Results 8,421-8,440 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

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

Pat Rabbitte: I can confirm that my Department has had informal contact with the Northern Ireland Authorities in relation to onshore petroleum authorisations in the North West Carboniferous Basin. The petroleum authorisations granted in both jurisdictions are at a very early stage and engagement will continue should these authorisations proceed to the drilling stage.

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (13 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: Issues relating to television coverage in specific areas of the country are an operational matter for RTÉ. The Broadcasting Act 2009 provides for RTÉ to roll-out a digital TV network to the same extent as the analogue TV network. RTÉ has informed my Department that the current analogue TV network covers 98% of the population and that its new digital TV network called Saorview will also...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (18 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) has statutory responsibility for this matter. Under Section 43 (1)(c)(i) of the Broadcasting Act 2009, the Authority must prepare and, from time to time, revise rules with respect to the specific steps each broadcaster is required to take to promote the understanding and enjoyment by those who are deaf or have a hearing impairment of programmes...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (18 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The rules to which the Deputy refers are the European Communities (Electronic Communications Networks and Services) Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2011, which I signed into law on 1 July 2011. These Regulations transpose the requirements of EU Directive 2002/58/EC concerning the processing of personal data and the protection of privacy in the electronic communications...

Written Answers — Energy Prices: Energy Prices (18 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: There are two separate State Aid clearance processes under way with the European Commission in respect of the extension of the REFIT Scheme for the renewable energy technologies of onshore wind, landfill gas and hydro technologies and a new REFIT Scheme covering biomass technology categories. I am advised that Commission decisions should be forthcoming in the coming weeks. On receipt of the...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (18 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The legislation which takes effect in relation to the requirement to hold a television licence is provided for in Section 140 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 which defines a television set as "any electronic apparatus capable of receiving and exhibiting television broadcasting services broadcast for general reception (whether or not its use for that purpose is dependent on the use of anything...

Written Answers — Croke Park Agreement: Croke Park Agreement (18 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: Under the Public Service Agreement 2010-2014, detailed action plans have been developed by each State agency under the remit of my Department to underpin the change and reform process envisaged by the Agreement. The Action Plans were first developed in October 2010 and subsequently revised in January 2011. Each agency was required to prepare their first detailed report on the progress being...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (18 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I wish to advise the Deputy that the day to day running of the State agencies under my aegis is a matter for them and you should contact them directly with regard to the information sought.

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (18 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: An Post acts on behalf of my Department as agent for the collection of the Television Licence fee under Section 145 of the Broadcasting Act 2009. In accordance with An Post's procedures, if a member of the public wishes to make a complaint in relation to an An Post TV Licence Inspector, the member of the public is advised, in the first instance, to contact their local An Post TV Licence...

Written Answers — Energy Prices: Energy Prices (18 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: There are separate State Aid clearance processes under way with the European Commission in respect of the extension of the REFIT Scheme for the renewable energy technologies of onshore wind, landfill gas and hydro technologies and a new REFIT Scheme covering biomass technology categories. The Commission is currently completing assessments of the applications and I am advised that decisions...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (18 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I can inform the Deputy that there are 18 State bodies under the aegis of my Department. Of these, 15 bodies have Boards that are currently being paid fees determined by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, one Board receives no fees and two bodies do not have a Board. The following table details the position regarding the payment of board fees to Chairpersons and Directors of...

Leaders' Questions (19 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: We are talking about the November memorandum.

Renewable Energy Tariff Scheme (19 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: Under Directive 2001/77/EC, Ireland was assigned a renewable electricity target of 13.2% by 2010. Following extensive public consultation and consideration, it was decided that to reach the 2010 targets, a new scheme was necessary to deliver the build rate required to meet the renewable electricity directive target level. Experience across Europe clearly showed that feed-in tariffs were...

Renewable Energy Tariff Scheme (19 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I broadly agree with the Deputy in that the time taken is longer than I would like. I was in Brussels last week on a number of different issues, and the same question was raised with me by our own MEPs. The latest information I have as a result is that the biomass REFIT is likely to emerge as early as next week, which is welcome because I am aware of a couple of tangible projects that are...

Renewable Energy Tariff Scheme (19 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: It is impossible to say. Once it goes through the system, we have complied by providing the information required from us. After that, it goes through the system in the Commission and, like everywhere else, that system has its own bureaucracy.

Renewable Energy Tariff Scheme (19 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I view this from the point of view of the targets we have to make. It is clear from the experience across Europe that without some kind of a feed-in subsidy, it would not happen.

Renewable Energy Tariff Scheme (19 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I believe we are agreed on that much.

Renewable Energy Tariff Scheme (19 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: Yes, but only the supply company is prepared to take it on. Otherwise, there would not be the extent of progress that has been made in terms of building out the capacity. Only the supply companies would take it on. With regard to REFIT 1, as we have known it, a number of changes have been introduced to the mechanism that tighten up some of the Deputy's concern, and they are with the...

Electricity Generation (19 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: Under the renewable energy directive, 2009/28/EC, Ireland was set a binding national target by the European Union of 16% of all energy consumed to be from renewable sources by 2020. National targets of 40% electricity, 12% heating and cooling and 10% transport are commensurate with reaching our overall directive target. Currently, there is approximately 1,800 MW of renewable generation...

Electricity Generation (19 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I will give the Deputy one last piece of information that is relevant to this question. It pertains to the proposed Atlantic marine energy test site at Belmullet, County Mayo, which is approaching a stage of development that could see it ready to enter the full consenting process within the next few months, subject to budgetary considerations in 2012 and future years. The test site includes...