Results 9,441-9,460 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (9 May 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The total staffing levels and salaries of the private offices and constituency offices of Ministers and Ministers of State are outlined in the tables below. Minister's Private Office May 2011 Minister's Constituency Office 2011 Staff Numbers Salary Costs Staff Numbers Salary Costs 7.6 €415,027 3.5 €161,269 MOS Private Office May 2011 MOS Constituency Office 2011 Staff Numbers...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (9 May 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I am very much aware of the challenges digital switchover brings, in particular for households that are reliant on the existing free to air analogue TV network. The necessary assistance and support for everyone but in particular for those households who need to make the switch to digital is being provided through a substantial national information campaign. In addition there is a community...

Written Answers — Mobile Telephony: Mobile Telephony (9 May 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The following table outlines the number of licences issued to mobile operators in the last 15 years (included also are details of licences issued in 1996). All of these licences were issued through a comparative evaluation process and the two interim licences are limited extensions to licences previously issued through a comparative evaluation process. Licence Holder Type of Licence...

Written Answers — Debt Collection Agencies: Debt Collection Agencies (10 May 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 108, 111 and 112 together. The appointment of Debt Collection Agencies by Bord Gáis Éireann (BGÉ) is a matter for the Board and Management of the company and not one in which I have a function. I have been advised by BGÉ that Arvato FS Ltd is an agent contracted by BGÉ for the purpose of debt collection and this company applies guidelines promoted by the...

Written Answers — Emergency Services: Emergency Services (10 May 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: A short message service (SMS) system was launched by my Department on the 13th January 2012 which allows those with speech and hearing difficulties to communicate with the Emergency services using normal mobile phones and by sending their text messages to the shortcode 112, the harmonised EU number for access to the emergency services. The implementation of the new network involved the...

Written Answers — Departmental Contracts: Departmental Contracts (10 May 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: Since 2009, the Department has carried out competitive tendering on two occasions under the Mobile Voice and Data Services Framework agreement established by the Department of Finance. Vodafone has won the contract on both occasions. The current 18 month contract expires on 30th June 2012.

Written Answers — Regulatory Impact Assessments: Regulatory Impact Assessments (15 May 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I wish to advise the Deputy that since 9 March 2011 there has been one RIA undertaken by my Department. The RIA was prepared to accompany a Memorandum for Government on the drafting of the Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011 and it was published with the Bill on the 27th September 2011. The Bill, Explanatory Memoranda and RIA were made available on my Department's website and also...

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (15 May 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I have sought expressions of interest for all bodies under the aegis of my Department. Since taking up office on the 9th of March 2011, I have made 12 appointments to four State Boards as follows: Body Appointee An Post Mr Donal Connell Mr James Wrynn Mr Paul Henry Bord na Móna Ms Denise Cronin Mr. John Horgan EirGrid Dr Gary Healy Ms Regina Moran Mr Liam O'Halloran Ms Bride...

Seanad: Post Codes (15 May 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: Ar an gcéad dul síos, let me thank Senator Ó Clochartaigh for his welcome and for raising this issue which I accept is an important one. Since taking up this portfolio, I have devoted more than the average amount of time to the postal sector for two reasons, the first of which is the deliberation in this House and the Dáil of the Postal Services Act 2011. The Act provided for the full...

Seanad: Post Codes (15 May 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: That is the specification because anything else would be unconscionable. It shows how complex and demanding it will be because the notion of some sections of the country, merely because they may be more remote or isolated areas, not being beneficiaries of the system could not be countenanced.

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (16 May 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I wish to advise the Deputy that, since taking up office on the 9th March 2011, I have met with the Chairs and/or CEOs of all Agencies under the aegis of my Department. In addition, I have had meetings with the Commission for Energy Regulation, the Chair and Chief Executive of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland and the Commission for Communications Regulation.

Seanad: Personal Statement by Minister (16 May 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I thank the Cathaoirleach for giving me this opportunity. The defamation action to which Senator Leyden referred in this House yesterday was, I understand, settled by RTE on confidential terms but without any admission of liability. While I was not party to that case, I had agreed to appear as a witness. I was not even aware of this case until a matter of weeks before it was listed for...

Seanad: Alternative Energy Projects (16 May 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I thank Senator Ned O'Sullivan for raising the matter. It is important for his part of the kingdom but also for the country as a whole. I have consistently welcomed the proposal from the Shannon LNG to construct an LNG terminal near Ballylongford, County Kerry. Such a facility, together with the bringing onshore of Corrib gas, would provide important security of gas supply for Ireland. I...

Leaders' Questions (17 May 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The "Vote Maybe" Bill.

Leaders' Questions (17 May 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The "Humpty Dumpty" Bill.

Written Answers — Inland Fisheries: Inland Fisheries (17 May 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I have been advised by Inland Fisheries Ireland that Erriff fishery which is associated with Aasleagh Lodge is a very important salmon research facility having unique trapping facilities that facilitates counting and examination of fish without the fish having to be touched by human hand. The Lodge itself is used for staff training purposes there is a fisheries field staff base adjacent to...

Written Answers — Hydraulic Fracturing Policy: Hydraulic Fracturing Policy (17 May 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 99 to 101, inclusive, together. Last week the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a report of preliminary background research it had commissioned into the environmental aspects of shale gas extraction. This research study was carried out by the University of Aberdeen. The EPA proposes to commission further, more extensive, research on hydraulic...

Written Answers — Energy Conservation: Energy Conservation (17 May 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: Better Energy: Warmer Homes delivers a range of energy efficiency measures to households that are vulnerable to energy poverty. The scheme is managed by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and delivered through a range of Community Based Organisations, augmented by a panel of private contractors in order to ensure national coverage. SEAI is currently in the process of...

Written Answers — Energy Conservation: Energy Conservation (17 May 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: Better Energy: Warmer Homes delivers a range of energy efficiency measures to households that are vulnerable to energy poverty. The scheme is managed by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and delivered through a range of Community Based Organisations (CBOs), augmented by a panel of private contractors in order to ensure national coverage. The SEAI has contracts in place with...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (17 May 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table. The booking of photographers is managed by my Press Office in each case. My Department's policy on photography is that we retain a panel of at least three agencies at all times with a view to selecting the most cost effective option on a case by case basis. I have not used the Ministerial Allowance to date. ...