Results 9,381-9,400 of 74,100 for speaker:Bernard Durkan
- Telecommunications Services. (14 Feb 2007)
Bernard Durkan: Question 72: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when there will be 100% availability of broadband throughout the country; the extent to which he expects the uptake to occur; the extent to which these targets compare to the development of broadband facilities in other European countries; if he has identified the issues that have impeded the development of...
- Telecommunications Services. (14 Feb 2007)
Bernard Durkan: Is the Minister aware of the seriousness of the deficiency in broadband availability in many urban and rural areas? Is he aware that the lack of facilities is similar to the lack of telephone facilities in the late 1970s and early 1980s? It is impeding the development of the industrial sector, the health services, the education sector and the entire economy. How will the Minister, along...
- Telecommunications Services. (14 Feb 2007)
Bernard Durkan: Has the Minister assessed the reasons for the delay in the provision of nationwide broadband? Is it due to failure on the part of the private sector or the Minister's or the regulator's lethargy? Will he address the issues that have caused this serious delay, such as investment, local loop unbundling, exchange enabling and the modern infrastructure required for a telecommunications service?
- Energy Resources. (14 Feb 2007)
Bernard Durkan: Agriculture has been closed down as well.
- Postal Service. (14 Feb 2007)
Bernard Durkan: We are asking now.
- Energy Resources. (14 Feb 2007)
Bernard Durkan: There is only the Taoiseach; the original socialist.
- Digital Terrestrial Television. (14 Feb 2007)
Bernard Durkan: Is the Minister aware of the concern that the delivery of digital broadcasting seems to be taking an extraordinarily long time? There is a fear among those involved in the industry and some who expected a more rapid turnabout that there will be a repeat of the broadband debacle. The degree to which digital transmission is being pushed by the regulator and the Government is not sufficient to...
- Digital Terrestrial Television. (14 Feb 2007)
Bernard Durkan: There is a need to develop high-quality broadcasting services in this country and overseas.
- Digital Terrestrial Television. (14 Feb 2007)
Bernard Durkan: Is multiplex not overloaded?
- Digital Terrestrial Television. (14 Feb 2007)
Bernard Durkan: He will be remembered but not with fondness.
- Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (Single Electricity Market) Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (14 Feb 2007)
Bernard Durkan: I support this well placed amendment which recognises the need to provide protection for the consumer. In the past 12 months Members on this side of the House have repeatedly raised concerns that consumers' interests were second to all others. At one stage an increase was proposed in electricity and gas prices when the gas product was available free on the London market, yet no one took a...
- Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (Single Electricity Market) Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (14 Feb 2007)
Bernard Durkan: I hope he generates more interest over there than he did in here today.
- Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (Single Electricity Market) Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (14 Feb 2007)
Bernard Durkan: I move amendment No. 3: In page 3, line 19, after "provisions" to insert "subject to the agreement of all relevant parties". We discussed this issue for some time on Committee Stage in the hope the Minister might consider introducing a requirement for parliamentary approval for proposals. There are reasons for and against that but, in the final analysis, parliamentary approval is the...
- Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (Single Electricity Market) Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (14 Feb 2007)
Bernard Durkan: I move amendment No. 4: In page 4, line 7, after "Ireland" where it firstly occurs, to insert "as approved by the respective Parliaments". The same principle applies, but the reference to relevant authorities has been substituted by a reference to Parliaments. It proposes recognising that issues may arise from time to time which may not be in accord with the policies, vision or plans of the...
- Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (Single Electricity Market) Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (14 Feb 2007)
Bernard Durkan: Unfortunately, we do not. There is a dearth of information.
- Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (Single Electricity Market) Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (14 Feb 2007)
Bernard Durkan: I move amendment No. 6: In page 4, between lines 16 and 17, to insert the following: "'SEM operator' means the Single Electricity Market operator;". This is a technical amendment which follows a long debate on Committee Stage. The issue depends on which expert consultant one engages. The Minister's expert advice is that the amendments are unnecessary but we have our expertise and it shows...
- Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (Single Electricity Market) Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (14 Feb 2007)
Bernard Durkan: I applaud this move on the part of the Minister of State. It is a clear indication of his recognition that the Opposition has something to say on this subjectââ
- Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (Single Electricity Market) Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (14 Feb 2007)
Bernard Durkan: ââand I congratulate him. It is something we will remember for a long time.
- Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (Single Electricity Market) Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (14 Feb 2007)
Bernard Durkan: I support these amendments. We discussed this at length on Committee Stage and the Minister did not agree with us. We are creating a new market and new procedures and it is important to recognise in such circumstances we can over-legislate but that can be changed. It is better to be safe than sorry. We would be acting in the interests of people in both jurisdictions if we accept the...
- Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (Single Electricity Market) Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (14 Feb 2007)
Bernard Durkan: I move amendment No. 13: In page 5, line 12, after "time" to insert "by the relevant authorities".