Results 3,321-3,340 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (17 Oct 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The transfer in question took place with effect from 26 June 2006 as part of the normal process of change in the Department.

Written Answers — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (17 Oct 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The principle mechanism for extracting State revenue from off-shore production under the current exploration terms is via a special rate of Corporation Profits Tax at 25%. My Department claims no particular expertise in taxation matters, which is the preserve of the Revenue Commissioners. However, taking current estimates of the recoverable reserves, applying the recent market price for gas...

Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (17 Oct 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The matter of post office closures and conversions is, in the first instance, an operational matter for the Board and management of An Post and one in which I have no function. I would refer the Deputy to the following appendix which outlines the information requested on the number and locations of post offices converted or closed in County Offaly in each of the years 1999 to 2005 and to date...

Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (17 Oct 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The matter of post office closures and conversions is, in the first instance, an operational matter for the Board and management of An Post and one in which I have no function. I would refer the Deputy to the following appendix which outlines the information requested on the number and locations of post offices converted or closed in County Laois in each of the years 1999 to 2005 and to date...

Written Answers — Industrial Relations: Industrial Relations (17 Oct 2006)

Noel Dempsey: No such instances have arisen in my Department since its formation in June 2002. As it has not been possible to establish the position for the period prior to June 2002 in the time available, I will revert to the Deputy in relation to this period as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (17 Oct 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. Issues relating to the delivery of broadband services, including connection speeds, are an operational matter for service providers.

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (17 Oct 2006)

Noel Dempsey: There are a vast number of recent and continually developing technologies available for communication systems. These include, among others: wireless, fixed line, satellite and mobile technologies. In general, the benefit of such technology developments over previous systems is enhanced performance at reduced cost.

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (17 Oct 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). However, 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...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (17 Oct 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I take it that the Deputy is referring to the transmission of offensive material or images over mobile phones and the Internet. I have no function in this matter.

Written Answers — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (17 Oct 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I am not sure what specific information the Deputy is seeking.

Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (17 Oct 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The matter of post office closures and conversions is, in the first instance, an operational matter for the Board and management of An Post and one in which I have no function. I would refer the Deputy to the following appendix which outlines the information requested on the number and locations of post offices closed in County Donegal, particularly in the Milford electoral area for the past...

Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (17 Oct 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The matter of post office closures and conversions is, in the first instance, an operational matter for the Board and management of An Post and one in which I have no function. I would refer the Deputy to the following appendix which outlines the information requested on the number and locations of post offices converted or closed in County Donegal in each of the years 1999 to 2005 and to...

Written Answers — Communications Masts: Communications Masts (17 Oct 2006)

Noel Dempsey: Legislation or regulation in relation to planning issues is a matter for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in the first instance. The Interdepartmental Committee on the Health Effects of Electromagnetic Fields, set up in September 2005, is at an advanced stage in its consideration of the policy issues regarding potential health effects, if any, and is taking due...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (17 Oct 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I am committed to the development and deployment of domestic scale renewable electricity and heat technologies. There are however, a number of technical and administrative issues to be resolved in relation to the deployment of wind turbines in the domestic sector. My Department is working with the relevant agencies, including Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI), the Commission for Energy...

Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Instruction to Committee (18 Oct 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I move: That, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, it be an instruction to the committee to which the Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006 may be recommitted in respect of certain amendments, that it has power to make provision in the Bill to: (a) provide for the conferring on Bord Gáis Éireann the power to create capital stock in amounts that are equal to the net assets of...

Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Instruction to Committee (18 Oct 2006)

Noel Dempsey: This amendment must be made in time for commencement of the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act. I understand from the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government that the strategic infrastructure provisions of the Act are to be commenced later this autumn. Given that the infrastructure effected comprises, in the main, energy infrastructure I agreed that...

Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Order for Report Stage (18 Oct 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I move: "That Report Stage be taken now."

Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Report Stage (18 Oct 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I move amendment No. 1: In page 3, line 9, before "AND" to insert the following: ", TO PROVIDE FOR THE ISSUE OF CAPITAL STOCK IN BORD GÁIS ÉIREANN,". Amendment No. 97 amends the Gas Act 1976 by inserting a new section which confers on Bord Gáis Éireann the power to create capital stock in amounts equal to the net assets of the board. The provision is required to facilitate the...

Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Report Stage (18 Oct 2006)

Noel Dempsey: Although the process of drafting legislation to make BGE a plc was in place, the Government decided not to go ahead with it. Two years ago, the BGE trade unions asked me to consider their proposal for an ESOP. I informed them the only basis on which I could agree to such a proposal was if there was meaningful and valued transformation in the company. To some people's surprise, the unions...

Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Report Stage (18 Oct 2006)

Noel Dempsey: With other legislation covering the single electricity market and other energy issues, the Department had to abandon the Bill for transforming BGE into a plc. For that reason, I decided to include it in the Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill. That is why it is not contained in separate legislation. Regarding how close the ESOP will be to the full value of €38,000, it will depend on...