Results 11,661-11,680 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Topical Issue Debate: Semi-State Bodies Issues (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: It is very fortunate that I happen by accident to hold the job I do. If I did not, Fianna Fáil would have privatised the ESB.

Topical Issue Debate: Semi-State Bodies Issues (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I am very proud to say that will not happen under my stewardship.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Energy Prices (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The main cause is that rising international gas prices have resulted in knock-on increases in both gas and electricity prices, the latter because of the role gas plays in the Irish power generation portfolio. Given our reliance on imported gas, increases in gas and electricity prices are, in turn, caused by increases in international gas prices as well as increased transport charges and...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Energy Prices (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I hope Deputy Moynihan is wrong, but if he is right I would be concerned about the point he has made about pay-as-you-go meters. The protocol we have in place prevents disconnections where a pay-as-you-go meter is installed. I would be very concerned if his information is correct in that regard and I undertake to act as he says. If he can give me any more precise information on it I would...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Energy Prices (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: It is a major issue and I too have had discussions with the regulator. The regulator points out that significant investment is needed to maintain the system and security of supply. Investments in energy projects are singularly expensive. Electricity and gas costs in Ireland are influenced by various drivers, including global gas and oil prices, the cost of capital, exchange rate...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Hydraulic Fracturing Policy (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I must state that I was curious about that. As the Leas-Cheann Comhairle, the Minister of State, Deputy O'Dowd, and Deputy Moynihan will be aware, there was a time when Question Time was sacrosanct in this House. It started at 2.30 p.m. and it did not matter if the sky fell, as it went on at that time but it now appears to have become a moveable feast.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Hydraulic Fracturing Policy (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Is that what it is called?

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Hydraulic Fracturing Policy (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: That is my view.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Electricity Transmission Network (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Development of the high voltage electricity grid as planned in the EirGrid Grid25 strategy is critical to Ireland's economic and social development. Ensuring secure, reliable and safe supplies of electricity is critical to Ireland’s ability to attract inward investment and retain and create jobs. While the case for proceeding urgently with energy infrastructure in line with overall...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Electricity Transmission Network (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The Deputy is like Cathy Barry's dog; he goes a bit of the road with everyone. I was not laughing, I was merely-----

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Electricity Transmission Network (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: -----pointing out that in respect of the Deputy's claim that he heard me three years ago-----

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Electricity Transmission Network (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: -----talk about a project-----

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Electricity Transmission Network (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: -----in the Minister of State, Deputy O'Dowd's area, I never opened my mouth on that one. We will have €100 on it if Deputy McGrath can prove to the contrary.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Electricity Transmission Network (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: As regards undergrounding, when the Deputy is not performing in the Dáil, in his private moments he will admit that we need energy supply for social and economic development. What is involved here is a €500 million investment to ensure that Munster has sufficient energy supply for economic and domestic needs into the future. EirGrid has learned from previous experience. The...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Electricity Transmission Network (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The Deputy knows well that unless we maintain the transmission system we will pay a heavy price for it. On the Deputy's point on undergrounding, he is not correct in saying that undergrounding is the norm in Europe. The traditional overhead is still the norm and, as we have established elsewhere, the cost of undergrounding is approximately three and half times the cost of-----

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Electricity Transmission Network (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: It is true. We have had three experts from Scandinavia and, with all due respect to the Deputy's renowned knowledge, those three are experts on projects across Europe and that is the figure that they came up with. The Deputy also accused me of claptrap in regard to something in his response, which I cannot remember it.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Electricity Transmission Network (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Deputy McGrath might remind me of what that was about.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Electricity Transmission Network (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Whatever about the tits on Mrs. Murphy's cow, to be honest that contribution by the Deputy was about as useful as tits on a bull.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Electricity Transmission Network (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The fact of the matter is that EirGrid has gone out of its way-----

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Electricity Transmission Network (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: -----to consult locally.