Results 12,201-12,220 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Other Questions: Wind Energy Generation (30 Jan 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I welcome the publication last week by the European Commission of its Communication on Blue Energy, which specifically deals with wave and tidal energy technologies. The communication gives a very clear assessment of the enormous potential of ocean energy, identifying the Atlantic seaboard as the area of highest potential in the EU. The communication also highlights the importance for EU...

Other Questions: Wind Energy Generation (30 Jan 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I made the point earlier that our system of government does not place any responsibility for policy-making on Opposition Deputies and God knows I was one for long enough. It is equally true that it is a feature of Irish policy-making that as soon as a great idea about developing renewable energy from onshore wind farms, for example, begins to become a reality its earlier proponents start to...

Other Questions: Wind Energy Generation (30 Jan 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: There may be genuine misunderstanding on my part, or between us, because I do not see where Deputy Murphy is going. I am doing exactly what she is asking me to do. Within the next four weeks I will be publishing the sectoral plan. She is free to criticise it then, and if she praises it, I will have to go and lie down in a dark room for some time.

Other Questions: Wind Energy Generation (30 Jan 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: However, let us wait until she sees it. When it is published, she can criticise it. In terms of the Aarhus Convention, nobody can say this country suffers from a lack of consultation.

Other Questions: Wind Energy Generation (30 Jan 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I do not dispute we have made mistakes in the past - of course, that goes without saying. However, I hope we have learned a lot of lessons as well. In terms of the conflict ongoing at the moment, I have always said that the litmus test of the consultation process would be the character of response. One arranges to respond positively to the concerns raised by people, and there is still a...

Other Questions: Electricity Transmission Network (30 Jan 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: Good morning, Deputy McGrath. I hope that, as he told me, the people of Marino, Raheny and Clontarf are still welcoming my legislative proposals. I am very pleased about that. In response to Deputy Colreavy, the Taoiseach's reference to the programme of work is a reference to EirGrid's programme of work. I propose to take Questions Nos. 7, 11, 13, 18 and 122 together. EirGrid’s...

Other Questions: Electricity Transmission Network (30 Jan 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The terms of reference will be decided by the expert panel under Mrs. Justice Catherine McGuinness and will derive from the public consultation process just ended. There is no great mystery about it. In respect of the initial report I received from EirGrid regarding its initial consideration of the 35,000 submissions, there is a great deal of repetition and duplication. Undergrounding...

Other Questions: Electricity Transmission Network (30 Jan 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I never associated Deputy Wallace with the kind of cynical disposition that would suggest as he did that I might in any way be motivated by impending elections. I am afraid it misunderstands the very nature of energy projects. If the initiative that I announced yesterday had never happened, it was the intention of EirGrid to lodge the planning application in 2016. That date will now...

Other Questions: Electricity Transmission Network (30 Jan 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: What was that case about?

Other Questions: Electricity Transmission Network (30 Jan 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: On what issue?

Other Questions: Electricity Transmission Network (30 Jan 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: On the transmission process?

Other Questions: Electricity Transmission Network (30 Jan 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: All I can do is blame the previous Government.

Other Questions: Electricity Transmission Network (30 Jan 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: For the umpteenth time, I wish to state that this is a misrepresentation as well. I was replying to a flurry of cross-examination about why I did not spell out our policy then on child benefit rather than simply stating in an advertisement. I said, "Isn't that what you do during an election?", meaning simply as stated. You do not get a chance to write an essay when campaigning on a radio show.

Other Questions: Electricity Transmission Network (30 Jan 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: Deputy Boyd Barrett is not exactly a novice himself. He has spent a lifetime in training for the platform he now has.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadcasting Sector Regulation (30 Jan 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The 2014 Budget provided for a €2.5 billion adjustment in the Government's fiscal position. Expenditure cuts of €1.6 billion were central to this adjustment and difficult decisions were required across all Departmental budgets. As the Deputy is aware, a decision was taken by Government as part of this process, on the proposal of the Department of Social Protection, to reduce by...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Job Creation (30 Jan 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: It is estimated that the energy sector overall employs in the region of 30,000 people in Ireland. Renewable energy, in particular, and the use of our indigenous resources is widely seen as having the potential to support the Green Economy and sustainable employment opportunities. In terms of achieving our 2020 targets, to date wind energy has been the largest driver of growth in...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Renewable Energy Action Plan Publication (30 Jan 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The 2009 EU Renewable Energy Directive set Ireland a legally binding target of meeting 16% of our energy requirements from renewable sources by 2020. The Directive requires that Member States set out in a National Renewable Energy Action Plan (NREAP) their trajectories towards meeting these targets and the measures to be taken to achieve these targets. Ireland's NREAP assumes Ireland's 16%...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Generation Targets (30 Jan 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 and 26 together. The Government’s overriding energy policy objective is to ensure competitive, secure and sustainable energy for the economy and for society. Renewable energy has a critical role to play with regard to each element of this objective. Prior to the publication of the Commission's 2030 proposals, I supported, along with seven other...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Internet Safety (30 Jan 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I established the Internet Content Governance Advisory Group late last year with a view to providing expert advice on a number of issues relating to online content and commentary. This Group met for the first time on 18th December 2013, and has met on two subsequent occasions since. At it's first meeting the Group agreed to an ambitious and detailed Terms of Reference which requires them...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services Provision (30 Jan 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The ESB (Electronic Communications Networks) Bill 2013, if enacted, will provide an explicit legal basis to enable the ESB to engage, now or in the future, in the installation and operation of electronic communications networks and services, either alone or by agreement with one or more other companies, and to provide for consequential matters. Prior to formally entering the...