Results 3,261-3,280 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

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

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 944, 956 and 959 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. Earlier this week I announced Phase III of the scheme which adds log gasification boilers as an eligible technology for grant support. The...

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

Eamon Ryan: My Department does not grant permits for the production of bio-fuels. In 2005 and 2006 my Department held competitive calls for proposals for Bio-fuel Mineral Oil Tax Relief Schemes. The schemes were open to anyone who could fulfil the criteria laid out in the Guidance Notes which were provided to all applicants. There were specific limits on the amount of excise relief available under the...

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

Eamon Ryan: In the time available, it has not been possible to identify and assemble the information requested. My Department was established in mid 2007 and is in the process of identifying and assembling the relevant information for 2007 and to date in 2008. I will revert to the Deputy with material as soon as possible.

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

Eamon Ryan: I can advise the Deputy that details of the pay and emoluments granted to the chief executive officer, or equivalents, of all of the agencies under the control of my Department is the responsibility of the board. Each board agrees terms and conditions including remuneration, with my Department, within remuneration levels sanctioned by the Department of Finance. Details of total remuneration...

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

Eamon Ryan: €435 million was earmarked under the National Development Plan (NDP) 2007-2013 for broadband initiatives. During 2007 €37.95m was spent, primarily on Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) and the Group Broadband Scheme. To end June 2008 a further €17.5m has been spent primarily on MANs. The total 2009 estimate for expenditure under this heading is €66m. It is not possible at this...

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

Eamon Ryan: My Department has made no allocations or had any expenditure on rural development and Leader programmes.

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

Eamon Ryan: I am unaware of any such embargo as suggested in the Deputy's question. Staffing levels in my Department and its agencies will continue to be governed by overall Government policy in relation to the management of the public sector payroll. In this context appropriate actions will be taken in my Department and in relevant agencies under its aegis in the context of the announcement on 8th...

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

Eamon Ryan: The decentralisation of the Central Fisheries Board (CFB) under the Government's Decentralisation Programme involves the relocation of 62 posts to Carrick-on-Shannon. To date, none of these posts has been decentralised but I can advise the Deputy that 35 staff have been assigned to posts that are relocating. Property solutions are being pursued in respect of my Department and its agencies as...

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

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 952 and 953 together. In accordance with the Regional Fisheries Boards (Postponement of Elections) Order 2007 (SI No. 811 of 2007), elections to the Regional Fisheries Boards which were due to be held in 2007 have been postponed until 2008. As I have previously advised the House, in response to a call from the Fisheries Board's Chairpersons late last year in...

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

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 954, 955 and 957 together. The Government's decentralisation programme provides for the relocation of my Department in its entirety to Cavan by the end of 2010. This involves the relocation of 159 administrative posts at Executive Officer or above, 72 administrative posts at Staff Officer or below and 72 professional and technical posts. To date some 53...

Written Answers — Nuclear Power: Nuclear Power (10 Jul 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I have no plans to commission a financial analysis of the feasibility of constructing and operating a nuclear generation plant. However, I would welcome and encourage debate on the issue and I have previously suggested the Oireachtas Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security as an appropriate forum for such a debate. I would, however, stress that the Energy Policy Framework and the...

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

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 960, 970, 981 and 982 together. Data on the percentage of the vehicle fleet here run solely on bio-fuels or other alternative energy sources is not available. Following the introduction of the Mineral Oil Tax Relief Schemes, much of the road fuels sold at forecourts contain at least some bio-fuel content. All vehicles are capable of taking blends of up to 5%...

Written Answers — Carbon Capture Technology: Carbon Capture Technology (10 Jul 2008)

Eamon Ryan: My approach to determining policy in relation to carbon capture and storage (CCS) in the Irish context is to ensure that the potential for Ireland is examined carefully, taking account of the range of complex issues that arise, for example on the technical, engineering and environmental fronts and of the number of stakeholders involved. The monitoring of international developments and...

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

Eamon Ryan: The Programme for Government target refers to a 3% reduction per year on average in greenhouse gas emissions. It does not contain an individual target for Departments for emissions reductions as the levels of reductions will vary from each sector. The energy sector will have to make a leading contribution towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions through a range of measures designed to...

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (10 Jul 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table. The figures supplied relate to air travel. Minister Date No. of Trips Cost â'¬ July 2007 1 4,566.45 November 2007 1 490.81 December 2007 1 402.81 January 2008 1 212.54 February 2008 3 1,368.06 March 2008 1 503.15 June 2008 3 5,855.95 Total 13,399.77 Minister of State Date No. of Trips Cost â'¬ June...

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

Eamon Ryan: The procurement activities of the bodies and agencies operating under the aegis of my Department are a day to day operational matter for those bodies and agencies. Each body and agency submits an Annual Report in compliance with the Code of Practice for the Corporate Governance of State-sponsored Bodies of which compliance with procurement requirements is an integral component. All of the...

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

Eamon Ryan: In arriving at its recommendation to introduce postcodes, the National Postcodes Project Board was assisted by advisors, appointed by ComReg. The advisors carried out two extensive consultations with stakeholders both within the postal sector and outside it with a view to arriving at a postcode model that would best meet the needs of the stakeholders and to measure the likely costs and...

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

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 967 and 971 together. Currently, over 90% of Ireland's energy needs are provided for by imports. In order to ensure the security and sustainability of our energy supply, we must reduce our reliance on imports and significantly enhance the diversity of our energy mix. While Ireland does not currently maintain a strategic gas reserve, commercial reserves of...

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

Eamon Ryan: My Department is advised that the current number of applications for connection to the national electricity network at transmission and distribution voltages is 320 applicants from the wind/renewable sector, comprising approximately 8,000MW, and 14 applicants from the conventional generation or interconnection projects comprising 2,400MW. Together with current transmission projects undertaken...

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

Eamon Ryan: EirGrid is the State body with responsibility for operating the electricity transmission system in Ireland, including the wholesale electricity trading system. It delivers connections, transmission and market services to generators, suppliers and customers, using the high voltage electricity system. It is also responsible for planning the construction of high voltage transmission lines....