may be aware this investigation arose in the context of a formal complaint by TV3, made originally in 1999, alleging infringements of Articles 92-94 of the EC Treaty relating to, among other things, the payment of licence fee revenue and direct grants to RTÃ. This is one of a...
- Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (5 Jul 2006)
Noel Dempsey: I was recently apprised of a decision by the ESB Board not to undertake any further significant investment in the 620 Megawatt generating station at Tarbert, which is likely to lead to the closure of the plant within a number of years. I am also aware that a number of other plants within the ESB's portfolio may be subject to similar consideration over the next few years, however I have not...
- Written Answers — Natural Gas Grid: Natural Gas Grid (5 Jul 2006)
Noel Dempsey: As the Deputy will know, I appointed Mr. Peter Cassells as mediator in the dispute between objectors to the proposed development and the developers. He has, for some months now, been meeting with concerned parties and individuals. I understand that he is nearing completion of his work and I await his report, which I expect to receive shortly. Neither my officials nor I have been involved in...
- Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (5 Jul 2006)
Noel Dempsey: As Minister for Communications, I have strongly supported Commissioner Reding's initiative to bring forward a Regulation on international roaming charges. High roaming charges are a barrier to communications across Europe and have a negative impact on the economic and social development of the Union and I have raised this issue at Council and the Taoiseach raised it also at the last Spring...
- Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (5 Jul 2006)
Noel Dempsey: Matters arising from the outcome of appeals of regulatory decisions, including costs, are primarily a matter for ComReg, which is independent in the exercise of its functions under the provisions of the Communications Regulation Act 2002. However, as part of my overall policy-making role for the telecommunications sector, I keep the operations of all the bodies under the aegis of my...
- Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (5 Jul 2006)
Noel Dempsey: Energy issues are very much centre-stage right now, nationally, in the EU and world-wide and the groundwork which resulted in the creation of the Irish Energy Council commenced a strategic review of the whole energy research area some time ago. This was followed up through last year by extensive consultation with interested parties, resulting in my decision to establish the Council. The...
- Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (5 Jul 2006)
Noel Dempsey: Maintaining diversity in fuels for electricity generation is one of the key issues in energy policy. While our electricity fuel mix is currently heavily reliant on fossil fuels, particularly gas, we have doubled our renewable generating capacity over the past two years and are on course to exceed our target of 13.2% of electricity from renewable energy by 2010. Because of this rapid progress,...
- Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (5 Jul 2006)
Noel Dempsey: The Deputy may be aware that the communications market in Ireland is fully liberalised and that the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, is the statutory body with responsibility for regulatory oversight of this market. The Government's regulatory and infrastructure policy has supported the private sector developing a competitive, affordable, and rapidly growing broadband market...
- Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (5 Jul 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). It has been clear for some time that the sector has failed to invest at the level necessary to keep pace with the demand for broadband, so...
- Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (5 Jul 2006)
Noel Dempsey: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 107 of 5th July 2006.
- Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (5 Jul 2006)
Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 227, 228 and 247 together. The 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. Detailed procurement processes, inviting expressions of interest...