Results 8,141-8,160 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Offshore Exploration (14 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The second point is that there is nothing preventing - the former Minister, Deputy Ó Cuív, understands this well - the Minister for Finance of the day addressing the fiscal regime in any area of the economy which he or she believes appropriate at any time. That applies to this regime as well. That is the competence of the Minister for Finance and it is untrammelled. It is important, now...

Sale of State Assets (14 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The EU-IMF programme of December 2010 involves a commitment that the Government will outline methods to raise funds through asset disposals. The 2011 budget included a similar commitment. The programme for Government includes an intention to finance investment in the State from the proceeds of the sale of certain State assets. The Government has also considered the report of the McCarthy...

Sale of State Assets (14 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I hear the Deputy's reiteration of his opposition to the disposal of any State assets. I also hear his conviction that there is no necessity for the Government to respond to the demands of the IMF-EU memorandum of understanding.

Sale of State Assets (14 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I am pleased, as should all my colleagues in this House, with the growing recognition in Europe of the responsible manner in which this Government is dealing with the crisis we inherited.

Sale of State Assets (14 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: That is becoming clearer with every day that passes. I cannot understand how Deputy Ferris can assert that the Government is handing over control of State companies to outsiders. A minority stake is not control and there is no question of this Government handing over control. The ESB has strategic significance for the Irish economy and we recognise its importance in the context of energy...

Alternative Energy Projects (14 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The 2007 Energy White Paper set overarching targets for penetration of renewable energy in the electricity, heat and transport sector. These targets are 40% renewable electricity, 12% renewable heat and 10% renewable energy in transport. These three sectoral targets are in line with meeting our renewable energy directive target which sets a binding 16% penetration of all energy from...

Alternative Energy Projects (14 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I meant no disrespect to the Deputy. It is conventional to provide this type of background information; not everybody is as knowledgeable about REFIT and the subsidy to the industry as is Deputy Pringle. I did no more than elucidate that point. I do not disagree with what the Deputy said, but his expectation for an indigenous industry is somewhat exaggerated. I agree with the general...

Alternative Energy Projects (14 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: We are agreed on the desirability of building a renewable sector that can make a contribution to the targets that we must meet in a European context. I accept that biomass is an aspect of that. I reiterate, however, that I would not be as optimistic as Deputy Pringle in terms of the quantum that will be contributed. That does not mean that it is not important. I accept that it is...

Alternative Energy Projects (14 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The renewable energy feed in tariff scheme known as REFIT was introduced in 2006 for certain categories of renewable energy, including onshore wind. Since then, the tariffs have been increased, where applicable, by the annual consumer price index. Adjustments to the rate are by way of indexation annually and by the annual increase, if any, in the consumer price index in Ireland. REFIT is...

Alternative Energy Projects (14 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The application is with DG Competition of the European Commission for 18 months or longer and is in the final stages so I do not see how I can pull back. Certainly, I am more than willing to go into committee with Deputy Ó Cuív and other members to tease through this issue because there are questions that need to be examined with regard to this system. I am assured there is no basis for...

Alternative Energy Projects (14 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I am assured that the contribution is no more than is necessary to encourage new entrants into the marketplace, which is what we are seeking to do. If there are these big holes in it - the scheme was devised by Deputy Ó Cuív and his colleagues - I do not know when it dawned on him that there are such holes in it. I am happy to go into committee and examine it. I appreciate the Deputy...

Alternative Energy Projects (14 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: Therefore, all we are debating is the quantum.

Alternative Energy Projects (14 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The Deputy is behaving like a new Member of the House. He is mad for action. I believed he would be tired-----

Alternative Energy Projects (14 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: -----after all the years he spent making the wrong decisions. I believed he would be worn out.

Energy Prices (14 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 and 13 together. I do not have a statutory function in the setting of energy prices, whether in the regulated or unregulated market. 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. Ireland's electricity and gas markets, both wholesale and...

Energy Prices (14 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I agree with the Deputy that the last thing one wants to hear about heading into the winter is an increase in energy prices. I acknowledge that and that some will be more severely affected than others. It is for this reason that I was happy to be able to negotiate with the energy companies an arrangement whereby no family in distress will be disconnected this winter provided it...

Energy Prices (14 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: Let us see. At least conclusions will be drawn as to whether there is an efficient energy sector operating in this economy.

Energy Prices (14 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: Yesterday evening I told the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Natural Resources and Agriculture that I was in the process of bringing to the Government a memorandum on an affordable energy strategy. For some months, very active work has been done by the Department and the Departments of Social Protection and the Environment, Community and Local Government on the question of...

Energy Prices (14 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I have a final point.

Energy Prices (14 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The Leas-Cheann Comhairle has been very tolerant. Unfortunately, nothing in what Deputy Murphy stated - I understand from where she is coming - will alter world gas prices and this is the issue. If we were to have the collaboration about which she spoke in purchasing gas on the world market it would be a cartel and anti-competitive and I do not see it being able to run.