Results 4,461-4,480 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — Mobile Telephony: Mobile Telephony (20 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The Government recently considered the report of the Expert Group on the Health Effects of Electromagnetic Fields and has agreed to its publication. My Department is currently making the necessary arrangements and I expect the report will be published very shortly.

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (20 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The table at Appendix I comprises the data sought by the Deputy in respect of the staff of my Department. I have no direct function in respect of the provision of such data for agencies under my Department's remit. Grade Number in Grade Number of Male Number of Female % Male % Female Accountant 2 2 0 100 0 Administrative Officer 9 4 5 45 55 Assistant Harbour Master 2 2 0 100 0...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (20 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Grants for the conversion of diesel engine vehicles to use Pure Plant Oil (PPO) are made available by my Department, through Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI). Grants of up to 45% of the cost (excl. VAT) of engine conversion are available. The support has been targeted at the four companies who were granted excise relief under the PPO category in the Pilot Biofuels Mineral Oil Tax Relief...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (20 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: There are seven EU Directives awaiting transposition into Irish law in my Department. Of these one is due for transposition during 2007 and three in 2008. My Department is on target to meet those deadlines. Three directives are overdue for transposition, from 21st February 2006, 19th May 2006 and 1st January 2007 respectively. My Department is actively working to ensure that these directives...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (20 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I am not aware of any such investment made by An Post. In accordance with the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983 and the Department of Finance Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, an investment of this nature would require prior approval by me, along with the consent of the Minister for Finance. Matters relating to quality and levels of postal service are a...

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

Noel Dempsey: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 322 of the 12th of December, 2006.

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (20 Mar 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....

Written Answers — Services for People with Disabilities: Services for People with Disabilities (20 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: My Department has a contract with the National Council for the Blind in Ireland for the provision of telephonist operators that are trained in all aspects of customer service. My Department has also provided an 'Induction Loop System' in each of our major reception areas to assist any personal callers to the Department that may have a hearing impairment. In addition, my Department has...

Written Answers — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (21 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: As the Deputy is aware the Corrib Development has received the necessary consents to proceed and there has been a very considerable consultation with the local community in relation to those consents. For example, in the case of the pipeline consent and the approval issued by my Department, the public were invited to input to the safety review conducted by Advantica. The Deputy will also be...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (21 Mar 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 — Ministerial Responsibilities: Ministerial Responsibilities (21 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Under the Electricity Regulation Act 1999, I have no function in the regulation of electricity or gas meter readings or billing procedures. Responsibility for these matters lies with the energy regulator, the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), which is an independent statutory body. I have requested that the CER respond directly to the Deputy to set out the policies, procedures and...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (21 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 228 and 229 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 independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. However, in response to the slow roll out of broadband by the private sector to areas...

Written Answers — Public Service Contracts: Public Service Contracts (21 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: In the time available, it has not been possible to identify and assemble the information requested. My Department is compiling the data sought by the Deputy in this regard and I shall forward it to him as soon as possible.

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (22 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Given the very detailed nature of the Deputy's query it has not been possible to identify the information requested in the time available. My Department is looking into the matter and I will revert to him as soon as possible.

Electricity Generation. (27 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 75 to 77, inclusive, together. The White Paper on energy policy explicitly confirms the Government's position that the electricity and gas networks, as strategic national assets, will remain in State ownership and will never be privatised. As the networks are strategic national assets and will never be privatised, the Government has decided to transfer...

Electricity Generation. (27 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: There is no question of privatisation of the ESB's assets, as is made clear in two, if not three, different places in the White Paper. As far as we are concerned, it is not an issue. It is explicitly stated that privatisation of the ESB or its assets is not on the Government's agenda. We are discussing a transfer of assets from a State company to a semi-State company. EirGrid is the...

Electricity Generation. (27 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The transfer of the ESB transmission asset will also involve the transfer of a portion of the debt. Obviously, the level of debt that will be transferred has yet to be worked out.

Electricity Generation. (27 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: There will be no negative effect on the ESB's overall creditworthiness. The spin that came from somewhere last night appeared in the newspapers this morning.

Electricity Generation. (27 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Those who are opposed to this measure, as well as other proposals in the Green Paper which will reduce costs, benefit consumers and make the economy much more competitive, are engaging in scaremongering. A portion of the debt will be transferred with the asset. I had a discussion with the unions yesterday about the number of workers who would be affected by this change. Over the last eight...

Electricity Generation. (27 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Perhaps the chief executive should mention that number publicly so it can be properly dealt with. I will not accept a third-hand version of what the chief executive is supposed to have said. Rather than getting Deputy Broughan to quote such a figure, he should say it himself.