Results 881-900 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Electricity Generation. (23 Apr 2008)

Simon Coveney: I wish to clarify why I put down this question. The issue has raised concerns, particularly among certain employees in the midlands, and understandably so. What I want to ask the Minister is whether he would deem it appropriate to introduce legislation that would give leadership as to the timescale for a phasing out of peat as a fuel source in power stations over a medium to long-term...

Electricity Generation. (23 Apr 2008)

Simon Coveney: The point of the question is whether the Minister intends to leave this issue to the market, essentially, and to Bord na Móna to bring about change in its own timeframe or whether he intends to introduce legislation to set that timeframe.

Energy Resources. (23 Apr 2008)

Simon Coveney: There is no need for the Minister to convince us on the merits of the shift to renewable energy. The issue at hand is how we are to adapt existing infrastructure to facilitate that shift. One of the factors in the increasing price of energy is that we are required to factor the cost of carbon into the price of electricity. Is the Government examining ways in which some of that money can be...

Energy Resources. (23 Apr 2008)

Simon Coveney: That will not happen until after 2014.

Telecommunications Services. (23 Apr 2008)

Simon Coveney: While I feel like something of a broken record on this issue, there is nonetheless a number of questions I would like to ask the Minister about recent events. We know now that there will be a judicial review following a challenge taken by a satellite broadband company to the terms of reference for the national broadband scheme. Can the Minister outline what the basis of that challenge is?...

Telecommunications Services. (23 Apr 2008)

Simon Coveney: Perhaps the Minister can comment on the timetable.

Telecommunications Services. (23 Apr 2008)

Simon Coveney: Is it the industry or the consumer that makes the case?

Telecommunications Services. (23 Apr 2008)

Simon Coveney: I have a question that will require a short answer. What will households be asked to pay under the national broadband scheme? Will it be an average market price, such as €15, €20 or €30 per month? Will it be the same across the country? How is the price determined per household or per business for the provision of broadband under the broadband scheme?

Telecommunications Services. (23 Apr 2008)

Simon Coveney: And on price.

Telecommunications Services. (23 Apr 2008)

Simon Coveney: Surely they know what they are tendering for.

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (23 Apr 2008)

Simon Coveney: Question 228: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will clarify the contribution that wind will make to the electricity grid by the year 2020; and if he has policy in place to deal with the many developers who will continue to spend money on developing wind farms that have no prospect of connection to the grid due to the limitations outlined in his grid...

Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (EirGrid) Bill 2008: Second Stage (24 Apr 2008)

Simon Coveney: It is unusual for the Minister not to use his full allocation of time, particularly when he is talking about energy issues. I welcome the opportunity to do so.

Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (EirGrid) Bill 2008: Second Stage (24 Apr 2008)

Simon Coveney: That is true. Fine Gael will not be opposing this Bill and it welcomes its introduction for the very straightforward reason that it believes the east-west interconnector between Ireland and Britain needs to be built as soon as possible. EirGrid is the obvious body to manage this task. In essence, the legislation is necessary to ensure there will be no further delays regarding this project,...

Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (EirGrid) Bill 2008: Second Stage (24 Apr 2008)

Simon Coveney: Yes, the Minister is correct about that but there are substantially more groups with planning permission than can be granted connection. This problem will get worse. Most in the industry believe the Minister has given a general price support allocation for offshore wind farms which will result in large scale farms being proposed. In the overall context of the Minister's target of 4,000 MW...

Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (EirGrid) Bill 2008: Second Stage (24 Apr 2008)

Simon Coveney: The Minister is in government now.

e-Government Projects. (29 Apr 2008)

Simon Coveney: On a point of order, we have listened to an answer for more than ten minutes. Will we have an opportunity to ask some supplementary questions?

e-Government Projects. (29 Apr 2008)

Simon Coveney: By the look of the length of the Minister's script——

e-Government Projects. (29 Apr 2008)

Simon Coveney: I am just asking the question because——

e-Government Projects. (29 Apr 2008)

Simon Coveney: I am glad we have made some savings, given €0.5 billion has been spent on the system.

e-Government Projects. (29 Apr 2008)

Simon Coveney: We recognise the successes, but the Minister of State should recognise the failures.