Results 941-960 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

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

Noel Dempsey: I intend to have a comprehensive and strategic review of the electricity sector undertaken as soon as possible. One of the main issues covered in this study will be an examination of the vertically integrated structure of the ESB, including its dominance in the power generation sector. I am aware that the management of the ESB, in its recent discussions with the ESB group of unions, raised...

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

Noel Dempsey: I propose to takes Questions Nos. 108 and 315 together. The provision of telecommunications services and the development and roll out of mobile phone technology is primarily a matter for the mobile industry itself. The telecoms market is fully liberalised and regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, which is independent in the exercise of its functions. As Minister...

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

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 109 and 283 together. The Broadcasting (Funding) Act 2003 provides for the preparation and administration of a scheme or schemes by the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland, BCI, to support the production of certain categories of new programmes on radio and television services. The BCI has drawn up a scheme and in accordance with section 2(1) of the Act has...

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

Noel Dempsey: I am aware of the report and statistics referred to by the Deputy. I have no function in electricity network costs. This is a matter which falls within the statutory responsibility of the Commission for Energy Regulation.

Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Dempsey: This Government and the board of An Post are committed to the objective of securing a viable and sustainable nationwide post office network as set out in the programme for Government. I have met the Irish Postmasters Union and listened with interest to its views on the future development of the network. My officials continue to be in regular contact with the management of An Post to assist...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The matters to which the Deputy refers to are the subject of investigations by the Garda Síochána. The timeframe for this investigation is a matter for the Garda Síochána. I have received no report about these investigations. It would be inappropriate for me to comment further or make a statement at this time.

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

Noel Dempsey: Since taking office, I have met the chairperson and the chief executive of An Post and with the board of An Post. I have also met union representatives. Departmental officials meet with An Post management on a monthly basis to be updated on significant issues. I am advised on the outcome of the monthly meetings. With regard to the future of postal services throughout the country, there is...

Written Answers — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Dempsey: In January, I announced some details of a new licensing round in the Slyne, Erris and Donegal basins off the west and north-west coast. I will announce further details at the end of next month. This is the second phase of a policy to open areas with exploration potential — the first phase is the licensing round in the north-east Rockall basin, which closes on 31 May 2005. The acreage on...

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

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 118, 124 and 272 together. MediaLab Europe, MLE, was formed by an agreement between the State and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MIT, and was in operation since early 2000. It was established to conduct non-directive research in the field of digital media. The Government invested €35.5 million in start-up capital for MLE. Property was also...

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

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 119, 134, 136 and 311 to 313, inclusive, together. I refer to my reply to Question No. 137 on 21 October 2004. I am of the opinion that Irish viewers will be best served by a broadcasting environment that includes a strong public service broadcasting presence in the form of RTE and an independent TG4, together with private broadcasters. Digital television...

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

Noel Dempsey: The Government decision of December 2003 to increase the cost of a television licence by €2 required that the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources arrange for an external review on the impact on all broadcasters of the licence fee paid by the public to RTE, with particular emphasis on the advertising market. That review was carried out in October-November 2004 by a team...

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

Noel Dempsey: The Postal (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill which was published in 2001 provides for the issue, sale and disposal of shares in An Post in the context of an employee share ownership plan, ESOP, and possible strategic alliance. The Bill also contains ancillary provisions arising out of a possible change of ownership. The financial and industrial relations environment in An Post has changed...

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

Noel Dempsey: I am favourably disposed towards the introduction of postcodes because of the case made that a national postcode system would offer significant potential benefits for the postal business, for public utilities, for business and for consumers. Since coming to office I have directed that a full examination of the issue be progressed and my final decision will be based on this examination. The...

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

Noel Dempsey: The information sought by the Deputy is set out in the following table. % Coal 26.51 Peat 10.36 Oil 11.88 Gas 47.08 Hydro 1.02 Wind 0.78 Landfill Gas 0.33 Bio Gas 0.04 Imports 2.00 Source: Sustainable Energy Ireland.

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

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 128 and 282 together. I refer the Deputies to my reply to Question No. 114 of 3 February 2005.

Written Answers — Communications Masts: Communications Masts (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The national register of the location of mobile telephone masts is available on the website of the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, at www.comreg.ie, called "site viewer". The site viewer uses a database of national mobile phone base stations and is accessible to the public.

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

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 130 and 279 together. Discussions are ongoing between my officials and the mobile phone operators about the costs of SMS messages for deaf and moderately deaf persons. I also understand that the mobile operators are in discussions with the national associations representing deaf people on how products and services can be enhanced for deaf people. I hope to be...

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

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 131 and 286 together. The programme for Government includes the commitment that we will consolidate the Minerals Development Acts. The Minerals Development Acts 1940 to 1999 comprise five primary measures and a number of regulations have been made thereunder. Consolidation is certainly advisable, therefore, in the interests of better regulation. However,...

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

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 132 and 296 together. In June 2003, my Department instigated an extensive communications site survey programme to measure non-ionising radiation from telecommunications mast sites, which was carried out by the Commission for Communication Regulation, ComReg, during 2003 and 2004. The total number of sites surveyed was 401. Not one of these sites was found to...

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

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 133, 149, 297 and 299 together. The independent expert group on mobile phones, IEGMP, chaired by Sir William Stewart, was set up in 1999. It issued its report, Mobile Phones and Health, in May 2000. This report is commonly referred to as the Stewart report. There have been numerous reports since then. The remit of IEGMP was to consider present concerns about...