Results 12,241-12,260 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Post Office Network (30 Jan 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: Operational matters and the role of developing commercial strategies for the post office network are, of course, 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. Having invested...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Alternative Energy Projects (4 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 377 and 384 together. As Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, it is not appropriate for me to comment on the technical details of individual wind farms. The SEAI wind atlas was developed as an information tool for Local Authorities to identify areas suitable for renewable energy in their County Development Plans and for developing...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services Provision (4 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Question Nos. 379 and 405 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 (4 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: Under the Bord Gáis Éireann (BGÉ) Voluntary Severance/Early Retirement Scheme, which closed for applications in September 2013, 43 applications have been accepted, with employees exiting between 2014 and 2017. This is part of an ongoing drive for operational efficiencies within the company. It is not anticipated that there will be job losses following the proposed sale of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Appointments to State Boards (4 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 382 and 383 together. This Government has made changes in relation to appointments to State Boards and bodies with new arrangements involving advertisement of vacancies for applications from suitably qualified candidates and, in accordance with the government Decision of 12 April 2011, I have, each year, on my Department's website, invited Expressions of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electricity Transmission Network (4 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: While this is an operational matter for EirGrid and not one in which I, as Minister, have a role, I have asked EirGrid to set up a telephone “hotline" to allow deputies to contact the company with queries relating to Grid25. That telephone line has now been established and the number is 01 2370419. This telephone line is available 5 days a week, Monday to Friday, between 08.30 and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Projects (4 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 386 and 387 together. I will shortly be publishing an Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan (OREDP). Informed by the findings of a Strategic Environmental Assessment, the OREDP will set out how best to coordinate action across the environmental, energy and economic development policy areas in order to realise Ireland's abundant offshore renewable...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Generation Targets (4 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 388 and 397 together. The Government’s overriding energy policy objective is to ensure competitive, secure and sustainable energy for society and for the economy. Renewable energy has a critical role to play in regard to each element of this objective. I welcome the recognition in the European Commission’s proposals for a 2030 Climate and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Postcode Implementation (4 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 389 to 394, inclusive, together. On the 8th October 2013, the Government approved the appointment of Capita Business Support Services Ireland Limited as the company which will develop, roll-out and operate the National Postcode System following the conclusion of the public procurement process. This company will operate the postcode under licence for an...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electricity Transmission Network (4 Feb 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. The Government also affirmed that EirGrid is obligated to adhere to all relevant...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electricity Transmission Network (4 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: On 28 January last, in response to EirGrid’s recent public consultation process, I announced that I have appointed an independent panel of experts, to be chaired by Mrs Justice Catherine McGuinness, to decide terms of reference for comprehensive, route-specific studies of fully underground options for both Grid Link and Grid West. Studies of the overhead and underground options will...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (4 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: My Department is responsible for co-ordinating the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan which commits all organisations in the public sector to achieving a 33% energy savings target by 2020. To achieve this target, my Department works with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland and the Office of Public Works to develop, enhance and embed good energy management practices in the public...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Multimedia Services (4 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI), which is a Division in my Department, is working on developing apps for geological data, particularly for Tellus and Infomar projects. The work on this to date has been undertaken by project and in house staff at no additional cost to my Department. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland developed a Smartphone App in 2011 to support its Power...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Broadband Plan Implementation (4 Feb 2014)

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 can be found on a number...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Broadband Plan Implementation (4 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 407 and 411 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 broadband...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Wind Energy Generation (4 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: Ireland has the capability to achieve its national targets for renewable electricity from onshore renewable generation alone, with capacity to spare. This means that, under the co-operation mechanisms outlined in Directive 2009/28/EC, there is potential for projects of scale both onshore and offshore that are aimed at export markets. It is in this context that the United Kingdom Secretary...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadcasting Sector Regulation (4 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: As a public service broadcasting corporation, RTE is obliged under Section 101 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 to prepare a Public Service Statement within 12 months of the passing of the Act, and every 5 years thereafter. Every such statement is required to set out the principles to be observed and the activities to be undertaken by the corporation in order to fulfil its public service...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electricity Transmission Network (4 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: On 28 January, in response to EirGrid's recent public consultation process, I announced that I had appointed an Independent Panel of experts, to be chaired by Mrs Justice Catherine McGuinness, to decide terms of reference for comprehensive, route-specific studies of fully underground options for both Grid Link and Grid West. The Panel will be asked to ensure that the underground studies are...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Post Office Network (4 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: It is Government policy that An Post remains a strong and viable company, in a position to provide a high quality, nationwide postal service and maintain a nationwide customer focussed network of post offices in the community. The importance of maintaining a network of post offices around the country is recognised in the Programme for Government. That said, the Deputy should be aware that...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Post Office Network (4 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: Operational matters and the role of developing commercial strategies for the post office network, including capital investment in the network, are a matter for the Board and management of the company and not one in which I have a function.