Results 10,141-10,160 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Telecommunications Services (29 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: Eircom is a private company operating in a liberalised market. Decisions in relation to the future utilisation of its buildings, is a matter for Eircom and is not a matter in which I have any role.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Television Reception (29 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 36 and 38 together. In November, research by Nielsen’s estimated that 55 thousand households were yet to make the change to digital TV. My Department will continue to monitor this situation. I am assured, however, based on the number of calls received by the helpline being operated by my Department, that the actual figures are much less than that at...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Conservation (29 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NEEAP) sets out 90 actions that Government is either already taking or will take in the period to 2020 to achieve the national energy efficiency targets of 20% across the economy and 33% in the public sector. The savings identified in the Action Plan represent approximately €1.6 billion in avoided energy costs for the economy in 2020. The...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Telecommunications Services (29 Nov 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. Regulation 9(6) of the European Communities (Electronic Communications Networks and Services) (Authorisation) Regulations 2011 requires that rights of use of radio frequencies be in force for such period as ComReg...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Resources (29 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The recently published IEA World Energy Outlook 2012 outlines how ongoing discoveries of oil and new methods of extraction of oil and gas combined with increased use of renewable resources continue to change the fossil fuel landscape as well as having impacts on global energy markets. Oil production is projected to rise from 84million barrels per day in 2011 to 97 million barrels per day in...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadcasting Sector (29 Nov 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. ComReg is, of course, independent in the exercise of this spectrum management function. As you may be aware ComReg recently completed a multiband spectrum auction process and awarded spectrum rights in the former...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy (29 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I have no statutory function in the setting of 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 and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Seirbhísí Leathanbhanda sa Ghaeltacht (29 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: Is é aidhm Scéim Leathanbhanda Náisiúnta an Rialtais atá foilsithe le déanaí, ná an tírphictiúir leathanbhanda a athrú go radacaí lena chunntiú go mbeidh seirbhísí ard-luasa 30Mbps ar a laghad a chur ar fáil dar saoránaigh agus lucht gnó tamall maith roimh 2020, sprioc dáta an AE, agus chomh maith...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Metal Theft (29 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The protection of telecommunications industry from metal theft is a matter for the owners of such property in the first instance. The investigation of any individual case of theft, as a criminal offence, is a matter for An Garda Síochána and is not therefore a matter in which I have any statutory role. I am aware of reports of thefts from public lands and premises of metal for...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services (29 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The Rural Broadband Scheme (RBS) was launched last year in recognition of the fact that despite the widespread availability of broadband throughout Ireland, there still remained individual premises that were unable to receive broadband provision. This Scheme is aimed at making a basic broadband service available to un-served premises in rural non-NBS areas. The Application Phase of the RBS...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Cyber Security Policy (29 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The Office of Internet Safety has been established by the Government to take lead responsibility for Internet safety in Ireland particularly as it relates to children. This Office operates under the aegis of the Minister for Justice and Equality. The Office also aims at building linkages and cohesion between all Departments and Agencies to ensure that the State provides the best possible...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy (29 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: Under the Renewable Energy Directive, Ireland is legally required to ensure that 16% of all energy consumed is from renewable sources by 2020. This target must be met across the electricity, heating and transport sectors, with a sub-target of 10% in transport. In order to meet 16% of total energy, Ireland requires 40% renewable electricity, 10% renewable transport and 12% renewable heat in...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy (29 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: Scientific research into a range of alternative/ renewable energy sources has been taking place over many years, and continues to take place in Ireland and internationally. This is supported from both national and EU sources. Such work can apply at various stages in the development path from idea to market: from basic research to applied research to development to demonstration to...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Prices (29 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I have no statutory function in the setting of 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 and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy (29 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: EirGrid figures show that the total number of applications for renewable energy connection to the national grid to date is 879. Of these applications, wind represents 696 applications and other renewable sources represent 183 applications. 372 of these applications were received and placed in the queue from the date that the Gate 3 applications were closed which was November 2007. Until...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy (29 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: According to the most recent Biofuels Obligation Scheme Annual Report, there were four entities producing biofuels participating in the Biofuel Obligation Scheme. The Biofuel Obligation Scheme was introduced in July 2010 as the primary means to meet the target of at least 10% renewable energy in transport by 2020, which was mandated by the Renewable Energy Directive. It is estimated that...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Resources (29 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) released its latest Energy in Ireland report on Tuesday November 27th. This shows that Ireland’s overall energy import dependency reached 90% in 2006 but has decreased to 88% in 2011. The SEAI report highlights that a number of factors influence this trend, including reduced production of domestic gas and peat. However, in recent...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electricity Generation (29 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: In 2011, Ireland had 17.6% renewable electricity, 3.6% biofuels and 5% renewable heating, which amounted in total to 6.5% of all energy consumed being from renewable sources. Our intention, in order to meet our 2020 binding targets, is to increase renewable energy to 40% in the electricity sector, 10% in the transport sector and 12% in the heating sector, which together amounts to 16%...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Telecommunications Services (29 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The provision of mobile phone networks and services is undertaken by telecommunications service providers operating in a liberalised market, regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). Licences to provide mobile telephony services are granted by ComReg pursuant to the Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1926, as amended, and have been issued to the following Mobile Network...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Telecommunications Services (29 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The provision of mobile telephone roaming services within the EU is governed by “EU Regulation 531/2012 of 13 June 2012 on roaming on public mobile communications networks”. This Regulation is the third in a series of such regulations which commenced in 2007 to increase the level of consumer protection over time for customers using roaming services. The current Regulation,...