Results 4,341-4,360 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (20 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). The facilitation of broadband coverage across the entire country continues to be a key priority. I am aware that, despite Government and...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (20 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 382 to 386, inclusive, together. 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 Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), the independent regulator. However, it has been clear for some time that the sector...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (20 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Developing the national energy research capacity has been a key priority of Government. There was a critical shortage of appropriately skilled people to meet our energy research needs. The approach taken was to design and implement a scheme of funding awards for energy research projects and researchers to address this gap. Accordingly the Charles Parsons awards were developed specifically...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (20 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The National Bio-Energy Action Plan, overseen by the Ministerial Bio Energy Task Force, is being finalised and will be published shortly. The Plan will set out a cohesive strategy for the development and deployment of indigenous bioenergy resources, in the electricity, heating and transport sectors. I have already introduced a number of measures to stimulate demand for bio-energy in...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (20 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: As a member of the International Energy Agency Ireland is required to maintain emergency oil stocks equivalent to at least 90 days of net imports of crude oil equivalent in the previous year. The EU imposes a similar requirement based on consumption. The National Oil Reserves Agency (NORA) is responsible for holding Ireland's strategic oil reserves at a level determined — at least once a...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (20 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Security of energy supply is a key imperative for Ireland and the European Union. The relatively small size of the Irish electricity market underlines the need for greater interconnection as a means of enhancing security of supply, promoting competition and integrating the Irish electricity market into the wider European market. The Government is committed to deliver enhanced...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (20 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: It is Government policy to encourage the exploration and production of indigenous energy resources. The main strategies in support of this policy are regular opportunities for exploration licences through licensing rounds and attractive licensing terms. This year the frontier Porcupine Basin is open for licensing. The planned closing date for applications is end-October, with the award of...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (20 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I refer the Deputy to the CER-ESB Asset Strategy which was subject of a Memorandum of Understanding on 29 November 2006 and comprises a package of measures to reduce ESB's share of the power generation market in the Single Energy Market to around 40% by 2010. The Asset Strategy formed the basis for the Commission's authorisation to ESB on 6 February 2007 for the construction of a new power...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (20 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: A number of innovative alternative energy programmes are in place as part of the Government's strategy to stimulate renewable energy deployment across the electricity, heat and transport sectors. A series of grant-aid programmes are being rolled-out over a five year period and are providing funding for the domestic, commercial, services and industrial sectors as follows: the €47m 'Greener...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (20 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The Energy Efficiency Action Plan for Europe presented by the Commission last October sets out a comprehensive range of proposed policies and measures aimed at realising at least 20% savings in EU energy consumption by 2020. The overall thrust of the Plan was endorsed by EU Energy Ministers in November last. The objective is to deliver for Europe energy efficient infrastructure, buildings,...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (20 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Security of supply in relation to electricity in Ireland is the statutory responsibility of the independent Regulator, the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER). The independent Transmission System Operator (TSO), EirGrid, monitors the adequacy of generation capacity over time and reports to the CER accordingly. In line with international norms, the generation system in Ireland is designed,...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (20 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I have already increased a 13.2% target addressed to Ireland in an EU Directive to increase the contribution of electricity from renewable energy sources to 15% by 2010. The Government has indicated plans to further increase that target to 33% by 2010. The support programme operated by my Department to complete the increased 2010 target is commonly referred to as REFIT, (Renewable Energy...

Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (20 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Estimation of the cost of completing automation of the post office network is an operational matter for the board and management of An Post and one in which I have no function.

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (20 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: This is no longer a matter for my Department. The function is now a matter for the newly established Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority.

Written Answers — Television Licence Fee: Television Licence Fee (20 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: A total of €205.6 million was collected in television licence fees in 2006. An Post were paid an agency fee of €12.7 million for licence fee collection in that year. In 2006 a total of 1,340,036 Television Licences we re issued. 1,004,805 of those licences were issued directly by An Post. The remaining 335,231 licences were issued by the Department of Social and Family Affairs who are...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (20 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The Government's decentralisation programme provides for the relocation of the Marine functions of my Department to Clonakilty and the headquarters of my Department to Cavan. Thirty-one staff have decentralised to Clonakilty and twenty-six to Cavan to date. Decentralised staff members originally based in non-Dublin offices were not required to transfer to Dublin in advance of relocation....

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee Stage (20 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I accept the amendment.

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee Stage (20 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I do not accept the amendment at this stage. The Senator may have a point and I propose to consult the Attorney General on the matter. I may table an amendment in the Dáil.

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee Stage (20 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I accept the amendment. The intention was that an offender would have to commit an offence on two or more occasions before an application could be made to the court for an order of compliance. This gives the benefit of the doubt to an undertaking that had committed an offence due to an error and is deemed unlikely to re-offend. In such situations proceedings would not be initiated but I am...

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee Stage (20 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: This provides clarification as to the schedule referred to. Amendment No. 5 is deemed necessary because only part of the European Communities Act may come under the responsibility of a Minister. The other parts may be the responsibility of other statutory bodies. This is a standard provision in legislation. Regarding amendment No. 6, it is the norm to use the expression "amend by...