Results 4,401-4,420 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (22 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: One would be very foolish to buy it until one was sure there would be something on it to listen to.

Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (22 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: We will not be doing the testing as it is not the responsibility of Government. Those who want to use multiplexes are the people who will decide about the technology. We are insisting that whatever multiplexes are used that one set-top box should be suitable and this will be licensed through the BCI. This is the only area where the Government will be involved in the technology. It is up...

Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (22 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Yes. Deputy Stagg made a number of points with regard to broadcasting to the Irish communities abroad. All of us would agree in general with Deputy Stagg on the importance of the matter. The proposal before us with regard to permitting RTE to provide a broadcasting service to Irish communities abroad begins the implementation, as Deputy Stagg said, of a key recommendation of the report on...

Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (22 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Is the Deputy referring to DTT? RTE is a commercial company and is entitled to do that. The Deputy asked how much the roll-out will cost. I am reluctant to give any kind of estimates until people who know the business well get down to the final stages of preparing estimates and so on. RTE calculated a broad figure a couple of years ago, when it felt it would cost in the region of €160...

Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (22 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: At that stage.

Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (22 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I do not know.

Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (22 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: This explains my reluctance to mention these matters. People tend to take guesses as firm commitments by the Government and then wrap them around its neck later on.

Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (22 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Deputy Broughan's raised the question of the elderly and those on social welfare, and referred to the United Kingdom——

Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (22 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The United Kingdom made provision for groups such as the elderly with regard to analogue switch-off. We are considering the arrangements that were made in the UK and these will inform our view and policy in regard to analogue switch-off when we come to that point. A Deputy opposite suggested we should be spending money on information campaigns at this stage. That would be very premature....

Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (22 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Following the regional radio conference in 2006, spectrum usage will now be bound by international agreements and DTT spillover will be less likely, so we cannot rely on it as a method of providing television services to Irish households into the future. With the advent of the national DTT roll-out, it is likely that UK television services will be offered on the DTT platforms. In addition,...

Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Referral to Select Committee (22 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources in accordance with Standing Order 120(1) and paragraph 1(a)(i) of the Orders of Reference of that committee.

Communications Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (27 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am pleased to present the Communications Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2007 for the consideration of the House. This Bill is important. Not only will it provide a framework for critical services such as an emergency call answering service, but when enacted, it will greatly strengthen the powers of ComReg, the communications regulator, to...

Written Answers — Aquaculture Licences: Aquaculture Licences (27 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Section 2 of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act, 1997 specifies that "This Act shall not apply to or in relation to the Moville Area, within the meaning of the Foyle Fisheries Act 1952". The Moville Area referred to is in respect of Lough Foyle. Accordingly, no aquaculture licences under the Fisheries (Amendment) Act, 1997, have been issued by the Department in respect of Lough Foyle.

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (27 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, is a matter in the first instance for private sector companies operating in a fully liberalised market, regulated by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. The role of Government is to implement regulatory and infrastructure policies to facilitate the provision of affordable, high quality...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (27 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 — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (27 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Neither I nor my Department are involved in discussions with the Irish Postmasters Union and An Post regarding the post office network. I understand however, that negotiations between An Post and the Irish Postmasters Union are at an advanced stage.

Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (27 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Post office closures are a matter for the board and management of An Post and I have no statutory function in the matter. However, An Post has been asked to supply the information requested, which will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (27 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The Government's Decentralisation Programme involves the relocation of the both the Seafood and Coastal Zone elements of my Department involving 91 posts and Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), involving 95 posts to Clonakilty. The intention is to co-locate the Department and BIM in separate buildings in a campus style development in the town. To this end a 3.5 acre (approximately) site has been...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (27 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Phase I of the Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) programme is complete and responsibility for all 27 MANs built under Phase I has been transferred to the Management Services Entity (MSE). Under the terms of the Concession Agreement, the MSE is responsible for the management, maintenance, marketing and operation of the MANs on behalf of the State. The issue of connection to the MANs is...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (27 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The Government's Decentralisation Programme involves the relocation of the Departments HQ to Cavan involving 378 posts and the Seafood and Coastal Zone elements to Clonakilty involving 91 posts. The programme also includes the decentralisation of Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) with 95 posts to Clonakilty, the Central Fisheries Board (CFB) with 62 Posts to Carrick-on-Shannon and Sustainable Energy...