Results 7,541-7,560 of 9,393 for speaker:Alex White

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Postcode Implementation (5 Nov 2014)

Alex White: I propose to take Questions Nos. 199 to 203, inclusive, together. In December 2013, a ten-year contract was signed with Capita Business Support Services Ireland Limited to develop, roll-out and operate the National Postcode System following a public procurement process. The design for the National Postcode System was approved by Government last April. The ‘Eircode’ brand was...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Telecommunications Infrastructure (5 Nov 2014)

Alex White: As Minister for Communications, one of my key objectives is to ensure that Ireland is best placed to avail of the emerging opportunities provided by the commercial telecommunications sector through the promotion of investment in state of the art infrastructure and the provision of a supportive legislative and regulatory environment. The commercial telecommunications sector is currently...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Appointments to State Boards (5 Nov 2014)

Alex White: This Government, almost immediately on establishment, made important changes in relation to appointments to State Boards with new arrangements widening the opportunity to participate on such Boards by extending a wide invitation for people to submit expressions of interest to serve on the boards of public bodies. In accordance with the Government Decision of 12 April 2011, my predecessor...

Topical Issue Debate: EU Directives (6 Nov 2014)

Alex White: I will deal with this matter on behalf of the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. As the Deputy is aware, the hen harrier is a protected but endangered bird of prey, listed in Annex 1 of the EU birds directive. Ireland is, therefore, obliged under European law to protect and conserve this species. The position of the hen harrier was a major factor in a judgment of the European...

Topical Issue Debate: EU Directives (6 Nov 2014)

Alex White: The Deputy asked how many times the interdepartmental group had met since July. I do not have this information but I will revert to him on the matter. The Deputy also made a not unreasonable point on consultation with farmers who are directly affected by the directives. As I indicated, there has been engagement with representative bodies of farmers. The Deputy indicated that specific ad...

Topical Issue Debate: Green Paper on Energy Submissions (6 Nov 2014)

Alex White: I thank the Deputies for raising this issue. The report referred to in the question from the Deputies is the ESB submission on the energy Green Paper. It is one of over 1,240 submissions received earlier this year during the period of public consultation on the Green Paper. That submission, like all those received is a useful contribution to the process of developing a definitive energy...

Topical Issue Debate: Green Paper on Energy Submissions (6 Nov 2014)

Alex White: I reiterate that the ESB submission to which the Deputies referred will be considered, together with all of the other submissions received as part of the consultation process, and will contribute to the develop of a new energy policy for Ireland. It is important to understand ESB and EirGrid are fully in agreement on the need for critical energy infrastructure, including both transmission and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Consultancy Contracts Data (6 Nov 2014)

Alex White: My Department administers a very diverse, complex and extremely technical brief. It has a total complement of around 250 full time equivalent staff of whom a limited number are technical personnel. This reality necessarily requires my Department to procure specialist external professionals to assist in discharging its functions. In procuring these specialised services, my Department always...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Service Provision (6 Nov 2014)

Alex White: The National Broadband Plan the Government aims to ensure that high speed broadband is available to all citizens and businesses in Ireland, through a combination of commercial investment and a State-led intervention. Since the publication of the Plan, the commercial telecommunications sector is currently investing approximately €2.5bn in network upgrades and at least 1.6m of the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Telecommunications Services Provision (6 Nov 2014)

Alex White: In order to provide mobile services, mobile operators must secure a licence from ComReg to get access to the required radio spectrum. These licences include terms and conditions on quality of service and coverage. ComReg monitors compliance with all such licence requirements. Compliance with quality and coverage conditions is carried out by means of bi-annual drive tests and I understand that...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electricity Generation (6 Nov 2014)

Alex White: While this is a matter in which I, as Minister, have no statutory function, I am aware that Electric Ireland has been offering a micro generation feed in tariff since February 2009. No other electricity supplier has chosen to provide such a tariff, to either domestic or commercial customers, though they have been invited to do so by the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER). Responsibility...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Irish Water Staff (6 Nov 2014)

Alex White: The employment terms and conditions for Ervia employees, other than the Chief Executive, are an operational matter for the company and not a matter in which I, as Minister, have any role or function. The current pay model in place in Ervia was implemented as a result of the successful conclusion of a suite of cost improvement measures in Ervia, or BGE at that time, in early 2013. I...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Service Provision (6 Nov 2014)

Alex White: I propose to take Questions Nos. 250 and 251 together. Through the National Broadband Plan (NBP), the Government aims to ensure that high speed broadband is available to all citizens and businesses in Ireland, through a combination of commercial investment and a State-led intervention. The commercial telecommunications sector is currently investing approximately €2.5bn in network...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electricity Transmission Network (6 Nov 2014)

Alex White: The ESB submission referred to in the Question is one of over 1,240 received during the period of public consultation on the Energy Policy Green Paper. That submission, like all those received, is a useful contribution to the process of developing a definitive Energy Policy. ESB and EirGrid are fully in agreement on the need for critical energy transmission and distribution infrastructure....

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Wind Energy Generation (6 Nov 2014)

Alex White: Since taking up office as Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, I have met very many interested parties in connection with issues across the energy agenda, including on wind energy, in many different fora. Such interactions are a critical input to policy formation and development. I am keenly aware of the need for on-going communication with all stakeholders if we are to...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Expenditure (6 Nov 2014)

Alex White: I propose to take Questions Nos. 254 and 255 together. My Department does not engage the services of employment or recruitment agencies. Information in respect of bodies and agencies under the aegis of my Department is a day to day matter for those organisations and my Department does not have the information sought by the Deputy. I will, however, request the relevant Agencies and bodies...

Topical Issue Debate: Post Office Network (11 Nov 2014)

Alex White: I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. I would like to reassure the Deputy that the Government is committed to a strong and viable An Post and supports the maintenance of the maximum number of economically viable post offices providing high quality services on a nationwide basis. As stated by Deputy Kitt, the board of An Post is required to approve rolling five-year business...

Topical Issue Debate: Post Office Network (11 Nov 2014)

Alex White: I thank Deputy Kitt for his additional comments on this very important matter. I share the Deputy's views about the importance of the post office network and the affection with which it is regarded, especially by small communities in provincial and rural areas. I assure the Deputy that An Post will continue in its endeavours to retain and obtain business opportunities for the network,...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electric Vehicle Grants (11 Nov 2014)

Alex White: I propose to take Questions Nos. 547 and 548 together. The Electric Vehicle Grant Scheme was opened in April 2011 to incentivise and support, through grants of up to €5,000, the deployment of electric vehicles (EVs) in Ireland. These grants are in addition to the vehicle registration tax (VRT) reliefs of up to €5,000, and it was the early policy ambition in Ireland that 10% of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan Implementation (11 Nov 2014)

Alex White: I am aware of the issues raised in the correspondence referred to by the Deputy. My Department has recently replied to a query on this matter from the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications. This reply explained that, while I do not have responsibility for the recognition of maritime qualifications, my Department is working with colleagues in relevant Departments and...