Results 8,401-8,420 of 28,255 for speaker:Éamon Ó Cuív

Renewable Energy Tariff Scheme (19 Oct 2011)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I find it extraordinary that the Union has been lecturing us about our public service yet it cannot deliver something that is of vital European as well as Irish interest. I understand 1,000 MW of power is ready to proceed. As I understand it, under the REFIT scheme, as proposed, a generator - in other words, the person who owns the windmill - gets €66 per MW hour produced, whereas the...

Renewable Energy Tariff Scheme (19 Oct 2011)

Éamon Ó Cuív: Then make it higher.

Renewable Energy Tariff Scheme (19 Oct 2011)

Éamon Ó Cuív: It should go to the generator.

Renewable Energy Tariff Scheme (19 Oct 2011)

Éamon Ó Cuív: With no disrespect to the Minister, it does not address the balance between the generator, the supplier and the consumer. I know the study to which he refers and while it deals with the cost to the State of REFIT, it does not address the issue that-----

Strategic Energy Infrastructure (19 Oct 2011)

Éamon Ó Cuív: Question 4: To ask the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources if he considers any of the gas networks, the electricity networks, or the electricity transmission systems as strategic infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30188/11]

Strategic Energy Infrastructure (19 Oct 2011)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I am very pleased the Minister has confirmed that these are strategic national assets. How can he square what he has just said about these being strategic national assets with the commitment in the programme for Government that the sale of assets would be non-strategic assets? How can the Minister explain the Government's decision to sell what he has now has declared to be strategic...

Strategic Energy Infrastructure (19 Oct 2011)

Éamon Ó Cuív: The Minister is incorrect and he should check the source document, the memorandum of understanding, where he will see that the previous Government committed itself to a review which was carried out by Dr. Colm McCarthy. To ensure efficient gas and electricity networks, there was no number nor was there a specific commitment to sell any State assets. The present Government made the money...

Strategic Energy Infrastructure (19 Oct 2011)

Éamon Ó Cuív: We did not.

Strategic Energy Infrastructure (19 Oct 2011)

Éamon Ó Cuív: If the Minister checked the documentation, he would find there was no firm commitment. We undertook to carry out a review and the Minister is always trying to bluster his way out of his Government's decisions. This Government gave these money commitments in the programme for Government. No amount of bluster will get away from the facts in cold print.

Strategic Energy Infrastructure (19 Oct 2011)

Éamon Ó Cuív: The Minister now admits that there was no figure and no commitment.

Radio Licensing (19 Oct 2011)

Éamon Ó Cuív: From the Minister's reply, one would think he had no role in the matter and that he could not give any general directives to ComReg. If necessary, he could, of course, legislate. When ComReg issues 800MHz and 900MHz band licences, will it be a condition to have 100% coverage across the territory of the State? Furthermore, will the Minister assure us that coverage will extend indoors? If...

Radio Licensing (19 Oct 2011)

Éamon Ó Cuív: We will certainly invite ComReg and I understand the joint committee is in the processing of doing so. In the meantime, policy is laid down by the Minister, not ComReg. When he talks about 70% coverage, he is referring to population; the figure is about 50% in the case of territory. It is interesting to note that the figure for Germany is 90% and for the United Kingdom, 95%. Is it...

Radio Licensing (19 Oct 2011)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I am asking a question. Will the Minister set minimum coverage requirements to be sought by ComReg to ensure there will be a universal service throughout the State, or will he be the agent adding to the digital divide within the country?

Radio Licensing (19 Oct 2011)

Éamon Ó Cuív: It is not incidental.

Fiscal Policy (19 Oct 2011)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I imagine that in his heart and soul the Minister is on the same track as me. It appears the ideologues in the Minister of State's party and the troika are pushing this along. Reading between the lines I suspect the Minster is trying to follow the principle of festina lente. While he has been forced to agree in principle, he will place a dris chosáin all along the way in the hope this...

Fiscal Policy (19 Oct 2011)

Éamon Ó Cuív: It was set by the Minister.

Fiscal Policy (19 Oct 2011)

Éamon Ó Cuív: In the coming four years the turnover of the State will be in excess of €200 billion. The margin for error in that amount far exceeds the €2 billion referred to in the programme for Government to be raised through the sale of State assets. Therefore, like many other things, in financial terms, this aspect could be renegotiated. It is simply a drop in the ocean. So far this year the...

Fiscal Policy (19 Oct 2011)

Éamon Ó Cuív: We have exceeded them.

Fiscal Policy (19 Oct 2011)

Éamon Ó Cuív: The Minister has been very helpful and Deputies may have obtained a better reading of his mind this afternoon than on any previous occasion. He referred to Greece. Ireland and Greece are in a totally different position because we have adhered to the agreement we reached with the European Union and the International Monetary Fund. It is my understanding from the statements of the Government...

Fiscal Policy (19 Oct 2011)

Éamon Ó Cuív: Does the Minister understand what is driving the process? It is being done in the interests of private companies and financiers which want to get their hands on assets the Irish people have built up. If that is the case, we will work with the Minister to ensure they do not succeed. We will support him and I hope he will support our efforts.