Results 441-460 of 2,304 for speaker:John Browne

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (6 Apr 2006)

John Browne: The Minister is generally satisfied that arrangements for access to the grid reflect the need to enhance the contribution of wind and other renewable energies to electricity generation in a way which manages in particular the actual or potential impacts of wind powered plant on the grid. ESB Networks publishes a list of renewable and alternative projects connected to the networks and other...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (6 Apr 2006)

John Browne: In the December 2005 budget, funding of up to €65 million over five years for renewable energy schemes was announced. The first stage of this funding is the greener homes scheme which was launched on 26 March 2006 and provides up to €27 million in grant aid for domestic renewable heat technologies including the installation of wood pellet stoves and boilers, solar panels and geothermal...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (6 Apr 2006)

John Browne: In the last six months my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Noel Dempsey, has met twice with An Post management to discuss various issues that relate to the safeguarding of shareholder interests in the company. Additionally, officials in the Department continue to meet with An Post management on a regular basis to discuss ongoing issues in the...

Written Answers — Fishing Fleet Modernisation: Fishing Fleet Modernisation (6 Apr 2006)

John Browne: As the Deputy will be aware the fishing vessel lost at sea scheme was introduced in June 2001, following consultation with the fishing industry representative organisations. The purpose of the scheme was to enable qualifying applicants, who were otherwise unable to do so for financial or related reasons, to provide replacement capacity for the purposes of introducing a replacement vessel in...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (6 Apr 2006)

John Browne: The markets in electricity generation and supply are now liberalised and in that context the Government is committed to increase the contribution from renewable energy technologies to electricity generation and consumption. The current minimum target is to increase the contribution from renewable energy sources to 13.2% of total electricity production by 2010. The Minister has confirmed that...

Written Answers — Mobile Telephony: Mobile Telephony (6 Apr 2006)

John Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 45, 81 and 87 together. The Minister has no function in regulating pricing for services or quality of service in the telecommunications market. The provision of telecommunications services is a matter in the first instance for the private sector companies operating in a fully liberalised market. The regulation of telecommunications operators, including...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (6 Apr 2006)

John Browne: I refer the Deputy to the Minister's reply to Question No. 142 of 21 February 2006.

Written Answers — Foreshore Licences: Foreshore Licences (6 Apr 2006)

John Browne: Payments that fall to be made in respect of leases and licences granted under the Foreshore Acts are collected by the Department, as part of its overall responsibility for the administration of the foreshore in accordance with those Acts. Considerable progress has been made in the recent past in recovering rental arrears. The amount of arrears in respect of leases and licences was reduced...

Written Answers — Salmon Management Report: Salmon Management Report (6 Apr 2006)

John Browne: I announced on 24 March that I had decided to adopt the recommendations made to me by the National Salmon Commission, NSC, on the total allowable salmon catch for 2006. This will involve reductions in the quota available to both commercial fishermen and anglers in 2006. In doing so I have also reaffirmed the Government's commitment to fully align with the scientific advice provided on the...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Legislation: Broadcasting Legislation (6 Apr 2006)

John Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 50, 63 and 95 together. I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 19 of 6 April 2006.

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (6 Apr 2006)

John Browne: The Department, the Commission for Energy Regulation and relevant national players monitor developments and potential developments in international energy markets that may impact on the Irish market. This includes developments in the British wholesale market. Bord Gáis Éireann, BGE, has advised that the gas balancing alert in question resulted from an atypical coincidence of events:...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (6 Apr 2006)

John Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 53 and 73 together. The future development and continued viability of An Post and its services is, in the first instance, a matter for the board and management of An Post. The welcome resolution to the company's recent industrial relations difficulties has, the Minister understands, facilitated all parties to sign off on the change programme, implementation of...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (6 Apr 2006)

John Browne: I can inform the Deputy that the Minister engages the Department in regular discussion with all market players on energy issues, including electricity market liberalisation. The Commission for Energy Regulation, CER, established by the Electricity Regulation Act 1999, is the statutory body with responsibility for regulation of the electricity market in Ireland. Under the Act, the CER may...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (6 Apr 2006)

John Browne: The Department is examining the regional interconnectivity issue at present. It is recognised there are obstacles in ensuring that customers in regional towns can gain access to quality broadband services at competitive prices. Although the newly constructed metropolitan area networks, MANs, ensure that there is significant capacity available at extremely competitive rates in the urban areas...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (6 Apr 2006)

John Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 56 and 107 together. The problem of dealing with high fossil fuel dependence as carbon constraints become more pressing is not unique to Ireland. At EU and international level, energy policy is increasingly focusing on the development of alternative renewable energy sources, increasing energy efficiency and managing energy demand in response to the need to...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (6 Apr 2006)

John Browne: I refer the Deputy to the Minister's reply to Question No. 93 on 21 February 2006.

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (6 Apr 2006)

John Browne: The drafting of the Electronic Communications (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill was approved by Government this week and this legislation is a priority for the Minister on the communications side. The Bill includes proposals on: enforcement of regulatory obligations; powers for ComReg to investigate over-charging; regulation of .ie domain name; and emergency call handling service. The proposals...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (6 Apr 2006)

John Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 60 and 98 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. A principal reason for the slow roll-out of broadband services generally has been the...

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (6 Apr 2006)

John Browne: Buncrana harbour is owned by Donegal County Council and responsibility for its maintenance and development rests with the local authority in the first instance. Donegal County Council submitted an application to the Department for funding to construct a breakwater to prevent siltation at the ferry slipway and a proposed boat harbour south of the existing pier. The proposed development would...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (6 Apr 2006)

John Browne: The Department is in contact with the Commission for Energy Regulation, the national grid and other players on all the issues inherent in the need for the commissioning of additional generation capacity for operation in 2008 with a view to ensuring that decisions to be taken are fully informed by reference to security of supply, competition and all relevant considerations.