Results 9,201-9,220 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Written Answers — Electricity Transmission Network: Electricity Transmission Network (13 Mar 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I understand that the Deputy is referring to the North South Interconnector which is the proposed Meath-Tyrone transmission line. The North South transmission line project is a strategically vital project for the island of Ireland. It will assist in the integration of renewable electricity, further consolidate the all-island electricity market, enhance competitiveness and support inward...

Written Answers — Commercial State Bodies: Commercial State Bodies (13 Mar 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I have no statutory function in respect of Coillte Teoranta. The development of wind energy opportunities forms an integral element of the corporate strategies of Bord na Móna, Bord Gáis and the ESB. The pursuit of such opportunities, and any decision to enter into a joint venture with a private developer for the development of a wind farm, are primarily a commercial decision for the board...

Written Answers — Public Service Staff: Public Service Staff (13 Mar 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: As neither my Department nor State bodies under its aegis have offices in County Clare, I can confirm that there were no retirements from that location.

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (14 Mar 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: It is estimated that the Corrib gas field will be capable of supplying up to 60% of Ireland's gas requirements for a period of up to five years when at full production, declining thereafter. Completion of the development works by the developer is the principal factor that will determine the date for first gas. Pending such completion, it is not possible to state a date for when gas from the...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (14 Mar 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I wish to advise the Deputy that, following a Government decision, the salary rate for newly appointed CEOs of Commercial Semi State Companies under the aegis of my Department is as set out in a table with effect from 21 June 2011. Salary Rate for newly appointed CEOs of Commercial State Companies Name of Company New Appointment Rate An Post €240,448 BGÉ €191,014 Bord na Mona...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (14 Mar 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I wish to advise the Deputy that all directions issued by the Government in relation to remuneration of CEOs in Commercial Semi State Companies are brought to the attention of the relevant State Companies under the aegis of my Department. The Government decided that the salary range for newly appointed CEOs of Commercial Semi State Companies under the aegis of my Department should be as set...

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (14 Mar 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: My Department is not involved in any direct rental of buildings. The Department's accommodation needs are provided for by the Office of Public Works (OPW) in the following locations:- Department Headquarters, 29/31 Adelaide Road, Dublin 2 Geological Survey of Ireland Core Store, Sandyford, County Dublin Elm House, Earlsvale Road, Cavan. (The Department occupies part of the building)...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (14 Mar 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband services, is a matter, in the first instance, for private sector service providers operating in a liberalised market regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation. Broadband services are provided by private service providers over various platforms including DSL (i.e. over telephone lines), fixed wireless, mobile,...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (15 Mar 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The Rural Broadband Scheme was launched last year in recognition of the fact that despite the widespread availability of broadband throughout Ireland, there still remained individual premises that were unable to receive broadband provision, mainly due to technical difficulties. This Scheme is aimed at making a basic broadband service available to those individual unserved premises in rural...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (15 Mar 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The Next Generation Broadband Taskforce (NGBT) has proven to be a very useful forum for detailed discussions with some industry stakeholders on their views regarding the optimal policy required to facilitate investment in next generation broadband infrastructure. The Taskforce is currently finalising its deliberations. I expect it will conclude its deliberation in the coming weeks. The...

Written Answers — Natural Gas Grid: Natural Gas Grid (15 Mar 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The development and expansion of the natural gas network is in the first instance a commercial matter for Gaslink, which is mandated under Section 8 of the Gas Act 1976, as amended, to develop and maintain a national system for the supply of natural gas that is both economical and efficient. The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), is statutorily responsible for all aspects of the...

Written Answers — Gas Exploration: Gas Exploration (21 Mar 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 318, 321 and 322 together. Before addressing the detail of the questions asked by the Deputy I believe it would be helpful to first clarify for the Deputy the difference between the fracturing of wells in the case of conventional gas exploration and production and the practice known as "hydraulic fracturing" or "fracking" that is used in the case of...

Written Answers — Energy Conservation: Energy Conservation (21 Mar 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 319 and 337 together. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers the Better Energy Programme on behalf of my Department. Better Energy: Workplaces supports sustainable energy upgrades to existing buildings, services, facilities and processes, in the public, commercial, industrial and community sectors. The programme is aimed at achieving...

Written Answers — Energy Usage: Energy Usage (21 Mar 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: This is an operational matter for the ESB which is an independent statutory body and I have no role or function in this regard.

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (21 Mar 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: Following scientific research conducted by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) indicating that the European eel stocks are in a critical state, the EU introduced Council Regulation 1100/2007, the objective of which is to achieve recovery of the stocks to previous high levels. The Regulation required that all Member States prepare a national Eel Management Plan...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (21 Mar 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: A procurement process for a national postcode system is currently under way. The process began on 17 January 2011 with the publication of a pre-qualification questionnaire on the e-tenders website www.etenders.gov.ie for the appointment of a postcode management licence holder. Since then intensive work has taken place on what is a complex project. The final decision to proceed with the...

Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (21 Mar 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: Matters relating to the post office network, including post office closures, are an operational matter for the management and Board of An Post and one in which I have no statutory function.

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (21 Mar 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I wish to advise the Deputy that the information she has requested is an operational matter for the individual Bodies and Regulators concerned.

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (21 Mar 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: Details of the total number of board places and the remuneration applicable, as requested by the Deputy, is set out in tabular form. I would like to point out that whether eligible Board members accepted the applicable fee is a matter for the individual board members concerned. Number of Members Broadcasting Authority of Ireland 9 Category 4Chair: €8,978Director: €5,985 Commission...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (21 Mar 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I can inform the Deputy that the number of Commercial State bodies and non-commercial State bodies, including regulators, under the aegis of my Department is 18, broken down as follows: Status An PostBord Gáis ÉireannBord na MónaEirGridElectricity Supply Board (ESB)Raidió Teilifís ÉireannTG4 Commercial State Bodies Inland Fisheries IrelandDigital Hub Development AgencyFoyle,...