Results 4,721-4,740 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (6 Oct 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1021 and 1025 together. The Government recently approved the implementation of a postcode as recommended by the National Postcode Project Board (NPPB). In arriving at the recommended model the consultants assisting the NPPB, both technical and economic, engaged in a series of stakeholder consultations. Additionally the project has benefited from other...

Written Answers — Energy Conservation: Energy Conservation (6 Oct 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1022 and 1036 together. The Government's Home Energy Saving Scheme, which is administered by Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI), provides grant assistance to homeowners for retrofit energy efficiency measures such as attic and wall insulation, very high- efficiency boilers, heating controls and Building Energy Rating (BER) assessments. While a householder is...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (6 Oct 2009)

Eamon Ryan: In 2008 I announced that new tariff bands would be introduced to the existing REFIT feed in tariff scheme as follows; · AD and high efficiency CHP: A price of €120 per megawatt hour of energy produced. · Offshore wind: A price of €140 per megawatt hour of energy produced. · (Wave and tidal) A price of €220 per megawatt hour of energy produced. My Department has been subsequently...

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (6 Oct 2009)

Eamon Ryan: My Department commissioned 10 reports in 2008 at a cost of €884,618.65. Details of the reports are shown in the following table. Report Compiled Cost of Report inclusive of VAT € Study of Oil and Gas Industry Support Services 27,188.00 Review of Corrib EIS 47,204.00 Strategic Environmental Assessment for Oil and Gas Activity in Ireland's Offshore Atlantic Waters:Rockall Basin...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (6 Oct 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1027 and 1028 together. The agencies under the remit of my Department are responsible for day-to-day staffing matters within their own organisations including retirements. Decisions in respect of entitlements on retirement are subject to the specific statutory entitlements applicable under the superannuation schemes of their organisations. Since the formation...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (6 Oct 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The widespread acceptance of the benefits of broadband has motivated the EU Commission to set aside a portion of European Economic Recovery Package (EERP) funding for rural broadband initiatives. While the National Broadband Scheme (NBS), which will be implemented by the end of 2010, will ensure broadband is available to almost all parts of the country, a small number of premises in areas...

Written Answers — Mobile Telephony: Mobile Telephony (6 Oct 2009)

Eamon Ryan: In 2008, following a competitive tendering process, my Department, entered into a fixed price contract with Vodafone for mobile phone service. The mobile phone assigned to me is included in the Vodafone contract as it covers all departmental mobile phone requirements. As the Deputy will appreciate value for money is a high priority issue and in that regard the contract referred to has...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (6 Oct 2009)

Eamon Ryan: My Department was established in June 2007 and has not sanctioned or applied for the payment of a pension top-up or discretionary payment on the retirement of any staff member in this Department. The agencies under the remit of my Department are responsible for day-to-day staffing matters within their own organisations including retirements. Decisions in respect of entitlements on...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (6 Oct 2009)

Eamon Ryan: Since the formation of my Department in June 2007 the appointment of one civil servant was terminated. This termination occurred during the probationary period of the officer involved.

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (6 Oct 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I have no particular views on the proposal mentioned by the Deputy. The development of renewable energy is however, a priority for myself and the Government. In 2008, renewable electricity was at 12.2% of all electricity generated, up from 5% in 2004. Ireland is on target to meet its target of 15% by 2010. The "All Island Grid Study" published early last year, examines the ability of the...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (6 Oct 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) is statutorily responsible for the licensing and authorisation of power generation plants under the Electricity Regulation Act 1999. I have no direct function in the matter. I am aware that different regulatory regimes may apply depending upon the size of the generator and the technology used. I have asked the CER to respond directly to the Deputy...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (8 Oct 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 190 and 191 together. I have no statutory function regarding the construction of specific power lines or in relation to arrangements entered into with landowners by ESB networks and EirGrid. The matters raised are operational matters for the two State bodies with statutory responsibilities to deliver Ireland's transmission and distribution network infrastructure.

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (8 Oct 2009)

Eamon Ryan: Final decisions on the Electoral Divisions (ED) to be included in the National Broadband Scheme (NBS) were taken following an extensive mapping exercise to identify those areas throughout the country where broadband services were not available. This involved gathering data from all service providers in the country detailing areas in which they provided a service. Where EDs were shown to be...

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (8 Oct 2009)

Eamon Ryan: In the time available it has not been possible to collate the information requested by the Deputy. The information will be provided to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Electricity Transmission Network: Electricity Transmission Network (13 Oct 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The North West is particularly rich in renewable energy resources. Facing on to the Atlantic Ocean, the peninsula has probably the best wind energy and ocean energy potential anywhere in Europe. Developing the electricity grid infrastructure in the North West, in an economically viable and environmentally acceptable way, is the key to harvesting these rich natural resources to the benefit of...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (13 Oct 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I welcome the "Broadband Quality Score" report published jointly by the Universities of Oxford (England) and Oviedo (Spain) on October 1st last. The report is the second annual global study on the quality of broadband connections which provides useful comparisons of quality and penetration indicators between the countries studied in each year and a measurement of progress achieved in the...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (13 Oct 2009)

Eamon Ryan: For any developed country, a postcode system is a key piece of national infrastructure that can deliver economic and social benefits across the whole economy. Ireland is the only country in the EU that does not have such a code in place. Consultations conducted by the National Postcode Project Board's advisors revealed an overwhelming support for the introduction of postcodes across public,...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (13 Oct 2009)

Eamon Ryan: Applications for grid connections are made to ESB Networks and/or EirGrid, in the first instance and the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) is responsible for oversight of the grid connection process. I have no statutory role in the Gate 3 process, which is established and actively under way. The Government has set targets to increase the contribution from renewable energy sources to...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (13 Oct 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The Broadcasting Act 2009 provides for the development of digital terrestrial television in Ireland and for the closure of the national analogue TV network. Under this Act, RTÉ is required to provide a national 'free to air' digital terrestrial television system with capacity to carry RTÉ 1, Network 2, TG4 and TV3. This new service will eventually replace the existing analogue free to air...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (13 Oct 2009)

Eamon Ryan: There are currently in the region of 1,400 megawatts (MWS) of renewable generation plants connected to the electricity grid. Wind powered technology is the dominant renewable technology. Almost 100 individual windfarms have been connected with a combined capacity of around 1,100 MWs. 240 MWs of hydro-power are connected. The balance represents biomass plants mainly landfill gas. The...