Results 4,061-4,080 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (31 Jan 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The Biofuels MOT Relief Scheme II was publicly advertised as a competitive call for proposals open to anyone who could fulfil the criteria laid out in the Guidance Note relating to the scheme which was provided to all prospective applicants. There were 102 applications received overall under the scheme. The range and quality of applications was exceptionally high. The assessment panel...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (31 Jan 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I can confirm that my Department licensed no petroleum production activities under the Gas Act 1976 as amended since the introductions of SI No 378 of 2005. I would advise the Deputy that I have no statutory function with regard to the licensing of downstream gas pipelines (i.e. pipelines used for the transmission of processed gas). Responsibility for such licences was transferred to the...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (31 Jan 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The Minerals Development Act 1999 makes no provision for licensing of any activities to which the European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations would apply, and there is no reference to that Act in SI No. 378 of 2005. No State Mining Facilities (Leases or Licences) have been issued over areas which include sites specified in the European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations (i.e....

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (31 Jan 2007)

Noel Dempsey: S.I. 378 of 2005 is concerned with the conservation status of natural habitats and species referred to in Article 2 of the Habitats Directive with particular regard to areas of priority habitat types and priority species — also known as European sites. The following table provides details of the activities that have been carried out since 2005 under authorisations issued by my Department...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (31 Jan 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Section 48 of the Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006 (No. 8 of 2006) provides for the appointment of the Sea-Fisheries Protection Consultative Committee to represent the interests of the sea-fisheries and seafood sectors as well as marine environment and marine research interests. The legislation provides that the Consultative Committee shall consist of not more than 14 members...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (31 Jan 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1009, 1010 and 1014 together. The EC Biofuels Directive establishes indicative targets of 2% market penetration of biofuels for Member States by end 2005 and 5.75% by end 2010. The targets are not mandatory. Member States combined set targets of 1.4% for 2005 but the overall market penetration in Europe reached in 2005 was actually 1%. Figures are not yet...

Written Answers — Petroleum Plants: Petroleum Plants (31 Jan 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The Irish National Petroleum Corporation Limited (INPC) business and commercial assets were sold on 16 th July 2001. An undertaking by the purchaser, and its successors, to operate the facilities on a fully commercial basis for at least 15 years was a key element of the transaction. This undertaking is underpinned by a Deed of Guarantee. While the headline figure was $100 million (€117...

Written Answers — Communications Masts: Communications Masts (31 Jan 2007)

Noel Dempsey: My Department has no function in this matter. Matters pertaining to decisions of An Bord Pleanála are a matter for the Board. Matters relating to planning policy, including requirements regarding location of mobile phone masts, are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (31 Jan 2007)

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). It continues to be a priority of the Government that there will be broadband coverage across the entire country. However, despite Government...

Written Answers — Comhfhreagras Ranna: Comhfhreagras Ranna (31 Jan 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Geallann an Roinn seo an caighdeán is airde de sheirbhís do chustaiméirí a sholáthar trí Bhéarla nó trí Ghaeilge. Sa Chairt Chustaiméirí geallaimid admháil go bhfuaraimid gach uile fhreagairt taobh istigh de thrí lá agus déanaimid ár ndícheall freagra iomlán a thabhairt taobh istigh d'fhiche lá. Nuair nach féidir é seo a dhéanamh, eisimid freagra eatramhach a léiríonn...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (31 Jan 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The Inter-departmental Committee on Health Effects of Electromagnetic Fields is concluding its considerations, based on the report of the Expert Group on Health Effects of Electromagnetic Fields, completed at the end of 2006. I intend to present the report to my Government colleagues shortly and then publish the report. The report will provide a review of the most up to date scientific...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (31 Jan 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The provision of broadband and other telecommunications services is, in the first instance, an operational issue for the service providers concerned. Responsibility for the regulation of electronic communication service providers rests with the independent regulator, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), in accordance with the requirements of the Communications Regulation Act...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (31 Jan 2007)

Noel Dempsey: There are 55 staff members working at various levels of project management in my Department. Three of these staff members have relevant recognised third level qualifications and a further 51 have had formal training in project management. My Department operates an ongoing staff development programme to build up and enhance skills and competencies in-house in order to meet the challenges of...

Seanad: Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (31 Jan 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The Bill before the House today has two principal objectives, the first being to amend the public service remit of RTE to allow it to broadcast to Irish communities living outside the island of Ireland. The second is to amend the Broadcasting Act 2001 to allow for the development of digital terrestrial television and digital radio services in Ireland. I propose to address each objective in...

Requests to move Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 31 (1 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: We are trying to ensure people can go to work in safety.

Order of Business (1 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Some Opposition spokesmen ask very stupid questions.

Order of Business (1 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: And discussion by the Whips.

Written Answers — National Development Plan: National Development Plan (1 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 162 and 163 together. The following table sets out the projects funded by my Department in the communications, marine and energy areas under the 2000–2006 National Development Plan, in County Wexford. Communications Project Proposed Cost Current status Overspend on project € Phase One Metropolitan Area Network-Wexford Town 2,900,000 Completed N/A...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (1 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: On 27 March 2006 I launched the "Greener Homes" grant aid package for the domestic sector which includes funding for wood chip and wood pellet boilers and stoves, solar and heat pump technologies. There have been no grant payments made retrospectively under the scheme. One of the key objectives of the grant scheme is to stimulate the market for domestic renewable technologies and to encourage...

Written Answers — Parliamentary Questions: Parliamentary Questions (1 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: My Department responded to 2,197 parliamentary questions during 2006. An essential everyday part of the work of staff in the Department is serving the needs of this House and the democratic process. Work related to Parliamentary Questions is an essential element of this process built into the Business plans of individual Divisions of the Department. In addition, input into individual...