Results 5,521-5,540 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (2 Mar 2010)

Eamon Ryan: EirGrid's most recent report of 8 February advises that there are just over 100 wind farms connected to the grid with an installed wind capacity 1264MW. There are an additional 100 wind farms with a total contracted capacity of 1415MW which have contracted for grid connections which will be built out over the next number of years. The CER decision on the 'Gate 3' round provides for...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (2 Mar 2010)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 452 and 456 together. Government policy pertaining to the electronic communications market in Ireland is set out in "Next Generation Broadband – Gateway to a Knowledge Ireland", which I published in June 2009. The policy paper was developed in accordance with various key principles, which are crucial to the development of the market. The policy paper sets...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (2 Mar 2010)

Eamon Ryan: Under Directive 2009/28/EC Ireland, together with all other Member States, is obliged to submit a National Renewable Energy Action Plan to the Commission by next June. My Department and Sustainable Ireland are working on the detailed modelling which will underpin the projections for each year up to 2020 on the contribution of renewable energy to electricity, heat and transport. Precise...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (2 Mar 2010)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 455 and 461 to 463, inclusive, together. The issues raised by the Deputy are appropriate to ComReg, the independent regulator which enables competition in the communications sector by facilitating market entry through a general authorisation to provide networks and services. I have no role in relation to these matters.

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (2 Mar 2010)

Eamon Ryan: I regret to advise the Deputy that due to industrial action it is not possible to deal with his question.

Written Answers — National Grid: National Grid (2 Mar 2010)

Eamon Ryan: 6,593 megawatts (MW) of generation capacity is currently connected to the grid. Connection agreements are in place for 3,906MW and a further approximately 5,800 MW are in the Gate 3 process established by CER to connect to the transmission and distribution systems. It is intended to connect all of this capacity as part of the ongoing development of the electricity distribution and...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Sector: Broadcasting Sector (2 Mar 2010)

Eamon Ryan: In the context of the development of broadcasting policy, my officials and I have cause, on a regular basis, to meet with the various interests that comprise the broadcasting sector. This includes interaction with the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, as well as meetings with commercial and public service broadcasters, independent producers and other stakeholders. I am not in a position to...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (2 Mar 2010)

Eamon Ryan: My Department occupies a Head-Quarters building at Adelaide Road, Dublin 2 as well as accommodation at Elm House Cavan. The Department also shares Tom Johnson House, Beggars Bush, Haddington Road Dublin 4 with the Labour Court/Labour Relations Commission. There are car parking spaces available at each site. All of the buildings are either State owned or leased through the Office of Public...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (2 Mar 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The table below sets out the number and grade of staff who qualified for performance related pay in my Department prior to that payment being abolished and also the appropriate pay scales with effect from 1st January 2010. Grade Number of Staff in Grade Pay Scale Deputy Secretary 1 €168,000 Assistant Secretary 3 €127,796; €133,605€139,898; €146,191

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (2 Mar 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The position remains that any future broadband investment decisions, including investment in any further phases of the Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) Programme, will be guided by (i) the policy paper on Next Generation Broadband, which was published in June 2009 (ii) the Value for Money and Policy Review of Phase I of the MANs Programme, which was published in July 2008 and (iii) the...

Communications Regulation (Premium Rate Services and Electronic Communications Infrastructure) Bill 2009: From the Seanad (3 Mar 2010)

Eamon Ryan: Seanad amendments Nos. 1 to 3, inclusive, are technical amendments proposed by the Parliamentary Counsel consequential to the splitting of the Bill into three parts on Report Stage in the Dáil. Amendments Nos. 1 and 2 delete the definition of "commission" from section 3 in Part 2 and insert it in section 2 of Part 1. As the term "commission" occurs in both Parts 1 and 2, its inclusion in...

Communications Regulation (Premium Rate Services and Electronic Communications Infrastructure) Bill 2009: From the Seanad (3 Mar 2010)

Eamon Ryan: I would be pleased to do so. The fine of €250,000 applies for somebody providing a service without a licence. Where someone is in possession of a licence but in breach of conditions, we are giving the power to revoke the licence. If somebody was to continue in operation in those circumstances, the €250,000 fine would apply. The immediate effect is revocation, which does not have the...

Communications Regulation (Premium Rate Services and Electronic Communications Infrastructure) Bill 2009: From the Seanad (3 Mar 2010)

Eamon Ryan: If they operate without a licence, that is exactly what they can be fined.

Communications Regulation (Premium Rate Services and Electronic Communications Infrastructure) Bill 2009: From the Seanad (3 Mar 2010)

Eamon Ryan: Accusations are being made that people are dishonest, are hypocrites, and are this, that and the other. The Deputy is entitled to throw out such accusations, but I am confident that the intention here is in the public interest. The Bill provides powers that will allow for fines if somebody operates without a licence. That is what I want to put into law as quickly as possible.

Communications Regulation (Premium Rate Services and Electronic Communications Infrastructure) Bill 2009: From the Seanad (3 Mar 2010)

Eamon Ryan: I am glad the Deputy read this out. The exact wording is "can lead to possible revocation or suspension of a licence and then a fine for operating in that purpose". The sentences follow an order that makes sense.

Communications Regulation (Premium Rate Services and Electronic Communications Infrastructure) Bill 2009: From the Seanad (3 Mar 2010)

Eamon Ryan: Amendment No.3 deletes section 4(2), which refers to section 22. Section 4 provides for an appointed day for the coming into effect of Part 2 of the Bill, which deals with the regulation of premium rate services. This will give ComReg time to put in place the necessary licensing regulations and codes of practice prior to assuming the function of regulating the sector. Section 22 is now in...

Communications Regulation (Premium Rate Services and Electronic Communications Infrastructure) Bill 2009: From the Seanad (3 Mar 2010)

Eamon Ryan: As I understand, it is purely an ordering of the Bill as we have to split it into three parts. The amendment transfers the import of that section to make it coherent with the overall division within the Bill.

Communications Regulation (Premium Rate Services and Electronic Communications Infrastructure) Bill 2009: From the Seanad (3 Mar 2010)

Eamon Ryan: Amendments Nos. 4, 5, and 7 to 10, inclusive, are minor drafting amendments agreed with the Parliamentary Counsel. They provide consistency in the wording of section 6(2) and section 15(2) of the Bill.

Communications Regulation (Premium Rate Services and Electronic Communications Infrastructure) Bill 2009: From the Seanad (3 Mar 2010)

Eamon Ryan: Amendment No. 6 has again been agreed with the Parliamentary Counsel. The intention of this provision is that if one or more services provided under licence is causing harm to consumers, or may cause harm to potential consumers, then the licence covering all the services under that licence may be suspended pending an investigation by ComReg. The amendment clarifies that intention.

Communications Regulation (Premium Rate Services and Electronic Communications Infrastructure) Bill 2009: From the Seanad (3 Mar 2010)

Eamon Ryan: These are minor drafting amendments agreed with the Parliamentary Counsel. Amendments Nos. 11 and 13 provide better clarity of meaning of the text. The purpose of amendment No.12 is to include within the provision all consents that can be granted under section 53. This includes consents under section 53(3), which pertain to consents to carry out underground electronic communications...