Results 3,461-3,480 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. Data used by the EU and the OECD for broadband comparison purposes defines a subscriber as a household. It is estimated that...

Written Answers — Company Takeovers: Company Takeovers (19 Oct 2006)

Noel Dempsey: It is not anticipated that the acquisition by Topaz Energy of the retail and commercial business of Statoil will have any implications for the supply of oil into Ireland. While biofuels are not widely available across the country through the petrol station network at present, I do not expect that this acquisition will have any impact on ambitions to progressively mainstream biofuels within...

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

Noel Dempsey: I intend to publish the Deloitte and Touche report, on the preparation of an implementation plan for the establishment of TG4 as an independent statutory body, in whole or in part, in due course. However, the report will first need to be considered by the Project Management Group set up to oversee the establishment of TG4 as an independent body. The report contains some commercially sensitive...

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

Noel Dempsey: I am not aware of any international league tables in regard to broadband availability in respect of communities of 10,000 or more, between 5,000 and 10,000, between 3,000 and 5,000 and under 5,000. The independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, compiles data relating to broadband deployment in Ireland. ComReg's analysis and reporting of that data does not categorise it...

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

Noel Dempsey: The matter 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 — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (19 Oct 2006)

Noel Dempsey: A number of innovative alternative energy programmes are in place as part of a €65m initiative announced in the context of Budget 2006. The programme is being rolled-out over a five year period and provides funding for the domestic, commercial, services and industrial sectors as follows: The €27m "Greener Homes" domestic renewable heat grants programme is providing grants for householders...

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

Noel Dempsey: Bord na Móna was given approval in October 2005 to develop its future strategy proposals, specifically in the waste management, renewable energy and environmental solutions areas. The approval not only supports the concept of maximum commercial freedom for the Company but also ensures the long-term viability of the Company having regard to the declining and finite nature of its existing...

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

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 100 and 105 together. 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. The Government is addressing the infrastructure deficit in the regions by building...

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

Noel Dempsey: In accordance with the Electricity Regulation Act 1999, the Minister has no function in relation to access to the electricity transmission and distribution systems. These are matters for the system operators subject to directions given by the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER). The CER, established by the Electricity Regulation Act 1999, is the statutory body with responsibility for...

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

Noel Dempsey: Post office closures and conversions are 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 requisite, advantageous or incidental to, or which appears to it to facilitate, either directly or...

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

Noel Dempsey: With respect to the joint venture between An Post and Fortis to provide financial services, my Department and the Department of Finance established a co-ordination committee to represent the shareholder interest in An Post and to ensure that the State's interests would be protected in the negotiations on the joint venture. The NTMA was not a party to the joint venture agreement and therefore,...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (19 Oct 2006)

Noel Dempsey: Discussions are ongoing in relation to the allocations for Energy Research and Development including Renewable Energy Technologies, for 2007 as part of the Estimates process. Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI), the state energy agency is engaged in research, technology development and innovation in sustainable use and sourcing of energy and energy efficiency. The €27m "Greener Homes"...

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

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 112 and 115 together. 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, which is regulated by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation. The Government's regulatory and infrastructure policy has supported the private...

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

Noel Dempsey: The Energy Green Paper "Towards a Sustainable Energy Future" is the first comprehensive Energy Green Paper published by Government since the mid-1970s. The Paper sets out the proposed policy directions, targets and actions proposed out to 2020 for security of supply, sustainability and competitiveness, as the three main pillars of energy policy. The Green Paper has been published as a...

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

Noel Dempsey: Decisions regarding the future of electricity generating stations are a matter for the Board and Management of ESB and not one in which I have a function. I have, however, from an overall policy perspective, and in the context of the Green Paper highlighted the potential merits of a State-owned landbank of suitable generation sites to facilitate the development of new independent generation...

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

Noel Dempsey: Gas and electricity tariffs are the statutory responsibility of the Commission for Energy Regulation, under the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999 and the Gas (Interim) (Regulation) Act, 2002. I have therefore no statutory function in relation to these issues. The Regulator is on record as confirming an openness to review tariffs in light of definitive international trends.

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

Noel Dempsey: A joint industry/Government fund of €18 million was established for the Broadband for Schools Programme to resource the provision of high speed broadband connectivity to all primary and post primary schools in the country by end Autumn 2006, at no cost to the schools themselves. The initiative was established to address the resourcing of broadband access to schools in the shared belief that...

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

Noel Dempsey: Matters relating to quality and levels of postal service are a matter in the first instance for the management and board of An Post. The Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, in accordance with the provisions of S.I. 616 of 2002 European Communities (Postal Services) Regulations, is responsible for the monitoring, measurement and regulation of the postal sector including...

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

Noel Dempsey: Security of supply in relation to electricity is a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation in accordance with the provisions of Article 28 of the European Communities (Internal Market in Electricity) Regulations 2005 (S.I. No. 60 of 2005). These Regulations give further legal effect to Directive No. 2003/54/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2003, concerning...

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

Noel Dempsey: The telecoms market in Ireland is fully liberalised and open. Statutory responsibility for the regulation of the electronic communication sector rests with the independent regulator, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), under the Communications Regulation Act 2002 and the Regulations transposing the EU Regulatory Framework for Electronic Communications Networks and...