Results 4,881-4,900 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (24 Nov 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I am advised that an official of my Department was a guest of an energy company at the Ireland versus France rugby match in Croke Park on Saturday 14 November last. The information requested in respect of any other members of the staff of my Department who may have been invited to or attended the match as corporate guests will be provided to the Deputy as soon as possible. In relation to...

Written Answers — Irish Language: Irish Language (24 Nov 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The costs for translating and printing documents into Irish from January 2008 and to date in 2009 are shown in the following table. Cost of Translation Cost of Printing €14,571.58 €23940.28* *This includes an amount €497.00 which is a combined translation and printing cost, as it was not possible to disaggregate the costs in this case.

Written Answers — Energy Costs: Energy Costs (24 Nov 2009)

Eamon Ryan: While global energy costs have declined over the last year, Irish energy costs remain a significant concern for all sectors of the economy, having risen significantly above EU average in recent years. This is primarily due to structural factors including Ireland's high dependence on imported fossil fuels, geographic isolation, a small and widely dispersed population and programmes of very...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (24 Nov 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The EU's Climate Change and Renewable Energy Package launched in January 2008 proposed a number of Directives with the aim of delivering on the European Union's targets for emission reduction and renewable energy by 2020. I worked closely with my EU Ministerial colleagues in the Energy Council and Commissioner Piebalgs throughout last year to reach agreement on the Renewable Energy...

Digital Terrestrial Television. (25 Nov 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 34 and 35 together. The Broadcasting Act 2009 provides, consolidates and updates broadcasting legislation. Part 8 of this Act replaces and updates the Broadcasting (Amendment) Act 2007, which provided for the development of digital terrestrial television in Ireland and for the closure of the national analogue TV network. Under the 2009 Act, RTE continues to...

Digital Terrestrial Television. (25 Nov 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I, too, have been deeply frustrated about the delays. It is not a lack of ambition or intention on my part that has delayed the process. However, a process is set out in the 2007 Act, which was adopted by the 2009 Act, and we must follow it. The process will comprise a free to air service and the commercial multiplex. The contractual arrangements for the multiplex must be negotiated...

Digital Terrestrial Television. (25 Nov 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I would aim for the 1 January deadline if we could make it. When we have our system up and running, the switch off may give a commercial advantage. It may help the market to deliver but I cannot commit to this because we do not know yet. We have not signed off on the contractual arrangements for the commercial multiplexes. That is a deadline I will look to achieve but if it does not...

Digital Terrestrial Television. (25 Nov 2009)

Eamon Ryan: With regard to whether RTE should already have switched from analogue to DTT, we deliberately changed the legislation to give us flexibility in this regard and not to impose a legal requirement on RTE to switch off at the end of this year. I thought about the matter and considered it better to give a certain flexibility. This was fortunate in the event of what has happened, that is, a delay...

Digital Terrestrial Television. (25 Nov 2009)

Eamon Ryan: One must be very careful in that regard. When one is in a commercially contractual and legally binding process one cannot change rules half way through.

Digital Terrestrial Television. (25 Nov 2009)

Eamon Ryan: We are into extra time and I am far from satisfied

Digital Terrestrial Television. (25 Nov 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I am far from satisfied with the timelines that have evolved. That is a clear indication to the BAI that we need to seek resolution one way or the other. If we fail to reach a solution by one route, having gone through the proper legal process and procedures which are fair to all parties, we will find a resolution by other means.

Digital Terrestrial Television. (25 Nov 2009)

Eamon Ryan: No. I want a timescale which meets the objective of our being able to switch off in 2012. That is a very urgent timescale because it takes time to set up any alternative or new DTT service. The masts are built, by and large.

Digital Terrestrial Television. (25 Nov 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The difficult infrastructural part is done. What must be agreed are the contractual arrangements for content provision.

Digital Terrestrial Television. (25 Nov 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The timescale must be a matter of months if we are to reach the 2012 deadline.

Alternative Energy Projects. (25 Nov 2009)

Eamon Ryan: In the interests of security of supply and the imperative to reduce green house gas emissions, the development of alternative transport fuels is of critical importance. The 2009 renewable energy directive has set a 10% target for renewable energy in transport across all member states by 2020. In order for Ireland to deliver on that target the Government is committed to the sustainable...

Alternative Energy Projects. (25 Nov 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I will give some further detail on what has been produced to date under the scheme. Of approximately 67 million litres bioethanol, 55% was imported, of 103 million litres of EN590, approximately 50% was imported, of 5.5 million pure plant oil, 7% was imported and of 4.5 million of captive fleets, 3% was imported. These are the figures I have. In terms of how this will work, we are keen and...

Alternative Energy Projects. (25 Nov 2009)

Eamon Ryan: We will do everything we can to support the home generation of bio-fuels but subject to world trade rules. We cannot breach world trade rules, put in conditions which will result in difficulties under GATT and other arrangements and then have to reverse engines. More than anything, we need to create a stable market and a stable environment in which people can start to develop alternative...

Fuel Poverty. (25 Nov 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The Government is committed to protecting vulnerable households from the impact of energy costs through a combination of institutional supports, programmes to improve the energy efficiency of the housing stock and energy efficiency awareness initiatives. I am working closely with the Minister for Social and Family Affairs and the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to...

Fuel Poverty. (25 Nov 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I am reporting good news. The warmer home scheme has been ramped up. When I came into office more than two years ago, approximately 2,000 homes were being done but now approximately 15,000 homes are being done. It is targeting those most at risk, in particular older people who we need to keep warm in winter. It makes a transformational difference to houses if the proper insulation is put...

Fuel Poverty. (25 Nov 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The provision of 1,500 houses represents action rather than aspirations. I agree with the Deputy that in terms of social housing, we have to consider some of the technologies we have developed. In the home energy scheme we have introduced the exterior insulation for particular support. I agree with the Deputy that such technology can be of particular use in regard to social housing. It...