Results 12,541-12,560 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Sale of State Assets (25 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: Bord Gáis Éireann is currently finalising a Sale and Purchase Agreement with Brookfield, Centrica and iCon, the consortium selected as the preferred bidder in the transaction process on the sale of Bord Gáis Energy. With regard to the revenue raised from the sale of Bord Gáis Energy, the Government's consistent position is that the funds released from asset disposals, to...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Wind Energy Guidelines (25 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: One of the main issues with regard to wind farms that gives cause for concern to local communities tends to be setback distance. Setback distance is addressed by the Wind Energy Development Guidelines published by the Department of Environment and Local Government, a review of which is currently being undertaken by that Department, in conjunction with my Department and the Sustainable Energy...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Ministerial Staff (25 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: There are two civil servants engaged on constituency matters within my Department at a cumulative salary cost of €79,122 per annum.Constituency staff working on constituency matters share office space with other staff in my Department's building on Adelaide Road. Its is not possible to seperate out accomodation costs for a small number of staff in one area as these are invoiced and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Planning Issues (25 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The consideration of planning applications for wind farms is a matter for the relevant planning authority and not one in which I, as Minister, have any role or function.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Investigations (25 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) is the statutory body responsible for the management of spectrum in Ireland.Comreg is independent in the exercise of its functions and is accountable directly to the Oireachtas in accordance with Section 34 of the Communications Regulation Act 2002. The investigation of any alleged unlicensed radio transmissions including any subsequent...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Regulation (25 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: Responsibility for the regulation of the retail electricity market is a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), which is an independent statutory body. I have no statutory function in the setting of gas or electricity prices, whether in the regulated or non-regulated parts of these markets. Since 4 April 2011, prices in the electricity retail market have been fully deregulated...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Regulation (25 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions No 625 to 627, inclusive, together. Since 2002, the regulation of the gas market has been the responsibility of the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), which is independent in the performance of its functions. I have no direct statutory function in relation to liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects, including the Shannon LNG project. Decisions on the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services Provision (25 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The provision of broadband services in the Irish market is in the first instance a matter for the private commercial providers operating here. The State does not become involved in the provision of services unless there is evidence of clear market failure.The National Broadband Scheme (NBS) is one such example of State intervention. This scheme was designed to provide basic broadband...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Post Office Network (25 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: Matters relating to the post office network, including post office closures, are an operational matter for the Board and management of An Post and one in which I have no statutory function. In the time available, it was not possible to collate the information required. I will revert to the Deputy in due course following consultation with An Post.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Programme for Government Implementation (25 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The recently published Programme for Government Annual Report sets out the progress over the last 12 months of an extensive number of Programme for Government commitments. A copy of the Annual Report is available on the website of the Department of the Taoiseach at . My Department’s Statement of Strategy 2011 – 2014 lists all of the Programme for Government commitments which...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Postal Services (25 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: Matters relating to the postal agencies, including those raised by the Deputy, are an operational matter for the management and Board of An Post and one in which I have no statutory function.Postal agencies were originally introduced in 2002 as a mechanism to facilitate the rationalisation of the network by ensuring that when a Post Office contract was ceased, Department of Social Protection...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Semi-State Bodies Remuneration (25 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The salary rate for CEOs of Commercial Semi State Companies under the aegis of my Department is as set out in the table below. Salary Rate for CEOs of Commercial State Companies Name of Company New Appointment Rate An Post €240,448 BGÉ €250,000 Bord na Móna €226,000 EirGrid €170,000 ESB €295,000 RTÉ €219,871 TG4...

Matters relating to An Garda Síochána: Statements (26 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The Deputy is misrepresenting the Attorney General's position. She attended every meeting of the Cabinet until the one this week, which she missed because of an illness in the family.

Topical Issue Debate: Broadband Services Charges (26 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I am grateful to Deputy Moynihan for giving me the opportunity to address the House on this matter. As the Deputy is aware, Ireland's telecommunications market has been liberalised since 1999. This means that retail price fixing for deregulated services is not permitted. Governments can, however, establish an investment environment that promotes an active competitive market. Hopefully,...

Topical Issue Debate: Broadband Services Charges (26 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I beg the Deputy's pardon but I strayed there. He stated there was one issue above all others that is being relayed back to him.

Topical Issue Debate: Broadband Services Charges (26 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The Deputy has raised these issues on a number of occasions. I accept that there are gaps in the system, but, as I have said before, in terms of the significant State investment in the national broadband scheme, for example, if that had not been done, there would not even be a basic service in many parts of the country. There are technical reasons which I entirely accept and issues that...

Topical Issue Debate: Broadband Services Speeds (26 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I welcome the Deputy ventilating this issue. I did not know from the Topical Issue raised, which refers to the northside of Dublin, that he was referring specifically to Bettyglen and a couple of black spots in Howth, where Gay Byrne goes for a walk. If the Deputy tables particular parliamentary questions to me, I will see what I can do. The northside of Dublin is, in many ways, a state...

Topical Issue Debate: Broadband Services Speeds (26 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I do not disagree with Deputy Flanagan. He is right in saying that we have to encourage as much competition in this market as we can. I welcome the entry of a new player, which is important. The sector itself acknowledges that it is not commercially viable to provide a service in particular parts of the country and therefore State intervention is necessary. I sincerely hope that when the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Radio Spectrum Management (26 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The management of the radio spectrum is a statutory function of the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) under the Communications Regulation Act, 2002 as amended. This encompasses the revision and publication of the national radio frequency plan in accordance with section 35 of that Act. The avoidance of radio frequency interference is a matter for ComReg in exercising its...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Warmer Homes Scheme Eligibility (26 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures to households that are vulnerable to energy poverty and who live in privately-owned dwellings. The upgrades are delivered free of charge to the customer. The scheme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department. To raise awareness and invite applications to...