Results 3,841-3,860 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (21 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The Postal (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill that was published in 2001 provided for the issue, sale and disposal of shares in An Post in the context of an Employee Share Ownership Plan (ESOP) and possible strategic alliance. The Bill also contained ancillary provisions arising out of a possible change of ownership. The financial and industrial relations environment in An Post has changed...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (21 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: As the Deputy is aware I appointed the Independent Group to examine the implications of alignment with the scientific advice for the commercial salmon fishing sector in 2007 and beyond. As part of their remit the group made recommendations to address any financial hardship that may be experienced by the sector. The approach they adopted to determining the hardship payments is robust and...

Written Answers — Communications Infrastructure: Communications Infrastructure (21 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The limits for non-ionising radiation are global limits established internationally by the International Commission for Non Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). There is currently no scientific or medical evidence that emissions below the level of internationally recognised guidelines from mobile telephony are injurious to health. The Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg),...

Written Answers — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (21 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I am aware of a report "An Economic Analysis of Petroleum Exploitation Terms in Ireland, the U.K., Norway, Denmark, and the Netherlands" that was published by Price Waterhouse in 1988. One of the authors of that report is leading the team that has been engaged by my Department to assist with the review of the licensing terms for petroleum exploration and production. The work already...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Legislation: Broadcasting Legislation (21 Nov 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...

Written Answers — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (21 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: My Department has formal contacts with the Oil and Gas Ministries of a number of other north-western European countries through annual meetings. The other countries involved include Norway, Denmark, the UK, France, Germany and the Netherlands. These contacts between senior officials are aimed at sharing information on the effectiveness of promotional strategies, licensing terms and the...

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

Noel Dempsey: As the Deputy may already be aware, RTÉ's statutory mandate, as defined in Section 28(1) of the Broadcasting Act, 2001, provides that RTÉ's radio and television services shall be made available, in so far as is reasonably practicable, to the whole community on the Island of Ireland. As such RTÉ's statutory mandate does not extend to the provision of radio or television services to Irish...

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

Noel Dempsey: I welcome the timely publication of the International Energy Agency's World Energy Outlook 2006 which maps a new global energy future contrasting existing directions with how to change course. The outlook responds to the request from G8 leaders and others to advise on alternative energy scenarios and strategies aimed at a clean clever and competitive energy future. The Alternative Policy...

Written Answers — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (21 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I am unclear as to what claims made by offshore exploration companies the Deputy is referring to. My Department, however, presented a paper at its conference in Dublin earlier this month on "Exploring Atlantic Ireland" which referred to the fact that the Irish offshore is under-explored although an assessment of resource potential would indicate that this could be in the region of 10 billion...

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

Noel Dempsey: The functions under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1926-1988 for the investigation of interference were transferred from the Minister to the Communications Regulator (now ComReg) on its establishment in 1997. Accordingly, I have no function regarding this matter.

Written Answers — Communications Infrastructure: Communications Infrastructure (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 — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (21 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: It is the Government's strongly held view that our wild salmon stock is a national asset, which must be conserved and protected, as well as being exploited as a resource by us all on a sustainable basis. In future the wild salmon fishery will be managed on the basis of individual river stocks. Harvesting of salmon will be restricted to those rivers that have been identified as meeting their...

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

Noel Dempsey: Ireland has a target to treble the contribution from renewable energy sources in electricity production from 5% approximately to 15% by 2010. The target approximates to 1650 megawatts of generating plant. We have also proposed a target of 30% by 2020 in the Green Paper on Energy Policy. There is currently 940MW of renewable powered electricity capacity connected. This consists of...

Written Answers — Digital Hub: Digital Hub (21 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The Digital Hub Development Agency has entered into a 3 year Performance Contract with my own Department that commits it to specific targets. The targets to be achieved during the 3 year period commencing 1st April 2006 are outlined in four specific areas namely: property; enterprise development; community and learning programmes; and organisational performance. These targets will be...

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

Noel Dempsey: The provision of telecommunications services is a matter in the first instance for the private sector companies operating in a fully liberalised market, regulated where appropriate by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. The role of Government is to implement regulatory and infrastructure policies to facilitate the provision of affordable, high quality...

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

Noel Dempsey: The retention of the maximum scale of services to An Post is a policy and operational matter for the Board and management of An Post and one in which I have no function.

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

Noel Dempsey: I have no plans for the regulation of the content of mobile phone products and services. The Office of the Regulator of Premium Rate Telecoms Services, RegTel, already authorises and supervises the content and promotion of premium rate telecommunications services within the Irish market and is independent. RegTel does not report to me as Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (21 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The Decentralisation Implementation Group (DIG) has set out that my Department's move to Cavan is scheduled to take place at the end of 2009 and arrangements to have staff in place and operational in line with that schedule will continue to be progressed. The acquisition of sites and property for decentralisation is a matter for the Office of Public Works (OPW). Interaction with OPW on these...

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

Noel Dempsey: The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, is a matter in the first instance for private sector companies operating in a fully liberalised market, regulated by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. The role of Government is to implement regulatory and infrastructure policies to facilitate the provision of affordable, high quality...

Written Answers — Vessel Decommissioning: Vessel Decommissioning (21 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The last and final grant payment for the Decommissioning of the vessel named "Sea Queen" was paid by BIM to the beneficiary on 20th October 2006. A letter dated 7/11/2006 was sent by the beneficiary to BIM confirming their receipt of the cheque.