Results 12,361-12,380 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

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

Pat Rabbitte: That is certainly a thought but it should probably come from a citizen rather than an officeholder. It is argued that, taken together with the second McKenna judgment, this case ensures that the entity which arguably has the most democratic legitimacy claim to exercise persuasive force - the elected Government - is largely prevented from doing so and effectively emasculated in its leadership...

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

Pat Rabbitte: It may be that, so far as political parties are concerned, the 50:50 rule creates a perverse political incentive to oppose constitutional amendments, given the almost guaranteed access to the airwaves that will follow. However, when it comes to a small and unrepresentative interest group, I am not sure that the same considerations would apply. If the same handful of individuals are seen and...

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

Pat Rabbitte: Senator Ó Clochartaigh is not seriously arguing that I should intervene. Political intervention in that fashion would not add to the debate. We rely on broadcasters to provide a forum for matters of public debate and, indeed, controversy and to ensure that, when these take place, the necessary level playing field is provided for all concerned.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Post Office Network (19 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 128 and 129 together. I refer to the reply to Question No. 29 of 30 January 2014. The position is unchanged.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electricity Transmission Network (19 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 130 to 133, inclusive, together. On 28 January last, 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 the terms of reference for, and to oversee the integrity of a process to be undertaken by EirGrid to report on,...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Postcode Implementation (19 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I refer the Deputy to the reply to Parliamentary Question No. 456 of 18 February 2014.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Wind Energy Generation (19 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: Eirgrid (the Transmission System Operator) and ESB Networks (the Distribution System Operator) provide online data on size and location of windfarms connected to the national grid. While EirGrid and ESB do not compile information on a county basis, information on the size and location of wind farms is publicly available on their websites at and respectively. EirGrid have calculated that...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Data Protection (20 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: In accordance with the Data Protection Acts, my Department has registered as a Data Controllor with the Office of the Data Protection Commission and has accordingly fulfilled the obligations required under the Data Protection Registration process.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electricity Transmission Network (20 Feb 2014)

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

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Data Protection (20 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: This matter falls under the remit of the Minister for Justice and Equality.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Social Media Regulation (20 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: There is no doubt that the pervasive use of social media has challenged a wide number of previously accepted norms, both in terms of media governance and in more general societal terms. To that end, I have asked the Internet Content Governance Advisory (ICGA) Group which I formed in December, to evaluate the full range of content issues that now arise online. The Group will report in May...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadcasting Service Provision (20 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I refer to the reply to Question No. 220 of 4 December 2013. The position is unchanged. RTÉ's network company 2RN is responsible for the roll-out, coverage and operation of the SAORVIEW digital terrestrial television (DTT) network. The individual concerned has been in contact with my Department directly and officials have subsequently made contact with 2RN in relation to his...

Seanad: ESB (Electronic Communications Networks) Bill 2013: Second Stage (20 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I am pleased to have the opportunity to present the ESB (Electronic Communications Networks) Bill 2013 for the consideration of the House. 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 or operation of electronic communications networks and services, either...

Seanad: ESB (Electronic Communications Networks) Bill 2013: Second Stage (20 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I thank Members for their contributions to the debate. The Bill was warmly welcomed in the Lower House, where colleagues were confident, as am I, that it will make an important contribution in terms of improving connectivity, especially in provincial Ireland. We could have a debate all day long on the question of the international figures, how good or how bad our system is, what happened in...

Seanad: ESB (Electronic Communications Networks) Bill 2013: Second Stage (20 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: -----but that is the best we can do. Reference was made to the contribution made by my colleague, Deputy Anne Ferris, in the Lower House. While the matter the Deputy referred to is not directly related to the Bill, I must inform the House that she was both mistaken and wrongly advised in respect of it. The fact of the matter is we cannot disperse employment to provincial Ireland unless we...

Post Office Network: Motion [Private Members] (25 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to share time with the Chairman of the Joint Committee on Transport and Communications, Deputy John O'Mahony, and with Deputy Willie Penrose.

Post Office Network: Motion [Private Members] (25 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I move amendment No. 1:To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following: "recognises:— that the post office network is:— a unique social, cultural and financial institution that is essential to our local communities and the country as a whole; and — the largest retail network in Ireland - with 1,147 outlets nationwide - and employs over...

Post Office Network: Motion [Private Members] (25 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: Like everyone else, An Post has not escaped the challenging economic environment since the economic collapse in 2008. The diminishing mail volume, which is due to technological advances, is even more challenging. These hugely influential factors are appreciated at every level of the postal network. They are ignored by nobody other than the authors of this motion. The economic collapse and...

Post Office Network: Motion [Private Members] (25 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: Indeed. This will afford an opportunity for a holistic review of the range of services which could be provided by the post office network and could perhaps yield synergies among the different agencies. I must stress one point, however. An Post is a commercial State company that earns its own keep and receives no Exchequer subsidy. My colleagues and I cannot arrange a hidden subsidy for...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Exports (25 Feb 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: There are three stages in the development of the Renewable Energy Export Policy and Development Framework. I have stated on a number of occasions that transparency in the development of the framework is crucial and that the views of local communities must be at the heart of the transition to renewable energy. The Stage 1 consultation, which involved the publication of Stage 1 information...