Results 12,261-12,280 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Usage (5 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 99 and 100 together. The 2009 EU Renewable Energy Directive set Ireland a legally binding target of 16% of energy to come from renewable sources by 2020. In order to meet this target, Ireland is committed to meeting 40% of electricity demand from renewable sources of generation by 2020. Figures for 2012 show that 19.6% of electricity demand was met by...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Green Paper on Energy Publication (5 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The energy policy landscape has undergone considerable change since the Energy Policy White Paper was published in 2007. Having regard to this, my Department is currently preparing an Energy Green Paper identifying issues that need to be considered in the development of Ireland’s energy policy to meet current and future challenges. Those issues include: - EU legislative and policy...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Consultancy Contracts Data (5 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: As I previously advised the Deputy in reply to Question No.457 of the 28 January 2014, the tender notices which the Deputy is requesting are in the public domain and available on the following websites and . I have no function in relation to tender processes or contracts awarded by a commercial semi-State company.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Better Energy Homes Scheme Expenditure (5 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The Better Energy Homes scheme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) under the Better Energy Programme. The table below details the number of homes that have received energy efficiency upgrades and the amount of Exchequer funding disbursed under the scheme, since February 2011. The table also outlines the number of jobs supported across all the Better Energy...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Digital Television Service Provision (5 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I refer to the reply to Question No. 22 of 30 January 2014. The position is unchanged.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadcasting Service Provision (5 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 105 and 107 together. TG4 is an independent national public service broadcaster whose remit, obligations, principal objects and associated powers are set out in the Broadcasting Act 2009. Section 98 of that Act provides that TG4 shall be independent in the pursuance of these objects, subject to the requirements of the Act. As such I, as Minister, have no...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadcasting Service Provision (5 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I refer to the reply to Question No. 408 of 19 November 2013. The position is unchanged.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services Charges (5 Feb 2014)

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 (H3GI), the NBS service provider, the NBS mobile wireless service currently offers minimum download and upload...

Topical Issue Debate: Renewable Energy Exports (6 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I apologise for being late into the House. I am grateful to Deputy Wall for giving me the opportunity to comment in the House on the possibility of a wind export project between this country and Britain. Because of the controversy surrounding the necessary build-out of the grid to meet our own domestic energy goals, the entirely separate wind export project is frequently misrepresented. The...

Topical Issue Debate: Renewable Energy Exports (6 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I hope I can clarify the position. I do not agree that it would be premature if an agreement is concluded. Its purpose is to facilitate the initiation of a traded sector in green energy. Causing it to happen is a different matter. The law would then exist to permit it happening if X and Y fell into place. I agree with Deputy Wall that it would be premature to conclude an agreement before...

Topical Issue Debate: RTE Compensation Payment (6 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: First, I thank the Deputies for raising this issue and I welcome the opportunity to discuss it in the House. Moreover, I acknowledge the range of Deputies across the parties, as well as Independent Members, who have expressed in the Chamber this evening a broadly similar view. I stated recently that personally, I would not use the term "homophobe" to describe those who disagree with me on...

Topical Issue Debate: RTE Compensation Payment (6 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: First, let us get the conspiracy theories out of the way. The coincidence regarding the code of conduct has nothing to do with this. I did not see the programme at the time, but I have made it my business to see it since. The first I heard about the issue was when I was advised of the resignation of a member of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. I presume he resigned because he...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Power Outages (6 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: This is a day to day operational matter for the ESB and not one in which I, as Minister, have a role or function.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Post Office Network (6 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: Operational matters and the role of developing commercial strategies for the post office network are a matter for the Board and management of An Post and not one in which I have a 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. The Irish Postmasters'...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadcasting Sector Regulation (6 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: RTÉ is an independent national public service broadcaster whose remit and obligations are set out in Section 114 of the Broadcasting Act 2009. Section 98 of the Act provides that the company shall be independent in the pursuance of these objects, subject to the requirements of the Act and as such, I, as Minister, have no function in the management of RTÉ’s day to day...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electricity Transmission Network (6 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 116 and 117 together. Arising from examination of the concerns expressed during EirGrid’s recent public consultation process, I have proposed a number of measures to deal with the immediate concerns on the Grid West and Grid Link projects, while also addressing the generality of commentary on the need to improve stakeholder and community engagement on...

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: ESB (Electronic Communications Networks) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (6 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: As the Chairman said, the Bill is a relatively short legislative proposal, the purpose of which is to 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. The amendment...

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: ESB (Electronic Communications Networks) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (6 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: No. It does not provide for selling it but nor does it prevent access to it in certain circumstances as allowed for in the Bill. It does not involve selling it but one might put a proposition to the new joint venture company that one might want to lease some of it for a period.

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: ESB (Electronic Communications Networks) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (6 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: Our position is not to sell if off. The Deputy can believe me on that.

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: ESB (Electronic Communications Networks) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (6 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: We can certainly have a look at that. In the context of the planning system, we are looking in general at what community gains can be obtained for local communities, in particular local communities that are disrupted in any way by large infrastructural projects as a result of decisions of the planning system. The requirement to stipulate from whom one might procure services or with whom one...