Results 801-820 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney
- Alternative Energy Projects. (12 Mar 2008)
Simon Coveney: I thank the Minister for his reply, but it is a different answer to the one I expected. The Commission for Energy Regulation informed the Joint Committee on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources that, under gate 3 in the next two months, new connections to the national grid will be made for wind energy projects. My understanding is that 8,258 MW of wind application proposals are...
- Alternative Energy Projects. (12 Mar 2008)
Simon Coveney: As time is tight, could I ask the Minister to answer the specific question I asked?
- Alternative Energy Projects. (12 Mar 2008)
Simon Coveney: Unfortunately, that is not what the CER is saying, and it will be making the decision. It is saying that acceptance will be based on the time the application was made.
- Alternative Energy Projects. (12 Mar 2008)
Simon Coveney: The Minister is saying something entirely different.
- Alternative Energy Projects. (12 Mar 2008)
Simon Coveney: The Minister correctly said that it is the plan of the Government to obtain approximately 4,000 MW from onshore wind farms. We currently have the capacity for more than 1,000 MW on the grid, but there are more than 8,000 MW worth of applications. We need to be honest with people and tell them that at least half of the consortia that plan to produce power from wind will not actually get a...
- Alternative Energy Projects. (12 Mar 2008)
Simon Coveney: It is no consolation for those people that they might get a connection after 2020.
- Electricity Transmission. (12 Mar 2008)
Simon Coveney: Question 269: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if it is possible to extend the timeframe under which a consultant appointed by his Department will undertake a study on the comparative merits of overhead electricity transmission lines and underground cables for the Meath-Cavan-Monaghan 400 kV project, in the context of the fact that a number of companies...
- Electricity Transmission. (12 Mar 2008)
Simon Coveney: Question 270: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of companies that have tendered for the study on the comparative merits of overhead electricity transmission lines and underground cables for the Meath-Cavan-Monaghan 400 kV project; when a decision will be made on selecting a successful applicant; and the names of companies that have tendered....
- Electricity Transmission. (12 Mar 2008)
Simon Coveney: Question 271: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the tender has been advertised on a Europe-wide basis for the study on the comparative merits of overhead electricity transmission lines and underground cables for the Meath-Cavan-Monaghan 400 kV project; and if there has been interest from companies outside Ireland. [10738/08]
- Electricity Transmission. (12 Mar 2008)
Simon Coveney: Question 272: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will ensure that there will be no conflict of interest between the selected successful tender and the past relationship with EirGrid which may compromise the credibility of the study of the comparative merits of overhead electricity transmission lines and underground cables for the Meath-Cavan-Monaghan...
- Electricity Transmission. (12 Mar 2008)
Simon Coveney: How much time do we have for questions? Do we get extra time?
- Electricity Transmission. (12 Mar 2008)
Simon Coveney: I will follow up on one or two of the Minister's answers. The representative group, which consists mostly of the North East Pylon Pressure group, submitted a 300 page document by the deadline. Will the Minister ensure that the consultancy firm meets this pressure group in the same way that, I assume, it will meet EirGrid? If the consultancy firm is from outside Ireland it will need an...
- Electricity Transmission. (12 Mar 2008)
Simon Coveney: That is the issue, rural versus urban.
- Telecommunications Services. (12 Mar 2008)
Simon Coveney: I thank the Minister for a detailed reply. I accept there are some impressive CVs on the forum. Will the Minister explain the reason he chose not to have any current business users of broadband services in Ireland on that forum? It would surely have made sense to ask businesses and consumers what they need, the speeds they need, what services they can access, how much they pay and whether...
- Telecommunications Services. (12 Mar 2008)
Simon Coveney: I am not questioning individuals.
- Telecommunications Services. (12 Mar 2008)
Simon Coveney: Regarding where we develop from here, the Minister stated that we will see an amended policy document from the Government in the middle of April. This is quite soon. Could the Minister seek time in the House to debate that report? The Opposition would like to do that. Could he indicate the timescale we can expect for the consultation process? There is a great deal of impatience in the...
- Telecommunications Services. (12 Mar 2008)
Simon Coveney: On the same issue, I agree with the Minister's last comments. The State's job is to facilitate competition in this area and, where there is market failure, to subsidise where necessary. By doing things such as building regulations to require ducting into every house and business that is being built in the country, we facilitate competition. By setting up an audit to maximise existing...
- Telecommunications Services. (12 Mar 2008)
Simon Coveney: We are discussing availability for those who want it. While everyone in Northern Ireland can get it, only 25% of people in the Republic can get it.
- Telecommunications Services. (12 Mar 2008)
Simon Coveney: Perhaps the Minister should go home for a while.
- Telecommunications Services. (12 Mar 2008)
Simon Coveney: The Minister has been in the Pale for too long.