Results 421-440 of 2,304 for speaker:John Browne
- Written Answers — Mobile Telephony: Mobile Telephony (6 Apr 2006)
John Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 14 and 31 together. The Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources has overall responsibility for electronic communications policy but has no responsibility for the actions of persons conducting bullying or intimidation activities over electronic communications networks or the transmission of pornographic images. Neither does the Minister have...
- Written Answers — Broadcasting Legislation: Broadcasting Legislation (6 Apr 2006)
John Browne: The priority issues to be addressed by the Broadcasting Bill are as follows: the establishment of a single content regulator for commercial, community and public service broadcasters; the establishment of RTE as a company under the Companies Acts; the provision of a statutory mechanism for future adjustments to the level of the television licence fee; and the development of the right of reply...
- Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (6 Apr 2006)
John Browne: I can advise the Deputy that provision is made in the Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006, currently under consideration by this House, for full gas market opening no later than 1 July 2007 deadline set by theEU. Since July 2004, the gas market has been open to all customers excluding domestic customers. This amounts to 86% of the market by volume. There are currently four suppliers...
- Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (6 Apr 2006)
John Browne: I propose to take Question Nos. 17 and 109 together. 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. In this...
- Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (6 Apr 2006)
John Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 and 27 together. As the Deputy may already be aware, there are no specific legislative impediments to commercial broadcasters which wish to broadcast to the Irish community in Britain, or elsewhere in the European Union, on a purely commercial basis. As regards public service broadcasting, RTE's statutory mandate, as defined in section 28(1) of the...
- Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (6 Apr 2006)
John Browne: The television without frontiers directive provides that member states of the European Union may designate certain sporting and cultural events as being of major importance to society and that events so designated should continue to be available on a free television service. It is a matter for each individual member state to decide whether or not to draw up a list. The Department recently...
- Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (6 Apr 2006)
John Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos 20, 100, 214, 215 and 232 together. An interdepartmental biofuels group was established in 2004 to ensure close co-operation and communication between the relevant players on biofuels and biomass development and related policy initiatives. The group comprises representatives of the Department, the Departments of Agriculture and Food, the Environment, Heritage...
- Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (6 Apr 2006)
John Browne: The draft heads of the electricity Bill to provide for the conversion for ESB to a public limited company status are being progressed and the timeframe for its reinstatement on the Government's legislative programme will be kept under review during the year. The Minister does not consider that the revised timetable for the Bill has implications for commercial or strategic decision-making by...
- Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (6 Apr 2006)
John Browne: The Minister is favourably disposed towards the introduction of postcodes because of the case made that a national postcode system would offer significant potential benefits for the postal business, public utilities, business and consumers and the general public, including addressing the issue of non-unique addresses. To examine the introduction of a postcode system in Ireland, the Minister...
- Written Answers — Mobile Telephony: Mobile Telephony (6 Apr 2006)
John Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 23, 35 and 47 together. Following pressure from the Taoiseach, the European Council emphasised the importance for competitiveness and ease of travel of reducing roaming charges. This is an issue that affects many people travelling throughout the EU and is a clear example of impediments to the Single Market negatively affecting the citizens and businesses. The...
- Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (6 Apr 2006)
John Browne: I refer the Deputy to the following appendix that outlines the information requested on the number of post offices converted or closed since the Minister came into office in September 2004. The opening, conversion and closure of individual post offices is a matter for the board and management of the company. With regard to the post office network, as clearly set out in the programme for...
- Written Answers — Energy Market Regulation: Energy Market Regulation (6 Apr 2006)
John Browne: Government policy in regard to the creation of an all-island energy market is set out in the all-island energy market development framework which was jointly launched in November 2004. The key priority within the framework is to put the all-island wholesale electricity market in place by 1 July 2007. The two regulators have already agreed the high-level principles governing the operation of...
- Written Answers — Energy Market Regulation: Energy Market Regulation (6 Apr 2006)
John Browne: The Minister has recently published the Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006. This Bill, which builds on recent secondary legislation to implement the electricity and gas market EU directives, will enhance competitiveness within the energy market and bring consequent benefits to the consumer. The Second Stage of the Bill was introduced to the House earlier today. One of the key...
- Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (6 Apr 2006)
John Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 108 together. 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...
- Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (6 Apr 2006)
John Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 29 and 70 together. The powers and responsibilities of the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources with respect to An Post are as set out in the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983 and in the memorandum and articles of the company. As set out in the 1983 Act, the Government has a 100% stake in the company. The Minister's...
- Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (6 Apr 2006)
John Browne: The Government is supporting the development of the seafood industry through a number of integrated schemes designed to secure a sustainable future for the industry under the aegis of the National Development Plan 2000-2006. The two successful fleet renewal programmes and the recent introduction of a decommissioning scheme with a budget of â¬45 million over the next two years will together...
- Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (6 Apr 2006)
John Browne: I refer the Deputy to the Minister's reply to Question No. 82 on 21 February 2006.
- Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (6 Apr 2006)
John Browne: The harbour at Greencastle is owned by Donegal County Council and responsibility for its maintenance and development rests with the local authority in the first instance. In 2006 the Department has allocated funding of â¬2.4 million towards the commencement of the first phase of a development project for Greencastle harbour under the fishery harbours development programme. Under that...
- Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (6 Apr 2006)
John Browne: The domestic grants scheme is being rolled out on behalf of the Department by Sustainable Energy Ireland, SEI. The availability of trained and certified installers is an important element of the quality assurance mechanism and the grant scheme in general. SEI is facilitating consumers by maintaining a list of installers who qualify for use under the scheme. Actions to increase this number in...
- Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (6 Apr 2006)
John Browne: The Department has brought to the Minister's attention recent press reports indicating that the European Commission may be preparing to adopt a package of infringement procedures against a number of member states in respect of issues around the transposition or implementation of Community energy legislation into national law. At this point, the Department has not received any formal...