Results 12,841-12,860 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Other Questions: Electricity Transmission Network (12 Jun 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: Yes, 30 June.

Other Questions: Electricity Transmission Network (12 Jun 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I should say, for complete clarity, that I have not spoken to Ms Justice Catherine McGuinness since the first meeting with her and the panel members where I explained the Government and Cabinet decision and the task that I was asking them to take on. I am not in a position to speak for her. It is a matter for her and her panel to decide whether to issue a report. I am not saying to Deputy...

Other Questions: Electricity Transmission Network (12 Jun 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The studies done arising from this, having been validated by the independent panel, will be put out for public consultation so that citizens can compare one with the other. Then the normal public consultation process leading to ultimate decision by An Bord Pleanála will kick in.

Other Questions: National Postcode System Establishment (12 Jun 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: My Department commenced the procurement process for a national postcode system in 2011. An open and competitive procurement process was conducted in accordance with Department of Finance and EU procurement frameworks. A pre-qualification questionnaire was issued on www.etenders.gov.ieon 17 January 2011. This invited interested parties to tender for the contract as a postcode management...

Other Questions: National Postcode System Establishment (12 Jun 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I hope not.

Other Questions: National Postcode System Establishment (12 Jun 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: No, in fairness, I know the Deputy is a glass-half-full man but there is nothing wrong. This has undergone very careful scrutiny right the way through. In fact, it is late. We ought to have done it before now. In its first year in office the Government could not do it because it did not have the money. It ought to have been done seven or eight years ago and it certainly must be done now...

Other Questions: National Postcode System Establishment (12 Jun 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: That is the first I have heard of it. I do not know for sure - I will communicate further with the Deputy on the matter - but I am pretty certain that it is not true. I am aware that there is one individual who believes he is in possession of a better solution for a postcode system for Ireland and who has been discussing the matter with some Deputies and Senators. The individual in...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Generation Issues (12 Jun 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The EU has set a goal of reducing Greenhouse Gas emissions by 80-95% below 1990 levels by 2050. Under the Government’s planned Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill, which was recently published, those sectors of the economy with significant carbon emissions are required to produce plans to lower these emissions. The Bill and the associated National Policy Position, which were...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Exports (12 Jun 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: It is important that Ireland's energy policy ensures that we sustainably capture the potential economic benefits of our abundant, indigenous, clean energy resources. Ireland’s position at the Atlantic edge of Europe provides an unparalleled offshore energy resource, with suitable conditions available for the development of the full range of current offshore renewable energy...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Wind Energy Generation (12 Jun 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I recently published the Green Paper on Energy Policy in Ireland to stimulate an informed debate on future energy policy. Set against the backdrop of the three energy pillars of ensuring security of supply, sustainability and competitiveness, and the further need to stimulate economic growth, the Paper focuses on a number of key themes. The six priority themes are: empowering energy citizens;...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: EU Directives (12 Jun 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The European Commission has raised issues in relation to how Ireland has addressed three Directives that are within the remit of my Department. In January 2014, the European Commission decided to refer the transposition of Directive 2009/28/EC on Renewable Energy to the European Court of Justice, proposing a daily fine of €25,447, to be effective from the date of the judgement of the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Schemes Issues (12 Jun 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The National Energy Efficiency Action Plan and the Programme for Government include a commitment to roll out a Better Energy Financing energy retrofit scheme (formerly known as Pay-As-You-Save) for domestic buildings. The key benefit to homeowners of the Better Energy Financing (BEF) mechanism is that it will allow them to secure upfront financing for energy efficiency upgrades to their...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Mobile Telephony Services Provision (12 Jun 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: Mobile communications is dependent on access to spectrum. The Government recognises that spectrum is a valuable natural national resource, which needs to be used as effectively and efficiently as possible for the good of the state - both economic and social – and the good of all its citizens. Policy in this area therefore aims to ensure that mobile communications contribute to...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Alternative Energy Projects (12 Jun 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The overarching objective of the Government's energy policy is to ensure secure and sustainable supplies of competitively priced energy to all consumers. Ireland is currently heavily reliant on imported fossil fuels to meet our energy needs. While it is acknowledged that fossil fuels will remain part of the energy mix for some time to come, progress is being made towards increasing the share...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Prices (12 Jun 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: Government policy on energy affordability is founded on the fundamental principle that everyone should be able to afford to adequately light and heat their home. The Government’s affordable energy strategy “Warmer Homes” identified three key interlinking factors which determine whether a person falls into energy poverty namely energy costs, incomes and thermal efficiency....

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services Provision (12 Jun 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 21, 23, 26, 30 and 35 together. The Government’s National Broadband Plan, which I published in August 2012, aims to radically change the broadband landscape in Ireland by ensuring that high speed broadband is available to all citizens and businesses. This will be achieved by providing:- - a policy and regulatory framework that assists in accelerating...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Alternative Energy Projects (12 Jun 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 27 and 28 together. As set out in the Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan, which I published earlier this year, Ireland's marine energy resources - in particular wind and wave - are among the very best in the EU. However, as also highlighted in the OREDP, a route to market is critical for the development of each of the technologies in this sector. ...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Exports (12 Jun 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: Following extensive engagement between my Department and the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change over a sixteen month period following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Energy Sector in January 2013, it is clear that given the economic, policy and regulatory complexities involved, and the key decisions yet to be taken by the UK, delivery of the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (12 Jun 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 33 and 37 together. Climate and energy policies span a number of complex and interlinked policy areas and the achievement of climate change objectives requires contributions from a range of sectors, including energy, agriculture, transport and the built environment. The 2009 EU Renewable Energy Directive set Ireland a legally binding target of meeting...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Exploration Licences (12 Jun 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: On 9 May 2012 the former Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Natural Resources and Agriculture published its Report on Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration. The Report contained a number of recommendations in respect of the fiscal and regulatory framework applying to oil and gas exploration in Ireland.At my request the Report was debated in Seanad Éireann and in Dáil...