Results 7,741-7,760 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Written Answers — Semi-State Bodies: Semi-State Bodies (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: In the context of the NewERA Plan the Government commits to an ambitious strategy of accelerating the development of Ireland's forestry and bioenergy resources. I will be working with Minister Rabbitte as well as the Minister for Agriculture, Marine and Food, and all relevant Ministers to develop a national Bioenergy Strategy in addition to developing the comprehensive business case to...

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

Pat Rabbitte: The matter to which the Deputy refers is one area that was considered by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) in the context of its report on a review of the adequacy of Public Service Broadcasters' Funding, conducted in accordance with Section 124(2) of the Broadcasting Act 2009. I am currently considering this report in the context of the provisions of section 124(6) of the 2009...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: No application under the name supplied has been made to any of the renewable energy or energy efficiency schemes run by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, or to the REFIT scheme operated by my Department. I would, however, invite the Deputy to contact my Department directly if he has any further queries on any application that any individual may wish to make.

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

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 89 and 90 together. The provision of electronic communications services, including broadband, is, in the first instance, a matter for private sector service providers. Significant improvements have been made in recent years in terms of broadband availability and broadband quality. For example, broadband products with speeds ranging from 25 megabits per...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The number of Mineral Prospecting Licences and Petroleum Exploration Licences granted in each year between 2001 and 2011 are set out in the table. Licences Granted during period 2001 – 2011 Year Prospecting Licences (Minerals) Petroleum Exploration Licences 2001 44 0 2002 37 0 2003 22 0 2004 26 3 2005 51 7 2006 84 4 2007 143 5 2008 91 5 2009 66 1 2010 93 0 2011 to date 20 0...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The Renewable Energy Feed-in Tariff scheme (REFIT), which is administered by my Department is the key support scheme for the renewable energy sector, supporting renewable energy generators with a guaranteed price in the wholesale electricity market. State Aid Clearance for the REFIT scheme was obtained from the European Commission in September 2007 and a renewal and expansion of the Scheme...

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

Pat Rabbitte: The Government's core policy goal for the postal sector is to ensure that Irish customers, both business and residential, enjoy competitively priced, high quality postal services. The Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill, which is due to be debated at Committee Stage in the Dáil shortly, sets out a robust regulatory framework for the postal services market which is open to...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers the Better Energy programme on behalf of my Department. My officials have requested SEAI to contact the individual in question as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Home Energy Saving Scheme: Home Energy Saving Scheme (17 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 302 and 304 together. I announced the launch of Better Energy: The National Upgrade Programme on Wednesday, 11 May 2011 on foot of the Jobs Initiative. Better Energy will replace the three existing energy efficiency and renewable energy programmes: the Home Energy Savings Scheme (HES), the Warmer Homes Scheme (WHS) and the Greener Homes Scheme (GHS). There...

Written Answers — Home Energy Saving Scheme: Home Energy Saving Scheme (17 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The operation of the Home Energy Scheme is a day to day matter for the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). I have no function in the matter. It is a legal requirement under The Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2006 that all domestic gas works must be undertaken and certified by a registered gas installer (RGI) who is registered with the RGII (Register Gas Installers of...

Written Answers — Fishing Licences: Fishing Licences (17 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I understand that the individual referred to by the Deputy applied for a draft net salmon fishing licence. Applications for fishing licences were considered by Inland Fisheries Ireland, in accordance with the terms of the Control of Fishing for Salmon Order 2011 (S.I. No 123, 2011). This Order determines the priority status afforded to each application based on the applicant's fishing track...

Written Answers — Television Licence Fee: Television Licence Fee (17 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The Programme for Government commits to examining the role and collection of the TV Licence Fee in light of existing and projected convergence of broadcasting technologies and to transform the TV licence into a household based Public Broadcasting Charge to be applied to all households and applicable businesses, regardless of the device they use to access content. In line with this commitment,...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (17 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I can inform the Deputy that the payment of subscriptions by State Agencies in respect of corporate membership of organisations, including Irish Business and Employers Confederation is a day-to-day operational issue for the agencies themselves.

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (17 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: My Department entered into a contract with "3", a Hutchinson Whampoa company, for the delivery of the National Broadband Scheme (NBS) in late December 2008. Since then, 3 has progressed its network roll-out and since October 2010, NBS broadband services are available in all of the 1,028 designated Electoral Divisions (ED) covered under the Scheme, in line with contractual commitments. 3's...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (17 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The National Broadband Scheme (NBS) contract guarantees that broadband connectivity is available to 100% of the buildings within the NBS coverage areas. In recognition of the fact that some areas will be very costly and technologically challenging to reach using standard infrastructure, a limited number of residences and businesses in the NBS coverage area are covered by a satellite service....

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (17 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: Following the formal launch of the Rural Broadband Scheme earlier this month, my Department is currently taking applications from members of the public who wish to be included in this scheme. This application and verification phase will last at least 3 months. In the second half of this year my Department intends tendering to procure a service provider who will supply the actual broadband...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (17 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: There are currently two cardholders on my Department's Credit Card Account, the Private Secretaries to the Minister and the Minister of State. It is my Department's policy that credit cards are issued only to the Minister and Minister of State through their respective Private Secretaries. My Department's commercial bank accounts, including its credit card account, are held with Bank of...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (17 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The issue referred to in the Deputy's Question relates to the monthly data cap allowance for National Broadband Scheme (NBS) customers and forms part of the terms and conditions of the contract between the service provider and subscriber. The NBS contract sets out the minimum specification retail service that "3" must provide which includes the retail tariffs applicable (€19.99 per month)...

Written Answers — Public Procurement Contracts: Public Procurement Contracts (17 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: In the time available, it has not been possible to conclude an examination of the relevant records. Officials within my Department are continuing the examination of the position and I will revert to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Energy Prices: Energy Prices (17 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I have no statutory function in the setting of energy prices, whether in the regulated or non-regulated sector. Responsibility for the regulation of the electricity and gas markets is a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), which is an independent statutory body. I welcome the recent ESB announcement of price cuts of up to 17% for electricity and gas customers on foot of...