Results 7,341-7,360 of 9,393 for speaker:Alex White

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

Alex White: The published Programme for Government Annual Report for 2013 (the second such report) sets out the progress over the preceding 12 months of Programme for Government commitments and a copy of the Annual Report is available on the website of the Department of the Taoiseach at . The Statement of Government Priorities 2014 to 2016, published on 11 July, 2014, sets out clear and ambitious targets...

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

Alex White: In 2011, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and my Department commenced development of a comprehensive monitoring and reporting system to record each individual public body’s progress towards the 33% public sector energy efficiency target. A database of approximately 40,000 electricity and gas meters has been collected to enable the accurate gathering of public sector...

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

Alex White: The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers the Better Energy Programme. This includes the Better Energy Homes scheme, the Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme, the Better Energy Warmer Homes Area-based scheme and the Better Energy Communities scheme. Better Energy Homes provides a financial incentive to private homeowners who wish to improve the energy performance of their...

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

Alex White: I propose to take Questions Nos. 437 and 439 together. The 2009 Renewable Energy Directive set Ireland a legally binding target of meeting 16% of our overall energy requirements in the electricity, heat and transport sectors from renewable sources by 2020. In order to meet this overall target, Ireland is committed to meeting 40% of electricity demand from renewable sources. Provisional...

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

Alex White: I propose to take Questions Nos. 438 and 443 together. A comparison report, the “State of Broadband” published by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in September 2013 ranks Ireland 35thof 183 countries for fixed line broadband penetration per 100 inhabitants; 19thof 170 countries for...

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

Alex White: I refer to the reply to Priority Question No. 4 on today's Order Paper. I understand that my predecessor met with members of the Irish Postmasters Union on 24 March and they had a useful and wide-ranging discussion on their concerns about the future of the post office network.

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

Alex White: The completion of the Corrib gas field development works, by the developer, is the principal factor that will determine the date for first gas. It is estimated that construction of the final section of the project - the onshore gas pipeline - will be completed later this year. Therefore, first gas cannot be expected before the first half of 2015. I understand that the bulk of the gas...

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

Alex White: I share the Deputy’s concern in relation to the possibility that the proliferation of internet connectivity may well expose children to bullying and harassment online. The Internet Content Governance Advisory (ICGA) Group was established within my Department in December of last year to ensure our national policy represents best practice in offering the same online protections to our...

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

Alex White: I propose to take Questions Nos. 446 and 453 together. The Government's Statement of Priorities for the period 2014 to 2016 reaffirms our commitment to delivering a State-led broadband intervention. The 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...

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

Alex White: I refer to the reply to Priority Question No. 3 on today's Order Paper.

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

Alex White: No Special Adviser has been formally appointed since my appointment. Special Adviser appointments will be undertaken in accordance with the Instructions on Ministerial Appointments for the 31st Dáil and the Guidelines on Staffing of Ministerial Offices (July 2014) issued by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. In accordance with Section 11(1)(a) of the Public Service...

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

Alex White: My Department is committed to seeking to attain the 40% target for both genders on State Boards and it is a key concern of mine to ensure high quality representation on Boards irrespective of gender. This Government adopted a significant innovation in 2011 to widen access by all persons to be considered for appointment to State Boards by providing that expressions of interest be sought...

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

Alex White: The Statement of Government Priorities 2014 to 2016 sets out clear and ambitious targets to build on the achievements of the last three years and to broaden and deepen the economic and social recovery and improve the living standards of our citizens. Energy and broadband connectivity are amongst the most strategic sectors of the Irish economy and are clearly reflected in the strategy for...

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

Alex White: Arrangements will be made to publish the relevant briefing on my Department's website as soon as possible.

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

Alex White: No Special Adviser has been formally appointed since my appointment. Special Adviser appointments will be undertaken in accordance with the Instructions on Ministerial Appointments for the 31st Dáil and the Guidelines on Staffing of Ministerial Offices (July 2014) issued by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. In accordance with Section 11(1)(a) of the Public Service...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Service Provision (17 Sep 2014)

Alex White: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1626 and 1632 together. 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 (NBP) aims to radically change the broadband landscape in Ireland by ensuring that high speed broadband is available to...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Public Service Broadcasting Charge (17 Sep 2014)

Alex White: The Programme for Government commits to examining the role and collection of the TV licence fee in light of existing and projected convergence of technologies and to transforming the TV licence into a household based Public Service Broadcasting (PSB) Charge to be applied to all eligible households and applicable businesses, regardless of the device used to access content or services.In line...

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

Alex White: In December 2013 a ten-year contract with Capita Business Support Services Ireland Limited was signed under which the company will develop, roll-out and operate the National Postcode System following a public procurement process. The design of the Postcode was approved by Government last April and the ‘Eircode’ brand was launched for the National Postcode System on 28 April....

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadcasting Service Provision (17 Sep 2014)

Alex White: Sections 125 and 126 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 make the necessary provision to allow for the development of an Oireachtas TV channel to be known as the “Houses of the Oireachtas Channel” on the SAORVIEW TV network. The legislation provides that the channel should be established by the Commission of the Houses of the Oireachtas and that the oversight of the channel should be...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electricity Transmission Network (17 Sep 2014)

Alex White: The matter of setback distances from high voltage transmission pylons is not one in which I, as Minister, have a role of function. While the distances are not prescribed in law I understand that both Eirgrid and ESB Networks (ESBN) operate in accordance with strict guidelines on separation distances. I have referred the matter to both Eirgrid and ESBN and I have asked them to respond directly...