Results 7,721-7,740 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Electricity Generation (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I will undertake to examine the issue raised by the Deputy. I do not know whether the position here is exactly analogous to the position in other EU member states. While I support the idea of micro-generation in principle, we must examine the economics of the case. If it is the Deputy's case that the level at which the tariff threshold means inherent failure is likely and that a higher...

Telecommunications Services (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 10 together. The metropolitan area networks, MANs, were built by the State throughout the country to deliver telecommunications infrastructure where the commercial telecommunications operators had not invested and market failure had therefore been identified. The MANs are fibre optic networks mainly built in a ring formation around towns with...

NewERA Programme (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: No one would sell assets in this climate.

Alternative Energy Projects (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 and 27 together. The tragic events in Japan and the geopolitical events in North Africa and the Middle East underline the imperative for Ireland and the European Union as a whole to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels. Radical improvements in energy efficiency and the continued development and deployment of renewable energy are key priorities for...

Alternative Energy Projects (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The Deputy is correct, in that the quality of wind supply along the west coast is the best in the country. There are those who would argue it is the best in Europe. Deputy Ó Cuív fully understands how the Government is constrained in terms of sourcing investment for this type of project. None the less, the commercial sector in this area is growing and it is our task to facilitate such...

Alternative Energy Projects (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: As one can infer from the Deputy's question, he knows that feedback to the grid is an expensive part of the process. He will also be aware of EirGrid's ambitious investment plans for its development programme. Notwithstanding recently published reports to the effect that, due to the dramatic step down in economic activity, we could afford to pull back on some of these plans, we are not...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: RTÉ is an independent national public service broadcaster whose remit and obligations are set out in the Broadcasting Act 2009. Section 114 (1) of the Broadcasting Act 2009 states the principal objects and associated powers of RTÉ, including the power to build and operate digital multiplexes under section 114 (1)(j). Under Section 130, RTÉ is required to build and operate digital...

Written Answers — Television Licence: Television Licence (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: As I am sure the Deputy is aware, the current TV licence system is that, except for certain classes of social welfare recipients, if you own a television set in Ireland you are liable to pay a television licence. An Post is currently responsible for the collection of television licence fees and for identifying those persons who have unlicensed televisions sets. The Programme for Government...

Written Answers — Television Licence: Television Licence (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: RTÉ is an independent national public service broadcaster whose remit and obligations are set out in the Broadcasting Act 2009. Section 114 (1) of the Broadcasting Act 2009 states the principal objects and associated powers of RTÉ and Section 98 provides that it shall be independent in the pursuance of these objects, subject to the requirements of the Act. As such I, as Minister, have no...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: Mobile telecommunications are an electronic communications service under the terms of European legislation. The relevant national regulations in respect of mobile service provision have been updated over time to reflect developments in the EU and market developments generally. In 2003, national regulations were introduced to transpose the liberalised EU telecommunications market, as...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 16 and 32 together. The planning, development and routing of transmission line infrastructure is a matter for EirGrid, which is the State owned body responsible for the electricity transmission system. I have no statutory function regarding the planning and construction of energy networks. The Government fully endorses the strategic national importance of...

Written Answers — Electricity Grid: Electricity Grid (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) has statutory responsibility for grid connection offers and for oversight of EirGrid's grid connection process, including the Gate Three process for renewable energy projects which are primarily medium to large scale wind projects. I welcome the fact that the CER took the decision two years ago, to adopt a more pragmatic and responsive approach to...

Written Answers — EU Council Meetings: EU Council Meetings (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The informal Energy Council held on the 3rd May in Budapest discussed progress to date on the Energy 2050 Roadmap which is being developed by the Commission. There was general agreement to the overall strategic direction proposed by the Commission to decarbonise Europe's energy system as part of the overall EU commitment to decarbonise the Economy by 2050. It was agreed that the set of...

Written Answers — Sale of State Assets: Sale of State Assets (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 29 together. I have responsibility for a range of commercial semi-State bodies that play critical roles in the Irish economy, not only by providing essential infrastructure and services but as significant employers. Most of them also contribute substantial dividends to the Exchequer on foot of their successful investment programmes and resultant...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: As the Deputy will be aware, the Minister for Finance announced the Government's jobs initiative in the House earlier this week which detailed the Government's proposals in this regard. Energy and communications are key elements underpinning the Government's commitment to our international competitiveness, and supporting the protection and creation of jobs. This week I launched "Better...

Written Answers — Ministerial Meetings: Ministerial Meetings (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...

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: Section 124 of the Broadcasting Act requires the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI), within 3 years of enactment of the Broadcasting Act, to review the adequacy or otherwise of public funding to enable public service broadcasters to meet their public service objects. I am currently considering the first such report completed and submitted by the Authority in this matter. This...

Written Answers — Fisheries Conservation: Fisheries Conservation (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: As the Deputy may be aware the Standing Scientific Committee advised that stocks of salmon in the River Laune are above its conservation level in 2011 and the Total Allowable Catch specified in the Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme (No. 2) Regulations, 2010 (SI No.665, 2010) for the River is 5,962. In common with many rivers in the South West fishing on the River Laune is weather...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: RTÉ and TG4 are independent national public service broadcasters whose remit and obligations are set out in the Broadcasting Act 2009. The principal objects and associated powers of RTÉ and TG4 are set out in Sections 114(1) and 118(1), respectively, of the Broadcasting Act 2009. Section 98 provides that both public service broadcasters shall be independent in the pursuance of these...

Written Answers — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I assume the recent reports to which the Deputy is referring relate to Licensing Option 08/2 which was granted to Providence Resources plc and Star Energy Oil and Gas Ltd in 2008. Star Energy is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Petronas International Corporation Ltd. The Licensing Option was awarded to the companies for a three year period to 17th August 2011 and covers an area of...