Results 6,221-6,240 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

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

Eamon Ryan: The provision of broadband services is in the first instance a matter for private sector service providers. These services are provided over various platforms including DSL (i.e. over telephone lines), fixed wireless, mobile, cable, fibre and satellite. In cases of market failure the Government will intervene, where it is appropriate and possible to do so. Such intervention is governed by...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (29 Sep 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The changes in the regulated electricity prices for domestic consumers from this October are attributable to the re-introduction of the Public Service Obligation (PSO) Levy due to the decline in gas prices. The key elements of this levy, which supports renewable and indigenous peat generation, were first put in place in 2001. The Levy was set at zero for the years 2007, 2008 and 2009 as a...

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

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1560 and 1561 together. The Broadcasting Act 2009 provides for the development of an Oireachtas Channel and an Irish Film Channel, including a right of carriage on the RTÉ digital terrestrial television multiplex in respect of these channels. In accordance with section 125 of the Act, the Commission of the Houses of the Oireachtas may establish a public...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (29 Sep 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 — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (29 Sep 2010)

Eamon Ryan: Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) are high-speed, open access, carrier neutral electronic communications networks, which facilitate competition in the electronic communications market in regional towns and cities nationwide. The MANs Programme, which commenced in 2002, has so far delivered eighty-six optical fibre based networks to ninety-two towns and cities throughout the country. Phase I...

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

Eamon Ryan: The National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NEEAP) sets out 90 actions that Government is either already taking or will take in the period to 2020 to achieve the national energy efficiency targets of 20% across the economy and 33% in the public sector. The savings identified in the Action Plan represent approximately €1.6 billion in avoided energy costs for the economy in 2020. There is a...

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

Eamon Ryan: The use of the spectrum that will be released following the switchover from analogue to digital broadcasting, the 'digital dividend' has been the subject of public consultations by ComReg, the Irish spectrum management authority. Spectrum policy relating to the digital dividend involves balancing the competing demands of different, though converging, sectors and identifying priorities and a...

Written Answers — Communications Masts: Communications Masts (29 Sep 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The regulation of telecommunications operators, including regulatory issuessurrounding access by operators to other operators' networks including infrastructure is the responsibility of the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) in accordance with its functions under the Communications Regulation Act 2002 and the Regulations, which transpose the EU Regulatory Framework for...

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (29 Sep 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The table below details the appointment dates, length of contract and due date of renewal, where applicable, for the Chief Executives and equivalent grades of the 15 relevant Agencies under the aegis of my Department:

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

Eamon Ryan: Section 101(1) of the Broadcasting Act, 2009 provides that RTÉ, following a public consultation, shall prepare not later than 12 July 2010 (12 months after the passing of the Act) a public service statement setting out the principles to be observed and activities to be undertaken by it. RTÉ submitted their public service statement to me on July 12, 2010 in line with the requirements of the...

Written Answers — Unfair Competition: Unfair Competition (29 Sep 2010)

Eamon Ryan: I have received a detailed written submission from National Newspapers of Ireland on a number of matters of concern to them including those raised by the Deputy, and I propose to meet with National Newspapers of Ireland in the near future to discuss these further. As the Deputy will be aware, the Broadcasting Act 2009 sets out, inter alia, the principal objects and associated powers and...

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

Eamon Ryan: An Post is charged with the role of "issuing agent" in respect of the collection and administration of television licence fees in accordance with the provisions of section 145 of the Broadcasting Act 2009. My Department currently has a contract in place with An Post for the execution of this role. Notwithstanding this, section 145(3) of the 2009 Act provides the option to designate an...

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

Eamon Ryan: Both the Statement of Strategy and the Annual Output Statement for my Department set out that the ensuring of "a fully sustainable, secure and competitive energy market underpinned by diverse energy sources, energy efficiency and robust infrastructure" is a key high level goal for the energy sector. This is underpinned by a programme goal "to enhance the competitiveness of energy markets"....

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

Eamon Ryan: The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) collects and publishes energy statistics to support policy analysis and development in line with national needs and international obligations. The latest available comparative data from Eurostat is published by SEAI in their report "Electricity & Gas Prices in Ireland", published in May 2010. The data contained in this report covers the last...

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

Eamon Ryan: There are no plans for a single all Ireland digital free to air network carrying all the UK Freeview and Irish TV channels. The Memorandum of Understanding that I signed with my UK counterpart, Secretary of State Ben Bradshaw, MP, on 1 February 2010, deals with broadcast services and related radio spectrum issues in the context of the provision of digital terrestrial services on the island of...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (29 Sep 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The objective of achieving 30% co-firing of biomass with peat in the 3 peat fired power stations by 2015, was set in the Energy Policy Framework 2007. Electricity generated at the 3 Peat fired power stations is covered under the Public Service Obligation which was introduced in 2001. This allows the companies involved, Bord na Móna and ESB, to claim back certain costs from the Public...

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

Eamon Ryan: My Department has set up a Digital Switchover Steering Group combining those organisations with key responsibilities for the digital terrestrial television rollout and the analogue switch-off processes. The purpose of the Group is to make the timely decisions needed to keep the analogue switch-off process in Ireland on track for completion by October 2012. The Steering Group, which is to...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (29 Sep 2010)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1577 and1578 together. The Government's policy in relation to the transfer of the electricity transmission network to EirGrid as the national transmission system operator is clearly set out in the Energy Policy Framework 2007-2020 and reaffirmed in the Programme for Government. I have consistently underlined the need for transparent and inclusive engagement...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (29 Sep 2010)

Eamon Ryan: My Department, together with Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), is completing analysis of the micro-generation and small commercial scale renewable technologies sector to evaluate options around the introduction of a Feed-in-Tariff (FIT) scheme. The purpose of the analysis is to inform the development of such a scheme by analysing tariff options, scheme terms and conditions,...

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

Eamon Ryan: My Department has set up a Digital Switchover Steering Group combining those organisations with key responsibilities for the digital terrestrial television rollout and the analogue switch-off processes. The purpose of the Group is to make the timely decisions needed to keep the analogue switch-off process in Ireland on track for completion by October 2012. The Steering Group currently...