Results 7,301-7,320 of 9,393 for speaker:Alex White

Other Questions: Sale of State Assets (17 Jul 2014)

Alex White: On 30 June last, the sale of Bord Gáis Energy was completed. In line with the share purchase agreement entered into by Ervia, formally Bord Gáis Éireann, the total enterprise value, inclusive of debt, for the sale is €1.1 billion, including a small element of contingent consideration. On 7 July, a special dividend of €150 million was received from Ervia...

Other Questions: Sale of State Assets (17 Jul 2014)

Alex White: It is worth repeating that the Government's consistent position has been that the funds released from asset disposals, including the proceeds from the sale under discussion, that is, the sale of Bord Gáis Energy, should be used to support job creating initiatives in the economy. I agree with the general tenor of the Deputy's remarks to the extent that, where sale agreements like this are...

Other Questions: Ministerial Priorities (17 Jul 2014)

Alex White: The Government's statement of priorities for the period between 2014 and 2016 sets out clear and ambitious targets, which will build on the achievements of the last three years, broaden and deepen the economic and social recovery and improve the living standards of our citizens. Energy and broadband connectivity, which are among the most strategic sectors of the economy, are clearly...

Other Questions: Ministerial Priorities (17 Jul 2014)

Alex White: We do not know what the destination of anyone in this House will be. We do not know which side of the House we will be on, or which positions we might occupy, in the future. On the basis of the manner in which the Deputy has outlined his priorities, I could see every possibility that he will have an opportunity to take up a position in the future. I agree with his survey of what are the...

Other Questions: Ministerial Priorities (17 Jul 2014)

Alex White: I repeat that I am willing to work with the Deputies on these issues. I know the Minister of State, Deputy McHugh, who is responsible for natural resources, has the same view. We can try to address what the Deputy referred to as the "under-utilisation of our inland fisheries" and seek to bring forward ideas in that regard. We can return to the question of broadcasting on a future occasion....

Other Questions: Post Office Network (17 Jul 2014)

Alex White: It is Government policy that An Post should remain a strong and viable company that is 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...

Other Questions: Post Office Network (17 Jul 2014)

Alex White: I have had only the most preliminary discussion on this issue with the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection but I have no doubt I will have an opportunity to discuss this matter further with her in the period ahead. I do see opportunities in respect of the post office network but like any other sector, those opportunities must be sought, developed and brought forward. That is...

Other Questions: Post Office Network (17 Jul 2014)

Alex White: I have encountered a number of fences in my first few days as Minister so I do not propose to jump on either side of any fence for the moment regarding these matters other than to agree with the Deputy that there is a tension, although describing it as a tension is a bit strong. Historically, there is the public service remit that we all understand, and then the commercial world and public...

Other 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 a State-led broadband intervention in rural areas. 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. Since publication of the plan,...

Other Questions: Broadband Services Provision (17 Jul 2014)

Alex White: I repeat that this is a priority. The mapping exercise is under way to identify locations. I have given the Deputy and the House indicative information relating to County Tipperary. There is a need in that county but there is an identified need across the country, particularly in rural areas and in areas where there is no real prospect of commercial involvement. In many areas of public...

Other Questions: Broadband Services Provision (17 Jul 2014)

Alex White: We want to ensure that the entire country gets the service and to the extent that there is commercial involvement in areas of the country where that occurs, that should be allowed to occur. I agree with Deputy Wallace that it is always best that any project, whether it is in the public or private sector, should be expedited, but all State resources are scarce. Decisions must be made about...

Topical Issue Debate: Telecommunications Services Provision (17 Jul 2014)

Alex White: I thank Deputy Byrne. I am glad to have this opportunity to report to the House on the measures in place to regulate the provision of telecommunications services and the options available to users to minimise costs. Since the telecommunications market was fully liberalised in 1999, in accordance with an EU timetable, the increased convergence in telecommunications technologies has allowed...

Topical Issue Debate: Telecommunications Services Provision (17 Jul 2014)

Alex White: I thank the Deputy for her gracious words. I look forward to being as helpful in my new role as I hope I was able to be in my previous role. I take the points she has made on the basis of her experience and contact with her constituents, particular older people who sometimes find it difficult to change from a landline to a mobile telephone. It is a challenge for people who are used to the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: 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 a State-led broadband intervention in rural areas. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Resources (17 Jul 2014)

Alex White: Ireland's electricity and gas markets are commercial, competitive, liberalised and regulated in accordance with frameworks set out in EU and national legislation. The regulation of the electricity and gas markets, including the retail segments of these markets, is the responsibility of the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER). The Electricity Regulation Act, 1999 provided for the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Rural Broadband Scheme (17 Jul 2014)

Alex White: The Government’s Statement of Priorities for the period 2014 to 2016 reaffirms our commitment to delivering a State-led broadband intervention in rural areas. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Generation Targets (17 Jul 2014)

Alex White: The overarching objective of the Government's energy policy is to ensure secure and sustainable supplies of competitively priced energy to all consumers. The 2009 Renewable Energy Directive set Ireland a legally binding target of meeting 16% of our overall energy requirements from renewable sources by 2020. In order to meet this overall target, Ireland is committed to meeting 40% of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: 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 a State-led broadband intervention in rural areas. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Generation Targets (17 Jul 2014)

Alex White: The Government recently approved the publication of the Bioenergy Plan in draft form pending the completion of a Strategic Environmental Assessment and an Appropriate Assessment. The draft Plan sets out the broader context for the development of Ireland’s bioenergy sector and the current status with regard to the range of policy areas that must be coordinated in order to create the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: 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 a State-led broadband intervention in rural areas. 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...