Results 3,881-3,900 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (10 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The Deputy is referring to Figure 3.39 titled "Fastest ADSL Business Download Speed Available by the Incumbent and Annual Cost, October 2008", which was printed in the "Annual Competitiveness Report 2008", published jointly by the National Competitiveness Council and Forfás. This is a very specific business broadband product available only from incumbents in the countries included in the...

Written Answers — Energy Costs: Energy Costs (10 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 87, 98, 108, 112 and 123 together. The regulation of ESB customer supply electricity tariffs and BGÉ gas tariffs is the statutory responsibility of the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) under the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 and the Gas (Interim) Regulation Act 2002. I welcome the fact that the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) announced on 1...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (10 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: Planning for the rollout of Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) services in Ireland is the shared responsibility of RTÉ, Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI), ComReg and my own Department. The Broadcasting (Amendment) Act, 2007, provides for the development of DTT in Ireland and for the closure of the national analogue TV network. Under this Act, RTÉ is required to provide a national...

Written Answers — Television Licence Fee: Television Licence Fee (10 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I have not met with RTÉ recently to discuss an increase in the television licence fee. In the past, annual reviews of RTÉ's performance have been carried out by independent consultants, engaged by the Department. These reviews have traditionally examined RTÉ's performance against its published Statement of Commitments. The recommendations arising out of these reviews have aided...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (10 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The objective of the National Broadband Scheme (NBS) is to provide access to affordable scaleable broadband services to rural areas, many of which do not currently have any broadband service. Following the conclusion of a technology neutral procurement process, which was open to all broadband service providers from across all platforms, my Department has entered into a contract with "3", a...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (10 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The European Commission has included interconnection between Ireland and Wales on its list of proposed energy projects under the European Economic Recovery Package, which is currently being negotiated in Brussels. EirGrid, as the National Transmission System Operator, will procure the construction of the interconnector, at the Government's request. I welcome the Commission's recognition of...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (10 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: Some 80% of Russian gas imports to the EU are transported through the Ukraine. This represents about 23% of total EU consumption. Ireland's demand for gas is met almost entirely by imports from the UK with declining production and storage at Kinsale, now supplying around 4%, accounting for the remainder. Irish imports account for around 5% of the UK gas market. The vast bulk of UK gas...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (10 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: In the context of the transition from analogue to digital terrestrial television (DTT), I am preparing a policy framework for identifying the spectrum required for television broadcasting in the UHF band as well as identifying the spectrum that could be released for use by other services. The policy framework will require ComReg to take appropriate actions, in conjunction with the...

Written Answers — Smart Metering Project: Smart Metering Project (10 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 100 and 489 together. The rollout of a national smart meter programme is progressing in line with the commitment in the Government's Energy Policy Framework and in the Programme for Government. The Smart Meter programme is a central component of the strategy to significantly enhance management of energy demand and to achieve greater energy efficiency through...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (10 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The objective of the National Broadband Scheme (NBS) is to provide access to affordable scaleable broadband services to rural areas, many of which do not currently have any broadband service. Following the conclusion of a technology neutral procurement process, which was open to all broadband service providers from across all platforms, my Department has entered into a contract with "3", a...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (10 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The widespread provision of broadband services continues to be a priority for the Government. In that regard my Department has undertaken a variety of initiatives to address the gaps in broadband coverage. These initiatives have helped to facilitate the development of the market to the point where over 60% of Irish households now have a broadband connection. ComReg's quarterly report for...

Written Answers — Energy Efficiency: Energy Efficiency (10 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 103 and 118 together. The improvement of energy efficiency in the housing stock is internationally recognised as one of the most cost effective ways of reducing emissions and energy bills. Energy efficiency measures to tackle deficiencies in households also support and strengthen employment in the construction and energy services sectors. I launched the...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (10 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 104 and 127 together. The development of domestic renewable energy is a key priority and is being supported by a range of actions and programmes ranging from Research and Development, investment incentives and mandatory requirements. I have launched a microgeneration pilot scheme being undertaken by Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI). The programme will assess...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (10 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 106, 116, 500 and 510 together. Sustainable biofuels will play an important part in delivering the 10% renewable energy target for transport fuels by 2020. The Biofuels Mineral Oil Tax Relief Schemes have resulted in 18 projects being awarded excise relief between 2005 and 2010 with four of these projects in the bioethanol category. The schemes were designed...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (10 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 107 and 125 together. In July 2008 I launched a consultation paper on Next Generation Broadband. This paper, which took account of the recommendations of the International Broadband Advisory Forum, contained proposed policy actions in relation to optimal use of State assets, fibre connections to second level schools and new premises, strong regulation and...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (10 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: While I have no direct role in the planning and construction of transmission system infrastructure, the Government's overriding policy objective is to ensure that energy is consistently available at competitive prices with minimal risk of supply disruption to meet the needs of businesses and domestic consumers. It is EirGrid's role, as the transmission system operator, to develop and upgrade...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (10 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The Broadcasting (Amendment) Act 2007 provides for the development of national Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) services in Ireland and for the closure of the national analogue TV network. Under the new Broadcasting Bill 2008 due to be enacted shortly, RTÉ continues to have an all-island remit. Section 114 of the Bill provides that one of the principle objects of RTÉ is "to establish,...

Written Answers — Energy Efficiency: Energy Efficiency (10 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: Ireland's energy policy framework identifies energy efficiency as the most cost effective means of reducing our dependence on imported energy, as well as mitigating harmful green house gas emissions. Government has set a target of 20% energy efficiency by 2020 and, recognising that the public sector must act as exemplars in the field of energy usage, has set a more stretching target of 33%...

Written Answers — Energy Costs: Energy Costs (10 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The Fuel Poverty Action Research Project was established by Combat Poverty and Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) to inform public policy on the merits of domestic energy efficiency programmes. The project involves an integrated and systematic ex-post assessment of the energy, environmental, thermal comfort and health benefits of the SEI-administered Warmer Homes Scheme (WHS), which retrofits...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (10 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The role of the Government in the electronic communications market in Ireland is to formulate policy to facilitate the provision of high quality services by competing service providers. The widespread provision of broadband services continues to be a priority for the Government. In that regard my Department has undertaken a variety of initiatives to address the gaps in broadband coverage....