Results 3,221-3,240 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (10 Jul 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The Government's decentralisation programme provides for the relocation of my Department in its entirety to Cavan by the end of 2010. To date some 53 staff on the Corporate Services side of the Department have already transferred successfully to Cavan. The next phase of our planned relocation involves placing Cavan-bound staff into divisions within the Natural Resources area of my...

Written Answers — Motor Fuels: Motor Fuels (10 Jul 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The Irish oil industry is fully privatised, liberalised and deregulated and there is free entry into the market. I have no function in regard to oil prices. My Department has been advised that the average price of petrol in Ireland in June 2004 was 93.8 cent per litre and in June 2008 was 129.8 cent per litre. This represents an increase of just under 39%. The average price of diesel in...

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

Eamon Ryan: The National Postcode Project Board presented its recommendation as to the most appropriate postcode system for Ireland, the costs and benefits arising from its introduction, along with a detailed implementation, promotion and maintenance plan. The report of the board concluded that the introduction of a postcode would be a valuable addition to the country's postal infrastructure and would...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (10 Jul 2008)

Eamon Ryan: At the Council of Energy Ministers in February, and again at the Informal Meeting of Energy Ministers in Paris last week, I confirmed Ireland's general support for the proposed Renewable Energy Directive. The overall target for the European Union of 20% renewable energy contributions to electricity by 2020 is ambitious but essential. All Member States will have to play their part by...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (10 Jul 2008)

Eamon Ryan: EirGrid, as the State body responsible for the national transmission system, is working to deliver the necessary upgrading and expansion of the transmission grid in the interests of the economy and regional development. I welcome the call by EirGrid's Chief Executive for collective engagement by all stakeholders in meeting the challenges inherent in delivering vitally needed new transmission...

Written Answers — Foreshore Acts: Foreshore Acts (10 Jul 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The Foreshore Acts are the responsibility of the Minister for Agriculture and Food and are administered by the Coastal Zone Management Division of his Department. I have no statutory function in the matter. There is considerable interaction by my Department and the energy sector with Coastal Zone Management Division in the context of permissions required under the Foreshore Acts for energy...

Written Answers — Natural Gas Grid: Natural Gas Grid (10 Jul 2008)

Eamon Ryan: Under Section 8 of the Gas Act, 1976, as amended by Section 11 of the Gas Amendment Act, 2002, Bord Gáis Éireann (BGÉ) has a duty to develop and maintain a system for the supply of natural gas that is both economical and efficient. BGÉ is a commercial Semi State body and is not in receipt of Exchequer funding. The development, expansion, upgrading, renewal and maintenance of the gas...

Written Answers — Motor Fuels: Motor Fuels (10 Jul 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The Irish oil industry is fully privatised, liberalised and deregulated. There is free entry into the market, and prices at the pump for both petrol and diesel reflect market factors notably global market price, transportation costs, Euro/Dollar fluctuations and other operating costs. The significant price rises of recent months reflect the exponential increase in global oil prices. In so...

Written Answers — Electricity Supply: Electricity Supply (10 Jul 2008)

Eamon Ryan: Statutory responsibility for monitoring and ensuring quality of electricity supply rests with the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER). The performance of the electricity networks has significantly improved in recent years. This reflects the considerable investment of approximately €3 billion in both our transmission and distribution networks that has taken place in the period 2001 to...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (10 Jul 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I discussed energy security of supply issues with EU Ministerial colleagues and Commissioner Piebalgs at the Informal Energy Ministers Meeting last week. The causes of high oil prices are highly complex. The European Council, at its meeting in June, expressed grave concern about the continued surge in oil and gas prices and their social and economic consequences. The Council invited the...

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

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 26, 39 and 47 together. The provision of broadband services is, in the first instance, a matter 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 widespread provision of broadband services continues to be a priority...

Written Answers — Energy Costs: Energy Costs (10 Jul 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 28, 36 and 48 together. Rising energy costs are a major concern for all sectors of the economy and consumers, but clearly they have a particular impact on vulnerable members of society. My Department is setting up a new working group with the Departments of Finance, Social and Family Affairs and Environment, Heritage and Local Government, the CER, Sustainable...

Written Answers — Electricity Sector: Electricity Sector (10 Jul 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 29 and 60 together. I would refer the Deputy to my statement of 13th March on the future of Ireland's electricity sector. In that statement I affirmed the Government's decision in the Energy Policy White Paper and the Programme for Government, to transfer the ownership of the electricity transmission assets from ESB to EirGrid. It is also fundamental...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (10 Jul 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 30 and 986 together. The Government decision of 8 July in relation to expenditure savings in the remainder of 2008 identifies savings of €1.75m to be delivered across my Department and agencies under its aegis. These savings are to be realised in administrative efficiencies and overhead reductions.

Written Answers — Energy Efficiency: Energy Efficiency (10 Jul 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The Government has set a target of achieving 20% energy efficiency savings across the economy by 2020 and to demonstrate its commitment to achieving this goal, has a further target of achieving 33% saving on energy use across the public sector, also by 2020. I published a draft national energy efficiency action plan for public consultation towards the end of 2007. The draft plan sets out the...

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

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 32, 37 and 58 together. I launched the consultation paper on Next Generation Broadband on Thursday the 3rd of July 2008. A copy of the consultation paper is on my Department's website. The consultation period will run until the 30th September 2008. As part of the consultation process a public forum will be held this September. The precise date has yet to...

Written Answers — Advertising Codes: Advertising Codes (10 Jul 2008)

Eamon Ryan: Under the Audiovisual Media Services Directive, EU Member States and the European Commission are required to encourage media service providers to develop codes of conduct regarding inappropriate audiovisual commercial communication, accompanying or included in children's programmes, of foods and beverages containing nutrients and substances with a nutritional or physiological effect. This...

Written Answers — Departmental Reviews: Departmental Reviews (10 Jul 2008)

Eamon Ryan: In the time available, it has not been possible to identify and assemble the information requested. My Department is in the process of identifying and assembling the information and I will revert to the Deputy as soon as possible.

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

Eamon Ryan: The UK has a schedule to switch off analogue TV in different regions from 2008 to 2012 in favour of Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT). Analogue TV services in Wales, for instance, are expected to switch off in 2009 and this will impact on viewers in Wexford, Waterford, Wicklow and Dublin who receive UK TV channels via overspill from the UK. Viewers on cable and satellite will not be...

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

Eamon Ryan: The latest data published by EirGrid to December 2007 show that a total of c. 800 megawatts (MW) of wind-powered generating capacity is connected; there is a further 1600 MWs which have connection offers under Gate 1 and Gate 2 and a further 4000 MW approximately awaiting connection offers under Gate 3. I understand that a further 4000 MW have applied to GATE 3 since the start of 2008....