Results 5,441-5,460 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (25 Feb 2010)

Eamon Ryan: I regret to advise the Deputy that it is not possible to provide a response to his Question at this time. I will write to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

Written Answers — Energy Prices: Energy Prices (25 Feb 2010)

Eamon Ryan: Responsibility for the regulation of natural gas prices is a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), which is an independent statutory body. I have no function in setting or regulating energy prices. The CER regulates the domestic and small business customer tariffs charged by Bord Gáis Energy Supply. It does not regulate the large industrial segment of the market. From...

Electric Transport. (2 Mar 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The Government has ambitious plans for the large-scale deployment of electric vehicles in Ireland. A target has been set of 10% of all vehicles to be powered by electricity by 2020, which would equate to approximately 225,000 cars on Irish roads. Electric vehicles are an increasingly realistic solution to the challenge of reducing the transport sector's greenhouse gas emissions and reducing...

Electric Transport. (2 Mar 2010)

Eamon Ryan: I am satisfied the ESB is doing the right thing and is doing enough. It is a staged roll-out and I understand it has already started. There is a charging point outside my own office and a number of other locations but that is only the beginning. It is intended to deal first with a number of our cities and then to consider connecting them. I had an interesting meeting last week with...

Electric Transport. (2 Mar 2010)

Eamon Ryan: It is exactly our ambition to be a testbed for the technology. Our first requirement was to get any vehicles as there is a queue of countries who seeking to be in Ireland's position, having been able to have signed a memorandum of understanding with Renault-Nissan and hopefully with other companies such as Mitsubishi. First, this will give us the opportunity of having some vehicles, because...

Electric Transport. (2 Mar 2010)

Eamon Ryan: I have been informed by both the ESB and my Department that 6,000 vehicles is a sufficient number to provide us with a proper testbed location in which we can develop the software technology and data management technology that comprises the real economic opportunity for Ireland behind the development of electric vehicles, as well as managing our renewable electricity supply.

Radio Broadcasting. (2 Mar 2010)

Eamon Ryan: Section 33 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 provides for the making of a levy order by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland for the purposes of meeting the expenses of the authority and its committees in undertaking the performance of its statutory functions. As I have made clear in my replies to previous questions on this issue, the setting of the levy is a matter for the authority and not one...

Radio Broadcasting. (2 Mar 2010)

Eamon Ryan: I accept that fairness has a part of play. I have a similar concern to the Deputy's regarding the jobs of those in broadcasters across the State, particularly in the independent radio broadcasting sector, that are facing difficult times in terms of advertising revenue that has fallen dramatically and the change in the nature of the broadcasting market. There is fairness in the sense that...

Radio Broadcasting. (2 Mar 2010)

Eamon Ryan: I flatly reject the Deputy's accusations. I recognise that there are difficulties in the industry. We must examine the regulatory system to ensure that it is cost effective and efficient as well as being a proper regulatory system. There are different opinions as to how this should be done. For example, should there be an amalgamated or separate content network regulator? The experience...

Radio Broadcasting. (2 Mar 2010)

Eamon Ryan: For the Deputy to depict it as an easy alternative-----

Radio Broadcasting. (2 Mar 2010)

Eamon Ryan: I did not agree with everything in his report. I agree that there is an issue that we should examine and I will continue to examine it, but to portray as a political virtue-----

Radio Broadcasting. (2 Mar 2010)

Eamon Ryan: -----the idea that there is an easy and simple solution through which we could wave away any costs is not accurate or fair to anyone, least of all the people in the industry.

Digital Terrestrial Television. (2 Mar 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The Broadcasting Act 2009 requires the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, BAI, an independent regulatory authority, to provide for the development of commercial digital terrestrial television, DTT, services. On foot of this requirement, the BAI's predecessor, the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland, BCI, launched a competition, which is still ongoing. As the Deputy is aware, the highest...

Digital Terrestrial Television. (2 Mar 2010)

Eamon Ryan: As I stated recently in response to a previous question on the issue, I am not prepared to speculate on the outcome of the commercial DTT process, which is a matter for the BAI. Nor am I prepared to surmise on the ongoing negotiations between the BAI, RTE and the OneVision consortium. I have, however, made clear my opinion that I would like to see this process concluded as soon as possible....

Digital Terrestrial Television. (2 Mar 2010)

Eamon Ryan: There are sensitivities here. There would be difficulties if the Minister intervened in the awarding of licences. We have learned the lesson that we should maintain a certain distance and have an independent regulatory system to organise such a competition.

Digital Terrestrial Television. (2 Mar 2010)

Eamon Ryan: It is a contract negotiation arrangement, which is commercially sensitive. I am dissatisfied at the long time it has taken and I want to see an outcome quickly. We will be switching off our analogue system at the end of 2012 because the economic cost of using that spectrum for broadband is so significant that we cannot afford not to make that happen. I agree that the preferred outcome is...

Digital Terrestrial Television. (2 Mar 2010)

Eamon Ryan: If it is not possible for both parties to reach agreement we will have to look at other alternatives. It will be up to the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland to do that. If it cannot succeed the Department will work with the BAI to make it happen.

Digital Terrestrial Television. (2 Mar 2010)

Eamon Ryan: I do accept responsibility but my responsibility starts with letting the legislative process which has been put in place work. That lies with the BAI. I have supported the authority and will give it the room to do its work. If it fails and the process cannot be worked through, it will be back to myself and the Department to find a solution; and we will find one. While I understand Deputy...

Digital Terrestrial Television. (2 Mar 2010)

Eamon Ryan: I wanted to give a clear signal to the suppliers and all concerned of our determination in terms of switch-off and the move towards whichever alternative system evolves in the coming months.

Gas Storage Facilities. (2 Mar 2010)

Eamon Ryan: Security of gas supply is a fundamental priority for the Irish economy given its continued importance for power generation. Given our high level of import dependence over the interconnectors with the UK, gas storage has an important role to play in contributing to enhanced gas security for the island of Ireland. The report on an all-island common approach to gas storage and LNG reinforces...