Results 3,441-3,460 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (19 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 Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), the independent regulator. Challenges with regard to the enabling of exchanges are entirely a matter for Eircom. I am not aware of any formal...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (19 Oct 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) is the statutory body responsible for spectrum management. Earlier this year ComReg established a licensing scheme to permit wireless public address systems (WPAS), and allow what is seen as a valuable community service to continue in a way that is regulated and will not cause problems for the broadcasting content regulator and other...

Written Answers — Ministerial Transport: Ministerial Transport (19 Oct 2006)

Noel Dempsey: Responsibility for the procurement of the Ministerial car fleet is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (19 Oct 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I have no function in regulating telephony charges. The regulation of telecommunications operators, including regulatory issues surrounding telephony charges is the responsibility of the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) in accordance with the requirements of the Communications Regulation Act 2002 and the Regulations which transpose the EU Regulatory Framework for Electronic...

Written Answers — Natural Gas Grid: Natural Gas Grid (19 Oct 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 64 and 103 together. Gas and oil are internationally traded commodities and Ireland is essentially a price taker. Any price volatility in these circumstances has a resultant impact on our energy costs. Nonetheless, the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) is required under the Electricity Regulation Act 1999, the Gas (Interim) (Regulation) Act 2002 and the...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (19 Oct 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The size and scale of the post office network is a matter for the management and board of the company. However, I have asked the company to ensure that any strategy for the development of the company should ensure the long term viability of the post office network and in this light, An Post is currently working on a financial services initiative which could see the development and expansion...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (19 Oct 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The rate of post office closures is an operational matter for the board and management of An Post and one in which I have no function. Section 12 (3) of the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983 states that 'the company shall have power to do anything which appears to it to be requisite, advantageous or incidental to, or which appears to it to facilitate, either directly or...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Legislation: Broadcasting Legislation (19 Oct 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 67 and 95 together. A digital terrestrial television (DTT) pilot programme is currently being implemented by my Department. The purpose of the pilot is to bring further momentum to the transition to digital terrestrial broadcasting and to test and trial various aspects of the service. The DTT pilot is now in the "soft trial" phase during which the network and...

Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (19 Oct 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The retention of a strategic number of post offices throughout the country with the objective of providing a modern and efficient service is a matter for the board and management of An Post and one in which I have no statutory function. Section 12 (3) of the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983 states that 'the company shall have power to do anything which appears to it to be...

Written Answers — Radio Broadcasting: Radio Broadcasting (19 Oct 2006)

Noel Dempsey: Under the Radio and Television Act, 1988 and the Broadcasting Act, 2001, the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI) has statutory responsibility for the licensing of independent radio services. It is an independent statutory body and I have no function in relation to the compilation of statistics on the number of licences issued. The information requested should be available from the BCI...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (19 Oct 2006)

Noel Dempsey: It was to this end that the Government recently gave its approval for An Post to enter into a joint venture agreement with Belgian Bank, Fortis to set up a retail banking business. This will entail the provision of a range of financial services operated through the post office branch network, using the An Post brand and other An Post assets. Key to the Government approval of this joint...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (19 Oct 2006)

Noel Dempsey: According to figures supplied by the Energy Policy Statistical Support unit in Sustainable Energy Ireland, the electricity generated from different fuel types in 2005 was as follows: Fuel Type Percentage Coal 25.6 Peat 9.8 Oil/Liquid fuels 13.3 Natural Gas 44.6 Renewables (total) 6.7 Hydro 1.8 Wind 4.5 Landfill Gas 0.4 Total 100 Support programmes put in place by the Government...

Written Answers — Geological Survey: Geological Survey (19 Oct 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The report to which the question refers, concluded that landslides constitute a potential hazard in many parts of the country and, on average, one has occurred every year over the past 30 years. The report recommends a programme of work estimated at a total cost of 1 million euro in order to; characterise the nature and occurrence of landslides in Ireland, research which areas are most at...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (19 Oct 2006)

Noel Dempsey: One of the strategic objectives set down in the All-island energy development framework for natural gas is a common approach on natural gas storage and LNG. With this in mind, the issue of a strategic gas reserve is one of the issues to be addressed by means of an all-island study to be commissioned jointly by my Department and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment Northern...

Written Answers — Energy Regulation: Energy Regulation (19 Oct 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The recent recommendations of the head of the Council of European Energy Regulators, which were made in the context of its response to the EU Green Paper on Energy, have been brought to my attention. I am awaiting the outcome of the ongoing deliberations on this issue at EU level, prior to making any decisions as to whether further legislative measures are needed in the Irish context....

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (19 Oct 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I understand from the developers, Shell E&P Ireland Ltd. that they expect that first gas will be available in 2009. I would add, however, that completion of the development works by the developers is clearly the principal factor that will determine the date for first gas.

Written Answers — Telecommunications Masts: Telecommunications Masts (19 Oct 2006)

Noel Dempsey: My Department has received correspondence from various groups in this matter. An Interdepartmental Committee on the Health Effects of Electromagnetic Fields was established in September 2005. The work of this committee is at an advanced stage in its consideration of the policy issues regarding any potential health effects, if any, of non-ionising radiation. An Expert Group of independent...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (19 Oct 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband and mobile telephony, is a matter in the first instance for the fully liberalised private sector, regulated by ComReg, the independent Commission for Communications Regulation. Despite Government investment in broadband in the regions through the regional broadband programme, there are still some parts of the country where the...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (19 Oct 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The development of further interconnection with neighbouring markets is a key strategic priority for the Government. The delivery of further interconnection to Northern Ireland and to Britain is central to security of supply. It is also fully in line with the EU emphasis on physical interconnection. Work is underway jointly by EirGrid and SONI on a new North South electricity interconnector...

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (19 Oct 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 89 and 208 together. The basic heat demand of a building, whether public or private, is a function of the insulation value of its fabric. The minimum standard for that is set in the Building Regulations that apply at its construction or major reconstruction. Much can be achieved however by the way we use and maintain our buildings. The energy awareness...