Results 8,321-8,340 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (27 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: My Department is currently finalising the necessary legislation to transpose the transmission network unbundling provisions of Directive 2009/72/EC. In line with the recent Government Decision and as provided for in the Directive, it will be the responsibility of the Commissioner for Energy Regulation to progress with the European Commission the certification and verification arrangements...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (27 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The provision of broadband services in schools is in general a matter for my colleague the Minister for Education & Skills. I do, however, recognise the key role that high speed broadband services can play in achieving the objective of a knowledge society. My Department, in conjunction with the Department of Education & Skills, has successfully implemented a pilot project of 100mbps high...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (27 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: Under the terms of the Civil Service Superannuation Schemes, retiring staff are entitled to a lump sum payment and a retirement pension which is based on their length of service and final pensionable remuneration. Further details regarding retirement benefits for civil servants are available at www.cspensions.gov.ie. Retiring staff receive a retirement lump sum of 3/80ths of pensionable...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (27 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 326 and 327 together. The licensing of radio microphones is a matter for the Commission for Communications Regulation (Comreg). I understand that there are currently 49 channels (channels 21 to 69) available for radio microphone use in Ireland in the 470 – 862 MHz band with the majority of assignments made in channel 69. These channels are made available...

Written Answers — Departmental Strategy Statements: Departmental Strategy Statements (27 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: My Department submitted a draft Strategy Statement for the period 2011-2014 to me recently within the specified statutory timescale. It is my intention to publish the Strategy Statement in due course, in accordance with the provisions of the Public Service Management Act 1997.

Telecommunications Services (28 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I am pleased to have the opportunity to address the House on the important topic of international communications connectivity. I am also pleased to have the opportunity to highlight some of the factors that must be considered by the Government before any decisions to intervene in commercial markets can be taken. I am well aware of the Hibernia Atlantic Express project raised by Deputy...

Telecommunications Services (28 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I understand the Deputy's argument very well. In recent weeks, I met with the chamber of commerce along with the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Deputy Coveney, and other colleagues on this very subject. Yesterday, I answered a question from Deputy Ciarán Lynch on the same issue. My officials are anxious to engage with the company involved. Unfortunately, when Deputy...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (28 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I am aware of the Hibernia Atlantic Express project referred to by the Deputy. I would very much welcome an investment by the Company, as referred to by the Deputy, that would lead to improved international connectivity. As regards any exchequer support for such an investment, the electronic communications market is, and has been since its liberalisation, a commercial competitive market....

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (28 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: Since the formation of my Department in June 2007, there have been no promotions in the category referenced by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (28 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) is responsible for the regulation of the electronic communications sector. As part of its remit to inform consumers, ComReg operates a website called www.callcosts.ie. This site is a free, up-to date, easy to use and independent website that covers most telephone, mobile and broadband plans available in Ireland. The Callcosts website...

Leaders' Questions (29 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: What did Dev do?

Leaders' Questions (29 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I think the Deputy lost about 61 behind him.

Leaders' Questions (29 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: Could this Deputy identify himself?

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (29 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The licensing of radio microphones is a matter for the Commission for Communications Regulation (Comreg). I understand that channel 69 (854 – 862 MHz) is one of the channels available for radio microphone use in Ireland. At the International Telecommunication Union World Radio-communication Conference in 2007 it was agreed that channels 61 to 69 would be made available for mobile...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (4 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 389 and 393 together. I can inform the Deputy that there is a comprehensive regulatory framework in place that would apply in the case of any major onshore gas extraction project. The development of such a project would require a number of statutory consents including a planning consent from An Bord Pleanála under the Planning and Development (Strategic...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (4 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The licensing of radio microphones is a matter for the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). I understand that channel 69 (854 – 862 MHz) is one of the channels available for radio microphone use in Ireland. At the International Telecommunication Union World Radio-communication Conference in 2007 it was agreed that channels 61 to 69 would be made available for mobile...

Written Answers — Energy Efficiency: Energy Efficiency (4 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The energy poverty strand of Better Energy aims to provide energy efficiency improvements to low-income homes unable to afford the cost of implementing such measures. 'Better Energy: Warmer Homes' delivers a range of energy efficiency measures to households that are vulnerable to energy poverty. The scheme is managed by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and delivered...

Written Answers — Energy Efficiency: Energy Efficiency (4 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers the Better Energy programme on behalf of my Department. The energy poverty strand of Better Energy aims to provide energy efficiency improvements to low-income homes unable to afford the cost of implementing such measures. The SEAI has advised my Department that an appointed contractor has recently been assigned to this...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (4 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 394 and 396 together. The number and amount of retirement lump sums paid to ex staff of my Department varies considerably from year to year. During the period 1st June 2010 to 1st June 2011, 35 retirement lump sums were awarded. Of those, only 3 were for amounts above €75,000. The amount that would have been collected had they been taxed as outlined in...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (4 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I understand that the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform is providing the data on numbers of retired civil servants in the ranges of pension, as sought by the Deputy.