Results 1,081-1,100 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Fisheries Protection. (10 Mar 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I accept the Deputy's comments on this matter. We are vigorously pursuing the allocation of extra personnel to the port. Most landings were at Killybegs. When it was suggested that we concentrate resources there, for one reason or other, the industry decided it wanted wider coverage. If it was a case that the fishing industry was willing to allow Killybegs, where the majority of fish are...

Port Development. (10 Mar 2005)

Noel Dempsey: In January of this year, my colleague, the Minister of State, launched the Government's ports policy statement. The policy statement aims to better equip the port sector and its stakeholders to meet national and regional capacity and service needs. One of the key challenges that lies ahead is the provision of adequate in-time port capacity, particularly for unitised trade. The policy...

Port Development. (10 Mar 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I am familiar with the proposal of Drogheda Port Company. I have taken a keen interest in it for a number of years. It was good enough to brief me on that proposals as soon as it was finalised. I do not want to prejudice any process which will take place but, having read it and knowing about the ports policy document, it is the type of project and approach we need to use in the development of...

Port Development. (10 Mar 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The matter to which the Deputy has adverted is a matter for Dublin City Council.

Port Development. (10 Mar 2005)

Noel Dempsey: Any development in the port must go through a planning process, which is controlled by the local authority.

Broadcasting Legislation. (10 Mar 2005)

Noel Dempsey: My core policy objectives for the development of the broadcasting sector are detailed in my Department's statement of strategy, 2003-2005. These objectives are to create an environment that encourages the maintenance of high quality Irish radio and television services by both independent broadcasters and RTE, to secure a viable future for high quality public service broadcasting, and to seek...

Broadcasting Legislation. (10 Mar 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The question of granting licences and the issue of franchises and so on are a matter for the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland. I have no ideological hang-up about introducing competition. I note that the BCI is allowing increased competition in a number of areas. A few years ago it introduced the concept of a regional radio station in the south east. I have no problem with that. The scheme...

Broadcasting Legislation. (10 Mar 2005)

Noel Dempsey: There is always a danger that if there are more licences, stations will become blander. While the BCI is committed to granting more licences, it is also trying to uphold quality. Some of the licences it has issued have been for specific areas and specific interests. Listenership figures show that we have not yet got to a stage where everything is very bland.

Broadcasting Legislation. (10 Mar 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The Deputy is trying to tempt me. The reduction of news and current affairs to below 20% of programming is something I would very much regret and on which I would make my views known. There are certain minimum levels of public service broadcasting that most stations should carry. On digital services, the Deputy will be pleased that in the next three or four weeks I will be putting in place a...

Broadcasting Legislation. (10 Mar 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The Deputy will be delighted to know that Navan also had a very successful local television service. I believe it was one of the first ones. It worked well with a limited audience.

Broadcasting Legislation. (10 Mar 2005)

Noel Dempsey: It covers many matters of local interest, mainly in the evening.

Broadcasting Legislation. (10 Mar 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The Deputies would not expect me to spoil a full-scale announcement due to take place at a later stage. I agree with Deputy Eamon Ryan in the matter. About three or four years ago huge interest was expressed in moving to a digital service. As has happened throughout Europe, it was felt the private sector would move into this area. While a competition took place, no successful bidder emerged....

Mobile Telephony. (10 Mar 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I have no function in setting pricing for phone services. The regulation of telecommunications operators, including pricing for mobile services, is the responsibility of the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, in accordance with the requirements of the Communications Regulation Act 2002 and regulations made under the EU regulatory framework for electronic communications. As...

Mobile Telephony. (10 Mar 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I welcome Deputy Broughan's contribution, which supports Government policy in this area. The thrust of my response to the legitimate question he raised is that the best way of ensuring 3G and other services are provided at a lower price is to ensure there is competition in the market. That function is very much part of the directions I have given to ComReg, which has been mandated to focus on...

Mobile Telephony. (10 Mar 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I have had meetings with ComReg on a number of occasions since joining my Department and am not aware that any outstanding legislation is required. However, if ComReg needs further assistance through legislation or any other means, particularly to address the area of competition, I will have no difficulty in that regard.

Mobile Telephony. (10 Mar 2005)

Noel Dempsey: ComReg is independent in the exercise of its functions and it would be inappropriate for me to comment in detail on its work. However, I have noted its recent findings in the report, Market Analysis — Wholesale Access and Call Origination on Public Mobile Telephony Networks, in which it designated the mobile telephone companies, O2 and Vodafone, as having significant market power and...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (10 Mar 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 10, 17, 36 and 117 together. I have no function in the matter of access to the national grid network, which falls within the statutory responsibility of the Commission for Energy Regulation, CER. Also, I have no power to issue directions to the CER in the matter.

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (10 Mar 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I understand that An Post applied for a price increase to the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, in May 2004. Under the European Communities (Postal Services) Regulations 2002, ComReg is the designated independent body responsible for pricing policy in the postal sector with regard to the universal service segment of the postal market. I have no function in any consideration of...

Written Answers — Departmental Projects: Departmental Projects (10 Mar 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 12, 28 and 33 together. Since its inception, the Government, through the operation of an interdepartmental committee, has stayed in touch with the operation of MediaLab Europe, which was an independent company answerable to an independent board of directors. While it is acknowledged that research will generally require State support, the uniqueness of the MLE...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (10 Mar 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 13, 21, 49, 62 and 110 together. The alternative energy requirement programme, AER, was introduced in the mid-1990s to support the construction of new renewable energy based electricity generating stations. The most recent round of competitive tendering, AER VI, is an appropriate opportunity to review the programme and explore new targets and alternative...