Results 4,361-4,380 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Confidence in Government: Motion (resumed) (10 Jun 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I support the Government on this motion because I have confidence in the three fundamental policy areas with which any government must be concerned at present. The Government is doing the right thing. I challenge Members to imagine themselves in the position of being in government last September, shortly after Lehman Brothers collapsed and the whole international banking system came to a...

Confidence in Government: Motion (resumed) (10 Jun 2009)

Eamon Ryan: There has been no honesty from the Opposition. It has provided no details of proposals, nor has not even asked questions about it. When one listens to the 9 o'clock news all we hear are comments from the Opposition that we have been bailing out the banks and that we should not make cuts or increase taxes. That three-way equation does not bring a solution. It is not right. What is right...

Confidence in Government: Motion (resumed) (10 Jun 2009)

Eamon Ryan: That is the reality of what Fine Gael does. It talks the talk, but it blocks and impedes the country's development on a systematic basis for political gain and not in the wider national interest.

Confidence in Government: Motion (resumed) (10 Jun 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I will comment on what Fine Gael, for all its talk, is doing in terms of a green energy future for the country.

Confidence in Government: Motion (resumed) (10 Jun 2009)

Eamon Ryan: Let me highlight for the Chair the inconsistencies of the Fine Gael Party and the lack of concern for sustainability in its agenda. It is now saying "No" to major public transport projects in this city that are desperately needed and has prevented the spending of money on these for years. The Fine Gael members on local councils talk about how the bus service is not good enough, but they...

Confidence in Government: Motion (resumed) (10 Jun 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I will take no lectures or comments from the party opposite about confidence because my confidence in its ability to deliver the green agenda is at zero. Fine Gael does not get it, it is not doing it and would not do it if it was in government. However, we will. There is a huge opportunity for Ireland, particularly in the integration of information communication technologies and energy...

Confidence in Government: Motion (resumed) (10 Jun 2009)

Eamon Ryan: We are a location of real skill, with large international companies here where leading research is being carried out and supported by our research institutions. We can combine that with what the likes of our energy companies are doing, such as what the ESB is doing in terms of a smart grid and electric vehicles. We can combine it with our software companies and build up a centre of...

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (16 Jun 2009)

Eamon Ryan: 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 through the use of cutting-edge technology. The current...

Written Answers — Services for People with Disabilities: Services for People with Disabilities (16 Jun 2009)

Eamon Ryan: My Department operates an account for the services of a taxi operator that has confirmed that approximately 15 to 20% of its entire fleet is made up of vehicles that are accessible for people with disabilities and wheelchair users. The service provided includes pre-booking of a suitably accessible vehicle. The issue of taxi use by the State agencies is a day-to-day operational issue for each...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (16 Jun 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I am conscious of the need to make maximum advantage of the potential of the fast growing geothermal energy sector and encourage investment while also introducing a suitable and proportionate level of Regulation in consultation with industry and other stakeholders. My Department and the Geothermal Association of Ireland are co-hosting a workshop today, Tuesday 16th June 2009, to examine...

Written Answers — Salmon Hardship Fund: Salmon Hardship Fund (16 Jun 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I have no function with regard to the audit of the Loughs Agency which is a matter for the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General and the Northern Ireland Audit Office. I understand that payments will issue in compliance with State Aid Notification rules as soon as both Offices are satisfied. I am informed that the salmon fishing season in Lough Foyle commenced on 15th June and will...

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (17 Jun 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I accept the Deputy's point about the need for strong regulation of alcohol advertising. As I said during the earlier debate on these amendments, mechanisms in this area are set out in the existing codes that govern the standards and practices that are to be observed by broadcasters, particularly relating to children and the general area of alcohol. Further developments are being...

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (17 Jun 2009)

Eamon Ryan: We had a good debate on this issue. I intend to give the broadcasting authority greater freedoms in the area of religious advertising. It is seeking such freedoms to reflect the complex variety of issues it needs to address. We are not providing for a complete blanket ban, which might be one approach. If we were to prescribe which advertisements are acceptable, we would not meet every...

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (17 Jun 2009)

Eamon Ryan: Section 47 for the first time statutorily requires broadcasters to develop and apply basic procedures in respect of complaints handling, including providing information to the viewing and listening public as to how to go about making a complaint and giving a sense of how long they can expect to wait before receiving a response from the broadcaster. It limits the duty of broadcasters to...

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (17 Jun 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I will deal with them now and move them later. Amendments Nos. 49 and 51 are minor drafting amendments, which seek to ensure consistency of language in sections 48 and 49 in respect of the compliance committee. Amendment No. 52 in respect of section 49(24) removes the requirement for right of reply cases heard by the High Court to be heard by a judge sitting alone. Given the specialist...

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (17 Jun 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I understand fully the views of the Members opposite. One of the reasons we are taking this approach is to maintain a certain coherence across the various pieces of legislation that relate to how deceased people are treated in matters such as this. In the Defamation Bill, which recently went to Committee Stage, a similar provision has been maintained whereby the right of reply does not...

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (17 Jun 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I hear what the Deputy is saying and he is entitled to his opinion but, as I said, that is the decision we have taken.

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (17 Jun 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I move amendment No. 49: In page 51, line 15, to delete "its" and substitute "their".

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (17 Jun 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I move amendment No. 51: In page 55, line 16, to delete "it considers" and substitute "they consider".

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (17 Jun 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I move amendment No. 52: In page 57, to delete lines 11 to 17 and substitute the following: "(24) The High Court may, as it thinks fit, on the hearing of the application make an order--- (a) compelling compliance with a decision under subsection (17), (b) varying a requirement under subsection (17), or (c) refusing the application.".