Results 10,441-10,460 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

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

Pat Rabbitte: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced the terms of reference for the more extensive second stage of its research into the use of hydraulic fracturing, the final results of which are expected in early 2015. As I have confirmed to the House on a number of previous occasions, no decision will be made on any proposal for the use of hydraulic fracturing in exploration...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: EU Directives (5 Feb 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: On 24 January 2013, the European Commission published a proposal for a Directive on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure for fuels including biofuels, hydrogen, gaseous fuels and electricity. This Directive aims to ensure the availability of such infrastructure and the implementation of common technical specifications for this infrastructure. One of the proposals within the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electricity Transmission Network (5 Feb 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I have no direct role in the planning and construction of the transmission network. These are operational matters for EirGrid which is the independent statutory State body responsible for the development and maintenance of the national electricity transmission system. However, the Programme for Government committed to the establishment of an independent international expert commission to...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Capital Expenditure (5 Feb 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The 2012 outturn figures show capital spending by my Department in December 2012 of just over €19m which represents approximately 18.5% of the Department’s total annual capital spend. A breakdown of this expenditure is set out in the table below. Expenditure patterns are subject to a number of considerations especially in the case of demand led measures. The bulk of capital...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Warmer Homes Scheme Application Numbers (5 Feb 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers the Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme under the Better Energy Programme. The Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures to households that are vulnerable to energy poverty. The scheme is delivered through a combination of SEAI-appointed Community Based Organisations (CBOs), augmented by a...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Resources (5 Feb 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The Memorandum of Understanding on energy cooperation that UK Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Edward Davey and I signed on 24 January will result in completion of consideration of how Irish renewable energy resources, onshore and offshore, might be developed to the mutual benefit of Ireland and the United Kingdom. This will determine whether it is beneficial for both...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Television Licence Fee Collection (5 Feb 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The Programme for Government commits to examining the role and collection of the TV licence fee in light of existing and projected convergence of technologies and to transforming the TV licence into a household based Public Broadcasting Charge to be applied to all eligible households and applicable businesses, regardless of the device used to access content or services. In line with this...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services Provision (5 Feb 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The broadband service contracted under National Broadband Scheme (NBS) is a basic, affordable, scalable product in keeping with EU State Aid clearance for the Scheme. Under the terms of the contract which my Department has in place with “3”, the NBS service provider, the NBS mobile wireless service currently offers minimum download and upload speeds of 2.3Mbps and 1.4Mbps...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Capital Expenditure Programme (5 Feb 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: In relation to the capital budget of DCENR, the primary vehicle for direct investment in jobs is capital expenditure on Energy Programmes, which in 2013 amounts to just over €59m. Virtually all (85%) of this expenditure will be spent on Energy Efficiency measures which Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland estimates will sustain between 2,500 and 3,000 construction-related jobs in...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Funding (5 Feb 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I wish to advise the Deputy that there are a number of funding programmes operated by the agencies under the aegis of my Department for which funding can be applied for by community, voluntary and sporting organisations. I have set out in tabular format below details of the programmes and the web address where further information may be obtained. The Benefit3 scheme which provided funding...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services Provision (5 Feb 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The National Broadband Plan, which I published on 30th August last, commits to high speed broadband availability across the country, well in advance of the EU’s target date of 2020. Specifically, it commits to: - 70Mbps to 100Mbps will be available from the commercial market operators to more than half of the population by 2015; - At least 40Mbps, and in many cases faster speeds,...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electric Vehicle Charging Points (5 Feb 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 535 and 536 together. The construction of public charging infrastructure for Electric Vehicles is undertaken by the ESB under its ecars programme. Plans for installing new charge points are an operational matter for the company and I have no function in the matter. I understand, however, that the ESB, through its Ecars programme, is continuing to roll out...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Expenditure (5 Feb 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: In the time available, it has not been possible to identify and assemble the information requested. I can however advise that the information as it relates to Agencies under the aegis of the Department is a day to day operational matter for the agencies themselves. The information in respect of the Department is being identified and assembled and I will revert to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Public Sector Pension Numbers (5 Feb 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: In response to the Deputy’s question Civil Service Pensions are a matter for the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, which will answer in respect of all Departments. I have asked the Agencies under the aegis of my Department to supply the requested information, where relevant, in respect of those Agencies directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Generation (5 Feb 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Question Nos. 539, 540 and 543 to 545, inclusive, together. The Memorandum of Understanding on energy cooperation that UK Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Edward Davey and I signed on 24 January will result in completion of consideration of how Irish renewable energy resources, onshore and offshore, might be developed to the mutual benefit of Ireland and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Generation (5 Feb 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The integration of wind generation in Ireland has increased steadily in recent years. In 2012, approximately 16% of electricity supplied to Irish consumers – domestic, commercial and industrial - was derived from wind power. If all renewable generation supplied to consumers is included, this figure increases to 17.3% representing significant progress from a 5% level in 2005.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electricity Imports (5 Feb 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The electricity interconnector between Ireland and Britain is owned by EirGrid, an independent commercial State body and I have no role or function in its day to day operation.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Wind Energy Strategy (5 Feb 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: In 2007, the EU agreed to pursue a policy of 20-20-20 by 2020 i.e. 20% reduction in greenhouse gases, 20% renewable energy in energy consumption and 20% energy efficiency. This was part of a climate and energy package, aimed at responding to the detrimental effects of climate change as well as improving energy sustainability and security. Following on from this, a series of Directives were...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services Charges (5 Feb 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 547 and 548 together. The provision of fixed electronic communications networks and services in Ireland is a fully liberalised market, subject only to a requirement to notify the Commission for Communications Regulations in accordance with the requirements set out in the European Communities (Electronic Communications Networks and Services) (Authorisation)...

Business of Dáil: Motion (6 Feb 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Deputy Martin made a lot of decisions without seeing them.