Results 11,121-11,140 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

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

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 94 and 526 together. 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 primary means, for most if not all Member States, of meeting this target will be by the increased use of biofuels. The Biofuel Obligation Scheme was introduced in July 2010 and works by...

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

Pat Rabbitte: The 2009 Renewable Energy Directive set Ireland a binding target where at least 16% of our energy requirements should come from renewable sources by 2020. The directive also requires all Member States to achieve a minimum target of 10% renewable energy in the transport sector by 2020. In order to meet our overall 16% requirement, we aim to achieve 40% in the renewable electricity sector,...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Public Broadcasting Charge Introduction (11 Jun 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: In line with the commitment in the Programme for Government to transform the TV licence into a household based Public Broadcasting Charge, my Department is involved in the ongoing analysis and policy development work that is necessary in advance of any changes that may be required. As I have previously outlined to the Deputy, a Value for Money Policy Review has been recently completed by an...

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

Pat Rabbitte: As the Deputy will be aware I published the second National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NEEAP) on 28 February last, which reaffirms Ireland's commitment to a 20% energy savings target in 2020 in pursuit of our EU obligations. This is equivalent to 31,925 Gigawatt hours (GWh) or a reduction in annual CO2 emissions of around 7.7 Mega tonnes (Mt). Recognising that Government must lead by...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Generation Issues (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 Environment, Community and Local Government. Wind farms also require an Authorisation to Construct a Generating Station and a Licence to Generate from the Commission from Energy Regulation....

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Wind Energy Guidelines (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 or Reconstruct a Generating Station and a Licence to Generate from the Commission for Energy...

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

Pat Rabbitte: Investments in energy efficiency are associated with job creation in two principal ways. Firstly, jobs are supported directly through initiatives to install energy efficiency technologies and systems (including the manufacture and supply of energy efficiency technologies). Secondly, energy efficiency gains lead to additional spending power which supports additional induced jobs. Experience...

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

Pat Rabbitte: My Department publishes details relating to exploration authorisations granted together with a map of the locations concerned on a regular basis on its website at: . The latest report and map known as the Acreage Report and Concession Map respectively, is in respect of the position on 1 May 2013 and a copy of this report and map is available on the Department's website. The report gives...

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

Pat Rabbitte: RTÉ is an independent national public service broadcaster whose remit and obligations are set out in the Broadcasting Act 2009, and, as such, I, as Minister have no role in it day-to-day operations including in relation to controlling the access to content on the RTÉ Player outside the jurisdiction of the Republic of Ireland. Section 114(1)(a) of the Broadcasting Act, 2009 states...

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

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 515 and 516 together. Ireland's telecommunications market has been fully liberalised since 1999 in accordance with the requirements of binding EU Directives. Under EU State Aid rules, the State can only intervene to ensure access to broadband services in areas where the competitive market has failed to deliver such services. The National Broadband Scheme...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Mobile Telephony Services Provision (11 Jun 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The provision of telecommunications services in Ireland generally occurs within a competitive liberalised market. The provision of mobile telecommunications networks within that market is also subject to a requirement to secure the necessary wireless telegraphy licence to access the required radio spectrum. The terms and conditions of the required wireless telegraphy licences and the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Postal Services (11 Jun 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 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 in...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Corrib Gas Field (11 Jun 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 in 2011, including the construction of a 5km...

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

Pat Rabbitte: As the Deputy will be aware, Social Media are online platforms that allow people create, share and exchange information, and to comment amongst themselves in virtual communities and networks. To date, these media have not been subject to a formal regulatory regime akin to that used to "regulate" traditional radio and television broadcast media, either in Ireland or in other jurisdictions....

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

Pat Rabbitte: Recent trends in international oil prices have indeed been downwards and pump prices in Ireland in the last 6 months indicate that motor fuel pump prices have also been falling. The average price at the pumps at the start of November 2012 for diesel was €1.57 per litre, while the average price for unleaded petrol was €1.64 per litre. By the end of April 2013, the average price...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electricity Generation (11 Jun 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 (combined heat and power, solar and bio-energy). In 2012 this installed renewable generation capacity met 19. 5% of overall electricity demand. As regards proposed targets for the future, under the Renewable Energy Directive, Ireland is legally required to increase...

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

Pat Rabbitte: In 2012 15.5% of Ireland's electricity demand was met by wind generation. By the end of quarter one2013 1,763 MW of wind generation capacity was connected to the grid. Under the Renewable Energy Directive Ireland is legally required to ensure 16% of total energy demand is met by renewable sources by 2020. Ireland proposes to meet this target through 40% in electricity, 10% in transport and...

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

Pat Rabbitte: Cloud computing has the potential to revolutionise the IT investment model in Ireland and elsewhere. It allows companies to use the internet to efficiently access vast amounts of computing resources that would otherwise be beyond their reach. A report undertaken by A&L Goodbody and commissioned by Microsoft has suggested that Cloud Computing sales by Irish firms could be worth...

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

Pat Rabbitte: There are currently two technical staff employed by my Department's Petroleum Affairs Division (PAD). During the past three years two technical staff have left that Division. The process to fill both these vacancies is underway.

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

Pat Rabbitte: As I have stated on previous occasions in the House, the proposal by Shannon LNG to construct a LNG terminal near Ballylongford is welcomed by the Government. Such a facility, together with the bringing onshore of Corrib Gas, would provide important security of gas supply for Ireland. The Deputy will be aware of Shannon LNG’s application to the Courts for Judicial Review of the CER...