Results 921-940 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 71 and 306 together. My Department is responsible for the promotion and development of renewable energy, including biofuels, and I am committed to the development and promotion of a biofuels market in Ireland's transport fuel sector. An interdepartmental group has been set up chaired by my Department and comprising officials from Sustainable Energy Ireland,...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 72, 74, 76, 98, 152, 155, 303 and 307 together. The existing AER VI program marks the end of the current market support for renewable sourced electricity generation. The Department conducted a consultation process on future development of renewable energy which attracted 47 responses last year. To ensure future development of our renewable resources the...

Written Answers — Mobile Telephony: Mobile Telephony (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 73, 79, 90 and 314 together. I have no function in the setting of pricing for phone services. The regulation of telecommunications operators, including pricing for mobile services, is the responsibility of the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, in accordance with the requirements of the Communications Regulation Act 2002 and regulations made...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 75 and 309 together. In terms of preferred options for electricity market development, my objective is to deliver a fully open, competitive, all-island market in line with the recently published North-South development framework with a quality assured, secure supply at reasonable prices. In the broader context, I wish to see a well interconnected market, both...

Written Answers — Natural Gas Grid: Natural Gas Grid (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 77 and 278 together. The regulation of the gas market is delegated to the Commission for Energy Regulation, CER, under the Gas (Interim) (Regulation) Act 2002. It is open to any intending supplier of gas to any town to apply to the CER for consent to lay the necessary pipe work and for a licence to supply natural gas. The CER must be satisfied that a proposal...

Written Answers — Mobile Telephony: Mobile Telephony (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 78, 273, 298 and 316 together. I have a dual track approach to this issue. First, Ireland participates in a number of international bodies which undertake detailed programmes of research into interactions between electromagnetic energy and people. The latest reports from this work were tabled at a meeting in Greece earlier this month. These reports conclude...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Legislation: Broadcasting Legislation (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 80 and 310 together. Work is continuing on the development of legislative proposals that will form the basis of a new broadcasting Bill. I expect to bring these proposals to Government in the third quarter of this year, with publication of the Bill by end 2005. The principal objectives of the legislative proposals are as follows: the establishment of a single...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 81, 104 and 274 together. The review I am proposing is focused mainly on the electricity sector. Internal reviews on renewable energy, CHP and biomass are nearing completion. While the review is being planned for some time, precise terms of reference are still being finalised. What is proposed is a comprehensive and strategic review of the institutional...

Written Answers — Television Licence Fee: Television Licence Fee (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 82 and 280 together. The purpose of the Broadcasting (Funding) Act 2003 was to establish a special fund to encourage both private and public broadcasters to include additional programming of a particular character in their programme schedules. The Act provided that 5% of the net proceeds of the television licence fee should be paid into the fund from 2003...

Written Answers — Energy Regulation: Energy Regulation (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Dempsey: Currently, I have certain limited statutory powers to give directions to the Commission for Energy Regulation, CER, about electricity trading arrangements solely. In the interests of the proper and effective regulation of the electricity and gas markets, I am proposing, in line with other regulated sectors and with Government approval, to take powers to issue policy directions of a general...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 85 and 287 together. As a member of the International Energy Agency, IEA, Ireland is required to maintain emergency oil stocks equivalent to at least 90 days of net imports in the previous year. The EU imposes a similar requirement based on consumption. On 1 December 2004, the latest date for which comprehensive figures are available, Ireland's emergency oil...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 86 and 293 together. The purpose of the national implementation body is to oversee the delivery of the industrial peace and stability provisions of national level social partnership agreements. The national implementation body does not seek in any way to duplicate or substitute for already well established industrial relations machinery but rather to provide a...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 87 and 308 together. I refer the Deputy to my response to the earlier questions today in regard to my proposal to undertake a comprehensive review of the electricity sector. In addition, the promotion of renewable energy technologies in electricity production, the harnessing of energy from biomass products and the increased use of combined heat and power...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Dempsey: RTE's statutory mandate, as defined in section 28 (1) of the Broadcasting Act 2001, provides that RTE's radio and television services shall be made available, in so far as is reasonably practicable, to the whole community on the island of Ireland. It is a matter for RTE to determine how best to fulfil its statutory mandate and I have no function in the matter. RTE is not mandated to make its...

Written Answers — Radio Broadcasting: Radio Broadcasting (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 91 and 281 together. The licensing of local radio stations in Ireland is a matter for the independent Broadcasting Commission of Ireland, BCI, and one in which I have no direct role. Under its statutory obligations, the BCI determines issues such as the type and number of licences in any region. However, I wish to maintain a suitable legislative framework for...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 92 and 294 together. First, the provisions applicable to staff transferred to An Post are set out in section 45 of the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983. Implementing wage increases to An Post employees is an operational matter for the company and one in which I have no function. An Post is a commercial State body with a remit to be financially...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Dempsey: Liberalisation of the electricity market is well under way and has proceeded on a phased basis since February 2000 under the regulatory oversight of the Commission for Energy Regulation, CER, the independent regulator for gas and electricity. In accordance with the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 (Eligible Customer) (Consumption of Electricity) Order 2003, on February 19 next the market will...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 96, 120, 137, 150, 162, 164, 289, 290 and 301 together. The provision of broadband facilities is a matter in the first instance for the private sector companies operating in a fully liberalised market. A number of factors determine whether broadband is offered in any area, including the level of investment required by the service provider, the likely number of...

Written Answers — Digital Industries: Digital Industries (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 97 and 126 together. On 22 May 2001, the Government made an order transferring responsibility for the digital hub to the Minister for Public Enterprise whose functions regarding the hub were subsequently transferred to me. The hub provides state-of-the-art infrastructure to start up facilities for early stage, fast growth and established companies to undertake...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Legislation: Broadcasting Legislation (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 101 and 285 together. The work involved in identifying and examining the various issues that need to be addressed in the context of a new radio communications Bill is at an early stage within my Department. I await the outcome of this work before making any decision on preferred options for inclusion within the proposed Bill.