Results 11,721-11,740 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Wind Energy Generation (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 29, 34, and 36 together. I am aware of the concerns expressed by certain communities regarding wind energy development for export and I have spoken publicly on this matter on a number of occasions. Some of these concerns have been needlessly exacerbated by poor communications and misinformation and I have emphasised the need for developers to engage with...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Postcode Implementation (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: On 8 October I announced that the Government has approved, subject to contract, the launch of a national postcode system in 2015. A postcode operator will design and run the postcode under license for an initial ten year period extendable at the discretion of the Minister for Communications by a further five years. The new postcode system will provide a unique code to every postal address in...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electricity Generation (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The Government Policy Statement on the Strategic Importance of Transmission and Other Energy Infrastructure (July 2012) emphasised the importance of early transparent engagement and consultation with local communities and stakeholders by developers of large infrastructure projects. I am aware that EirGrid is committed to public consultation and that they have been engaging in a...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services Speeds (24 Oct 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 County...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electricity Transmission Network (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The Government, in July 2011, considered the ownership of the Irish electricity transmission system and the appropriateness of transfer of transmission assets from ESB to EirGrid. This consideration was undertaken in the context of how best to implement the unbundling provisions of the "Third Energy Package" and the various options set out therein. The Government's July 2011 decision, on...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Wind Energy Generation (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: In January of this year the UK Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Mr. Ed Davey MP and I signed a Memorandum of Understanding on energy cooperation. That Memorandum sent a strong signal of our shared interest in developing the opportunity to export green electricity from Ireland to Britain and will result in completion of consideration of how Irish renewable energy resources,...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Wind Energy Generation (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 37 and 43 together. I refer to the reply to Question No. 333 [44826/13] of 22 October.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Garda Investigations (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Any criminal investigation in this jurisdiction such as the one referred to in this case by the Deputy is a matter for An Garda Síochána to consider and not one in which my Department or I, as Minister, have a role.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Mine Sites Remediation (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: A study commissioned by my Department and undertaken by CDM set out a plan for full remediation of the Avoca mines site, with costs identified in excess of €50 million. Given current pressures on the public finances, resources are not available to fund the full series of measures recommended in the report. My Department has, however, provided funding of €3m for a programme of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Post Office Network (24 Oct 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 concern in relation to the ongoing commercial position of the Company and I regularly liaise with the Company in this regard. An Post has many strengths...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Broadband Plan Implementation (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The Government's National Broadband Plan, which I published in August 2012, aims to radically change the broadband landscape in Ireland by ensuring that high speed broadband is available to all citizens and businesses. This will be achieved by providing a policy and regulatory framework that assists in accelerating and incentivising commercial investment, and a State-led investment for areas...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electricity Generation (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Development of the high voltage electricity grid as planned in the Grid25 strategy is critical to Ireland's economic and social development. The businesses that sell goods and services and provide employment need a reliable energy supply that enables them to compete in an increasingly globalised economy. Ensuring secure reliable and safe supplies of electricity is critical to Ireland's...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Better Energy Homes Scheme Expenditure (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The Government will spend €13 million in Exchequer funding by the end of 2013 on over 80 community based energy efficiency projects under the Better Energy Communities and the Better Energy Areas schemes across the country. Both schemes are administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) under the Better Energy Programme. The funding will deliver energy efficiency...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Schemes Issues (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: This is a matter for EirGrid and one in which I, as Minister, have no function.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Broadband Plan Implementation (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The broadband service contracted under National Broadband Scheme (NBS) is a basic, affordable, scalable product in keeping with EU State Aid clearance for the Scheme in September 2007. Under the terms of the contract which my Department has in place with Hutchison 3G Ireland Ltd (trading as “3”), the NBS mobile wireless service currently offers minimum download and upload...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Broadband Plan Implementation (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The Government's National Broadband Plan, which I published in August 2012, aims to radically change the broadband landscape in Ireland by ensuring that high speed broadband is available to all citizens and businesses. This will be achieved by providing:- a policy and regulatory framework that assists in accelerating and incentivising commercial investment, and - a State-led investment for...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Schemes Issues (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: This is a matter for EirGrid and one in which I, as Minister, have no function.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electricity Transmission Network (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: While several of the issues raised in the Question are matters for Eirgrid, and not ones in which I, as Minister, have any role or function, I will respond to the issues that fall within the ambit of my Department and Government policy in this area. Neither the Government nor I seek to direct the energy infrastructure developers to particular sites or routes or technologies as was made...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electricity Transmission Network (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: This is a matter for EirGrid and one in which I, as Minister, have no function.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Alternative Energy Projects (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The development of wind farms to ensure that Ireland continues to meet its legally binding renewable energy targets and realise the export potential of trading energy with other Member States should also ensure wind energy does not have negative impacts on local communities. The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, in conjunction with my Department and the...