Results 11,441-11,460 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Internet Safety Issues (18 Sep 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 799 and 826 together. The protection of children insofar as this issue is concerned is paramount and there are a number of initiatives already in place in this respect, notably through the Department of Education’s resources and support for parents and children as well as the various initiatives carried out by the Office for Internet Safety. It is...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Public Broadcasting Charge Introduction (18 Sep 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The legislative provisions governing the Television Licence system in Ireland are set out in Part 9 of the Broadcasting Act 2009. The current system stipulates that, except for certain classes of social welfare recipients, if you own a television set in Ireland you are liable to pay a television licence. Revenue derived from the licence fee is used to fund public service broadcasting in the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Post Office Network (18 Sep 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Operational matters and the role of developing commercial strategies for 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 interest in relation to the ongoing commercial position of the Company and I and my Department regularly liaise with the Company in this regard. An Post has...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Oil Technicians Registration (18 Sep 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I assume that the Deputy is referring to proposals from the Oil Firing Technical Association (OFTEC) for a system of registration for oil technicians. My Department met with OFTEC to consider their proposals. Arising from this engagement, I am satisfied that the potential benefits of a recognised register of competent oil technicians merit further consideration by my Department. Various...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Capital Programme Expenditure (18 Sep 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The following table outlines capital expenditure by my Department in the areas and period concerned: - 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Geological Survey Of Ireland INFOMAR Survey at Kinsale Grants under the Better Energy Home Schemes Nil Nil €75,000 Nil Nil Bandon Nil €40,748 €10,750 €12,240 €27,880 Kinsale Nil €31,250 €8,054 €13,450...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Digital Television Service Provision (18 Sep 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The upgrade from analogue to digital TV allowed for the switch off of analogue TV networks, thereby making additional spectrum available for other services such as mobile services or broadband services. In Ireland, the analogue terrestrial TV network was switched off and replaced by SAORVIEW, the new national digital terrestrial TV network, on 24 October 2012. This was in line with the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Telecommunications Infrastructure (18 Sep 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The terms and conditions of the required wireless telegraphy licences and the associated monitoring of compliance by licensed providers with those terms and conditions are matters for the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), which is responsible for regulating both the postal and telecommunications markets. ComReg, which is accountable to Committees of the Oireactas in...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Mobile Telephony (18 Sep 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The provision of accurate location information is important for the management of the response to an emergency call. At present the mobile phone operators provide the mobile base station location and the centre of the coverage area to the emergency call answering service. The location information received by the emergency call answering service is then passed on to the relevant emergency...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Prices (18 Sep 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) is responsible for regulating the electricity and natural gas markets in Ireland. It was established under the Electricity Regulation Act of 1999 (ERA) as the statutory independent energy regulator. Responsibility for the regulation of these markets is a matter for the CER. Prices in the electricity retail market are fully deregulated since April...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Postcode Implementation (18 Sep 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 808 and 809 together. The process to select a postcode management licence holder to implement a National Postcode System is on-going. Intensive work has taken place on what is an complex national project and the procurement process has now entered the final stage. The final decision to proceed with implementation of a National Postcode System will be for...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Efficiency Fund (18 Sep 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The Energy Efficiency Fund is being established with the aim of providing finance for energy efficiency initiatives in the public and private sectors. I secured €35m for this purpose, from the remaining monies in the Carbon Revenue Levy Fund in Budget 2013; the aim is to attract matching funding from the private sector, such that the overall amount available for investment would be at...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Bioenergy Strategy Development (18 Sep 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: My Department is currently finalising a bioenergy strategy following intensive cross-Departmental and stakeholder engagement. The strategy will set out in detail the actions required to optimise the bioenergy sector’s contribution to the 2020 renewable energy targets, taking account of available financing mechanisms. It will be published later this year.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Warmer Homes Scheme Data (18 Sep 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The Better Energy Homes and the Better Energy Warmer Homes schemes are administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) under the Better Energy Programme.The Better Energy Homes scheme provides support to homeowners for the installation of attic and wall insulation, and heating system upgrades including solar thermal with the works being undertaken by privately appointed...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Communications Regulation (18 Sep 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 814 and 818 together. Mobile companies are obliged under Regulation 14 of the Universal Service Regulation 2011 (S.I. 337 of 2011) to inform customers how they may top-up and if this involves any cost. I am advised by ComReg that the Office's role is limited to ensuring transparency of the terms and conditions relating to levies on top-ups but that it has no...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Public Broadcasting Charge Introduction (18 Sep 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The public consultation on the introduction of the Public Service Broadcasting Charge, which I recently launched and which is ongoing, will inform the decisions taken by Government in relation to the specific application or collection of the Charge, the level of the Charge or who will be liable to pay it. As I have previously stated publicly, it is my expectation that the current exemptions...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Telecommunications Services Provision (18 Sep 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: My Department has regular meetings with all the emergency services to review procedures in relation to the handling of emergency calls. The agreed procedure with the emergency services is to request the caller to identify which of the four emergency services (Garda, Ambulance, Fire or Coastguard) is required and to connect the caller to that emergency service. The procedures in place also...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Corrib Gas Field Issues (18 Sep 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I assume that the Deputy is asking this question in the context of the Corrib gas project. I can confirm that the team of consultants engaged by my Department to assist it in monitoring compliance with the conditions of the consents granted by my Department in respect of this project have the necessary expertise, experience and competence to carry out this work. I can also confirm that the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Television Reception (18 Sep 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: In accordance with the Broadcasting Act 2009, RTÉ, through its subsidiary company 2RN, is responsible for the roll-out, coverage and operation of the SAORVIEW digital terrestrial television (DTT) network and I, as Minister, have no function in this matter. Specifically, the Act requires RTÉ to provide digital coverage to the same extent as provided over the previous analogue...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadcasting Service Provision (18 Sep 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: RTÉ is an independent national public service broadcaster whose remit and obligations are set out in Section 114 of the Broadcasting Act 2009.Section 98 provides that the company shall be independent in the pursuance of these objects, subject to the requirements of the Act, and as such I, as Minister, have no function in the management of RTÉ’s day to day affairs, including...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Public Broadcasting Charge Introduction (18 Sep 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The public consultation on the Public Service Broadcasting Charge was launched on 27 August, 2013 and a total of 267 submissions have been received to date. The consultation will close on 8 October.