Results 12,021-12,040 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Public Sector Staff Remuneration (17 Dec 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I wish to advise the Deputy that in relation to the One Person One Salary policy introduced by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the policy that non-public sector board members may choose to voluntarily reduce or waive their fees as a matter of personal choice in recognition of the current difficult economic circumstances, that both of these policy initiatives have been...

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

Pat Rabbitte: Grid25 represents an investment in the transmission system of €3.2 billion over approximately 15 to 20 years, and is central to ensuring Ireland develops a power system that meets our future energy needs in a sustainable manner.Grid25 will reduce our dependency on imported fossil fuels by putting the infrastructure in place to enable us use our own natural resources, help us create...

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

Pat Rabbitte: Responsibility for the regulation of energy markets is a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation(CER) which is an independent statutory body. In 2010 the CER made a decision to stop regulating electricity prices. I have no statutory function in the setting of energy prices, whether in the regulated or non-regulated market. A customer’s electricity bill is made up of a number of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Sale of State Assets (18 Dec 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Following intensive negotiations with the EU IMF Troika, agreement was reached that 50% of the proceeds from the proposed sale of State assets could be invested in job creation measures and the remaining 50% would be used as a backstop for securing funds for job creation before being used to retire debt. This will be the case with the proceeds from the sale of Bord Gáis Energy. The...

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

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 144 to 146, inclusive, together. The process to sell the Bord Gáis Energy business initiated earlier this year attracted significant interest from a broad range of potential international bidders, reflecting the positive international sentiment towards Ireland. The sale is a very positive development in that it will mark the entry of international...

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

Pat Rabbitte: Since 2002, the regulation of the gas market has been the responsibility of the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), which is independent in the performance of its functions. I have no direct statutory function in relation to liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects, including specific projects like the Shannon LNG project. The LNG facility would provide additional security of supply to...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Ministerial Advisers Remuneration (18 Dec 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: My Department requested sanction from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to appoint my Special Advisers, Mr Finbarr O' Malley and Mr Simon Nugent, at salary rates commensurate with their previous remuneration. Sanction was granted to appoint Mr. O’Malley at a salary rate of €83,337 per annum and Mr. Nugent at a salary rate of €97,200 per annum. Both...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Better Energy Homes Scheme Expenditure (19 Dec 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The Better Energy Warmer Homes programme provides energy efficiency upgrades to low income households who are experiencing energy poverty. The elderly are prioritised under the eligibility criteria of the scheme, as they are recognised as being particularly vulnerable. The scheme is delivered through a combination of Community Based Organisations (CBOs), augmented by a panel of private...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Semi-State Bodies Funding (19 Dec 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The State has not assumed any liability on behalf of the ESB pension fund, nor will any such liability be reflected in the national accounts. The accounting treatment of the scheme is an operational matter for the company in accordance with the relevant accounting standards. I understand that this matter was the subject of discussion and agreement between the management and unions under the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services Provision (19 Dec 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 201 and 202 together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Bord Gáis Privatisation (19 Dec 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The members of the consortium which has recently been selected as the preferred bidder in the transaction process on the sale of Bord Gáís Energy, comprising Brookfield, Centrica and iCon, are international strategic investors that will bring significant industry experience and financial strength to support continued investment in the Bord Gáis Energy business and in the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Freedom of Information Requests (19 Dec 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The following table sets out the details requested by the Deputy: - - 2012 2013 (to date) 1 No. of FOI Requests received by this Department 70 35 - - - - 2 No. of FOI Requests for which Search and Retrieval fee was sought 4 4 - - - 3 Maximum fee sought by this Department in respect of a request received €2,095.00 €863.75 - - - - 4 Number of Requests not proceeded with...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Legislative Process RIA (19 Dec 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Since March 2011 there have been four Bills initiated by me and brought through the legislative process to completion.The first was the Access to Central Treasury Funds (Commission for Energy Regulation) Bill 2011. While no Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) was completed specifically for this Bill, a full RIA was undertaken with respect to the provisions of the related Petroleum (Exploration...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Bodies (19 Dec 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: My Departmental remit includes complex policy areas and oversight of State regulation and provision of key strategic services such as energy and public broadcasting. In this context, the number of Commercial State Bodies and Non-Commercial State Bodies, including Regulators, currently under the aegis of my Department, is 18. I have not established any new State bodies since taking office in...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Bodies (19 Dec 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: In total, there are 18 Commercial State Bodies and Non-Commercial State Bodies, including Regulators, currently under the aegis of my Department. Since I assumed office in March 2011 there are 4 Chairpersons who were on, and still remain on, the Board of State Bodies as their respective terms of office are not due to expire until a future date. In addition I reappointed 7 Chairpersons to...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Sale of State Assets (15 Jan 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I announced in December last that a preferred bidder has been selected in the sale process for Bord Gáis Energy. The proceeds from this sale, when they become available, will be available to Government to support stimulus measures in the short term, with 50% intended to be used, in the longer term, to retire debt. The Infrastructure Stimulus Plan includes an Exchequer element to be...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Exports (15 Jan 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: In January 2013 the United Kingdom Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Mr. Edward 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. A programme of work is underway to establish if it is mutually beneficial for...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Generation Issues (15 Jan 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I am aware that there are a number of renewable energy projects which are proposed for the Cork Harbour area and I understand that four wind energy developments have received planning permission. I also understand that a pre-planning application has been made to An Bord Pleanála in relation to the development of a waste-to-energy facility in the area. Under the Renewable Energy...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electricity Transmission Network (15 Jan 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: In the Government Policy Statement on the Strategic Importance of Transmission and Other Energy Infrastructure of July 2012, the imperative for the State Companies, and all developers of energy projects, of early, transparent engagement and consultation with local communities and stakeholder was emphasised. I am aware that EirGrid is committed to public consultation and that they have been...