Results 3,801-3,820 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

The Economy: Statements (Resumed) (29 Jan 2009)

Eamon Ryan: It is not the Government going in to rescue bankers. We need to go in to rescue the banks because those banks and bankers will be needed. We do not need to create a pariah group in our society but we need bankers who can get back to the business they should be in, which is lending to encourage and support enterprise in our country. That is a first task in getting us out of the crisis the...

Written Answers — Energy Prices: Energy Prices (29 Jan 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I share the Deputy's concerns about the impact of energy costs on vulnerable members of society. While I have no function in setting or regulating prices, I welcome the fact that the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) announced on 1 December 2008 that there would be no further increase in the price of gas from January 2009 and that there would be a small average decrease from this month...

Seanad: Alternative Energy Projects (29 Jan 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I welcome the opportunity to respond to the points raised by Senator Ross and to outline some of the developments which will, hopefully, give some reassurance to the people he has talked to regarding the development of renewable energy power within our island. It is centre stage in Government policy to pursue, with the greatest haste and proper management, the development of such resources....

Seanad: Alternative Energy Projects (29 Jan 2009)

Eamon Ryan: This approach to questions means one's ignorance can be exposed quickly and my knowledge of seaweed is limited, other than a lifelong career pass in Kilkieran where there is a seaweed processing business which extracts nutrients and iodine, in particular, for use in industrial processing. The bio-fuels strategy we are following encourages the development of such second generation...

Seanad: Alternative Energy Projects (29 Jan 2009)

Eamon Ryan: In fairness to Commissioner Piebalgs, one of the experiences I have had in Government is that the European Commission has been more progressive in the energy area than many national governments. Far from slowing it up, it has kicked a few governments into action.

Energy Prices: Motion (3 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: On a point of clarification, the €300 million is a rebate, so bill payers are not paying it.

Energy Prices: Motion (3 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following: recognises: the global energy challenges faced by all countries in providing a competitive, secure and sustainable energy supply; that Ireland faces particular acute challenges as an island nation on the periphery of the EU, which has a 90% energy import dependency and limited indigenous fossil...

Energy Prices: Motion (3 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: In the past year, gas prices have not followed oil prices, which have fallen from $147 per barrel to $40 per barrel. While gas prices have also declined, the fall has not been on the same scale as the fall in the oil price. I will address the reasons electricity prices will decline this year in a moment. The first reason for higher energy prices in Ireland is, therefore, the lack of...

Energy Prices: Motion (3 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I would prefer a proper regulated approach to that market until we have such competition in public supply. It can then be opened up in the same way as the business market. The ESB can operate in the business market on a free and flexible pricing basis. It has no pricing restriction in the crucial economic market——

Energy Prices: Motion (3 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: We are talking about electricity. There is no restriction on the entry of the ESB to a market because it is competitive and open. In that market, because it is competitive and we have followed the correct policy approach, we have seen that the large energy use companies which have more detailed and complex contracts have already seen, because of the prices in the gas markets coming down,...

Energy Prices: Motion (3 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The regulator may be unhappy, but I want to recognise the contribution of the ESB in agreeing to do it in the national interest, wearing a green jersey and handing over money to the private sector. It was not compelled to act in this way as, fundamentally, it is not regulated or owned by the State.

Energy Prices: Motion (3 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I would love to have a mechanism where there is an easy way to compel companies to do it. However, European law must be followed and there is no country where this policy has been applied because it is not legally possible to do so, or there is a high risk, legally, in doing so. That second option of bringing the price forward is passible but has certain risks and difficulties attached to...

Energy Prices: Motion (3 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: No, but the Government is using investment in this area to stimulate our economy and create jobs.

Energy Prices: Motion (3 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The strategy will also bring down prices because that grid development will allow us to tap into the renewables that bring prices down. That is the right policy to follow for economic growth prospects and lower prices. Today we have seen a further allocation of funding towards energy insulation. It is an example of where we can leverage State aid and work with banks and householders to...

Energy Prices: Motion (3 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: That is what this Government is concentrating on. The policy approach has taken a long time to reach fruition. I can understand Deputy Connaughton when he says he is unhappy with the regulatory system and is worried that it is not working through to prices at the petrol pump. I must say that we have the right policy framework in the area of electricity generation and supply, which has...

Energy Prices: Motion (3 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The way we protect that is by having a fair, regulated price market through which we are seen as an innovative, straight and cutting-edge country for electricity policy. We are there and shall stay there if we bring prices down, more than anything else.

Energy Prices: Motion (3 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The Minister for Finance will be out after it tomorrow to pay off our debt.

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (3 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 359 and 360 together. The improvement of energy efficiency in the building stock is one of the most cost effective ways of reducing emissions and energy bills and is a key Government priority as reflected in the significant funding provided in Budget 2009. Energy efficiency measures to tackle deficiencies in households will also support employment in the...

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (3 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The Government is committed to protecting vulnerable consumers from the impact of high energy costs through a combination of institutional supports and investment in improving the energy efficiency of the housing stock. I am working closely with the Minister for Social and Family Affairs to deliver a fully cohesive approach across Government. I established, last year, an Inter...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (3 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The Government is giving high priority to supporting the development of Ireland's ocean energy potential. The multi annual Ocean Energy Package, which I launched last year, encompasses the establishment of the Ocean Energy Development Unit based in Sustainable Energy Ireland; the creation of a state-of-the-art National Ocean Energy facility in University College Cork; the development of a...