Results 4,161-4,180 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (13 Feb 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).

Written Answers — National Development Plan: National Development Plan (13 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 422 and 423 together. The new National Development Plan (NDP) is a strategic document setting out a wide-ranging investment framework and investment priorities, in addition to indicative financial allocations, over the period 2007-2013. The plan does not include details at a project level of initiatives to be undertaken in 2007 and/or over the period of the...

Order of Business (14 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: None.

Order of Business (14 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: There will be longer sittings.

Order of Business (14 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: One cannot be independent and a member of a party.

Telecommunications Services. (14 Feb 2007)

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...

Telecommunications Services. (14 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I am aware of the matters the Deputy raises. Parts of the country have poor broadband facilities. The Government initiated the MAN programme in 2002 and the group broadband scheme. It is now considering a new scheme to target 10%-15% of the country. Under its new management, Eircom has examined the matter and is willing to address some of the deficiencies. There has been a massive...

Telecommunications Services. (14 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The reasons for the delay are obvious. Initially, the private sector did not invest. The dotcom collapse at the turn of the decade meant that there was little investment from the private sector. The Government decided in 2002 that it needed to stimulate the market. The private sector would respond that it is in the business of making money and should not be expected to provide broadband...

Energy Resources. (14 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: My primary ministerial responsibility regarding bio-fuels is in the energy context and consequently in the production of bio-fuels to increase penetration in the transport sector. While I have no specific responsibility for the production of petrochemicals for industrial processes, I am aware that second generation biomass conversion technologies could, over time, provide a suitable fuel and...

Energy Resources. (14 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The Deputy should ask the question and we will see if I can answer it. That is the best thing to do.

Energy Resources. (14 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I would be happy to see the Minister for Agriculture and Food answering this question but responsibility for bio-fuels falls within the remit of the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. In keeping with the Government's approach to joined-up thinking, the production of bio-fuels has a value for agriculture. The Minister for Agriculture and Food made announcements...

Energy Resources. (14 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: There is no question but that the cost of energy can pose dangers to Irish agriculture and industry. We have seen examples in this regard. I agree with the Deputy on that point. In general terms, however, there are advantages and disadvantages in all such activities. The move away from fossil fuels, which we must follow, allows us the opportunity to produce bio-fuels, which in turn allows...

Postal Service. (14 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Issues relating to the terms and conditions of postmasters and post office closures are, in the first instance, matters for the board and management of An Post and ones in which I have no statutory function. Despite this, I and some of my Cabinet colleagues have met representatives of the IPU on a number of recent occasions. I also addressed the IPU's annual conference in 2005 and 2006....

Postal Service. (14 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I remind Deputy Broughan that I am only in this portfolio for two and a half years. I am delighted he noted I produced an energy Green Paper and shortly will produce an energy White Paper.

Postal Service. (14 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I met the targets I set on broadband roll-out. I have tackled the underlying problems in the fishing industry. It is a formidable record for two and a half years. The first 12 months of my ministry were spent advancing the causes adopted by the CWU and ensuring An Post reached agreement with it to ensure the survival of the postal service. It was nice of the Irish Farmers' Journal to...

Postal Service. (14 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: It is strange that a representative body, looking for extra remuneration for its members, would not negotiate on a deal that would do so. I do not understand that logic.

Postal Service. (14 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The Fortis deal is the one area where the postmasters have the potential to gain extra remuneration. I cannot understand how a representative body which is demanding more remuneration for its members, breaks off negotiations when an offer, like that of Fortis, is made. Do all 1,300 members of the IPU realise what is happening? They should be aware of the possibility of getting some extra...

Postal Service. (14 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I do not wish to be offensive to anybody but it seems illogical to me. The post office network has one of the highest numbers of post offices per head of population in Europe.

Postal Service. (14 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Even the IPU recognises that. There are 4.2 outlets per 10,000 inhabitants compared with the European Union average of 2.7.

Postal Service. (14 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The 900 post offices that were automated are processing 97% of the business of An Post. Significant numbers among the 400 that are not automated are run by elderly postmasters who do not want them to be automated.