Results 4,201-4,220 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey
- Digital Terrestrial Television. (14 Feb 2007)
Noel Dempsey: I forgive the Deputy for not being fully familiar with the technology. The fact we receive BBC transmissions is an accident, due to overspill. We are not entitled to it but have benefited from it for a considerable time. When the BBC switches off analogue, as it intends to do on a rolling basis, we will not receive it unless it is part of the multiplex, except in very limited areas. In...
- Digital Terrestrial Television. (14 Feb 2007)
Noel Dempsey: On the last point, discussion has already taken place on the proposed Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006. This will address new methods of broadcasting through the Internet, mobile phones, etc. There was quite a reaction in the e-consultation process carried out by the Oireachtas committee regarding the possibility that mobile phones might have to be licensed in the future if they were...
- Digital Terrestrial Television. (14 Feb 2007)
Noel Dempsey: Given the ComReg licence, the pilot which starts in March will be confined to approximately 1,000 people. The north east generally is the area that will be covered and 1,000 people will be using the system there. Regarding the question of the analogue switch off by the BBC, once the Bill is passed, and I am sure I will get the co-operation of all parties in the Houseââ
- Digital Terrestrial Television. (14 Feb 2007)
Noel Dempsey: ââto get it passed as quickly as possible â that has been indicated to me â BCI can then advertise for multiplexes for companies to put forward. RTE has indicated to me that it will move very quickly. It is making arrangements for the first multiplex and I hope we would have an overlap between the period the DTT would be available here and the analogue switch off in the BBC....
- Digital Terrestrial Television. (14 Feb 2007)
Noel Dempsey: RTE will have to provide the Irish stations on a free-to-air basis but it is conceivable that it will have to pay for anything it gets subsequently. It will then have to decide how it, in turn, will get paid for it. Without going into too much detail, I am aware that RTE is considering a variety of possibilities, one of which might be that some mutual arrangement will be made by the BBC,...
- Digital Terrestrial Television. (14 Feb 2007)
Noel Dempsey: That will be a subject for debate during the course of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill. The licence fee was put in place and has been maintained because of the commitment successive Governments of all shades had to the concept of public service broadcasting here and a national broadcaster. While technologies may converge and change, and circumstances may change as well, I presume there...
- Personal Statement by Member. (14 Feb 2007)
Noel Dempsey: On my own behalf and on behalf of the Minister of State and senior civil servants in the Department, I thank the Deputy for his statement. It was a source of grave concern to them and I want to acknowledge it and thank him for doing it.
- Written Answers — Mobile Telephony: Mobile Telephony (14 Feb 2007)
Noel Dempsey: The provision of telecommunications services and the development and roll-out of telecommunications technology is primarily a matter for the industry itself. The telecoms market is fully liberalised and regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, which is independent in the exercise of its functions. As Minister with responsibility for policy in this sector, of course...
- Written Answers — Exploration Licences: Exploration Licences (14 Feb 2007)
Noel Dempsey: The licensing terms for petroleum exploration and development need to achieve a balance between ensuring a fair return to the State while encouraging exploration. The licensing terms were last adjusted in 1992 and I am currently reviewing the terms. In reviewing the licensing terms, I am conscious that in the period since the terms were last adjusted fifteen years ago, that the level of...
- Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (14 Feb 2007)
Noel Dempsey: Issues in relation to both 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 have met with the IPU on a number of occasions as have some of my cabinet colleagues in recent times. I also addressed the IPU Annual Conference in 2005 and 2006. The Government has been,...
- Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (14 Feb 2007)
Noel Dempsey: I understand that the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) received the report of the Council of European Energy Regulators (CEER) on 6th February 2007 concerning the electricity blackout which occurred across central Europe on Saturday 4 November 2006. I am advised by the CER that the reasons for the blackout have been identified in the report as being the failure for some of the...
- Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (14 Feb 2007)
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 — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (14 Feb 2007)
Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 84, 96, 104, 121, 164 and 176 together. The development of an Irish biofuels market and the increased development and deployment of bio-energy resources in Ireland is a key priority for the Government. A range of initiatives are in place to support the development of a biofuels sector in Ireland. On Monday 12th February I signalled my intention to introduce a...
- Written Answers — National Development Plan: National Development Plan (14 Feb 2007)
Noel Dempsey: The â¬8.5 billion Energy Programme NDP investment consists of three Sub-Programmes: Strategic Energy Infrastructure (â¬1.2 billion) Sustainable Energy (â¬276m) State Energy Companies Investment (â¬7.0 billion) A number of large-scale public good energy infrastructure projects are required and/or planned to address security of supply, bring infrastructure up-to-date and foster continued...
- Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (14 Feb 2007)
Noel Dempsey: The key objectives of the draft general scheme of the Broadcasting Bill are as follows: To establish a single content regulator for commercial, community and public service broadcasters to be known as the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) and encompassing the existing regulatory functions of the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland, the Broadcasting Complaints Commission and the RTÃ...
- Written Answers — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (14 Feb 2007)
Noel Dempsey: My function in relation to the Corrib is a regulatory one. I have, however, done everything possible within that role to create the conditions that would allow the difficulties associated with this project to be resolved. Arising from concerns about the safety of the onshore pipeline I had a comprehensive safety review of the pipeline carried out by Advantica consultants. I also appointed Mr....
- Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (14 Feb 2007)
Noel Dempsey: The electronic communications market is of key importance to the national economy and is a significant factor in determining national economic competitiveness. The regulation of this industry is the responsibility of the independent regulator, the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, in accordance with the Communications Regulation Act, 2002 and the Regulations transposing the EU...
- Written Answers — Digital Hub: Digital Hub (14 Feb 2007)
Noel Dempsey: Since 2000, the State has invested close to EUR â¬93.75 million in the Digital Hub project. That sum comprises of an initial investment in property purchase of â¬73.64 million for circa 9 acres in the Thomas Street/Liberties area of Dublin. State of the art telecommunications infrastructure investment came to â¬2.29 million. The remainder of the amount is made up of operational...
- Written Answers — Communications Industry: Communications Industry (14 Feb 2007)
Noel Dempsey: MediaLab Europe (MLE) was established as a company in May 2000. The subsequent downturn in the technology market in the latter half of 2000, as well as the tragic events of September 11 2001, had a direct and negative effect on the technology companies whose sponsorship was expected to underpin MLE. Responsibility was transferred to the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural...
- Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (14 Feb 2007)
Noel Dempsey: The service providers have advised my Department that just over 7,200 subscribers out of a possible 90,000 subscribers actually availed of a group broadband service. The population covered by the projects is estimated to be around 400,000 people. Grant aid amounting to â¬5.9 million was offered to the service providers approved under the scheme. To date the service providers have claimed...