Results 10,101-10,120 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Hydraulic Fracturing Policy (28 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I am aware of the recent comments made by Commissioner Potocnik, with respect to the statutory framework governing hydraulic fracturing, and I am committed to ensuring that the relevant information is available to allow for a detailed assessment of any application proposing this technology. As the Deputy will be aware the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources requested...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Ministerial Adviser Pay (28 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: There are two Special Advisers employed in my Department. Both were appointed by the Government on my behalf. The total cost of employing these Special Advisors for 2012 to date including, Basic Pay, Employers PRSI and expenses is €192,886.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Exploration Licences (28 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: My Department has not as yet received an application from Providence Resources to drill an exploration well under Standard Exploration Licence 2/11.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services (28 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 165 and 167 together. In terms of telecommunications policy, my Department’s primary role is to help facilitate sustained macro-economic growth and competitiveness by ensuring that Ireland is best placed to avail of the emerging opportunities provided by the information and knowledge society. The Department exercises this role by promoting...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadcasting Services (28 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I presume the Deputy is referring to High Court Proceedings taken by Persona and Comcast in relation to the award of the 2nd GSM Licence. The Supreme Court on 17 October last, delivered the reasons for its decision of July last, to allow appeals by two unsuccessful consortia in the 2nd GSM Licence Competition against High Court Orders striking out their proceedings for damages against the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Energy Prices (29 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I have no statutory function in the setting of gas or electricity prices, whether in the regulated or non-regulated parts of these markets. Responsibility for the regulation of the retail electricity market is a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation, CER, which is an independent statutory body. Since 4 April 2011 prices in the electricity retail market have been fully deregulated...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Energy Prices (29 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I welcome the Deputy to his role as spokesman in this area and wish well and also a long stay there. I look forward to working with him and counsel him not to sign any statements prepared over quiet weekends in the Fianna Fáil head office as he did last weekend on "The Frontline" programme because the assertions in that statement about my role were not true. The Deputy raised a good...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Energy Prices (29 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I am looking at a note on the voluntary severance package to which I have referred and that will close by year end. The associated costs are forecast at €137 million due to approximately 500 staff exits being anticipated. It is good on the one hand to see a strong Irish multinational State company turning in a strong performance. When the 12 months returns are available they will...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Better Energy Homes Scheme (29 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The Government, through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, SEAI, has invested over €145 million in Better Energy Homes and its forerunner schemes since 2009. The existing scheme is demand-led, with €76.146 million committed in Exchequer funding this year. Better Energy Homes provides financial assistance for improving the energy performance of older homes built any...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Better Energy Homes Scheme (29 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The Deputy is right to draw attention to the value of these schemes and also to point to the fact that there has been a decline in the number of applications this year. However, she is wrong in somehow persuading herself, as she has done in the question, that it is due to a lack of continuity. Whatever it is, it is not due to a lack of continuity and it is not the case that the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Better Energy Homes Scheme (29 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: Oh my God, Deputy Murphy would not inflict that on me.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Better Energy Homes Scheme (29 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I listen to Lyric FM in the morning. It is one thing having half the population of the country being depressed by the unending dirge of misery and negativity one gets from 7 a.m. until midnight, without me being depressed because we would have no hope at all if that were to happen. I did not hear the programme but I will take Deputy Murphy’s word for it that it was as dismal as she...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Broadband Services (29 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I accept that the widespread availability of reliable telecommunications services in both voice and data are imperative in a modern economy and society. As a result of targeted Government interventions through initiatives such as the national broadband scheme, basic broadband services are now widely available across the country. In addition, the State-funded metropolitan area networks,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Broadband Services (29 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I agree with the Deputy that availability of high-speed broadband in the schools system is transformative. I have seen the impact not only on the pupils but also on teachers. It really transforms the learning environment. For that reason, I am very proud that last year I was able to persuade the Department of Education and Skills - even if my Department has to pay for it - that every second...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Broadband Services (29 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The 13 western counties were chosen because the reception they have is poor, as is the case in many areas. That job is now finished, and the second tranche is being prepared and will be completed by the beginning of the academic year in 2014. It really makes a difference. For example, there is a school in Warrenmount in Dublin, with which Deputy Joan Collins will be familiar, which is in a...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Broadband Services (29 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: Again, I agree with the Deputy. As described, this is the equivalent of the rural electrification scheme of the 1950s and is hugely significant. As the Deputy noted, if we are not careful there is a danger of creating a digital divide. I hope the national plan for broadband, which I published immediately after the summer recess, will remain an objective within the lifetime of this...

Other Questions: Telecommunications Services (29 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 6, 8, 19 and 32 together. In accordance with its statutory functions the Commission for Energy Regulation, ComReg, recently concluded an intensive process for the release, through an auction, of spectrum rights of use in the 800, 900 and 1800 Mhz frequency bands. The outcome of the auction for this spectrum was announced by ComReg on Thursday, 15 November....

Other Questions: Telecommunications Services (29 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The United Kingdom made a great investment in this area. Unfortunately, we are not in a position to do likewise. I must admit that as a result of the discussions I have had with ComReg, both recently and when the prospectus for the bidders was being formulated prior to the commencement of the auction process, I am reassured in this matter. As the Deputy might expect, we dealt with it in...

Other Questions: Telecommunications Services (29 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: That will depend on the plans put in place by the four successful companies. They have made significant investment. Obviously it is their intention to be remunerated on that investment. I am aware that their planning is already far advanced. I should not promote one company over another but I am aware of one company that already has its plans on exhibition. It will take them some time to...

Other Questions: Telecommunications Services (29 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: That is a good question and one that has preoccupied me for some time. The national accounts had pencilled in a figure of €178 million which goes directly into the maw of the Exchequer. It is a very valuable national resource, after all. However, when I was progressing the national broadband plan I took care to get commitments that the €350 million investment envisaged will be...