Results 9,541-9,560 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Written Answers — Natural Gas Grid: Natural Gas Grid (21 Jun 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The Deputy will be aware from my replies to previous Parliamentary Questions that the decision on the regulatory treatment of the gas interconnectors is statutorily a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) and I have no function in the matter. Most recently, the CER decision has been delayed by the requirement for the regulator to provide material to my Department in response...

Written Answers — Radio Broadcasting: Radio Broadcasting (21 Jun 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The management of the radio spectrum is a statutory function of the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) under the Communications Regulation Act 2002, as amended. I am advised by ComReg that the foundation licence for amateur radio referred to by the Deputy is unique to Britain and that it is not widely recognised outside of Britain. The amateur radio licence issued by ComReg...

Seanad: Petroleum and Gas Infrastructure (21 Jun 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I am grateful to the Senator for his contribution to this debate. I am advised by the independent expert consultants engaged by my Department to monitor compliance with the conditions of the Corrib consents under the gas and petroleum Acts that pipelines are normally designed taking account of the largest loads they are likely to experience during their lifetime, including transport, loading,...

Seanad: Petroleum and Gas Infrastructure (21 Jun 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: Yes, it is the case that, in the first instance, the company will carry out this assessment and report to the Department. However, that report will be subject to analysis by the Department and independent consultants retained by it. This is important. As I have indicated to the Senator, the pipeline is scheduled to be inspected this summer and as a result, the survey reports will be given...

Seanad: Water and Sewerage Schemes (21 Jun 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: As the Senator is aware, I am responding on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, who is in Rio de Janeiro on Government business. I thank the Senator for providing me with the opportunity to clarify the position on the development of proposals for, and the procurement of, further wastewater facilities in the Gweedore area. The Gweedore...

Broadcasting Services (26 Jun 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: It is estimated that about 250,000 households are solely reliant on the Irish analogue television network. A similar number use the network for secondary televisions. These households must change to digital by 24 October or be left without access to television. Households who only use pay television platforms, which is about 81% of households, will not be affected by analogue switch off....

Broadcasting Services (26 Jun 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: We have taken every reasonable step to ensure there should not be an information deficit. The advertisements are rolling all the time and there is a bug that occasionally makes an appearance on people's television screens warning them that they better make the move before 24 October. The booklet to which the Deputy referred, is being delivered to people's households currently by An Post and...

Broadcasting Services (26 Jun 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I cannot answer whether there will be local newspaper advertising but we have taken great pains to communicate with, relate to and do interviews for local radio to sell the idea. They have been doing this already. In addition, the outreach programme in place is built entirely on community groups organised by The Wheel, whether the GAA, Muinitr na Tíre, the IFA or whoever. They have the...

Radio Spectrum (26 Jun 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The management of the radio spectrum is a statutory function of the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, under the Communications Regulation Act 2002, as amended. In accordance with this function and with its obligations under national and EU law, ComReg is obliged to ensure the efficient management and use of the radio frequency spectrum. ComReg is independent in the exercise...

Radio Spectrum (26 Jun 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: Deputy Ferris is correct that mobile services are not subject to the same universal social obligations as fixed lines. I started out from a similar position to that of the Deputy. My officials have discussed this issue with ComReg on several occasions and I have met its representatives on more than one occasion. ComReg is adamant that difficulties will not arise for a number of reasons....

Radio Spectrum (26 Jun 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: If the service provider agreed contractually to provide the service, it seems to me it is obliged to provide it. I would need to see the details of the contract but I would be happy to raise the matter with the authority that has statutory responsibility for consumer protection in this area if the Deputy outlines the details.

Consumer Protection (26 Jun 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: Calls of the nature referred to by Deputy Tom Fleming are regulated in accordance with the European Communities (Electronic Communications Networks and Services) (Privacy and Electronic Communications) Regulations 2011, known as the e-privacy regulations. Responsibility for enforcement of these regulations falls to the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner. Regulation 13 of the...

Consumer Protection (26 Jun 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I accept that the practices described by Deputy Fleming take place. It may be that the e-privacy regulations, which I transposed into Irish law last summer, need further promulgation and need to be brought to the attention of consumers in the manner described by Deputy Fleming. Where calls are recorded and retained by the marketing company, the subscriber has the right of access to a copy...

Consumer Protection (26 Jun 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I do not dispute the Deputy's argument that there are many people who are not aware of their rights in this regard and that we should seek to address this. If I can help to publicise the protections that are in place, I will endeavour to do so.

Renewable Energy (26 Jun 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: Last month, I launched a new Strategy for Renewable Energy 2012–20. Under this strategy the development of wind farms in Ireland will play a critical role in delivering on our renewable energy ambitions, both in terms of meeting our own national 2020 targets and in contributing to the development of a renewable electricity export market with the UK in the first instance. There has been...

Renewable Energy (26 Jun 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: Deputy Ferris is correct that Scotland is a European, if not a world, leader in this area. Scotland, like Ireland, has propitious wind resources. Its energy policy in terms of oil and gas is retained at Westminster. The Scottish Government invests a great deal in the promotion of renewables, in particular wind. I would be hesitant to stick my neck out and say that the targets set by...

Renewable Energy (26 Jun 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I was in Scotland on Friday on this business. I met the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth in the absence of the Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism to discuss some of these issues in a side conference during the British-Irish Council meeting. Earlier last week I was in London to meet the Minister of State with responsibility for energy, Mr. Charles...

Exploration Licences (26 Jun 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 111, 120 and 121 together. I welcome the recent publication by the Joint Committee on Communications, Natural Resources and Agriculture of its report on offshore oil and gas exploration. I am aware the committee has invested a considerable amount of time in gathering information and discussing relevant issues. I am sure the report will contribute to the...

Exploration Licences (26 Jun 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I welcome the report and the work put into it by the all-party committee. The Deputy can be assured I will take it seriously. The Seanad has invited me to discuss the report tomorrow. There are eleven major recommendations, the common sense of some of which I certainly recognise. I would like the opportunity to discuss this further and have already committed to agreeing to do so whenever...

Exploration Licences (26 Jun 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The report from the joint committee deserves to be debated in the House. I appreciate the Deputies have not pressed me for a definitive response to particular recommendations and I think that is the correct way to proceed. We need to debate it first and this side of the House is very happy to engage in that debate and see where that leads us. I do not come to it with a closed mind. I note...