Results 10,921-10,940 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Exploration Licences Numbers (30 Apr 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: 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 (to date) Year Prospecting Licences (Minerals) Petroleum Exploration Licences 2009 66 1 2010 93 0 2011 98 2 2012 102 0 2013 7 0 Total 366 3 While there have...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Alternative Energy Projects (30 Apr 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Ireland currently has 1,763 MW of installed wind generation, 238 MW of hydro power and 71 MW of smaller renewable sources (ocean energy, combined heat and power, solar and bio-energy). In 2012, this installed renewable generation capacity met 17.3% of overall electricity demand. As regards proposed targets for the future, under the Renewable Energy Directive, Ireland is legally required to...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Postal Services (30 Apr 2013)

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

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Fuel Prices (30 Apr 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The European Commission maintains a Statistics and Market Observatory, which presents consumer prices and net prices (excluding duties and taxes) of petroleum products in EU Member States (known as the Oil Bulletin) on a weekly basis. The Oil Bulletin is designed to improve the transparency of oil prices and to strengthen the internal market. The relevant link is . In addition to the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Resources (30 Apr 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Completion of the Corrib gas field development works by the developer is the principal factor that will determine the date for first gas. Pending such completion, it is not possible to state a date for when gas from the Corrib gas field will become available. It is estimated that construction of the onshore section of the pipeline, which began last year, including the construction of a 5km...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Mobile Telephony (30 Apr 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: An EU Commission comparison of “3G” mobile telephony coverage across the EU states for 2010 ranks Ireland 6th highest for coverage at 99.5% compared to an EU average of 89.9%. The award of spectrum licences including the imposition and monitoring of associated quality and coverage requirements to provide mobile telephony services, are statutory functions of the independent...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Information and Communications Technology Issues (30 Apr 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...

Leaders' Questions (1 May 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The Deputy is quoting selectively.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Alternative Energy Projects (1 May 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: A preliminary cost benefit analysis of the potential for the exporting of wind energy to the United Kingdom was completed in 2012 which indicated that in principle the project has potential positive economic and employment benefits. In particular, it indicated that if an Inter-Governmental Agreement is entered into between Ireland and the UK, there are potential significant employment...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Wind Energy Guidelines (1 May 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: In January of this year I signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with my UK counterpart, Mr. Edward Davey M.P., to explore the potential for export wind based renewable energy from Ireland to the UK. Intensive discussions are being progressed by my Department and its UK counterpart on this matter. Whilst the signing of the MOU indicates a strong statement of intent on the part of both...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Inland Fisheries (1 May 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 152 and 153 together. I wish to advise the Deputy that there is a wealth of data on angling in Ireland available on the Inland fisheries Ireland (IFI) website, which may be accessed at www.fisheriesireland.ie. In relation to the specific data sought by the Deputy concerning national figures for salmon and sea trout caught by rod and line, I am advised by...

Leaders' Questions (2 May 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Do we not know why?

Leaders' Questions (2 May 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The Deputy's reading has improved since he went into opposition.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: RTE Revenue (2 May 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: RTÉ is an independent national public service broadcaster whose remit and obligations are set out in Section 114 of the Broadcasting Act 2009. These are purely matters for RTÉ management. These are purely matters for RTÉ management. RTÉ has a direct obligation under Section 105 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 to ensure that its revenue is at the earliest possible date at...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Public Sector Pensions Expenditure (2 May 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The information requested on lump sums paid to staff of my Department who retired during the period 1st March 2011 to end March 2013 is outlined in the table below: Lump Sum Band Number of Staff Under €10,000 2 €10,000 - €20,000 2 €20,001 - €30,000 Nil €30,001 - €40,000 2 €40,001 - €50,000 Nil €50,001...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Hydraulic Fracturing Policy (7 May 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which is an independent Agency, is in the process of finalising Terms of Reference to engage the appropriate expertise to undertake scientific research into the potential environmental impacts of unconventional gas exploration and extraction. The key questions to be addressed by this research are, whether this technology can be used while fully...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Hydraulic Fracturing Policy (7 May 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: As I have advised on a number of occasions, if any company were to apply for an exploration licence that proposes hydraulic fracturing their application would be subject to an environmental impact assessment including a public consultation phase. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive plays a central role in the assessment of such applications as it ensures that the public is...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Properties (7 May 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department does not own or rent any residential or mixed residential/commercial property. In terms of buildings occupied by my Department, such properties are held in the ownership of or rented by the Office of Public Works on behalf of the Department and my Department is not a member of any property management company. The operation of any owned or...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Telecommunications Infrastructure (7 May 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The telecommunications duct network referred to runs alongside the Bord Gáis Éireann pipeline network from Bellanaboy in County Mayo to Ballymoneen in County Galway, which also consists of a spur off the main network to Castlebar and Westport, County Mayo. Since this duct network was funded by my Department, State Aid approval is needed in order to bring the network into use. My...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Household Benefits (7 May 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Exemptions from the liability to pay the existing TV licence arise by virtue of eligibility for the Household Benefits Package, which automatically gives the right to a free licence. Exemptions from the liability to pay the existing TV licence arise by virtue of eligibility for the Household Benefits Package, which automatically gives the right to a free licence. That said, I would like to...