Results 1,021-1,040 of 2,304 for speaker:John Browne
- Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (Single Electricity Market) Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (14 Feb 2007)
John Browne: I have consulted the Parliamentary Counsel in the matter.
- Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (Single Electricity Market) Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (14 Feb 2007)
John Browne: The provision, as drafted, is correct. The drafting is consistent with the provisions of the draft Northern Ireland orders in Council and there is no reason the provisions in both pieces of legislation should diverge unless it is absolutely necessary that they should. As the drafting is legally correct, there is no merit in amending it. Accordingly, the proposed amendment cannot be accepted.
- Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (Single Electricity Market) Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (14 Feb 2007)
John Browne: The SEM committee is being established under the provisions of the Bill and the corresponding Northern Ireland order in Council to take regulatory decisions with regard to the new single wholesale market on behalf of the CER in the South and the NIAUR in the North. The function of the SEM committee is to take decisions in the best interests of the market, thereby establishing and operating a...
- Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (Single Electricity Market) Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (14 Feb 2007)
John Browne: I move amendment No. 20: In page 6, to delete lines 5 to 7 and substitute the following: ""(5A) Where the Single Electricity Market is in operation, subsections (3), (4) and (5) shall not apply in relation to a matter which is a SEM matter.".". This is a minor technical amendment which I flagged on Committee Stage. It is for reasons of clarity to ensure the Commission for Energy Regulation...
- Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (Single Electricity Market) Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (14 Feb 2007)
John Browne: Yes.
- Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (Single Electricity Market) Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (14 Feb 2007)
John Browne: They are provided for in section 9(b) of the SEM Bill.
- Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (Single Electricity Market) Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (14 Feb 2007)
John Browne: The amendment proposes amending section 9BA(2)(b)(ii) to establish a minimum and maximum threshold for the purpose of licences under subparagraph (iii) which provides for licensees who produce below a minimum level of 10 megawatts. Such licensees can produce up to a threshold and have a choice with regard to whether they participate in the SEM. It is clear from the current drafting of...
- Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (Single Electricity Market) Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (14 Feb 2007)
John Browne: As I stated, the principal objective of the Minister, the CER and the SEM committee is to protect the interests of consumers of electricity, both North and South. Its designation as the principal objective gives it priority status. It is not necessary, therefore, to confer additional priority. I cannot accept the amendment.
- Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (Single Electricity Market) Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (14 Feb 2007)
John Browne: Article 4 of the Constitution provides that "the name of the State is Ãire, or, in the English language, Ireland". All references to the State in the Bill are, therefore, correct in accordance with the definition used in the Constitution. This is a standard drafting provision in legislation. Therefore, the amendment is unnecessary.
- Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (Single Electricity Market) Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (14 Feb 2007)
John Browne: As we know, the Chairman of the Select Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy O'Flynn, suggested that I consider some of the drafting amendments tabled by Oppositions Deputies before Report Stage. I have consulted the Parliamentary Counsel on a number of such amendments and I am satisfied that the drafting of the Bill is appropriate, relevant and consistent with...
- Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (Single Electricity Market) Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (14 Feb 2007)
John Browne: It is unnecessary.
- Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (Single Electricity Market) Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (14 Feb 2007)
John Browne: The wording in section 9 of the Bill reflects the need to ensure all reasonable demands for electricity are met. This is meant to exclude demands that may in some way be unreasonable and, therefore, impossible for the State to meet. Accordingly, acceptance of the amendment could expose the State to the risk of being sued for not discharging a requirement beyond its control. It should be...
- Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (Single Electricity Market) Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (14 Feb 2007)
John Browne: I do not think so but I must seek clarification.
- Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (Single Electricity Market) Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (14 Feb 2007)
John Browne: I move amendment No. 31: In page 9, line 31, to delete "the subject of conditions" and substitute "the subject of conditions or obligations". This is a minor technical amendment to ensure all statutory obligations are incorporated in the exercise of the functions of the Minister, the CER and the SEM committee as opposed to just licence conditions, as currently provided. This drafting is also...
- Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (Single Electricity Market) Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (14 Feb 2007)
John Browne: This is a technical Bill, which is intended to introduce a legislative framework for the establishment and operation of a single wholesale electricity market. Its intent is to provide only for matters essential for that purpose. Matters concerning privatisation are outside the intended scope of the Bill and cannot, therefore, be addressed in the context of single electricity market...
- Biofuels (Blended Motor Fuels) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed). (14 Feb 2007)
John Browne: I am pleased to have the opportunity to speak on the Government's bio-fuels policy and on our renewable energy policy generally. I reiterate our disappointment with the Bill as presented by the Opposition, which puts forward a policy which cannot be legally implemented. As my Government colleagues have already pointed out, the proposal as put contravenes the EU fuel quality directive. The...
- Biofuels (Blended Motor Fuels) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed). (14 Feb 2007)
John Browne: This will assist farmers in meeting the emerging demand for bio-fuel feedstocks. Establishment grants of 50% are also being provided to farmers for the planting of new energy crops such as willow and miscanthus, and funding is being made available for the purchase of specialised biomass harvesting machinery. The Department of Agriculture and Food bio-energy programmes are linked directly to...
- Biofuels (Blended Motor Fuels) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed). (14 Feb 2007)
John Browne: ââbecause on the previous occasion we did not hear any real proposals.
- Biofuels (Blended Motor Fuels) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed). (14 Feb 2007)
John Browne: Does the Deputy have any proposals? Do not criticiseââ
- Biofuels (Blended Motor Fuels) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed). (14 Feb 2007)
John Browne: It is not viable.