Results 4,281-4,300 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Written Answers — Radio Broadcasting: Radio Broadcasting (12 May 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The Radio spectrum is managed by countries at the national level and through international coordination. The overarching allocation of Radio spectrum is undertaken in an international context and in accordance with international regulations. The Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), is the statutory body responsible for spectrum management in Ireland and is statutorily obliged...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (12 May 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Question Nos. 80 and 114 together. The matters raised by the Deputies are a customer service issue for the organisation or business concerned. The use and display of telephone numbers is an area in which I have no statutory function. In relation to the wider public sector, I will ask my officials to contact the Quality Customer Service Officers Network, which is managed...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (12 May 2009)

Eamon Ryan: EU State Aid and competition rules prevent States from intervening in the areas already substantially served by broadband. While recognising that some premises within substantially served areas may have difficulties for whatever reason (long lines, pair gains, no line of sight etc) in receiving a broadband service, the National Broadband Scheme cannot cater for such limited instances. It is...

Written Answers — Electric Vehicles: Electric Vehicles (12 May 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 83, 84 and 95 together. Together with the Minister for Transport, I have announced plans for the large scale deployment of electric vehicles in Ireland. The target of 10% of all vehicles to be powered by electricity by 2020, will represent up to 250,000 cars on Irish roads over the next 12 years. A number of initiatives to advance the strategy have already...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (12 May 2009)

Eamon Ryan: Matters relating to the An Post pension fund are a matter for the board and management of the company and the trustees of the schemes and one in which I have no direct role. In common with many pension funds, due to the economic downturn, An Post's pension fund is in deficit. An Post's annual report for 2008 shows that, because of its pension deficit at the end of last year, its net assets...

Written Answers — Energy Conservation: Energy Conservation (12 May 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 86 and 101 together. The Warmer Homes Scheme is administered by Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) and delivered by community based organisations (CBOs), which work in partnership with their local network of poverty and community support organisations, including public health nurses, MABS and St Vincent De Paul, to identify and address the energy needs of...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (12 May 2009)

Eamon Ryan: No submissions have been made recently to my Department proposing the nationalisation of eircom. Clearly eircom is an important player in private sector provision of telecommunications services and will continue to play a key role in providing higher speed broadband services. The commercial performance and ownership of the company is a matter for the company in the first instance and I have...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (12 May 2009)

Eamon Ryan: 59 of the 60 Phase II MANs, which provide state-of-the-art, fibre, open access networks to 65 towns across the country are now completed. It is expected that the final network will be completed in early 2010. All completed Phase II networks are being managed, maintained and operated on an interim basis by the technical services firm Magnum Opus on behalf of my Department. Magnum Opus will...

Written Answers — Smart Meters: Smart Meters (12 May 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 90 and 97 together. The rollout of a national Smart Metering Programme is progressing in line with the commitment in the Government's Energy Policy Framework and in the Programme for Government. The Smart Metering Programme is a central component of the strategy to significantly enhance management of energy demand and to achieve greater energy efficiency...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (12 May 2009)

Eamon Ryan: In designing the National Broadband Scheme (NBS), which was approved by the EU Commission, my Department needed to strike a balance between reaching as many unserved premises as possible and minimising the impact of the scheme on businesses already providing broadband services in rural areas, thereby minimising market distortion in accordance with EU State Aid rules. The NBS will be rolled...

Written Answers — Radio Broadcasting: Radio Broadcasting (12 May 2009)

Eamon Ryan: DAB digital radio is an improved way of broadcasting radio via a network of terrestrial transmitters. It provides listeners with more choice, clearer sound and more features, while keeping all the features of FM radio, such as portability and free to use. The Broadcasting (Amendment) Act 2007 provides for the development of radio over digital multiplexes by both public service and commercial...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (12 May 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The National Broadband Scheme (NBS) contract guarantees that broadband connectivity will be available to 100% of the buildings within the NBS coverage areas. In recognition of the fact that some areas will be very costly and technologically challenging to reach using standard infrastructure, a limited number of residences and businesses in the NBS coverage area may be covered by a satellite...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (12 May 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The Power of One campaign aims to bring about more energy efficient behaviour by domestic consumers and other energy using sectors to achieve energy and CO2 savings. The campaign has been operating since August 2006 and has brought about a significant increase in awareness of energy efficiency and best practice energy behaviour. Since the beginning of 2009, Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI)...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (12 May 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The Decentralisation Programme as originally announced in December 2003, included the proposal to relocate the Headquarters of my Department to Cavan. As announced by the Minister for Finance in his statement of 14th October last, the Government has deferred decisions on the timing of the implementation of elements of the Decentralisation Programme including that of my Department, pending a...

Written Answers — Energy Regulation: Energy Regulation (12 May 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The regulation of ESB electricity tariffs and Bord Gáis Éireann gas tariffs is the responsibility of the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), which is statutorily independent in the performance of its functions. I have no responsibility for setting these tariffs. The CER has a statutory duty to advise me as Minister on the development of the electricity and gas markets, and regular...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (12 May 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The current global economic climate has had a negative impact on pension scheme funds generally, including Bord na Móna schemes. The pension schemes and the emerging pension deficit are matters for the Board of Bord na Móna plc and the Trustees of the Pension Schemes in the first instance. Officials in my Department are in regular contact with Bord na Móna in relation to the schemes. The...

Written Answers — Energy Costs: Energy Costs (12 May 2009)

Eamon Ryan: Ensuring a competitive and sustainable energy supply is a key policy objective for the Government. Energy costs are a major concern for all sectors of the economy. There is a range of factors which have contributed to Ireland's higher than the EU average increases in electricity prices over recent years. • Historical reasons – A long period without any price increases granted to ESB,...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (12 May 2009)

Eamon Ryan: While the provision of broadband is a matter for the service providers, there are still some parts of the country where the private sector will be unable to justify the commercial provision of broadband services. In this regard, my Department has undertaken a variety of initiatives to address the gaps in broadband coverage including the Group Broadband Scheme, the Metropolitan Area Networks...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (12 May 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The EU Commission's proposals for reform of the electronic communications framework have been the subject of intense negotiation at EU Council and Parliament over the past sixteen months. As Minister for Communications, I and my officials have fully participated in these negotiations. I have strongly supported the package of proposals agreed by Council, especially the measures aimed at...

Written Answers — Television Licence Fee: Television Licence Fee (12 May 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The Broadcasting (Funding) Act 2003 assigned responsibility to the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI) to develop and administer schemes under the Broadcasting Fund, which are designed to support the production and transmission of high quality programming based on Irish culture and heritage. The Broadcasting Funding Scheme, Sound and Vision, has been operational since 2006 and has been...