Results 3,661-3,680 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed). (9 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: A balance must be maintained in these situations. The only public servants at a similar level who must make disclosures that are open to public scrutiny are officials in, for example, An Bord Pleanála, who are involved in a process that should be open. The directors will provide a public service and the State will avail of their expertise in the areas outlined in the Bill. A Deputy asked...

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed). (9 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: Section 30(1)(g) provides that, if required by the Minister, NORA shall provide the Minister with information relating to its policy and activities other than day-to-day activities. That provision, as drafted, provides for appropriate corporate governance of NORA. The Deputy is concerned that activities affecting policy might not be reported to the Minister but that is adequately catered...

National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed). (9 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The proposed amendments are already fully catered for within the Bill. Provision for compliance by Ireland with the EU obligation, which currently stands at 90 days, is already provided for in section 32(1)(a), which provides that "The Agency shall maintain ... such oil stocks ... at — (a) a level sufficient to comply with the State's stockholding obligations". That provision also...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (9 Nov 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. As regards the deployment of broadband infrastructure, it has been clear for some time that the sector has failed to invest...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (9 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: Recruitment of staff for my Department generally takes place from open competitions run by the Public Appointments Service. In instances where my Department does recruit directly, we ensure that our policies and processes reflect best practice in relation to access for these posts.

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (9 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The Warmer Homes Scheme, which is part of Sustainable Energy Ireland's Low Income Housing Programme, aims to improve the energy efficiency and comfort conditions of homes occupied by low-income households. The scheme provides funding to community-based organisations for the installation of energy efficiency measures including attic insulation (in some areas, and where technically...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (9 Nov 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. In April 2005 a team of advisors was engaged to examine the potential for enhancing and augmenting existing state owned...

Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (14 Nov 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 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 ten...

Written Answers — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (14 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: There is effectively nothing new in this idea. The Deputy will be aware that I have been endeavouring at every opportunity to create the conditions that would allow the difficulties associated with the project to be resolved with the assistance of independent bodies and individuals. I would like to emphasise that in the case of the Corrib gas field, all of the required statutory approvals are...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (14 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: My Department has from time to time received representations from various organisations representing people with hearing disabilities in relation to the matter of subtitling on television services. Section 19 (11) of the Broadcasting Act, 2001 provides that the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland shall make rules requiring each broadcaster to take specified steps to promote the understanding...

Written Answers — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (14 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The information in the Deputy's question came primarily from work undertaken by my Department. This work was presented by my Department in a paper at its conference in Dublin last week on "Exploring Atlantic Ireland". That paper specifically referred to the fact that the Irish offshore is under-explored with only ten exploration wells drilled since 1994 although an assessment of yet to find...

Written Answers — Television Licence Fee: Television Licence Fee (14 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The requirement to have a television licence is set out in the Wireless Telegraphy Acts, 1926 to 1988. Under this legislation a licence is required in respect of each location at which a television set is kept. I have recently submitted proposals for new broadcasting legislation to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources for the purposes of holding a...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (14 Nov 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. There are a number of platforms for delivery of broadband, and service providers are now offering broadband by wireless, satellite, fibre or...

Written Answers — Energy Costs: Energy Costs (14 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I can advise the Deputy that, as the setting of charges fall within the statutory responsibility of the Commission for Energy Regulation, under the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999 and the Gas (Interim) (Regulation) Act, 2002. I have no function in the matter.

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (14 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I am aware of the importance of the roll out of broadband in rural areas and smaller communities. The most recent phase of the group broadband scheme, which provides grant aid for the installation of broadband in rural areas, has closed. However, the nature of the scheme is currently being reviewed in the context of options being considered for the achievement of nationwide broadband....

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (14 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: Currently, there are eight Directives within the Department awaiting transposition into Irish law. Three of these are overdue for transposition. Details of expected transposition dates are outlined in the following table. Directive No. Directive Name Latest Date of Transposition Expected Date of Transposition 2002/91 Directive 2002/91/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (14 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: Eighty-five current staff members have indicated a willingness to decentralise with the Department to either Cavan or Clonakilty. Forty-two of these staff are by now in situ in either location. An additional sixty-nine current staff from my Department have indicated a priority preference on the Central Applications Facility (CAF) to decentralise with other Departments.

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (14 Nov 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 — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (14 Nov 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...

Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed) (15 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: As the Deputy said, the amendments before us deal with the direction to be taken by the Minister. This was well debated on Committee Stage and I indicated I would consider the points raised by Deputies. I have tried to incorporate those proposals and amendments as much as possible. I propose, therefore, to comment on my amendments Nos. 49, 52 and 55. Amendment No. 49 addresses issues...