Results 8,801-8,820 of 9,393 for speaker:Alex White

Order of Business (8 Oct 2015)

Alex White: I thank the Deputy for his support on the Digital Hub. He is correct in that it is progressing and work is taking place at the location. The legislation is likely to be brought forward next year. With regard to the Deputy's general point on legislation, all Departments have ongoing legislative work. The Deputy knows better than I do that some legislation is more complex than others as he...

Order of Business (8 Oct 2015)

Alex White: There is no date as yet for the publication of the legislation mentioned by the Deputy at the outset of his contribution.

Order of Business (8 Oct 2015)

Alex White: The publication of the wind energy guidelines is a matter for the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government and not the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. Nevertheless, I am in consultation with the Minister, Deputy Alan Kelly, in respect of those guidelines. It is no secret that this is a difficult issue because there is a tension between the need...

Order of Business (8 Oct 2015)

Alex White: 1 o’clock When I was in the Department of Health, I was very much involved in the proposals that have been brought forward by the current Minister, Deputy Varadkar, in the alcohol Bill. I agree with the Deputy that is extremely important legislation. It is listed for this session. That is the position in respect of that Bill. Regarding the human tissue Bill, that is likely to...

Order of Business (8 Oct 2015)

Alex White: I did not catch the fourth Bill. I caught the spent convictions Bill, assisted decision-making Bill and the public health (alcohol) Bill. I did not catch the fourth one.

Order of Business (8 Oct 2015)

Alex White: I have dealt with that. The human tissue Bill is likely to be next year. The spent convictions Bill, I understand, is on Report Stage, as is the assisted decision-making Bill. There is a good chance that they will see the light of day before 8 April.

Order of Business (8 Oct 2015)

Alex White: I have addressed the public health (alcohol) Bill with Deputy Collins.

Order of Business (8 Oct 2015)

Alex White: The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill is currently before Seanad Éireann. The heads of the mediation Bill were cleared and it is listed for next year. The heads of the bail Bill were cleared in July and that is also scheduled for next year.

Order of Business (8 Oct 2015)

Alex White: I have no doubt that the Estimates that will be published and dealt with in the Houses will be real. Judicial counsel legislation is planned for this session. The issue of modular housing does not touch on legislation, unless it is determined that legislation might be necessary. Things have moved on a great deal in terms of our housing provision since the issue the Deputy is talking about.

Order of Business (8 Oct 2015)

Alex White: No decision has been made yet as to whether legislation will be necessary in order to achieve what the Minister has announced. That is the position and the Deputy understands it perfectly clearly. The child care (amendment) Bill was cleared by Cabinet this Tuesday. It will be published in the coming days as a Seanad Bill.

Order of Business (8 Oct 2015)

Alex White: I am always amused when people say there are rumours abroad. It is usually the person who says that who is starting the rumour. I certainly have not heard the rumours Deputy Troy refers to. The wind energy guidelines are a serious matter and are being dealt with as such. I did not say there was no secret about a disagreement between colleagues, I said it is no secret that there is tension...

Order of Business (8 Oct 2015)

Alex White: In respect of the independent children's rapporteur, I will have to respond later to the Deputy. It is not a legislative matter but I will do what I can to try to ensure that the Deputy gets that information.

Order of Business (8 Oct 2015)

Alex White: In relation to legislation, there was only one issue in the Deputy's intervention-----

Order of Business (8 Oct 2015)

Alex White: -----and that was in relation to the bankruptcy Bill. The Taoiseach expressed enthusiasm and I support the Taoiseach's enthusiasm in that regard.

Sentencing Council Bill 2015: First Stage (8 Oct 2015)

Alex White: No.

Sittings and Business of Dáil: Motion (8 Oct 2015)

Alex White: I move:That, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, unless the Dáil shall otherwise order, the following arrangements shall apply in relation to the sittings of the Dáil on 13, 14 and 15 October 2015:(i) there shall be no Order of Business within the meaning of Standing Order 26 on Tuesday; (ii) Leaders' Questions shall not be taken on Tuesday; (iii) Oral Questions shall not...

Topical Issue Debate: Rural Broadband Scheme (8 Oct 2015)

Alex White: I thank Deputy Ó Caoláin for raising this matter. The Government recognises that high-speed broadband network deployment is of strategic importance for growth and innovation in all sectors of Ireland's economy and society. On 29 September last, the Government approved an allocation of €275 million for the national broadband plan which will provide the initial stimulus...

Topical Issue Debate: Rural Broadband Scheme (8 Oct 2015)

Alex White: I will complete the picture. Following the completion of a mapping exercise this time last year, I published an interactive map that allows any citizen or public representative to go online and see what areas of the country are to be covered by the private sector and what areas require State intervention. Areas in the latter category are depicted in an amber colour on the map, which can be...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Prices (8 Oct 2015)

Alex White: Responsibility for the regulation of the gas market is a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) which is the independent energy regulator. CER's regulation of the gas market is legally underpinned by the Gas (Interim) (Regulation) Act 2002, as amended. Prices are set competitively by suppliers and the CER carries out its statutory market monitoring functions under S.I. No. 463...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Broadband Plan Implementation (13 Oct 2015)

Alex White: The Government’s draft Intervention Strategy was published for public consultation on 15 July 2015. It sets out the key elements of the intervention - what services are proposed and how they will be delivered. It outlines various aspects of the proposed intervention including the type of network envisaged, the minimum speeds being demanded, the length of the contract for services, and...