Results 3,201-3,220 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Alternative Energy Projects. (10 Jul 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The Government's policy objectives in respect of bio-fuels are clear. The energy policy framework and the programme for Government commit to the sustainable use of bio-energy resources in transport and to work with our EU partners to ensure that bio-fuels used in transport comply with sustainability criteria in terms of bio-fuels production. This is the policy context for the proposed...

Alternative Energy Projects. (10 Jul 2008)

Eamon Ryan: Policy in this area must be consistent. A year and a half ago, I said during a debate in the Dáil on a motion moved by the opposite side of the House that we had to be very cautious and apply scientific evidence because there were environmental and other social concerns. I wanted to hear from my ministerial colleagues and the rapporteur from the European Parliament in advance of setting...

Alternative Energy Projects. (10 Jul 2008)

Eamon Ryan: It is right to do it that way, to take in the evidence and listen to what people are saying. My understanding of the European Parliament's position, which is one I support, is that it is still supportive of the proposed target of 10% renewable energy in transport by 2020. It is very important to highlight that this involves not just bio-fuels but includes electricity. It is right to hold...

Alternative Energy Projects. (10 Jul 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I wish to finish the point. To answer the question——

Alternative Energy Projects. (10 Jul 2008)

Eamon Ryan: On what? Will Deputy McManus repeat the question?

Alternative Energy Projects. (10 Jul 2008)

Eamon Ryan: We do not have a figure for imported fuels because we often import oil from the UK which is already mixed with a bio-fuel component. The industry does it.

Alternative Energy Projects. (10 Jul 2008)

Eamon Ryan: In respect of Deputy McManus's earlier question about when we intend to have the sustainability criteria, the advantage of us supporting and working with the European Commission on this is that it alone will be able to put in the labelling and tagging system so that we clearly know where bio-fuels have come from and that there are real emissions reductions which do not lead to food poverty or...

Telecommunications Services. (10 Jul 2008)

Eamon Ryan: While the provision of broadband services is, in the first instance, a matter for the private sector and broadband is now widely available in Ireland, there are still some parts of the country where the private sector is unable to justify the commercial provision of broadband services. These areas are being addressed by the national broadband scheme, NBS, which will provide broadband...

Telecommunications Services. (10 Jul 2008)

Eamon Ryan: We intended to have contracts signed by July but that has been delayed for two reasons, one of which is the court challenge, which involves the Department and various parties. As stated in my earlier answer, we wanted to get the contract documents as sharp as possible in advance of signing off on the tender so that it would be easier for the company to roll it out as soon as the contract is...

Telecommunications Services. (10 Jul 2008)

Eamon Ryan: That decision was always an evolving process because it is an evolving provision. We set the end of June as the deadline to determine the level of service. We did not accept the situation on the basis of the map but went out to validate that the map was accurate. The end of June is the cut-off point decided for the purposes of the tender documents.

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (10 Jul 2008)

Eamon Ryan: One of the main themes of the draft consultation paper on Next Generation Broadband is to facilitate private sector investment in Next Generation Broadband networks. As the paper shows, major investment is already under way by the private sector, amounting to around €700m per annum, facilitated by a pro–competition, pro-investment regulatory regime. This favourable regulatory regime...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (10 Jul 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I have no function in the direct provision of broadband services to customers. This is a contractual matter between the service provider and their customer. The provision of electronic communications services including broadband, is primarily a matter for private sector operators. Statutory responsibility for the regulation of telecommunications operators including regulatory issues...

Written Answers — Electronic Metering: Electronic Metering (10 Jul 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 and 23 together. The rollout of a national smart meter programme is progressing in line with the commitment in the Government's Energy Policy Framework and in the Programme for Government. The Smart Meter programme is a central component of our strategy to significantly enhance management of energy demand and to achieve greater energy efficiency through the...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (10 Jul 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 and 54 together. The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, is a matter, in the first instance, for the private sector. Broadband service providers operate in a fully liberalised market, regulated, where appropriate, by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. The primary role of the Government is to...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (10 Jul 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I launched a consultation paper on Next Generation Broadband on Thursday the 3rd of July 2008. The Paper commits to a number of actions to be taken by Government to promote a better broadband network and to facilitate specific policy goals. Where these actions require Exchequer expenditure they will be funded from the National Development Plan (NDP) envelope of €435m for...

Written Answers — Mobile Telephony: Mobile Telephony (10 Jul 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The issue of roaming charges for mobile data communications is currently being addressed by the European Commission as part of the public consultation on the Review of the functioning of the Roaming Regulation and its possible extension to SMS and data roaming services. The benefit of lower roaming charges for data traffic is that it would encourage the development of new digital...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (10 Jul 2008)

Eamon Ryan: On 3 July 2008 I published a "Consultation Paper on Next Generation Broadband" which included various Government commitments including a commitment on international telecommunications connectivity. I intend to build on the success of the Global Crossing project and have asked my officials to examine (i) existing international connectivity capacity and (ii) the potential for the existing...

Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (10 Jul 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The question of windfall gains to electricity generating companies as a result of the free allocation of carbon allowances is a complex one. It arises as a result of the way the EU's Emissions Trading Scheme was constructed. As such, it is an issue which faces not only Ireland, but all EU Member States. It should be noted that to date only one EU Member State, Spain, has introduced...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (10 Jul 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 and 34 together. In February last I announced a number of new categories for the Renewable Energy Feed In Tariff support programme to support renewable energy projects in the electricity market. These new categories include offshore wind developments. The renewable energy feed-in tariff scheme or REFIT, has, to date, included biomass, landfill gas,...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (10 Jul 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 and 19 together. The Greener Homes Scheme provides support to homeowners to invest in a range of domestic renewable energy heating technologies including solar panels, biomass boilers and stoves, and heat pumps. The scheme is kept under regular review and earlier this week I announced Phase III of the scheme. I am pleased to advise the Deputy that wood...