Results 6,041-6,060 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (1 Jun 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The Irish Postal market is due to be liberalised from the 1st of January next year in accordance with the 3rd EU Postal Services Directive. Following comprehensive consultation with relevant stakeholders, legislation to transpose this Directive has been prepared and will be brought to Government shortly. In designing the new regulatory framework, the key principles are the maintenance of a...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (1 Jun 2010)

Eamon Ryan: EirGrid figures show that there are just over 100 wind farms connected to the grid with an installed wind capacity 1264 MW. There are an additional 100 wind farms with a total contracted capacity of 1415 MW which have contracted for grid connections which will be built out over the next number of years. Detailed information is provided on the number and location of wind farms awaiting...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (1 Jun 2010)

Eamon Ryan: A report just published by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland which is entitled 'Renewable Energy in Ireland 2010 Update' sets out the latest position in this matter. Renewable Electricity (RES-E) - The share of electricity generated from renewable energy sources (RES-E) in 2009 was 14.4% (provisional), exceeding the interim EU target of 13.2% by 2010 and placing Ireland firmly on...

Written Answers — Television Licence Fee: Television Licence Fee (1 Jun 2010)

Eamon Ryan: Television licence revenue is generated from the sales of television licences and the recoupment of the cost of free television licences from the Department of Social Protection. There is no fund reserve as such because the revenue generated is received and paid out on an ongoing basis. The income generated from television licences was €226.2 million in 2009. Under Section 123 of the...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (1 Jun 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The National Oil Reserves Agency Limited (NORA) is responsible for ensuring that Ireland meets its EU and International Energy Agency (IEA) obligations to maintain 90 days' oil stocks for use in the event of an oil supply disruption. NORA meets its stock-holding obligations by a combination of wholly-owned stocks and by entering into agreements with third parties in Ireland and other EU...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (1 Jun 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The Digital Hub Development Agency (DHDA) is continuing to work towards its development objectives to grow the Digital Hub. As I indicated in my reply to a similar question in April, there were, as of early this year, 98 companies operating in the Digital Hub with 664 full time and a further 220 part time employees. The DHDA continues to promote the identity and brand of the Hub and...

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed) (2 Jun 2010)

Eamon Ryan: I shall try to leave some time for Deputy Byrne, if I cannot share it with him. I welcome the opportunity to have a debate in the House on the crucial issue of competitiveness and how to achieve it. We must be careful that we do not become populist and grab easy headlines but must work through what will work in a proper policy driven way. In my area of responsibility competitiveness is an...

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed) (2 Jun 2010)

Eamon Ryan: -----and the third largest reduction in electricity prices for both business and householders. We benefited most and got the biggest reduction. In the process, having brought in all the energy companies, having listened to everybody and talked to them in great detail, it became absolutely clear to me that we now have a competitive market in electricity supply. For some years we have had...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (2 Jun 2010)

Eamon Ryan: In Budget 2006 a further package of excise relief on biofuels valued at over €200 million over a five year period was approved by the Minister for Finance. The Biofuel Mineral Oil Tax Relief (MOTR) Scheme II was advertised by my Department as a competitive call for proposals open to anyone who could fulfil the criteria for the scheme. An assessment panel was established to review the...

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

Eamon Ryan: Under the terms of the Renewable Energy Feed-in-Tariff scheme (REFIT), a new renewable generator accepted into REFIT must enter into a power purchase agreement (PPA) with a supply company. Under the terms of the PPA, the supply company agrees to purchase RES-E from the new generating station at a fixed price irrespective of the supply company's commercial concerns about the alternative open...

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

Eamon Ryan: There is currently 1379 MW of wind generation capacity connected to the grid. This includes over 100 wind farms. Information on the wind farms that are currently connected to the grid is available on the EirGrid website. Information is provided on the number of wind farms awaiting approval for access to the grid and the breakdown by county on the EirGrid website. In terms of progress in...

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

Eamon Ryan: The recently announced Renewable Energy Feed In Tariffs (REFIT) for biomass technologies will assist the development of a sustainable biomass supply sector in Ireland. They will ensure that there is a ready demand for biomass and will build on the measures already in place including the REHEAT programme and the Energy Crop grant schemes run by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (3 Jun 2010)

Eamon Ryan: Prior to the commencement of the National Broadband Scheme (NBS) a detailed mapping exercise was carried out to help determine those areas that would be included in the scheme and those which, by virtue of being already substantially served by existing broadband suppliers, could not be included. EU State aid and competition rules govern how states can intervene in areas where there are...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (3 Jun 2010)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Question Nos. 151 to 153, inclusive, together. In September 2007, my Department obtained State Aid clearance from the EU to run a renewable energy feed in tariff scheme (REFIT) for the wind, small hydro, landfill gas and biomass combustion sectors. Under the terms of the State Aid clearance, new applications could be accepted into the scheme until 31 December 2009. The...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (3 Jun 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) published a decision in 2009 that allows for certain renewable, small and low carbon generators to connect to the transmission and distribution grids without going through the full rigours of the 'Gate' process. This includes small projects, research and development projects and those that qualify as they are deemed to provide benefits of a public...

Seanad: Energy (Biofuel Obligation and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (3 Jun 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The amendment in group 1 is inserted for further clarification purposes and I propose that it be accepted. It is largely technical in nature.

Seanad: Energy (Biofuel Obligation and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (3 Jun 2010)

Eamon Ryan: I am happy to confirm the Senator's view that the amendment allows for commencement of the Bill on 1 July.

Seanad: Energy (Biofuel Obligation and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (3 Jun 2010)

Eamon Ryan: Yes.

Seanad: Energy (Biofuel Obligation and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (3 Jun 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The amendments in group 2 are largely drafting amendments and technical in nature. They are inserted for clarification purposes and I hope they will be accepted on that basis.

Seanad: Energy (Biofuel Obligation and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (3 Jun 2010)

Eamon Ryan: I appreciate the Senator's support. I agree with him on the points he made on information technology and its importance in every aspect of life.