Results 11,581-11,600 of 21,588 for speaker:Denis Naughten

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Better Energy Homes Scheme (29 Jun 2016)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 193 and 194 together. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers the Better Energy Communities scheme on behalf of my Department. This scheme aims to support and encourage community based partnerships to improve the energy efficiency of homes, businesses and community facilities in a local area. Local Authorities actively participate...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Broadband Plan Administration (29 Jun 2016)

Denis Naughten: The National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to deliver high speed services to every city, town, village and individual premises in Ireland. Delivery of high speed broadband is a strategic priority under  the Programme for a Partnership Government.  This is being achieved through private investment by commercial telecommunications companies and through a State intervention in areas...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Broadband Plan Administration (29 Jun 2016)

Denis Naughten: The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to the delivery of High Speed Broadband under the National Broadband Plan (NBP) as a matter of priority. This is being achieved through private investment by commercial telecommunications companies and through a State intervention under the National Broadband Plan (NBP) in areas where commercial investment is not forthcoming....

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 29 - Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources (Revised) (29 Jun 2016)

Denis Naughten: I thank the Chairman and congratulate her on her selection as Chair of this committee. I congratulate and welcome each of the members of the committee. This is the first committee of this Dáil and some members are old hands, such as Deputies Eamon Ryan and Timmy Dooley, but I particularly welcome Deputy Bríd Smith on her first time in a select committee. I look forward to working...

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 29 - Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources (Revised) (29 Jun 2016)

Denis Naughten: The focus of programme A is to support economic growth, jobs, competitiveness and social inclusion through a range of policies and regulations designed to facilitate a more digitally connected society. This includes promoting timely investment in next generation broadband networks, the use of digital technologies by citizens and businesses and support for digital entrepreneurship. The...

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 29 - Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources (Revised) (29 Jun 2016)

Denis Naughten: In response to Deputy Ryan's suggestion on tripling the budget, naturally enough I would love to see that happen. At European level in relation to the financial constraints that we are under, even if we have money to try to invest it in capital projects, there are limiting conditions in regard to the financial structures. I know that Commissioner Cañete and some of the other...

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 29 - Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources (Revised) (29 Jun 2016)

Denis Naughten: First, there are ongoing discussions with An Coimisinéir Teanga in respect of the issues he has raised and we are hoping to progress them. In regard to Eircode, we have no plans whatsoever to change it, in fact I was one of the earliest people to take up Eircode. As I said in the Dáil, I have had the same reservations on Eircode, in particular the annexation of large parts of my...

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 29 - Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources (Revised) (29 Jun 2016)

Denis Naughten: Eircode had particular challenges to deal with in Ireland, compared to anywhere else in Europe. We have 35% non-unique addresses in Ireland. The country nearest to us in this regard is Portugal, with 2%, so we had a very difficult problem. In the Dáil, I used the example of Milltown. There are probably about 30 Milltowns in my constituency. I think pretty much every other rural...

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 29 - Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources (Revised) (29 Jun 2016)

Denis Naughten: Since my appointment I have been speaking frequently, almost every second day, with some of the senior officials dealing with the national broadband plan. I am on top of the project. We have an external procurement evaluation committee of outside expertise that has an overall supervisory role in respect of the overall project and in respect of the requests for any contracts. All contracts...

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 29 - Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources (Revised) (29 Jun 2016)

Denis Naughten: The purpose of programme B is to promote a vibrant broadcasting sector by ensuring high quality output by the State broadcasting companies and promoting a strong high quality private broadcasting sector. Public service broadcasters such as RTE and TG4 are funded through a mix of commercial revenues obtained largely from advertising, Exchequer grant payments and licence fee revenues....

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 29 - Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources (Revised) (29 Jun 2016)

Denis Naughten: We will facilitate that. I thank Deputy Dooley for bringing the matter to my attention.

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 29 - Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources (Revised) (29 Jun 2016)

Denis Naughten: First, to deal with the public service broadcasting charge, the previous Government committed to examining the role and collection of the TV licence fee in the light of the existing and projected convergence of technologies, as Deputy Dooley mentioned. This proposed public service broadcasting charge was designed to secure a more stable funding stream for broadcasting. The Department...

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 29 - Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources (Revised) (29 Jun 2016)

Denis Naughten: There may well be and I am open to suggestions in that regard. As Deputy Ryan knows, the solution to every problem is another Bill rather than using the existing structures far more efficiently to deliver. Deputy Ryan was at the national economic discussion on Monday at which the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform made the point that it is not just about spending new moneys but it...

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 29 - Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources (Revised) (29 Jun 2016)

Denis Naughten: First, the outturn for 2015 is €213.9 million, of which RTE received €178.8 million.

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 29 - Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources (Revised) (29 Jun 2016)

Denis Naughten: No, it is the 2015 outturn.

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 29 - Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources (Revised) (29 Jun 2016)

Denis Naughten: No. The total proceeds in 2014 was €213.2 million and the total proceeds in 2015 was €213.9 million, a difference of an extra €700,000. In 2015, the total income from licence sales was €1,018,444 and in 2014 it was €1,018,370, a marginal difference. That was the reason for the marginal difference in the proceeds. In respect of the comments I made on...

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 29 - Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources (Revised) (29 Jun 2016)

Denis Naughten: Is that Irish TV?

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 29 - Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources (Revised) (29 Jun 2016)

Denis Naughten: I am not sure about the Irish film channel and I will have to come back to the Chairman about that. Irish TV has looked to broadcast on Saorview and we gave authorisation within the last month to Oireachtas TV to broadcast on Saorview. It is now doing so. I am sure they are admiring my highlights this morning. We have approved Irish TV for broadcast but there are some technical issues and...

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 29 - Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources (Revised) (29 Jun 2016)

Denis Naughten: A number of reviews have taken place and some elements, as the Deputy understands, are commercially sensitive. I will ask my officials to look into what has been done. There has been a NewERA efficiency review and the key findings were that RTE had demonstrated efficiency and now produces more at less cost than it did in 2003. In comparison with European peers, RTE experienced the largest...

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 29 - Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources (Revised) (29 Jun 2016)

Denis Naughten: I know it is an issue close to the Chairman's heart. The funding of TG4 was reduced by €500,000 in 2015 and this reduction, combined with an increased pressure on commercial income due to competition in the broadcasting market, made TG4's budget exceptionally challenging and impacted on the station's ability to deliver on its commitments for 2015. For example, TG4 was unable to...