Results 12,341-12,360 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Topical Issue Debate: North-South Interconnector Issues (18 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: Deputy Tóibín adopts a conciliatory tone of support for an interconnector but he has a very funny way of supporting it because effectively he is opposing it. It is a considerable parliamentary talent to be able to present obstruction and opposition in reasonable tones. Some mornings I wake up and hope I live long enough to see Deputies Tóibín and Mary Lou McDonald being...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services Provision (18 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 452, 453, 460, 475, 476 and 478 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...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Postcode Implementation (18 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 456, 459 and 472 together. 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 in 2013. My Department received no offer to provide a postcode system without cost as part of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Staff Career Breaks (18 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The information requested by the Deputy is outlined in the table below: The number of staff on career break in Department of Communications, Energy & Natural resources is set out in the following table. Career Break period 0 - 6 Months 6 - 12 months 1 - 2 years 2-3 years 4 - 5 years 5 years plus Number of staff 1 0 5 1 2 0

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Staff Sick Leave (18 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The information requested by the Deputy is outlined in the tables below: Total Uncertified Sick Days Taken - 2009 2010 2011 2012 Uncertified Sick Days Taken 271 268 274 184 Average per Employee* in the Department 1 1 1 1Total Certified Sick Days Taken - 2009 2010 2011 2012 Certified Sick Days Taken 3,301 3,088 2,109 2,181 Average per Employee* in the Department 11 11 7 8 *Includes...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Proposed Legislation (18 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: ESB (Electronic Communications Networks) Bill 2013 is a relatively short legislative proposal, the purpose of which is to provide an explicit legal basis to enable the ESB or any other company with its agreement to engage, now or in the future, in the installation and operation of an electronic communications network along the electricity network. Section 3 of the draft Bill allows other...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Public Service Broadcasting Charge (18 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I am currently considering the results of a public consultation process on the introduction of the proposed Public Service Broadcasting (PSB) Charge. The consultation was based on the outcome of a Value for Money (VFM) Review on the charge, which was conducted by my Department last year. The VFM and public consultation will inform proposals on the shape of the charge which I will bring to...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Staff Recruitment (18 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The Public Appointments Service are currently holding an open competition for two technical vacancies in the Petroleum Affairs Division. As the competition process for both vacancies has not yet completed, there have been no appointments made to date. It is envisaged that the process will be concluded shortly.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Security Checks (18 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: Security at all Departmental buildings is kept under on-going review and it is not proposed to comment further on security matters.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Bodies Establishment (18 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I have not established any new State bodies since taking office in March 2011.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Postcode Implementation (18 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The design structure and functionality of the National Postcode is very different from that of other unique identifiers that exist in the public service databases and provides a rationale for its existence. The national postcode will be a publically available code, appear on mail items and be used for a variety of different purposes by public and private sector organisations.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Conservation (18 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: All energy suppliers above a certain minimum threshold are required to achieve annual energy saving targets as part of Ireland’s compliance requirements under the Energy Efficiency Directive. The efficiency savings achieved by energy suppliers must be audited by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). To do this, SEAI must be capable of verifying the information provided by...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Wind Energy Guidelines (18 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The Minister of State for Housing and Planning announced the commencement of a public consultation process on proposed revisions to the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines in relation to noise, proximity and shadow flicker on 11 December 2013. Information is available on the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government's website. This public consultation process is...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electric Vehicle Grants (18 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The Renewable Energy Directive states that the principal ways in which energy consumption in the transport sector can be reduced include transport planning, support for public transport, increasing the share of electric cars in production, and also producing cars which are more energy efficient. In April 2011, I opened the Electric Vehicle Grant Scheme to incentivise and support, through...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Staff Remuneration (18 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I can confirm that all staff in my Department progress on their incremental salary scale on the basis of a single point. All increments are awarded in line with guidelines issued by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: State Bodies Issues (18 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The information the Deputy has sought regarding the agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each Agency. I will request the relevant bodies to reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested in respect of their organisation.

Seanad: Free Speech, Homophobia and the role of the State Broadcaster: Motion [Private Members] (18 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I was getting very worried about how polite Members all were.

Seanad: Free Speech, Homophobia and the role of the State Broadcaster: Motion [Private Members] (18 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I thank Senators Zappone, Bacik and their colleagues for sponsoring this motion. I also thank all of the Senators who contributed to the debate. I, too, am delighted to see Ann Louise Gilligan in the Gallery. Ms Gilligan is well on the road back to good health. Having listened to Senator Norris, I do not hold out much hope for the health of Neil Francis. Whatever about going for a...

Seanad: Free Speech, Homophobia and the role of the State Broadcaster: Motion [Private Members] (18 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: As a result, it made the decision it made. It is true that RTE is the public service broadcaster, but it is also true that it is a commercial company and it made a commercial decision as it does frequently in the face of contemplated defamation actions. In his commentary on RTE's handling of events, Mr. Killane stated that RTE had explored all possible legal redress mechanisms, including...

Seanad: Free Speech, Homophobia and the role of the State Broadcaster: Motion [Private Members] (18 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: It would be a matter of serious concern if recourse to our defamation laws was to have a chilling effect on public debate on the issue of marriage equality in the lead-in to the referendum. While the defamation laws are outside my remit, the Broadcasting Act is not. At present, section 39 requires every broadcaster to ensure that nothing is broadcast that may reasonably be regarded as...