Results 1,101-1,120 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

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

Noel Dempsey: I have not evaluated or compared the wind energy potential here with Scandinavian countries. The question of issuing directives on this matter does not arise. I draw attention to one significant difference, namely, that we are dealing with an island system whereas the Scandinavian countries are heavily interconnected. In 1997, a study was conducted on the total renewable energy resource...

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

Noel Dempsey: A migration to digital broadcasting is under way in most EU countries. Different technologies apply to the broadcasting of television and radio services and new technologies are emerging all the time. With regard to television broadcasting, Ireland's primary television stations are available throughout the country on a free to air basis through analogue terrestrial transmission. Free to air...

Written Answers — Television Licence Fee: Television Licence Fee (10 Mar 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I assume the Deputy is referring to the schemes to be introduced under the Broadcasting (Funding) Act 2003. The purpose of that Act was to establish a special fund to encourage both private and public broadcasters to include additional programming of a particular character in their programme schedules. The Act provided that the 5% of the net proceeds of the television licence fee should be...

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

Noel Dempsey: A total of 19 metropolitan area networks have been completed under the first phase of my Department's regional broadband programme and a further seven are under construction. These fibre optic trunk networks have been built in association with the local and regional authorities and are being managed for the State, allowing private sector telecommunications companies open access. The second...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (10 Mar 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The renewables directive addresses an obligation to member states to establish national programmes to increase the gross consumption of renewable energy based electricity by 2010. The target addressed to Ireland in the directive is 13.2% of gross electricity consumption. The directive imposes other related obligations to support the attainment of the overall target. In Ireland, the...

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

Noel Dempsey: I expect that consultants will be appointed to undertake the review of the electricity sector in Ireland in May 2005. In regard to the specific terms of reference, I refer the Deputy to the tender document published on the Government's public procurement website at http://www.etenders.gov.ie. As I confirmed in reply to a question on this issue on 8 February 2005, the review will comprise a...

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

Noel Dempsey: TG4 is primarily an Irish language television station. It first broadcast on 31 October 1996 and operates as part of the RTE family of services. The Government is committed to supporting the development of Irish language broadcasting, and to the establishment of TG4 as a separate statutory body, as provided for in the Broadcasting Act 2001. The Government recently agreed that I would indicate...

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

Noel Dempsey: The matters to which the Deputy refers are the subject of independent investigations by the Garda Síochána. The investigation and all issues relating to it are matters for the Garda. I have received no report on the investigations. It would be inappropriate for me to comment further or make a statement at this time.

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

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 24, 25, 32, 42, 53, 60 and 63 together. My Department is responsible for the promotion and development of renewable energy, including biofuels, and I am committed to the development and promotion of a biofuels market in Ireland's transport fuel sector. An interdepartmental group has been set up, chaired by my Department and comprising officials from...

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (10 Mar 2005)

Noel Dempsey: New EU control requirements relating to pelagic fisheries were introduced in 2004. These requirements were introduced to meet concerns about possible illegal fish landings in these fisheries across Europe. Such control is a key element in fisheries management policy and enables the sustainable management and development of the fisheries concerned. The requirements created new and more onerous...

Written Answers — Mobile Telephony: 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....

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (10 Mar 2005)

Noel Dempsey: While I have not undertaken any specific research on the future availability and price of oil to the Irish market, Ireland, as a member of the European Union and through its membership of the International Energy Agency, IEA, has access to relevant research in these areas. With regard to the future availability of oil, the question of how long world oil reserves will last is the focus of many...

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

Noel Dempsey: The Postal (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill which was published in 2001 provides for the issue, sale and disposal of shares in An Post in the context of an employee share ownership plan, ESOP, and possible strategic alliance. The Bill also contains ancillary provisions arising out of a possible change of ownership. The financial and industrial relations environment in An Post has changed...

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

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 31 and 37 together. I refer the Deputy to my reply to today's Question No. 7. My core policy objectives for the development of the broadcasting sector are detailed in my Department's statement of strategy 2003 to 2005. These objectives are: to create an environment that encourages the maintenance of high quality Irish radio and television services by both...

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

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 34, 38, 44, 46, 51, 52, 113, 122 and 124 together. The provision of broadband facilities is a matter in the first instance for the private sector telecommunications companies operating in a fully liberalised market. A number of factors determine where and when broadband services are offered in any area, including the potential number of customers, the level of...

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

Noel Dempsey: On 15 November last, I met with the executive of the Irish Postmasters' Union which represents postmasters and postmistresses who are responsible for the running of the sub-post office network on a contract basis. I outlined to them my commitment, and that of the Government, to the retention of a viable and sustainable post office network meeting the needs of customers with attractive...

Written Answers — Energy Regulation: Energy Regulation (10 Mar 2005)

Noel Dempsey: Currently, I have certain limited statutory powers to give a policy direction or directions to the Commission for Energy Regulation, CER, solely in relation to electricity trading arrangements. As is now common practice with other sectoral regulators, I propose, in line with Government policy and subject to Government approval, to take powers to issue policy directions of a general nature to...

Written Answers — Television Licence Fee: Television Licence Fee (10 Mar 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 16. I assume the Deputy is referring to the schemes to be introduced under the Broadcasting (Funding) Act 2003. The purpose of that Act was to establish a special fund to encourage both private and public broadcasters to include additional programming of a particular character in their programme schedules. The Act provided that 5% of the net...

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

Noel Dempsey: My intervention was designed to remove the threat to electricity supplies. I spoke to both parties about the question of the role of the deputy chairman. The press statement which I issued after the meeting represents the outcome of the discussions. I confirmed the deputy chairman's position and stated that it had been agreed that the role and functions of the deputy chairman position needed...

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

Noel Dempsey: In December 2003 my Department, in association with SEI, set up a bioenergy strategy group, BSG, to consider the policy options and support mechanisms available to Government to stimulate increased use of biomass for energy conversion, and to make specific recommendations for action to increase the penetration of biomass energy in Ireland. Membership of the BSG comprised representatives of...