Results 8,401-8,420 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Written Answers — Public Petitions: Public Petitions (11 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The details of public petitions that have been submitted to my Department in the past four years are shown in the table below. The nature of the petition campaign The date on which the petition was submitted; The number of signatories on each petition; The action undertaken by him following consideration of the submission; Provision of broadband to a small development in the village of...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (11 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: Connections to the electricity grid are a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) and EirGrid and ESB Networks in the first instance. It is estimated that 4630MW of renewable generation is required, based on current economic growth assumptions and energy demand projections, to ensure 40% of electricity consumption from renewable sources by 2020 and to meet Ireland's legally...

Written Answers — Electricity Transmission Network: Electricity Transmission Network (11 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 313 and 319 together. The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) has statutory responsibility for grid connection offers and for oversight of EirGrid grid connection process including the Gate process for renewable energy. The Connection Offer Policy and Process (COPP) is outlined in detail in CER decision paper CER/11/093 and in annexes to that decision...

Written Answers — Energy Conservation: Energy Conservation (11 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 314 and 317 together. Better Energy: Homes Scheme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and provides grant assistance to homeowners for energy efficiency retrofitting measures, including attic and wall insulation, high-efficiency boilers, heating controls and Building Energy Rating (BER) assessments. Queries in relation to...

Written Answers — Data Protection: Data Protection (11 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: Issues concerning unsolicited communications for direct marketing purposes are a matter for the Data Protection Commissioner. I understand there is an opt-in and opt-out system in place to permit or prohibit direct marketing telephone calls. In the case of ex-directory landlines and all mobile phones, direct marketing calls are not permissible unless individual customers opt to receive such...

Written Answers — Energy Prices: Energy Prices (11 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I have no statutory function in the setting of energy prices, whether in the regulated or non-regulated 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. The electricity retail market is now fully deregulated and CER has announced that the small to medium business...

Written Answers — Electricity Transmission Network: Electricity Transmission Network (11 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The planning and development of the transmission grid is the responsibility of EirGrid as the State owned transmission company. I have no function in the matter. EirGrid advises that it is progressing plans for transmission network development in Mayo in line with regional development and renewable energy needs. Grid West, as a key project under GRID 25, will significantly increase the...

Written Answers — Electricity Transmission Network: Electricity Transmission Network (11 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The planning, development and routing of transmission line infrastructure is a matter for EirGrid, the State owned body responsible for the electricity transmission system. I have no statutory function regarding the planning and construction of energy networks.

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (11 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: In July 2010, Ireland submitted its National Renewable Energy Action Plan (NREAP) to the European Commission. One of the scenarios set out in the Plan identifies Ireland's potential in the longer term to become an exporter of Electricity from Renewable Energy Sources to other Member States subject to the appropriate economic, technical and environmental conditions and subject to...

Written Answers — Electricity Transmission Network: Electricity Transmission Network (11 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The deployment of renewable generation in the electricity sector has increased considerably in recent years. In Ireland, we now have enough installed renewable generation to meet 15% of electricity demand and, at particular time intervals, renewables have produced enough power to meet 50% of system demand. As percentage of system size, this level of renewable penetration places Ireland at...

Leaders' Questions (12 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The sky might fall on Grafton Street.

Order of Business (12 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: That will be before the budget.

Order of Business (12 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: Deputy McDonald cannot wait to get her hands on it.

Order of Business (12 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: As much time as Deputy McDonald wants.

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (12 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: Wave and tidal energy, commonly known as ocean energy, is still at the RD&D stage globally. In 2008, the Ocean Energy Development Unit (OEDU) was established in the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to take forward Ireland's ocean energy programme. Already by 2008, a number of Irish universities and the Marine Institute were pursuing research and initiatives in the ocean energy...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (12 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: There are five Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) in County Mayo: Ballina; Ballinrobe; Claremorris; Kiltimagh and Knock. The MANS are managed, maintained and operated by e|net on behalf of the State and are available on a wholesale carrier neutral and open access basis. Backhaul is available in each of the five MAN towns and three of these have been connected: Ballina, Claremorris and...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (12 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 — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (12 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The provision of broadband services is, in the first instance, a matter for commercial service providers. In cases of market failure the Government will intervene, where it is appropriate and possible to do so. The Group Broadband Scheme, National Broadband Scheme (NBS) and Rural Broadband Scheme are all examples of where Government has intervened to ensure broadband availability in areas,...

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (13 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I can inform the Deputy that there are 18 State bodies under the aegis of my Department. Of these there are 15 whose boards are appointed in whole in or in part by the Minister and/or the Government. The table details the information requested on the board positions, including Chairpersons, which have been filled since I took office, taking into consideration requirements and qualifications...

Written Answers — Hydraulic Fracturing: Hydraulic Fracturing (13 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I am aware that concerns have been expressed about the potential impact of hydraulic fracturing on the environment and I take these concerns seriously. To that end, I have requested the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to conduct research and advise on the environmental implications of hydraulic fracturing as a means of extracting natural gas from underground reserves. However, I would...