Results 1,121-1,140 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

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

Noel Dempsey: With regard to the specific institutional arrangements and market structures that might apply to this sector, I refer the Deputy to the answer I have given to an earlier question today in regard to the review of the electricity sector that I have recently initiated. In addition, the promotion of renewable energy technologies in electricity production, the harnessing of energy from biomass...

Written Answers — Mobile Telephony: Mobile Telephony (10 Mar 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 47, 56 and 64 together. 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...

Written Answers — Mobile Telephony: Mobile Telephony (10 Mar 2005)

Noel Dempsey: In June of 2003 my Department instigated an extensive communications site survey programme to measure non-ionising radiation from telecommunications mast sites, which was carried out by the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, during 2003 and 2004. The total number of sites surveyed was 401. Not one of these sites was found to be in breach of international guidelines. Details of...

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

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 50 and 82 together. The investigation into the funding of public service broadcasting in Ireland arose in the context of a formal complaint by TV3, made originally in 1999, alleging infringements of Articles 92-94 of the EC treaty relating to, among other things, the payment of licence fee revenue and direct grants to RTE. This is one of a number of complaints...

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

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 55 and 61 together. Support to increase the penetration of renewable energy technologies generally in the electricity market is administered by my Department with some support from the research and development programme operated by Sustainable Energy Ireland. The current minimum target my Department is working to deliver, is to increase the consumption of...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (10 Mar 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The consultant for the Corrib pipeline evaluation was appointed in January 2002 following a limited invitation to tender in which three bids were received. The names invited were taken from the Institute of Petroleum's consultants list and the Pipeline Industry Guild. The appointee offered the most economically advantageous tender on the basis of cost, time and availability. The consultant...

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

Noel Dempsey: I presume the Deputy is referring to the recently published European Commission's plans for 2005 in terms of European energy priorities. A key priority identified by the Commission is the achievement of a properly functioning internal market for gas and electricity for the benefit of all citizens. In that connection the Commission has stated its intention to undertake a further in-depth...

Written Answers — Mobile Telephony: Mobile Telephony (10 Mar 2005)

Noel Dempsey: My Department maintains a watching scientific brief on health issues relating to non-ionising radiation, including mobile telephony. The Department's involvement in matters concerning the health effects of non-ionising radiation, which includes radio frequency emissions from mobile phone base stations, is guided by advice from national and international health authorities which include the...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (10 Mar 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The work in question was formerly carried out by the ocean services division of Enterprise Ireland on behalf of the petroleum affairs division of my Department. The ocean services division completed substantial work on the Corrib development and independent verification process, the criteria for which the development had to satisfy prior to the commissioning and production of first gas....

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

Noel Dempsey: I refer the Deputy to the reply to Question No. 153 on 9 December 2004. As Minister with responsibility for energy matters, including the development of our indigenous renewable energy resources, my remit is to create a positive framework whereby these resources can prosper and contribute significantly to our energy needs. A renewable energy development group was established in May 2004 to...

Written Answers — Mobile Telephony: Mobile Telephony (10 Mar 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 68 and 115 together. I refer the Deputy to my answer to Question No. 168 on 14 December 2004, when I replied as follows: The Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, as the independent regulator of the sector, has the responsibility under the transposed European regulatory framework for electronic communications networks and services, and the...

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

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 71 and 123 together. There is agreement that change is required if the postal services of an Post are to adapt to a changing environment and continue to offer a good service to the customer into the future. To progress the change agenda, an exhaustive process of negotiation between An Post management and An Post trades unions has taken place over the last...

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

Noel Dempsey: I have no statutory function in this matter.

Written Answers — Employee Share Ownership Schemes: Employee Share Ownership Schemes (10 Mar 2005)

Noel Dempsey: Government policy on employee share ownership schemes in State companies is clear. It allows for the ownership of up to 5% of a company subject to a per capita cash value ceiling in return for specific, substantial, verifiable changes to be delivered by employees. The changes must give value to the company and shareholder for which there is no other compensation to the employees. It is a...

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

Noel Dempsey: The Digital Hub Development Agency is running a developer competition to develop the hub site. I await a recommendation from the board of the agency on the competition. In advance of the recommendation, it would not be proper to comment on the alternatives available to the hub to secure future development.

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (10 Mar 2005)

Noel Dempsey: A list of all consultancies retained in relation to the introduction of digital television services is attached. The total amount spent over the period in question was €2,591,744. I am developing further proposals for the roll out of digital terrestrial television, or DTT, services in Ireland. I have asked my Department to develop a DTT trial this year. Details (Consultant) Cost Dates...

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

Noel Dempsey: The licensing of independent radio stations in Ireland is a matter for the independent Broadcasting Commission of Ireland, BCI, and one in which I have no direct role. The revenue return to the Exchequer for use of national assets, including radio spectrum, is a matter primarily for the Minister for Finance and I have no function in this regard. I can give policy directions regarding spectrum...

Written Answers — Television Reception: Television Reception (10 Mar 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 89 on 8 February 2005 which read as follows: RTE's statutory mandate, as defined in section 28 (1) of the Broadcasting Act 2001, provides that RTE's radio and television services shall be made available, in so far as is reasonably practicable, to the whole community on the island of Ireland. It is a matter for RTE to determine how best to fulfil...

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

Noel Dempsey: The European Communities (Internal Market in Electricity) Regulations 2005, SI No. 60 of 2005, referred to by the Deputy give further legal effect to Directive No. 2003/54/EC of the European Parliament and the Council of 26 June 2003 on common rules for the internal market in electricity. The directive repealed Directive 96/92/EC. The new regulations build on the regulatory framework for the...

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

Noel Dempsey: I have no function in relation to gambling. Legislation to combat illegal pornographic material is already in place. The Deputy may be aware that it is an offence under section 13 of the Post Office (Amendment) Act 1951, as amended by the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983, to send by phone any message or other matter which is grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or...