Results 3,801-3,820 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (21 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The Alternative Energy Requirement programme (AER) and its successor, the Renewable Energy feed-in tariff programme (REFIT), are designed to support the construction of new renewable energy powered electricity generating plants which would not otherwise proceed to build and operate. Both programmes are subject to EU State aids clearance. A condition of the State aids clearance for the AER...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (21 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The Government is committed to developing domestic scale renewable electricity and heat technologies. Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) has undertaken work on Metering Options for Small Scale Renewable and CHP Electricity Generation. The study identified a number of areas which require further analysis including the ability of such processes to secure adequate payment for their exports, a...

Written Answers — Energy Policy: Energy Policy (21 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The Government is firmly of the view that there is strategic value in maintaining a strong, commercially viable ESB into the future. Retaining the natural monopoly networks in State ownership is also stated Government policy. Structural reform is nonetheless essential and urgent in the interests of the development of a competitive market in electricity, providing consumer choice and driving...

Written Answers — Mobile Telephony: Mobile Telephony (21 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: My officials are aware of a number of studies in relation to male infertility and mobile phone usage, including the recent preliminary results from a study carried out in Cleveland. To date the balance of scientific and medical evidence does not support a causal relationship. I am guided in these matters by the advice from international expert bodies, such as the World Health Organisation...

Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (21 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: As set out clearly in the Programme for Government, this Government and the Board of An Post are committed to the objective of ensuring the continuation of a viable and sustainable nationwide post office network. In line with this objective, I 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. It...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (21 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: Matters relating to the provision of postal services are in the first instance a matter for the board and management of An Post. The standards of service delivery in the postal sector are set out in the two European postal directives, which outline the universal service obligations to which universal service providers including An Post, must comply. The USO currently requires the provision of...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (21 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 39126 of 21st November 2006.

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (21 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 112 and 150 together. The generally accepted definition of a postcode is a unique, universal identifier that unambiguously identifies the addressee's locality and assists in the transmission and sorting of mail items. The introduction of a postcode system in Ireland would assist with improving efficiencies in the sorting and delivery processes for postal items...

Written Answers — Gas Network: Gas Network (21 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I can advise the Deputy as follows: The position is that, since 2002, the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), which is a statutory independent body, has been charged with all aspects of the assessment and licensing of prospective operators who wish to develop and/or operate a gas distribution system within the State under the Gas (Interim) (Regulation) Act 2002. The construction by Bord...

Written Answers — Energy Supply: Energy Supply (21 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 114, 126 and 148 together. Security of energy supply is a key imperative for Ireland and the European Union. The relatively small size of the Irish electricity market underlines the need for greater interconnection as a means of enhancing security of supply, promoting competition and integrating the Irish electricity market into the wider European market. The...

Written Answers — Energy Costs: Energy Costs (21 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I can confirm that I and my Department have considered the Forfas Statement on the Costs of doing Business in Ireland. I note the findings of this report that, on average, labour costs dominate business costs (59%), followed by property costs (11%), utility costs (9%), transport (4%), with all other costs accounting for 17% of the total costs. I have also noted the finding that utility costs,...

Written Answers — Fish Quotas: Fish Quotas (21 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: Earlier this year, after extensive investigation, the UK authorities reported undeclared landings of mackerel into Scotland by Irish vessels in 2005 to the EU Commission. As a result, the EU Commission deducted 6,578 tonnes from Ireland's 2006 mackerel quota under Commission Regulation No. 742 of 2006, as 'payback' for the 2005 undeclared landings. Following extensive consultations with the...

Written Answers — Energy Costs: Energy Costs (21 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 117 and 119 together. The Commission for Energy Regulation is statutorily required to protect the interests of final customers as well as taking into account the needs of vulnerable customers. CER has put measures in place to ensure that consumer interests are represented in the CERs decision making process and that customer complaint mechanisms are enhanced....

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (21 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: Subsections 11 to 13 of Section 19 of the Broadcasting Act 2001 empower the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI) to make rules requiring each broadcaster to take specified steps to promote the understanding and enjoyment, by persons who are deaf or hard of hearing, of programmes transmitted by that broadcaster. The rules drawn up by the BCI following a comprehensive public consultation...

Written Answers — Energy Costs: Energy Costs (21 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 120 and 146 together. I am aware of varying energy costs within the European Union. I do not have any function in relation to the pricing of electricity and gas, as this falls within the remit of the Commission for Energy Regulation, (CER), the independent regulator for electricity and gas. I am advised that an analysis of the most recent Eurostat data on gas...

Written Answers — Mobile Telephony: Mobile Telephony (21 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I have no function in the regulation of premium rate numbers. These are commercial products in a commercial market and responsibility for the regulation of the content and promotion of premium rate telecommunications services is a matter for Regtel, the independent regulator. The Deputy should be aware however, that legislation is already in place to address the sending of indecent or...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (21 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: In April 2005 a team of advisors was engaged to examine the potential for enhancing and augmenting existing state owned infrastructure. This team submitted a Feasibility Report in December 2005. The report found that, while technically feasible, there would be considerable financial, legal, regulatory, operational and organisational challenges in harnessing and enhancing the existing state...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (21 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 127, 152, 163 and 168 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...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (21 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I have no function in these matters.

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (21 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I am aware that Eircom has highlighted the infrastructure enhancements required in order to provide broadband services throughout its network. I also recognise that despite private and public investment in broadband infrastructure there are still some parts of the country where the private sector will be unable to justify the commercial provision of broadband connectivity. Options to address...