Results 4,541-4,560 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — National Emergency Plan: National Emergency Plan (27 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The first meeting of the Inter-Departmental Committee (IDC) on a tsunami warning system for Ireland took place on 15th March and the technical group that will advise the Committee met for the first time yesterday (26th March). These meetings successfully brought together the departments and institutions that will have national roles in the tsunami warning system, from hazard mapping to...

Written Answers — Electricity Grid: Electricity Grid (27 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 98, 104, 151, 165, 176, 182, 373, 386, 399, 415, 418 and 428 together. Government policy in relation to the ownership of the electricity and gas networks is clearly set out in the recent White Paper on Delivering a Sustainable Energy Future for Ireland. It is the Government's explicit position that the transmission and distribution network assets will remain...

Written Answers — Mobile Telephony: Mobile Telephony (27 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 100 and 172 together. The report by 'beuc', the European Consumers' organisation, highlights the need to address high roaming charges. Since coming into office I have highlighted the issue of roaming charges. Following pressure from me, my Northern Ireland counterpart and the regulators, all the Irish mobile phone operators introduced special tariffs to...

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

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 101 and 153 together. The 27 Phase One networks under the Metropolitan Area Networks are complete and open for business. They have been handed over to the Management Services Entity, eNet, who manage market and maintain the networks on behalf of the State. My Department is currently undertaking a Value for Money and policy review on this phase. The Value for...

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

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 102, 119 and 123 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. It continues to be a priority of the Government that there will be broadband...

Written Answers — Electricity Grid: Electricity Grid (27 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: In accordance with the Electricity Regulation Act 1999, I have no function in relation to access to the electricity transmission and distribution systems. These are matters for the system operators subject to directions given by the independent energy regulator, the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER).

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

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 105, 108, 158 and 179 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. It continues to be a priority of the Government that there will be broadband...

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

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 106 and 148 together. I am aware that the development of a world class telecommunications sector is important to the continuing economic and social prosperity of our country. I believe that the migration to and development of Next Generation Networks (NGNs) will provide the necessary platform for the telecommunications sector going forward. The migration to...

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

Noel Dempsey: Post office closures are an operational matter for the Board and management of An Post and one in which I have no statutory function. This Government, as clearly set out in the Programme for Government, and the Board of An Post are committed to the objective of securing a viable and sustainable nationwide post office network.

Written Answers — Exploration Licences: Exploration Licences (27 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 109 and 159 together. It is my objective to ensure that the licensing regime in place maximises the return to the national economy while, at the same time, encouraging exploration for petroleum through an 'open door' policy in the Celtic Sea and a 'Licensing Round' system in the Atlantic Margin. This regime must be sufficiently progressive to accommodate both...

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

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 110, 137 and 180 together. I have no function in regulating the provision of services in the telecommunications market. The regulation of telecommunications operators, including the regulation of Universal Service Obligations and quality of service is the responsibility of the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), in accordance with the...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (27 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Section 14(a) of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006 as passed by Dáil Éireann proposes that the RTÉ Authority may use television licence fee income for the purpose of providing the television and radio service to Irish communities abroad as mandated by section 3(1)(b) of the Bill. The cost to the RTÉ Authority of providing the service mandated by section 3(1)(b) of the Bill will be...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (27 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) is the statutory body responsible for spectrum management. Information on the operation of the Wireless Public Address System scheme, which was launched by ComReg last year, can be obtained from ComReg directly on 01 8049600, LoCall 1890 229668 or at www.askcomreg.ie.

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (27 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: As a peripheral island energy market, Ireland fully supports the progressing integration of European markets and European energy networks. The Energy Policy White Paper "Delivering a Sustainable Energy Future for Ireland" sets out the Government's plans for the progressive development of a regional electricity market with UK and North West Europe over the next five years, underpinned by new...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (27 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The draft third postal directive, which is currently being discussed at the European Council and European Parliament, proposes to maintain the universal service obligation at its current level, a position which Ireland endorses. Maintenance of the universal service and the availability of a high quality postal service to Irish consumers are issues of key importance to Ireland in the context...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (27 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Research and Development and other supports for ocean energy technologies will underpin delivery of the National Ocean Energy Strategy 2006-2020 and our target of 500 MW of installed ocean energy capacity by 2020. Support for the deployment of wind energy will continue through the Renewable Energy Feed-it Tariff (REFIT) Programme and the Energy RTDI Programme.

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (27 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: EirGrid publishes details of the wind energy projects which are awaiting a connection offer to connect to the national grid on its website at www.eirgrid.ie. The grid connection application and delivery process is a matter for the appropriate network operator under the supervision of the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER). I have no statutory function in the matter. The published data...

Written Answers — Communications Masts: Communications Masts (27 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 121 and 156 together. Any authentication by the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) of the report, "Non-ionising radiation from mobile phone handsets and masts", published in June 2005 by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources is a matter for the two bodies. The Inter-departmental Committee on the Health Effects of...

Written Answers — Exploration Licences: Exploration Licences (27 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 122, 139 and 166 together. I am considering the report of the consultants who were engaged to assist with the review of the licensing regime. I will bring my proposals for the future of the licensing regime to Government in the near future and I will then take appropriate steps to give effect to the decisions taken. It is my intention that the consultants'...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Legislation: Broadcasting Legislation (27 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I regret to say that I have not as yet received the final report of the Joint Oireachtas Committee following the e-Consultation process, so in view of the fact that the committee requested that I give the report full consideration, it is impossible for me to say when the Bill will be published. However, when I receive the report I will endeavour to publish quickly thereafter. Section 4(7) of...