Results 11,321-11,340 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Bodies (16 Jul 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I can inform the Deputy that there are eleven Non Commercial Bodies, including Regulators, under the aegis of my Department and details of these are set out in tabular form below. Non Commercial State Bodies Inland Fisheries Ireland Digital Hub Development Agency Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission (Loughs Agency) National Oil Reserves Agency Irish National Petroleum...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Electricity Transmission Network (17 Jul 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The operation of the electricity grid is a matter for the commercial State companies concerned and is not one in which I have a function; neither do have I a role in making a statement on the operation of the grid in another jurisdiction. However, on a more general note, my views and the views of Government on energy infrastructure, which includes the electricity grid, are outlined clearly...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Electricity Transmission Network (17 Jul 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The thrust of electricity policy is towards integration. There is an all-island market on this island and it is functioning very efficiently. However, the Deputy is correct that meshing the two systems is desirable and very important. The critical piece of infrastructure between Tyrone and Meath is necessary for that. It is estimated, not least by the regulator, that the cost of not...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Electricity Transmission Network (17 Jul 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The completion of the internal energy market was a major issue during the Irish Presidency. We managed to progress the file on that issue quite significantly. It is important, however, to draw a distinction. Completion of the internal energy market by 2014, and if memory serves we have a two year derogation, is to deal with the policy aspects in terms of design, regulation and so forth....

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Electricity Transmission Network (17 Jul 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Yes, there is indeed.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Offshore Exploration (17 Jul 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I can confirm for the Deputy that the Corrib developers have notified my Department about depressions in Sruwaddacon Bay, which are caused by air escaping during tunnel boring machine "intervention" maintenance, and I wish to confirm that these depressions are not sinkholes. To clarify, the tunnel boring machine, TBM, being used by the developers to tunnel under Sruwaddacon Bay for the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Offshore Exploration (17 Jul 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I wish to reassure the Deputy that the consolidation we are discussing here was predicted in the environmental impact statement submitted in support of the application to construct the pipeline. It is expected to reinstate itself over a short duration as the TBM process progresses. The Deputy inquired as to whether we are solely dependent on the word of the company. That is not the case....

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Offshore Exploration (17 Jul 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I am always delighted to visit north Mayo. I assure the residents that there is no danger involved.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Electricity Generation (17 Jul 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The public service obligation, PSO, levy has been in place since 2001. It is the overall support mechanism for peat generation for certain conventional means of generation constructed for security of supply purposes and for the development of renewable electricity. The levy is designed to compensate electricity suppliers for the additional costs they incur by purchasing electricity...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Electricity Generation (17 Jul 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: In view of the dates I outlined in respect of the end of the PSO, I agree with the Deputy that it is time that we should begin to consider this matter. I cannot dispute what he says with regard to efficiency, emissions and so on. However, in addition to what I stated in my original answer, the PSO also applies in order to protect employment. Bord na Móna is a major employer in the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Electricity Generation (17 Jul 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I would be happy to examine that matter. Even if we were to return to Europe in order to obtain approval for a new PSO or for an extension of the current one, the indications are that neither of these might be forthcoming. Edenderry is a co-fired station and could certainly be adapted. However, technical constraints apply in respect of the other two stations. The ESB is currently...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: National Postcode System Establishment (17 Jul 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Ireland is the only country in the EU and OECD that does not have a national postcode and the Government is strongly committed to introducing a national postcode system. The new postcode system will be an important part of national infrastructure. The procurement process to select a postcode management licence holder to implement a national postcode system has been protracted and is...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: National Postcode System Establishment (17 Jul 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: What I put formally on the record is correct because apart from efficiency and quality, there are many logistical companies and companies that engage in target marketing certain segments of the population. All of that is likely to generate business for An Post. I do not believe this will be a negative for An Post. It will be a big plus for business because there are segments of business in...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: National Postcode System Establishment (17 Jul 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: There is close discussion on this. I understand the Deputy recently questioned the new chairman of An Post when he was before the relevant Oireachtas committee. An Post is behind this proposal. It acknowledges that as the only country in the OECD that does not have a national postcode system, we have to get on with it. It sees possibilities in it for the generation of business that cannot...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Petroleum and Gas Exploration (17 Jul 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: As stated in the Deputy’s question, suggestions of viable, lucrative and supra-normal profit generating finds are speculative. This type of speculation is regrettably inconsistent - I wish it were not - with experience to date. In over 40 years of exploration there have been four commercial natural gas discoveries in the Irish offshore, namely, the Kinsale, Ballycotton and Seven...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Petroleum and Gas Exploration (17 Jul 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I agree with Deputy Fleming about the importance of landing an LNG project for Tarbert. It would be a considerable boost to the local area. Even more importantly, it would be an additional string in this country's energy security bow. As the Deputy knows, the matter is before the High Court at the moment. I hope a decision will be handed down before the courts rise for the summer recess....

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Petroleum and Gas Exploration (17 Jul 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Deputies will recall a certain Taoiseach who used to occupy this seat many years ago. He used to say at this time of the year that the beaches of Kerry were beckoning. I have never met a Kerry Deputy who does not invite everyone to enjoy the highly cherished product that exists in that county. If I get an outcome from the High Court between now and August-----

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Petroleum and Gas Exploration (17 Jul 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I will.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Petroleum and Gas Exploration (17 Jul 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I will put it in the boot of the car and deliver it, like another Minister of State used to do with telephones many years ago. Those of us on this side of the House are at least as enthusiastic as Deputy Fleming about the possibility of an oil strike off the Irish offshore. That is the kind of fillip the industry needs. There is a great deal of excitement around at the moment. The...

Other Questions: Independent Broadcasting Sector (17 Jul 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: At the outset, I acknowledge the contribution of the independent radio sector in bringing diversity to the airwaves and serving the needs of communities, often at a very local level. Having said that, it needs to be borne in mind that these stations were established as commercial entities. Station owners sought and accepted licences on clear terms, which included a limited amount of public...