Results 3,401-3,420 of 3,665 for speaker:Seán Power

Telecommunications Services. (12 Mar 2009)

Seán Power: I am just saying that under phase I, a total of 27 have been constructed and all 27 are operational and open for business. Four phase II MANs are being used by services providers. They are in Killarney, Tralee, Longford and Carrigaline. A number of other requests have been received from service providers and they are being considered.

Telecommunications Services. (12 Mar 2009)

Seán Power: I agree with the Deputy that it is vital that we get a return to the State but the engagement of a management services entity is the subject of a procurement process.

Telecommunications Services. (12 Mar 2009)

Seán Power: As I said——

Telecommunications Services. (12 Mar 2009)

Seán Power: We are in contract negotiations at present and we expect to conclude those within a matter of a few weeks.

Telecommunications Services. (12 Mar 2009)

Seán Power: As the Deputy will appreciate, for a variety of reasons these matters often drag on for a little longer than one would want. I do not have specific information at my disposal relating to the number of meetings that took place. I will make an effort to get it and pass it on to the Deputy. The process has taken longer than we would have wished but the good news, which we will all welcome, is...

Telecommunications Services. (12 Mar 2009)

Seán Power: People may have been unhappy with the lack of progress in the early stages but more recently we have made significant progress in the provision of broadband throughout the country. A recent development in regard to the national broadband scheme will be welcomed throughout the country. We have put in place the necessary investment to ensure we do not have a digital divide in the country and...

Energy Costs. (12 Mar 2009)

Seán Power: I propose to take Questions Nos. 8, 9, 30, 46 and 71 together.

Energy Costs. (12 Mar 2009)

Seán Power: There will be time. There will be time for vision and revision.

Energy Costs. (12 Mar 2009)

Seán Power: At the request of the Minister a number of weeks ago, the Commission for Energy Regulation, CER, undertook an urgent review of options to bring forward a reduction in energy prices for business and domestic consumers. The need for an early review was underlined by the various cost pressures facing Irish businesses in the current economic climate. The proposed decisions on the ESB and Bord...

Energy Costs. (12 Mar 2009)

Seán Power: Last summer, the price of oil was $147 a barrel and we saw the effect of this at petrol pumps. At that time both Bord Gáis Éireann and the ESB applied for significant price increases. The regulator decided to adopt a flexible approach and partially granted both requests and said the matter would be reviewed again in December. We all know that between July and December the price of oil...

Energy Costs. (12 Mar 2009)

Seán Power: Over 50% of the electricity generated in Ireland is generated from gas. As we discussed earlier, in trying to bring competition into the market, we had to provide certainty on pricing to new entrants. As a result, it is possible that some customers will see a reduction of up to 24% within a few weeks.

Energy Costs. (12 Mar 2009)

Seán Power: We are already seeing the benefits of the reduction in prices.

Energy Costs. (12 Mar 2009)

Seán Power: The regulator stated that current prices must be set at levels that are cost reflective. It indicated that if any suppliers are in a position to provide electricity or gas at a lower cost, it will permit them to reduce prices further.

Energy Costs. (12 Mar 2009)

Seán Power: It can. The regulator has shown, in the way it has dealt with recent requests for price increases and with the reduction of world prices for gas and oil, that it is very flexible in its approach. We have seen a number of price reductions over recent months.

Energy Costs. (12 Mar 2009)

Seán Power: There are a number of factors ——

Energy Costs. (12 Mar 2009)

Seán Power: I hope the regulator will be more helpful than I have obviously been.

Energy Costs. (12 Mar 2009)

Seán Power: Big businesses enter into negotiations with the ESB or other independent suppliers with a view to making their own price arrangements.

Energy Costs. (12 Mar 2009)

Seán Power: It applies to everybody. The price reduction as announced by the regulator or Minister last week——

Energy Costs. (12 Mar 2009)

Seán Power: The recently announced price reductions will apply across the board.

Energy Costs. (12 Mar 2009)

Seán Power: The Deputy referred to the cost of energy in Ireland by comparison with Manchester or many other countries. We are very conscious of the competitiveness difficulties and the action required to deal with these. As an island nation importing over 90% of our energy, we are obviously in a very vulnerable position. This is why our energy policy indicates we must place great emphasis on...