Results 10,421-10,440 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Telecommunications Services (31 Jan 2013)

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 November 2012 ComReg announced the results of its successful Multi-Band Spectrum Award (MBSA) process which resulted in a transfer of €450 million, in respect of upfront fees accrued, to the Exchequer on 14...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Alternative Energy Projects (31 Jan 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is responsible for developing planning policy and legislation. His Department’s primary role is to provide the essential legislative framework and policy guidance, while seeking to minimise the regulatory burden and cost of the system. That Department produces a range of guidelines under section 28 of the Planning and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Water Pollution (31 Jan 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I would like to advise the Deputy that this is a day to day operational matter for the company and not one for which I have a statutory function. However, I have requested that Bord Gáis Éireann respond directly to the Deputy on the issue.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Carbon Monoxide Poisoning (31 Jan 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless poisonous gas and is a common, yet preventable, cause of death from poisoning worldwide. Approximately half of the deaths from unintentional carbon monoxide poisonings result from the inhalation of smoke from fires. Other significant causes are vehicle exhausts and deaths in industrial / commercial settings. In recent years between two and six...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Bullying of Children (31 Jan 2013)

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: Energy Prices (31 Jan 2013)

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...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Petroleum and Gas Exploration (31 Jan 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: As I indicated previously I welcome the publication by the former Joint Committee on Communications, Natural Resources and Agriculture of its report on Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration. This report will contribute to the debate on how best to maximise the benefits to Ireland from the exploration and production of our indigenous oil and gas resources. I have already had the opportunity to...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services (31 Jan 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Considerable progress has been made in recent years in both the coverage and speeds of national broadband infrastructure, with a multiplicity of commercial operators, providing services over a diverse range of technology platforms. The Government has also undertaken a number of initiatives to bring broadband to those parts of the country where commercial operators have been unable to offer...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Seirbhísí Leathanbhanda (31 Jan 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Gné riachtanach is ea lúdracht leathanbhanda, mar infreastruchtúr cumasúcháin d’fhorbairt eacnamaíoch agus shóisialta, i dtaca le fás inmharthana geilleagrach amach anseo agus tá sé práinneach ó thaobh an Rialtais de. Maidir le beartas teileachumarsáide de, tá ról lárnach ag na Roinn maidir le réimse...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services (31 Jan 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Broadband connectivity, as an enabling infrastructure for economic and social development, is a critical element of future sustainable economic growth throughout the regions and is a priority for Government. Ireland’s telecommunications market has been liberalised since 1999 and since then has developed into a well-regulated market, supporting a multiplicity of commercial operators,...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Agencies (31 Jan 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: In the case of public bodies established by Statute, the maximum, and sometimes minimum, number of persons that may be appointed to the Board is generally set out in the relevant legislation. Having regard to the number of persons currently serving on the Boards of bodies under the aegis of my Department I have set out in the following table the maximum number of additional persons that...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Alternative Energy Projects (31 Jan 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: My Department does not track the number of individual wind farm developments granted or refused planning permission or that were subject to appeal on a national or county basis. In addition to planning permission, in order to connect to the electricity grid in Ireland, windfarm developers require a grid connection. The grid connection process is vested in the Commission for Energy...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Incentives (31 Jan 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Wave and tidal energy is still at the research, development and deployment stage globally and is not yet commercially viable. Ireland’s 2020 legally binding target under the Renewable Energy Directive has to be met across the transport, heating and electricity sectors by 2020. The target is set at 16% of all energy consumed to be from renewable sources, with a minimum of 10% in the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Alternative Energy Projects (31 Jan 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 122, 124 and 125 together. Directive 2009/28/EC known as the Renewable Energy Directive assigns a legally binding target of 16% on Ireland for the share of renewables in energy consumption by 2020. This target has to be meet across the electricity, transport and heating sectors and a minimum of 10% in the transport sector is required. Ireland intends to...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Exploration Licences (31 Jan 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Question Nos. 123 and 126 together. The number of Mineral Prospecting Licences and Petroleum Exploration Licences granted in each year between 1 January 2009 and to date in 2013 is set out in the following table: Licences Granted during period 2009 – 2013 Year Prospecting Licences (Minerals) Petroleum Exploration Licences 2009 66 1 2010 93 0 2011...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Post Office Network (31 Jan 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Operational matters in relation to the post office network are a matter for the management and Board of An Post and one in which I have no statutory function. As shareholder, however, I do have a strong concern in relation to the ongoing commercial position of the Company and I regularly liaise with the Company in this regard. An Post has many strengths and has the largest retail presence...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Telecommunications Services (31 Jan 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 128 and 129 together. Broadband connectivity, as an enabling infrastructure for economic and social development, is a critical element of future sustainable economic growth and a priority for Government. In terms of telecommunications policy, my Department plays a key role in providing a supportive legislative and regulatory environment within which...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services (31 Jan 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The most recently published statistical report published by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), for the period July-September 2012, reports that 75% of broadband customers in Ireland have contracted for marketed broadband services in a range between 2-10 Mbps and a further 21% have contracted at speeds exceeding 10 Mbps. EU Commission statistics, published on its digital...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services (31 Jan 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Considerable progress has been made in recent years in both the coverage and speeds of national broadband infrastructure, with a multiplicity of commercial operators, providing services over a diverse range of technology platforms. The Government has also undertaken a number of initiatives to bring broadband to those parts of the country where commercial operators have been unable to offer...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Generation (31 Jan 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The 2009 Renewable Energy Directive set a binding target on all Member States to achieve at least 10% renewable energy in transport by 2020. The increased deployment of Electric Vehicles will help in this regard but the primary means of meeting this target will be by the increasing use of biofuels. The Biofuel Obligation Scheme was introduced in July 2010 and works by obligating large road...