Results 7,281-7,300 of 9,393 for speaker:Alex White

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Fisheries Protection (15 Jul 2014)

Alex White: I am advised that Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) have received a request from local stakeholders for a Bye-law for the rivers referred to by the Deputy. I understand that this request is currently being reviewed in the context of the scientific data held by IFI for the rivers in question to consider if that the proposals are in line with best scientific advice. In addition, a draft...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Telecommunications Services Provision (15 Jul 2014)

Alex White: I propose to take Questions Nos. 444 and 445 together. The Government’s National Broadband Plan aims to radically change the broadband landscape in Ireland by ensuring that high speed broadband is available to all citizens and businesses. This is being achieved through measures designed to accelerate commercial investment and the development of a State-led intervention for...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Telecommunications Services Provision (15 Jul 2014)

Alex White: Under the terms of licences issued by the telecommunications regulator, ComReg, Mobile Network Operators are required to provide a minimum level of national population coverage. The design of the network is a matter entirely for the operator concerned although operators tend to exceed their minimum coverage requirements for commercial reasons. However, given that mobile telephone services are...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Telecommunications Infrastructure (15 Jul 2014)

Alex White: Under the terms of licences issued by the telecommunications regulator, ComReg, Mobile Network Operators are required to provide a minimum level of national population coverage. The design of the network is a matter entirely for the operator concerned although operators tend to exceed their minimum coverage requirements for commercial reasons. However, given that mobile telephone services are...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Feed in Tariff Scheme Expenditure (16 Jul 2014)

Alex White: The PSO levy is designed to support the national policy objectives of security of energy supply, including through the use of indigenous fuels (i.e. peat), and the use of renewable energy sources in electricity generation. The proceeds of the levy are used to recoup the additional costs incurred by suppliers in sourcing a proportion of their electricity supplies from such generators. The...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Prices (16 Jul 2014)

Alex White: I am acutely aware of the financial challenges faced by many families at the current time. However it is important to note that the electricity and gas markets are commercial, liberalised and competitive and that they operate within national and European regulatory regimes. As Minister, I have no statutory function in the monitoring or setting of gas or electricity prices. Responsibility...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Sale of State Assets (16 Jul 2014)

Alex White: Commercial transactions involving privately owned assets are matters for the parties to such transactions and are not matters in which I, as Minister, have any role or function. However, I am aware that Phillips 66, the current owners of the refinery, confirmed in mid-2013 that they had commenced a process to market their Irish business with the process expected to last for several months,...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Commencement of Legislation (16 Jul 2014)

Alex White: There are two Acts for which parts or sections have yet to be formally commenced by my Department and details of these are set out in tabular form. Title of Act Parts/Sections not yet commenced Purpose of sections Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2012 section 17(2)(f) To amend section 9 of the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 to provide for the appointment of gas safety officers by a...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Energy Prices (17 Jul 2014)

Alex White: I thank the Deputy for his kind words and I look forward to a fruitful relationship with him, the Opposition spokespersons and all Members of the House. I also join him in paying tribute to my predecessor, Deputy Rabbitte, for his stewardship in this role, and the former Minister of State, Deputy O'Dowd. I am acutely aware of the financial challenges faced by families and businesses as a...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Energy Prices (17 Jul 2014)

Alex White: The Minister's role in this matter is very clearly delineated in law, as is the role of the Commission for Energy Regulation. That is as it should be in terms of the configuration of the different responsibilities residing in different entities. However, I note the Deputy's point in regard to prices generally. This issue is the subject of ongoing debate in a context where electricity...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Energy Prices (17 Jul 2014)

Alex White: To reiterate, there is no basis for the Minister in any way directing the CER. However, the Minister does, of course, have a responsibility in these matters in the public interest. On 6 June, the regulator published the proposed decision paper on the PSO levy for 2014-2015. That levy is of critical importance in the context of the issues the Deputy has raised. My predecessor wrote to the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Electricity Transmission Network (17 Jul 2014)

Alex White: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. The independent expert panel considering EirGrid’s Grid West and Grid Link projects has held six meetings. The panel was asked to oversee the integrity of a process to be undertaken by EirGrid to report on the Grid West and Grid Link projects. That process is now under way and the panel expects to be in a position to provide an opinion to...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Electricity Transmission Network (17 Jul 2014)

Alex White: One of the key concerns arising from the public consultation process on Grid25 was the extent to which undergrounding options had been explored to allow ready comparison to be made in respect of overhead line solutions for individual projects. That is why EirGrid was asked to conduct a comprehensive analysis of what would be involved in undergrounding the high-voltage cables for the Grid...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Electricity Transmission Network (17 Jul 2014)

Alex White: These are complex processes involving the assessment of evidence, particularly relating to planning. The Deputy knows the planning process is set out quite clearly in statute and is not a matter of the opinion of any individual Minister or otherwise on it. The job I must do is to uphold the integrity of that process, and I intend to do that. The independent expert panel will enhance the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Post Office Network (17 Jul 2014)

Alex White: It is Government policy that An Post remains a strong and viable company, in a position to provide a high quality, nationwide postal service and maintain a nationwide customer-focused network of post offices in the community. Proposals for a whole-of-government review of the scope for providing additional public services through local post offices were presented to the Cabinet committee on...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Post Office Network (17 Jul 2014)

Alex White: The Deputy makes some interesting points which I am sure will feature in the ongoing debate and consideration of this issue. As he correctly pointed out, it has been debated extensively in the Dáil. An Post has the largest retail presence in the country. Ireland has one of the most extensive post office networks per head of population in the EU. There are 1,147 active company and...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Post Office Network (17 Jul 2014)

Alex White: I accept the Deputy's point regarding the post office network and this issue being an important matter of public policy. However, we also live in a world that is characterised by public procurement rules, and we must live with those rules. I doubt that anybody is suggesting that such important rules should be bent or moved in a particular direction. I believe the two worlds, the world of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Broadband Services Provision (17 Jul 2014)

Alex White: The Government's statement of priorities for the period 2014 to 2016 reaffirms our commitment to delivering State-led broadband intervention in rural areas. The Government's national broadband plan aims to change radically the broadband landscape in Ireland by ensuring high-speed broadband is available to all citizens and businesses. This is being achieved through measures designed to...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Broadband Services Provision (17 Jul 2014)

Alex White: Intensive work is continuing in the Department to develop full details of the intervention strategy I have outlined. The outcome of the mapping exercise to which I referred will be published for public consultation in quarter four of this year. There are two items. The mapping exercise will be available in quarter four of this year and the comprehensive implementation strategy to which I...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Broadband Services Provision (17 Jul 2014)

Alex White: As I said, the steps required to be taken include the completion of the mapping exercise. I referred to that earlier. The idea is to map out where the areas of need are throughout the country. We are being assisted by NUI Maynooth in this regard. This is a useful mapping exercise which I have seen used in other areas of public policy. The idea is that where we see need across the...