Results 7,701-7,720 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Broadcasting Services (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: Are we getting value for money or could it be reapportioned to specific programming types within the broadcaster? To some extent, that is in the eye of the beholder. Deputy Ó Cuív may take the view that RTE does an immense job in public affairs, especially were it to recognise his inherent outstanding qualities, but were it to decide to apply the same to this side of the House he may...

Broadcasting Services (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: It is not as generous as when the former Minister Deputy Ó Cuív was over here.

Electricity Transmission Network (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: EirGrid, the State-owned independent electricity transmission system company, is building the east west interconnector between Ireland and Britain. The construction of this vital strategic infrastructure by EirGrid is on budget and on schedule for completion next year. I have no role in the planning and construction of transmission infrastructure, which are operational matters for EirGrid....

Electricity Transmission Network (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I have been unable to find any colleagues who gave any such undertakings before or since the election. After all that has happened in the past 30 years, the idea of the Minister interfering in the planning process is an extraordinary proposition for Deputy Daly to advance. If I interfered in a project like this, why should I not interfere in one of Deputy Wallace's construction projects?...

Electricity Transmission Network (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I am sure there is a measure of agreement between Deputy Daly and myself that this is vital strategic national infrastructure. It is imperative this is concluded. I am glad it is coming in on budget and on time. The ducting is already in place and I am confident it will meet the targets.

Electricity Transmission Network (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I assure the Deputy that I have gone to considerable lengths to establish if there is a safety risk and I am absolutely, and I stress that, assured that no risk exists. I agree that just because this is a State body making a planning application, it does not make it right. The proposition, however, that I should interfere is wrong; it is a matter for the planning authorities to decide if it...

Community Forum (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The North West Mayo Forum was established in 2008 with the dual objectives of providing an opportunity for dialogue between parties with an interest in the Corrib gas project and offering an opportunity for furthering the socio-economic development of the north-west Mayo region. While it was intended that membership of the forum would include a broad representation from local community...

Community Forum (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I do not dispute it was a good idea. Unfortunately, it has not been the success all of us might have hoped. There has not been a meeting for more than a year and Deputy Ó Cuív is aware that on the last couple of occasions, when great efforts were made to convene a meeting, it broke up in some disarray because of the activities of a small number of people who are not representative of the...

Community Forum (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: It is beyond my powers to answer the Deputy's first question about who represents the area. It is, unfortunately, very divided. I acknowledge the patient work done by the members of the forum under the chairmanship of Mr. Joe Brosnan but I would have to draw attention to the fact that three of the groups opposed to the project for one reason or another did not attend and this is a great...

Energy Prices (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: Responsibility for the regulation of gas prices is a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation which is an independent statutory body. Bord Gáis Energy's gas tariffs for domestic customers and small businesses are still regulated by the Commission for Energy Regulation and reviewed each year. I have no function in the matter. Decisions on gas prices by the commission involves...

Energy Prices (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The Deputy is correct in that I responded to the huge increases in 2008. Since then, the cumulative decline in prices has been 27% which does not mean that for the consumer the prospect of Bord Gáis raising its consumer price in the coming winter will be welcome. I have expressed this view to the company and to the regulator. I have been working with my colleague, the Minister for Social...

Energy Prices (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: We need to be able to pin it down because the extent of our reliance on a gas pipeline from elsewhere is not the ideal situation to be in. If we could get the liquified natural gas project under way down in the Deputy's neck of the woods in Tarbert this would be a contribution and bringing the Corrib gas on stream would also make a contribution. However, unfortunately, at the moment,...

Energy Prices (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The Deputy has made a fair point. He is right to say that those who are in distress are in more acute distress now than they were in 2008. I do not advance the fact that gas prices have decreased by 27% since then as any kind of excuse for them to increase. I do not know how much it is intended they will rise by as no figure has been set. The companies have put figures out there in broad...

Communications Masts (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: As the Deputy is aware, the remit and obligations of RTE, as an independent national public service broadcaster, are set out in the Broadcasting Act 2009. Section 114 of that Act sets out the principal objects and associated powers of RTE. Section 98 provides that it "shall be independent in the pursuance of its objects", subject to the requirements of the Act. Therefore, as Minister I...

Communications Masts (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The Deputy is right to suggest that these are valuable State assets. There are crainn cumarsáide at 149 locations, but just 51 locations are needed to transmit digital terrestrial television. That does not mean it is as simple as subtracting one from the other. Quite a few of these facilities are used for other purposes. I assure the Deputy there is no question of interfering with other...

Communications Masts (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: As the Deputy knows, quality new spectrum will become available after the switch-off. It may well be the case that some of these masts will be used to improve the quality of broadband, for example.

Communications Masts (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I can give the Deputy a commitment that I will bring the views he has just expressed to the attention of the RTE authorities, which are putting a great deal of work and thought into getting the switch-off right. As Minister, I could not contemplate the implications of a significant number of the constituents of Deputy Ó Cuív and the Leas-Cheann Comhairle being left without "Coronation...

Electricity Generation (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Question Nos. 7 and 23 together. The programme for Government commits to the provision of a feed-in tariff for microgenerators producing electricity for their own homes, farms and businesses and selling surplus electricity to the grid. The programme also states that the tariff will not be significantly above the single energy market price for electricity. In line with the...

Electricity Generation (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I do not know enough about the issue but I am trying to find out and learn about it. I do not entirely agree that the Deputy is entitled to put on the beal bocht for Galway West as compared to Galway East given that farms in the east of the county tend to be small and the area does not have many milking parlours.

Electricity Generation (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: Yes. While stimulating the micro-generation sector is probably a positive thing to do, one has to consider the economics of the issue. I set out the figures on the cost of the current feed in tariff and the minuscule amount of electricity going back into the grid. I do not know whether economies of scale apply, as the Deputy suggests, although I am open to examining that proposition. It...