Results 8,281-8,300 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

ESB and Disposal of State Assets: Motion (Resumed) (21 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I am not privatising the ESB, for the record.

ESB and Disposal of State Assets: Motion (Resumed) (21 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I am not privatising the ESB, and I did not privatise Eircom.

ESB and Disposal of State Assets: Motion (Resumed) (21 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: We are on the brink of rescuing the country.

Written Answers — Building Regulations: Building Regulations (21 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: Acceptable thermal insulation levels for building elements (roofs, walls, floors, doors and windows) are specified in the technical guidance document (TGDL) published to accompany Part L (Conservation of Fuel and Energy) of the Building Regulations introduced by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. These requirements apply to new dwellings and, in certain...

Written Answers — Energy Policy: Energy Policy (21 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 81 to 83, inclusive, together. The first support scheme introduced in Ireland to support electricity from renewable sources was called the 'Alternative Energy Programme' or AER, which was launched in 1996. It was a programme based on competitive tendering and was funded through the PSO levy. Over the course of the programme, there were 6 tender competitions...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (21 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: In general, all civil servants are eligible for superannuation benefits on reaching minimum retirement age provided they satisfy the qualifying conditions outlined in the Superannuation Schemes. My Department is responsible for payment of these benefits in respect of civil servants who resigned from the former Department of Posts and Telegraphs on or after 1st June 1973 and before 1st...

Written Answers — Onshore Exploration: Onshore Exploration (21 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 85 and 86 together. No company currently holds an exploration authorisation that permits exploration drilling onshore, including exploration drilling that would involve hydraulic fracturing. In February of this year, my Department granted onshore Licensing Options to three companies over parts of the Lough Allen and Clare Basins. The Licensing Options are for...

Leaders' Questions (22 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: He loves you, too.

Leaders' Questions (22 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: Stick to Palestine, lads; it is safer.

Leaders' Questions (22 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: That is correct.

Leaders' Questions (22 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: Is Deputy Finian McGrath going to switch again?

Leaders' Questions (22 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: Senator Norris is on the phone. He wants to know will Deputy Finian McGrath switch back.

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (22 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The operation of An Post's post office network is a matter for the board and management of the company and not one in which I have a statutory function. However, I do appreciate the importance of the rural post office infrastructure in particular. The Government's core policy goal for the postal sector is to ensure that Irish customers, both business and residential, enjoy competitively...

Written Answers — Inland Waterways: Inland Waterways (22 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I have no remit as regards the undertaking of such works. I understand this is a matter for the landowner and the relevant authorities, including the local authority, in each instance. Similarly Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has no remit other than how these works impact on fish spawning grounds or fish stocks. It is an offence under section 173 of the Fisheries (Consolidation) Act 1959 to...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (22 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The telecommunications market in Ireland has been fully liberalised since 1999 and, since then, has seen the steady growth and development of well-regulated competition in the provision of the full range of telecommunications products and services. The Government is not a player in this market and can only intervene in cases of market failure. The most significant intervention in this regard...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (22 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The electronic communications market is, and has been since its liberalisation, a commercial competitive market. Thus, the provision of electronic communications services is a matter for those privately owned commercial sector service providers, regulated by the independent regulator, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). While I would welcome continuous investment by all...

Written Answers — Bord Gáis Bills: Bord Gáis Bills (22 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The issue referred to by the Deputy is a day to day operational matter for Bord Gáis Éireann and one in which I have no statutory function. I have asked Bord Gáis Éireann to write directly to the Deputy outlining its position on this matter.

Written Answers — Semi-State Companies: Semi-State Companies (22 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: My colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Brendan Howlin, announced the terms of a Government Decision for the introduction of pay ceilings for higher posts across the public service and for CEO posts in Commercial State Companies, in June 2011.

Written Answers — Energy Transmission Network: Energy Transmission Network (22 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I have no role in the planning and construction of individual transmission grid projects which is a day-to-day matter for EirGrid and ESB as the two State Bodies with statutory responsibilities for the national electricity transmission network infrastructure. Both bodies are responsible for ensuring that all relevant national, EU and international guidelines for health, safety and the...

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (22 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The Government has appointed two Special Advisers on my behalf. Information requested by the Deputy is outlined in the Table below: Name Date Appointed Annual Salary Mr. Finbarr O'Malley 28 March 2011 €83,337 Mr. Simon Nugent 11 April 2011 €97,200