Results 1,261-1,280 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (4 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The authority to implement pension increases was delegated to An Post, subject to certain conditions, as this activity was considered part of the day-to-day operations of the company. This allowed the company to implement pension increases following pay increases to employees. However, decisions outside the scope of the original delegated authority still require the consent of the Ministers...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (4 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: Sustainable Energy Ireland, established as a statutory agency in May 2002, implements initiatives on renewable energy and energy efficiency, including research, on behalf of my Department. Its renewable energy research, development and demonstration programme aims to stimulate the deployment of renewable energy technologies that are close to market and also to assess and develop potentially...

Written Answers — Natural Gas Grid: Natural Gas Grid (4 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: It is an operational matter for Bord Gáis Éireann, under the supervision of the Commission for Energy Regulation, to arrange the safety of its natural gas network and this includes works to upgrade the network or to replace cast iron pipes. I am aware, however, that gas safety is a high priority for Bord Gáis Éireann. Bord Gáis Éireann has a distribution network in the order of 9,000...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (4 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: Since 2002 the Commission for Energy Regulation has been responsible for determination of the level of public service order granted for Bellacorrick peat station by virtue of the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 (Public Service Obligations) Order (Amended) 2002, (S.I. 217 of 2002). The Commission for Energy Regulation is obliged under that order, from its commencement date of 23 May 2002, to...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (4 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The authority to implement pension increases was delegated to An Post, subject to certain conditions, as this activity was considered part of the day-to-day operations of the company. This allowed the company to implement pension increases following pay increases to employees. However, decisions outside the scope of the original delegated authority still require the consent of the Ministers...

Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (4 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The Government and An Post share the objective of maintaining a viable nationwide post office network through a strategy of maximising the volume of both public and private sector business handled by the network. Notwithstanding the commercial remit of An Post, the Government recognises the social benefits of maintaining the nationwide post office network. Accordingly, An Post development...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Legislation: Broadcasting Legislation (4 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The purpose of the Broadcasting (Funding) Act 2003 was to establish a special fund to encourage private and public broadcasters to include additional programming of a particular character in their programme schedules. The Act provided that the 5% of the net proceeds of the television licence fee should be paid into the fund from 2003 onwards. At the end of April 2005, almost €20.5 million...

Post Office Network. (5 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: There continues to be a key national role for An Post, both in delivery of mail and as a quality service provider through its nationwide network of post office outlets. The market for traditional postal and post office services is changing globally and meeting customer needs has become more important than ever. In order to remain competitive, An Post needs to make the best possible use of its...

Post Office Network. (5 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: It is not in order for me to issue directions to An Post that would interfere directly in matters that are before the Labour Court. Therefore, I have not issued any directions per se. I have met with the management of An Post four or five times since I became Minister. The Department officials also meet with An Post on a regular basis. An Post management is aware of my views on a range of...

Post Office Network. (5 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: It is Government policy to ensure that as much Government business as possible is done through the post office network. This year, the Garda fines collection system is the latest Government service that will operate through An Post. It is my policy to ensure the maximum amount of business goes through An Post.

Broadcasting Legislation. (5 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: Work is continuing on the development of legislative proposals that will form the basis of a new broadcasting Bill. The priority issues to be addressed by the legislative proposals are the establishment of a single content regulator for both private and public service broadcasters as recommended by the forum on broadcasting, the establishment of RTE as a commercial company under the Companies...

Broadcasting Legislation. (5 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: Much of the time many of us would be interested in where some journalists come from when they make comments about what we do in this House. However, the longer one is here, the more one learns and the more one understands where they are coming from. The matter raised by the Deputy could be discussed during the course of the broadcasting Bill. The affairs of anybody involved in public life,...

Broadcasting Legislation. (5 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: That is being considered in the context of the Bill. Both Deputies have asked their question often, but they get a consistent answer. They do not need to ask it as often as they do. It will be published before the end of this year.

Telecommunications Services. (5 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 6, 8, 27, 34, 56, 104, 181 to 183, inclusive, and 185 together. Progress on the availability of broadband in Ireland is out of line with the rest of Europe. We are providing availability at much higher rates than most European countries. In January 2004 we had 35,000 broadband customers, most recent figures indicate 140,000 customers, which is a 400% increase....

Telecommunications Services. (5 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I have little doubt the revised targets will be met. The rate of increase in broadband take-up at 400% over the past 12 months is indicative of a significant acceleration in the take-up and provision of broadband. No targets have been set for individual sectors, whether that is wireless, satellite or whatever. The overall target is most important and I am satisfied, based on the take-up over...

Telecommunications Services. (5 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: It is a little stretch of the imagination to link job losses at IBM with the roll-out of broadband in Ireland.

Telecommunications Services. (5 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I do not agree with the Deputy that Ireland is slipping down on every index in European terms. Ireland is at full employment and has one of the lowest personal taxation models in Europe.

Telecommunications Services. (5 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I do not share the Deputy's doom and gloom. He referred to the World Economic Forum index. Ireland was ranked 21st of 80 countries in 2002, 22nd of 102 in 2003 and 22nd of 104 in 2004. Ireland is seventh in the EU rankings behind the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Austria and France.

Telecommunications Services. (5 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I do not agree with the Deputy's gloomy outlook. However, I agree that we need to ensure the rate of increase in the availability and take-up of broadband is maintained and we will do so. Governments cannot direct private companies to do anything.

Telecommunications Services. (5 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I hope private companies will recognise the commercial advantage to be gained and that they will continue to roll out broadband at the current rate.