Results 4,481-4,500 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Electricity Generation. (27 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: He is an absolutely outstanding chief executive.

Electricity Generation. (27 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: When I spoke to the unions yesterday, they suggested that between 700 and 800 people were working on the transmission system. When I challenged and queried that figure, it was changed. There is no way that between 700 and 800 employees are working full-time on the transmission asset.

Electricity Generation. (27 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Some 3,500 people are working on the transmission and distribution systems in the ESB. There are 6,500 km of transmission lines, the big lines supported by pylons. They do not break down as often as the 156,000 km of distribution lines. The Deputy can do his own mathematics. If 700 or 800 people were working solely on the transmission lines, ten or 15 times more workers would be required...

Electricity Generation. (27 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I said quite explicitly that I would not proceed in such a manner. I said the Government believed the ESB should remain as a strong company and continue to be a national champion in this area. I said we were not in favour of atomisation.

Electricity Generation. (27 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I said we would not support it.

Electricity Generation. (27 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The Deputy also asked about the reduced rate of return in respect of the distribution lines, or the lines which extend into our houses and businesses, etc. The Government has taken the view that this sector is a natural monopoly — there is no competition in this area — therefore, there is no need to treat it in the normal commercial way. We have decided that the charges we impose on the...

Electricity Generation. (27 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Some people would like it to be privatised and some would benefit greatly from it but it is not and will not be on the agenda.

Electricity Generation. (27 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The timetable for the legislation is until the end of 2008. The transfer will take place by then and the legislation will fit within that timetable. The tripartite agreement was made in 2000 for a five year framework. It was designed to protect the ESB from competition as we opened and liberalised the markets. The Government was committed to a strong ESB, as it is now. Regarding the...

Electricity Generation. (27 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Regarding the future of the ESB, the Government believes the company should be strong, robust and viable operating in the home market. It should also be strong enough to operate in a competitive foreign market.

Electricity Generation. (27 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 80 and 379 together. The White Paper on energy policy commits to the completion of a comprehensive cost benefit review next year of the potential for distributed generation and the implications for the networks as a long-term alternative or supplement to the existing centralised system. My Department is working with Sustainable Energy Ireland, SEI, the...

Leaders' Questions (27 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: It seems to have affected Deputy Rabbitte greatly.

Leaders' Questions (27 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The Deputy should stop meeting strange women. They are not good for him.

Communications Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report Stage (27 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The principal Act is defined in section 2 of the Bill for ease of reference. It is clear from the Long Title and Short Title of the Bill that the legislation is being amended by this Bill. Therefore, the Deputy's amendment is not necessary. Under the Interpretation Act, references to an Act include any amendments to it. The point the Deputy has made is, therefore, covered under the...

Communications Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report Stage (27 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The Deputy tabled this amendment following the Committee Stage debate last Wednesday. It was agreed on Committee Stage that we would recheck the point with the Attorney General and the Parliamentary Counsel. On their strong advice, I must leave the figure of 20% stand. The reason for doing so, as explained to me, is that, based on precedents and similar definitions in financial...

Communications Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report Stage (27 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: We examined this matter following the Committee Stage discussion. The amendment is not necessary. It would not add anything to the definition.

Communications Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report Stage (27 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I acknowledge that while this may not be the Deputy's favourite topic, it is the one he raises most often. In this instance I do not propose to accept the amendments. Amendments Nos. 5 to 8, inclusive, deal with the definition of related enactment. A related enactment, for the purposes of the Bill, includes any Act or statutory instrument under which ComReg has a function. The other...

Appointments to Public Bodies Bill 2007: Second Stage (27 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I will take it for the moment.

Appointments to Public Bodies Bill 2007: Second Stage (27 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I read up on it and I do not agree with it. The Deputy should proceed.

Communications Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (27 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The intention of amendment No. 9 is that the development of the mobile telephony sector should be monitored and provide a basis for intervention. The framework regulations, which transposed the framework directive in 2003, have already set out the procedures for the imposition of specific obligations in the electronic communications sector. All interventions must be evidence-based. The...

Communications Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (27 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I asked the ComReg commissioners to advise me on how that type of a situation could best be prevented. I said in the House at that time that if legislation was necessary, we would introduce it.