Results 11,081-11,100 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Other Questions: Hydraulic Fracturing Policy (11 Jun 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: However, there are plenty of experts who will say that what is on display in that particular horror movie is no longer up to speed in terms of the technology. I am not a scientist and I do not have to make this decision. The reason we create agencies, like the Environmental Protection Agency, is that we, as policymakers, have expert advice available to us from people who are qualified to...

Other Questions: Hydraulic Fracturing Policy (11 Jun 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Deputy Boyd Barrett should relax. His tap is perfectly safe. It will not go on fire until we at least get the EPA report. When get the report, we will discuss it.

Other Questions: Broadband Services Charges (11 Jun 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: On 26 March last the European Commission published its proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on measures to reduce the cost of deploying high-speed electronic communications networks. The Commission also submitted its proposal to the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament as it is required to do as a preliminary step in the EU legislative process....

Other Questions: Broadband Services Charges (11 Jun 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I agree with much of what Deputy Moynihan has said. I can tell him that the figures he has mentioned are wrong. He will have to trust me on that. I will give him the accurate figures. In Ireland, the average monthly cost of residential fixed-line services is €28. The EU average is €22. The average monthly cost of fixed-line services to businesses is €22, compared to...

Other Questions: Petroleum and Gas Exploration (11 Jun 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: At the commencement of the Dáil debate on the report of the former Joint Committee on Communications, Natural Resources and Agriculture on offshore oil and gas exploration, and in deference to the work of the joint committee, I outlined my intention to seek independent expert advice on the fitness for purpose of Ireland’s current oil and gas exploration fiscal terms. I also said...

Other Questions: Petroleum and Gas Exploration (11 Jun 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I will begin by responding to what the Deputy has said about "interested parties". The Oireachtas committee spent six or seven months on this issue and prepared a report. I am taking the recommendations in the report as the basis of the way to go forward. The entire thrust of policy is to generate more offshore economic activity and increase the offshore exploration rate. We need...

Other Questions: Petroleum and Gas Exploration (11 Jun 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: If it is considered that our fiscal terms are a giveaway, I ask Deputy Colreavy to explain why our coastline is not black with ships exploring the Irish offshore. If our tax regime is so favourable to those who engage in prospecting and exploring, why is that work not under way? We have been drilling less than two wells per annum, on average, for the last dozen years. At that rate of...

Other Questions: Petroleum and Gas Exploration (11 Jun 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: We do not have the State investment for a State exploration company. Therefore, we have to attract companies that can carry out such work. For that reason, we have to pitch the fiscal regime broadly in line with the situation in similar member states. There is no point in comparing apples with oranges. There is no comparison between this country and Norway, which has a particularly...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Post Office Network (11 Jun 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Operational matters and the role of developing commercial strategies for 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 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...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Projects (11 Jun 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The wind farm project currently under construction at Mount Lucas, Daingean, County Offaly, is a commercial development being progressed by Bord na Móna. The financing of the project on a commercial basis is an operational matter for the company. The project has not received any direct Exchequer support. The development of the Mount Lucas project is a key component of Bord na...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Digital Strategy Implementation (11 Jun 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 62 and 505 together. There are a range of measures in the EU Commission’s e-Commerce Action Plan 2012-2015 and these span the areas of responsibility of a number of Departments. I welcome the focus in the plan on practical actions that will provide more clarity for those trading in the online single market. In particular I believe measures that...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Broadband Plan Implementation (11 Jun 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The Government’s National Broadband Plan, which I published in August last, aims to radically change the broadband landscape in Ireland by ensuring that high speed services of 30Mbps are available to all of our citizens and businesses, well in advance of the EU’s target date of 2020, and that significantly higher speeds are available to as many homes and businesses as possible....

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Biofuel Obligation Scheme Implementation (11 Jun 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The 2009 EU 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, it is clear that the primary means of meeting this target for all Member States will be by the increased use of biofuels. The Biofuel Obligation Scheme was introduced in...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Oireachtas Joint Committee Reports (11 Jun 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The Joint Oireachtas Committee's report represents a valuable contribution to the debate on how Ireland should manage its indigenous oil and gas resources, to ensure the best result for the people of Ireland. I am aware that the former Joint Committee members invested considerable time in the gathering of evidence, consideration of such evidence, and preparation of the final report. In...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Projects (11 Jun 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The development and operation of wind farms in Ireland require planning permission from the relevant planning authority and, in the case of offshore wind farms, a foreshore lease from the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. They also require an Authorisation to Construct a Generating Station and a Licence to Generate from the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER)....

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Gas Grid (11 Jun 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 67 and 86 together. The matters raised by the Deputy are operational matters for Bord Gáis Éireann (BGE). The company operates in accordance with the safety framework established by the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), which has statutory responsibility for gas safety. In addition, in accordance with section 39A of the Gas Act 1976, as...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Generation (11 Jun 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 68 and 509 together. The Irish energy market, including power generation, is a commercial market, regulated as appropriate by the Commission for Energy Regulation, and one in which I have no function. I understand that the Generation and Wholesale Markets arm of the ESB operates a mixed portfolio of generation using both fossil fuels and renewable...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Postcode System Establishment (11 Jun 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I wish to reiterate the strong commitment of the Government to introducing a national postcode system. A national postcode system is in my view a vital part of the national infrastructure. Apart from providing efficiencies for postal delivery it will positively impact on deliveries of public and private services. The procurement process for a national postcode system has proven to be...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Schemes Data (11 Jun 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 70 and 88 together. The Better Energy Homes and the Better Energy Warmer Homes schemes are administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) under the Better Energy Programme. The Better Energy Homes scheme provides support to homeowners towards the installation of attic and wall insulation, and heating system upgrades including solar thermal...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Regulation (11 Jun 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The regulation of the electricity and gas market is the responsibility of the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER). The Electricity Regulation Act 1999 provided for the establishment of the CER as an independent statutory regulator. Since its establishment, there have been a number of changes to the regulatory framework, and CER’s functions, in line with the continually evolving...