Results 6,641-6,660 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

National Recovery Plan 2011 - 2014: Statements. (25 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: It is not easy. It is scary. However, as my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Gormley, stated on Monday last, we have a duty of care. Our party is willing to contribute to ensure we get through this difficult period - get through the budget, get through the negotiations that we must conclude with our European colleagues and give the country a sense of confidence. I believe we will do that...

East West Interconnector (25 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: I am pleased to be here to respond to this matter and to give a perspective on a critical project and one that is sensitive to the local community. The Government, in turn, is sensitive to that, as are all public representatives, who have held discussions, and with the members of the community council, who have had discussions with me regarding the project. The interconnector is of critical...

East West Interconnector (25 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The companies operating are publicly owned companies acting in the public interest and delivering a project that we all regard as beneficial. I understand the concerns of the local community and its desire for an alternative approach. In this instance, however, bearing in mind that planning permission has been granted, some of the fundamental concerns over health effects can be answered by...

East West Interconnector (25 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: Construction must proceed now for fear of our losing serious money immediately.

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (25 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) is responsible for the administration of the Warmer Homes Scheme (WHS). Queries in relation to individual applications are an operational matter for SEAI. A dedicated WHS hot line - 1800 250 204 – has been in operation for some time and all queries, from scheme applicants and public representatives, on delivery dates for individual...

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

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 214 and 215 together. The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband services, is a matter for private sector service providers operating in a liberalised market regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). Broadband services are provided by private service providers over various platforms including DSL (i.e. over...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (25 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The total funding, including capital carryover of €15.721m from 2009, allocated to my Department for 2010 is €533.643m (including €222.130m in relation to the Vote neutral Broadcasting Licence Fees) of which €429.493m was profiled to be spent by the end of October. Expenditure as of the 31st October 2010 was €379.291m resulting in an under spend of €50.202m at that point in the...

Seanad: Renewable Energy: Statements (25 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: I am happy to respond to the debate and set out where I see opportunities. I agree with Senators that there are huge opportunities and that now is the time to seize them. Our task is to turn Ireland into a renewable electricity exporter. We must think long-term because it will take several decades, but in the same way we developed the food industry from the 1950s onwards to the point where...

Seanad: Vocational Education Committees (25 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: I am taking this Adjournment matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Coughlan. I thank the Senator for raising the matter and welcome the opportunity to outline the background to the Government decision to reduce the overall number of VECs. Arising from the recommendation of the special group on public service numbers and expenditure programmes in July...

State Property (30 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: As the Deputy is aware, I have responsibility for a range of commercial semi-State bodies. These companies play critical roles in the economy by providing essential infrastructure and services to consumers and enterprises. They are also significant employers and most of them contribute substantial dividends to the Exchequer. The major energy utility companies referred to by the Deputy, ESB...

State Property (30 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: I am not completely opposed to the sale of State assets, where appropriate, but the Deputy's question asks about ESB and Bord Gáis Éireann. In regard to-----

State Property (30 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: ESB and Bord Gáis, and in regard to those companies-----

State Property (30 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: -----I disagree with Fine Gael policy and do not believe it makes economic sense.

State Property (30 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: I believe that separating supply generation from the network businesses would undermine the investment opportunity the State needs. With regard to the benefits we are starting to see from the competitive and effective electricity and gas markets, the policy approach is working. Deliberately breaking up those companies would undermine something that is working and the investment case we...

State Property (30 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The budget will be set out next week. Whatever it says in terms of revenue streams will be true but I do not believe-----

State Property (30 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: --------it should include the sale of Bord Gáis Éireann or the ESB because those companies provide a significant dividend stream to the State, which represents important revenue at this time. Those companies are making massive investments in our State, and helping private sector companies use the networks to make other investments. These areas of economic policy are working. What Fine...

State Property (30 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The budget next week will be written by the Minister for Finance but I do not expect any major change in the policy that I have set out as Minister responsible for an energy policy that is working in terms of regards bringing down prices, introducing investment in jobs and having a competitive market where State companies allow other concerns access to the networks while at the same time...

Fuel Poverty (30 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: I share the Deputy's concerns about the risks of fuel poverty in the current economic climate. The proposal over the period of the national recovery plan to double the price of carbon from €15 to €30 per tonne underlines the commitment to actions to reduce emissions and mitigate climate change. It was decided not to increase the carbon tax rate in 2011 because of other tax increases...

Fuel Poverty (30 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: That strategy will be presented within the coming weeks. It has been completed in my Department and we have to work within time lines with the Department of Social Protection and at Government level before publishing it. We will do that. I fully understand and accept what the Deputy is saying. In this very cold weather this issue is of critical importance, and I sympathise and have a...

Fuel Poverty (30 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: It is critical that we target people in receipt of fuel allowances because they are the ones in extreme poverty.