Results 6,181-6,200 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (8 Jul 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The Broadcasting Act 2009 assigned responsibility to the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) to develop and administer schemes under the Broadcasting Fund, which are designed to support the production and transmission of high quality programming based on Irish culture and heritage. Details of the scheme are available from the BAI at www.bai.ie. Section 156 of the Broadcasting Act, 2009...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (8 Jul 2010)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 573 and 576 together. Directive 2009/28/EC requires each Member State to submit a national renewable energy action plan. These plans are to set out Member States' national targets for the share of energy from renewable sources consumed in transport, electricity and heating and cooling in 2020, taking into account the effects of other policy measures relating...

Written Answers — Energy Efficiency: Energy Efficiency (8 Jul 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The European Commission Decision (C(2009)5174) of 30 June 2009 established the mandatory template for National Renewable Energy Action Plans under Directive 2009/28/EC. The purpose of the template is to ensure that National Renewable Energy Plans are complete, cover all the requirements laid down in the Directive and are comparable with each other and future Member State biannual reports on...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (8 Jul 2010)

Eamon Ryan: REFIT is the 'Renewable Energy Feed-in Tariff' scheme, which is the support scheme for renewable generation administered by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. Prior to the introduction of REFIT, renewable generation was supported through a tendering scheme known as AER (Alternative Energy Requirement.) State aid clearance for the original REFIT scheme was...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (8 Jul 2010)

Eamon Ryan: There is currently no accredited course for hydro in Ireland. The micro-hydro course on offer by the Renewable Energy Installer Academy (REIA) is not accredited as confirmed by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) with City and Guilds and contact directly with the REIA. The SEAI website refers to City and Guilds accredited microgeneration courses offered at the REIA. The PV...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (8 Jul 2010)

Eamon Ryan: While I announced plans for a microgeneration pilot trial in 2008, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland's (SEAI) small- and micro- scale generation pilot field trial was actually launched on 26th February 2009, as an open call for proposals, with defined eligibility and evaluation criteria for proposed generator installations and a defined profile of sites and technologies sought. The...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (8 Jul 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The rules applying to the Scheme of Accelerated Capital Allowances (ACA) for Energy Efficient Equipment are set out in section 285A of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997, as inserted by the Finance Act 2008. Those provisions require that for a particular technology to be eligible for accelerated capital allowances, an Order in required specifying the minimum energy efficiency criteria to be...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (8 Jul 2010)

Eamon Ryan: REFIT is the 'Renewable Energy Feed-in Tariff' scheme, which is the support scheme for renewable generation administered by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. The original REFIT scheme covered small hydro (5MW and below), small wind (5MW and below), large wind (above 5MW), landfill gas and biomass combustion. I have announced the expansion of REFIT under certain...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (8 Jul 2010)

Eamon Ryan: I am informed by Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEAI) that there are two types of solar technology supported by the Greener Homes scheme, namely evacuated tubes and flat plates. Evacuated tube solar products are more efficient than flat plate products if compared on an area basis. SEAI also indicate that evacuated tubes are, however, not suitable for all applications, and thus a significant...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (8 Jul 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMS) provides that Member States of the European Union may designate sporting and cultural events of major importance to society as free-to-air. The Broadcasting Act 2009 having transposed the AVMS Directive, sets down the statutory process for designating events free-to-air. Section 162 of the Broadcasting Act, 2009, provides that I may by order...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (8 Jul 2010)

Eamon Ryan: An invitation to tender issued on the 10th May 2010 for consultants to assist in selecting a body to implement and manage the delivery of a working national postcode system. These consultants, when appointed, will work with my Department's team to introduce a six digit alpha numeric model capable of being refined into a location based code. I expect a national postcode system for Ireland to...

Written Answers — Energy Efficiency: Energy Efficiency (8 Jul 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The Smart Metering Programme is a central component of the Government's strategy to radically enhance management of energy demand, deliver smart networks and enable greater energy efficiency through the use of cutting-edge technology. The harnessing of renewable energy and the development of micro generation and electric vehicles is creating an utterly different supply and demand energy...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (8 Jul 2010)

Eamon Ryan: Since the formation of my Department in June 2007 one Secretary General and one Assistant Secretary have retired. A total of €644,129 in lump sums was paid in respect of these two retirements. Amounts paid to individuals on retirement are personal to the individual but the percentage of final salary was 183% in the case of the Secretary General and 148% in the case of the Assistant...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (29 Sep 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The cross-Departmental/Agency Bioenergy Working Group is currently finalising a Bioenergy Road Map to 2020, which will underpin the contribution of bioenergy to Ireland's Renewable Energy target for 2020 and which will be submitted to me in the near future. I announced earlier this year proposed REFIT tariffs for bioenergy produced from biomass, which will help foster the development of a...

Written Answers — Energy Prices: Energy Prices (29 Sep 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The Government recognises that the cost of energy in Ireland is a competitiveness issue facing the enterprise sector during this difficult period for the economy. The provision of secure, sustainable and competitive energy supplies is critical for the economy. Ireland's recent higher energy costs, by comparison with EU average prices, were primarily due to significant dependence on volatile...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (29 Sep 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The Renewable Energy Feed In Tariffs (REFIT) for bioenergy, which I announced earlier this year, require State Aid clearance from the European Commission before they can be implemented. My Department is currently finalising the State Aid application for submission to the Commission. Miscanthus remains a realistic option for consideration as an energy crop, together with other energy crops,...

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (29 Sep 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The details requested in respect of staffing in my constituency offices and those of Ministers of State assigned to my Department are outlined in the tables herewith. The salary amounts include employers PRSI and overtime. Expenses are indicated where appropriate. Minister Eamon Ryan Constituency Office staffing June 2007-2010 Grade 2010 (Amount paid to date) 2009 2008 2007...

Written Answers — Compulsory Purchase Orders: Compulsory Purchase Orders (29 Sep 2010)

Eamon Ryan: This is a day to day operational matter for Bord Na Móna and not one in which I have a function. I am informed by Bord na Móna that the Board purchased all rights, title and interests over the lands in question between 1959 and 1973 and the Company has continuing development plans in this area. I am advised that the Board is not in a position to return the lands to any former owners or...

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (29 Sep 2010)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1531 and 1555 together. My Department currently occupies three leased premises. The leases are negotiated and managed by the Office of Public Works and issues in relation to these leases are a matter for that office. They leased buildings are— 29/31 Adelaide Road, Dublin 2, which is the HQ building, a part of Elm House, Earlsvale Road, Cavan, and a...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (29 Sep 2010)

Eamon Ryan: Section 103 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 provides for both RTÉ and TG4 to vary the number of channels it operates subject to the consent of the Minister. This section also sets out the procedure that the Minister must adopt in making a decision on whether to consent to any new or additional channels. These procedures provide for the Minister to, inter alia, consult with RTÉ and other...