Results 11,361-11,380 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Alternative Energy Projects (17 Jul 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The REFIT scheme for biomass (REFIT3), which was opened in February 2012, is designed to incentivise the addition of 310 MW of renewable electricity capacity to the Irish electricity grid. The technologies being supported include anaerobic digestion and biomass combined heat and power. REFIT3 also provides incentives for co-firing of biomass in peat powered generation plants. The scheme...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Alternative Energy Projects (17 Jul 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I am advised by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) that the wave energy developers to which the Deputy refers have all received payment in respect of funding approved and allocated for their projects with the exception of one, which was deemed to be of insufficient technical merit and, therefore, was not approved for funding. All of the approved projects were completed...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Wind Energy Guidelines (17 Jul 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Question Nos. 18 and 40 together. The Wind Energy Planning Guidelines were developed by the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government in 2006 to offer advice to planning authorities with regard to their preparation of Development Plans and their consideration of applications for planning permission from wind farm developers. The Guidelines were issued...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services Provision (17 Jul 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The Digital Agenda for Europe set out specific targets for the achievement of high speed broadband services across all Member States. Ireland’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 in advance of the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electricity Transmission Network (17 Jul 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The interconnected power systems of Ireland and Northern Ireland form a single synchronous power system and all electricity generated on the island is traded in the Single Electricity Market (SEM), the wholesale electricity market for the island of Ireland, regulated jointly by the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) and its counterpart in Belfast, the Utility Regulator (UR). The Irish...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Community Radio Stations Funding (17 Jul 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: In terms of public funding, the Broadcasting Funding Scheme represents an already significant source of support for non-profit community radio stations. This Scheme is currently funded by way of a set proportion of net television licence fee receipts and I do not expect this position to change with the introduction of the new Public Service Broadcasting Charge. The Broadcasting Authority...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Prize Bonds (17 Jul 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I received correspondence from the Irish Postmasters' Union in which they outlined their concerns regarding the application of anti money laundering requirements in respect of the purchase of prize bonds. I understand my colleague the Minister for Finance is exploring with the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) and the Minister for Justice and Equality whether or not exemptions...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Gas Grid (17 Jul 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 29 together. The Deputy will be aware from my replies to previous Parliamentary Questions raised by him on this issue that this is an operational matter 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...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Gas Grid (17 Jul 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 24 and 41 together. The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) is the statutory, independent body, charged with the assessment and licensing of prospective operators seeking to develop and operate a gas distribution system within the State. I have no direct statutory function in relation to the connection of towns to the gas network The CER, in 2006,...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Wind Energy Guidelines (17 Jul 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The 2009 EU Renewable Energy Directive set Ireland a binding target where at least 16% of our energy requirements should come from renewable sources by 2020. In order to meet our overall 16% requirement, Ireland is committed to meeting 40% of electricity demand from renewable sources. Though these targets are challenging, I am confident that they can be met. My Department's Strategy for...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Media Mergers (17 Jul 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: As the Deputy will be aware, responsibility for the control of merger and acquisitions, including those relating to the media in the State, lies with my colleague the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. At present I have no function with regard to media, outside of that relating to my broadcasting remit. However, legislation is in train in the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Resources (17 Jul 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: While a number of players in the all-island energy market, including a number of the State energy companies are currently engaged in planning, developing and implementing a variety of capital projects, there are no capital investment plans being directly prepared between the Irish Government, the Northern Ireland Executive and the Scottish Executive in the energy sector. However, positive...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Youth Unemployment Measures (17 Jul 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: A range of initiatives in the Communications and Energy sectors are in place to promote competitiveness and productivity and stimulate youth employment. Under the Action Plan on Jobs, my Department is committed to a number of measures and policies which will be central to the objective of maximising the country’s growth potential, bringing about economic recovery and creating...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Alternative Energy Projects (17 Jul 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: My Department, along with a number of other Government departments including the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government as well as the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) is currently finalising a Bioenergy Strategy, which will be published in the autumn. This will set out in detail the actions required...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Generation Targets (17 Jul 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The 2009 EU Renewable Energy Directive set Ireland a binding target of meeting at least 16% of our energy requirement from renewable sources by 2020. As part of the strategy to meet this overall target, Ireland is committed to meeting 40% of electricity demand from renewable generation by 2020. It is estimated that this will require the installation of between 3,500 and 4,000 MW of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electric Vehicle Grants (17 Jul 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: In April 2011, I introduced the Electric Vehicle (EV) Grant Scheme to incentivise and support, through grants of up to €5,000, the early deployment of electric vehicles in Ireland in order to provide an early critical mass of such vehicles and to encourage the growth of a stable and robust market for these vehicles. Since its introduction, the scheme, which is administered by the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Oil Reserves Agency (17 Jul 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Security of oil supply is central to the economy and to our economic and social development. While significant efforts are underway to improve energy efficiency and increase renewable energy, Ireland remains dependent to a large degree on imported oil. Oil comprised 59% of total final energy consumption in Ireland in 2011 and it is clear that oil will continue to play a pivotal role in the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Postcode System Establishment (17 Jul 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The procurement process to select a postcode management licence holder to implement a National Postcode System is currently underway. Intensive work has taken place on what is an extremely complex national project and the procurement process has now entered the final stage. I can say that the final tender has issued and the process is expected to come to a conclusion shortly. The final...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Postcode System Establishment (17 Jul 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The procurement process to select a postcode management licence holder to implement a National Postcode System is currently underway. Intensive work has taken place on what is an extremely complex national project and the details of the procurement process are confidential. I can say that the final tender has issued and the process is expected to come to a conclusion shortly. The final...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services Provision (17 Jul 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Ireland's telecommunications market has been fully liberalised since 1999 in accordance with the requirements of binding EU Directives. The market has since developed into a well-regulated market, supporting a multiplicity of commercial operators, providing services over a diverse range of technology platforms. Details of broadband services available in each County, including Gaeltacht...