Results 3,481-3,500 of 4,404 for speaker:Liz McManus

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (18 Jun 2009)

Liz McManus: I acknowledge the work done by the Minister and his civil servants. I am sure he is right that we will have another broadcasting Bill . I have no doubt that it will set up one regulator across the telecommunications industry. I am sure the civil servants will have that to look forward to, as perhaps will the Minister, although he may not be in the position he is now, but who knows? There...

Consumer Protection. (18 Jun 2009)

Liz McManus: Question 2: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the protection there is for consumers from scams in regard to premium rate services, particularly subscription services targeting children in view of his failure to publish legislation and of the failure of Regtel to act effectively; when the Communications Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2009 will be published; the...

Consumer Protection. (18 Jun 2009)

Liz McManus: I thank the Minister for his reply. He must be aware this issue is a problem. It may involve only a small number of operators who are carrying out what are essentially scams but thousands of people are affected by them. Will the Minister accept that he needs to ensure the proposed Bill will be of the best standard in terms of regulation if it is to work, given that Regtel has been...

Consumer Protection. (18 Jun 2009)

Liz McManus: I want clarification on this matter. The Minister mentioned fines which would be levied on the operator. What I am talking about is refunding the consumer for his or her loss. Is the Minister saying there is provision in the Bill specifically for consumers to receive refunds? It is not satisfactory to expect people to go to court to achieve their rights. Refunds are currently being paid...

Consumer Protection. (18 Jun 2009)

Liz McManus: Is that provision in the Bill or is it not?

Electric Vehicle Programme. (18 Jun 2009)

Liz McManus: I thank the Minister for his reply but I must state he did not tell us a huge amount. When his Department issued a press release in respect of this matter, we were informed that a working group was to be established. I do not mean to nit-pick but this has metamorphosed into a task force to which three working groups are attached. That is a matter of concern because it appears there will be...

Telecommunications Services. (18 Jun 2009)

Liz McManus: Was it always envisage that this consultant would be included in the actual management of the scheme? Was this incorporated into it from the very beginning? I am not quibbling, but I wonder whether this was incorporated into the scheme. There is a real danger that if we have to get expertise we have to go outside the Department for various reasons in terms of staff numbers being reduced....

Telecommunications Services. (18 Jun 2009)

Liz McManus: What budget is allowed over the 28 months? The Minister has indicated the money that has already been spent on this consultancy but what will the total amount be between now and the final period? When will the broadband scheme be completed?

Telecommunications Services. (18 Jun 2009)

Liz McManus: So it is 28 months to the full completion. Could the Minister give me a figure on how much the consultancy will cost? Has the Minister examined planning applications and permissions to see if there is any danger of delays? I am concerned about the old chestnut of mobile broadband where a rural business comes under this scheme but there are complaints about the efficiency of mobile...

Telecommunications Services. (18 Jun 2009)

Liz McManus: It got that figure from the Department.

Telecommunications Services. (18 Jun 2009)

Liz McManus: The Minister should look after Valentia Island.

Electricity Metering. (18 Jun 2009)

Liz McManus: I thank the Minister for his comprehensive reply. The Minister's original commitment made in November 2007 was for 25,000 homes with an estimated cost of €10 million and the first meters to be installed in the second quarter of 2008. It seems the information the Minister is now giving us is rather different from that plan set out in 2007. Why was there such a difference between the two?...

Electricity Metering. (18 Jun 2009)

Liz McManus: What about the Bord Gáis consumers?

Electricity Metering. (18 Jun 2009)

Liz McManus: What about the Bord Gáis customer?

Electricity Metering. (18 Jun 2009)

Liz McManus: I happen to be a Bord Gáis customer. The Minister sent an e-mail - I presume Deputy Coveney received the same e-mail - suggesting that I become part of the pilot scheme. A Bord Gáis customer cannot avail of the offer. I am not bothered for myself but by the idea that there is a limitation because someone chooses to take their electricity from a source other than the ESB. As Deputy...

Electricity Metering. (18 Jun 2009)

Liz McManus: The Minister is aware of the problem.

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (18 Jun 2009)

Liz McManus: Question 49: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the digital terrestrial television contract with a company (details supplied) has been finalised; if not, the timeframe for the signing of the contract; if he is satisfied that the rollout of DTT will happen in a timely manner; when he expects the completion of the DTT project; and if he will make a...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (18 Jun 2009)

Liz McManus: Question 36: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when he will bring forward legislation to move the regulation of premium rate services from RegTel to ComReg; his views on whether mobile phone consumers need improved protection in this sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24049/09]

Cabinet Sub-committees. (23 Jun 2009)

Liz McManus: Question 1: To ask the Taoiseach the number of Cabinet sub-committee on climate change meetings which have been held; and the number of times he has attended these meetings. [18718/09]

Cabinet Sub-committees. (23 Jun 2009)

Liz McManus: Question 4: To ask the Taoiseach the number of occasions on which he attended the sub-committee on climate change and the number of times that it has met in 2009. [24059/09]