Results 1,301-1,320 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (5 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, recently published a consultation document entitled Forward-Looking Strategic Review of the Irish Telecoms Sector. The consultation document is presented in two parts, the first looks at establishing a regulatory strategy for the telecommunications sector from 2005 to 2010 and the second part focuses on key emerging trends. It sets out a...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (5 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: Digital television is already available in Ireland. Both cable-MMDS operators and satellite operators provide subscription digital television services. Free to air analogue television services are provided on a terrestrial basis. Over time it is expected that analogue terrestrial services will migrate to digital terrestrial services in most countries. This migration is already happening on a...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (5 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 31 and 149 together. I am aware that services of general economic interest, such as postal services, can benefit from certain financial measures only to the extent that such measures are necessary to fulfil public service obligations. This is the basis on which the Commission approved the €12.7 million equity injection to An Post in 2002, to fund a...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (5 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 32, 39, 98, 138, 140 and 148 together. There will continue to be a key national role for An Post, both in delivery of mails 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...

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (5 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: With regard to the problems brought to the attention of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources during its recent visit to Ireland's premier fishing port, I have not been formally advised of these by the committee. I am, of course, fully aware of the prevailing concerns of the industry in the area. For many years, County Donegal, and in particular the...

Written Answers — Mobile Telephony: Mobile Telephony (5 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 37 and 159 together. I have no function in setting the number of likely participants in the provision of mobile phone services in the future. The regulation of telecommunications operators is the responsibility of the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, in accordance with the requirements of the Communications Regulation Act 2002 and regulations...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (5 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 40 and 170 together. At a bilateral meeting in November 2004, Mr. Barry Gardiner, MP, the Northern Ireland Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, and I endorsed plans put forward by the Commission for Energy Regulation, CER, and the Northern Ireland Authority for Energy Regulation for the construction of a second North-South electricity interconnector....

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (5 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The Government's decentralisation programme includes the relocation of the Department's headquarters, involving 378 posts, to Cavan; the seafood and coastal zone functions, 91 posts, to Clonakilty and the maritime safety directorate and the Irish Coast Guard, 47 posts, to Drogheda. The decentralisation implementation group, DIG, in its report of November 2004, set out a timetable of late 2006...

Written Answers — Natural Gas Grid: Natural Gas Grid (5 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: EU Directive 2003/55/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning common rules for the internal market in natural gas provides for the opening of the gas market on a phased basis. The directive required market opening for all non-household customers from 1 July 2004 and this was achieved on target. The prescribed date for the opening of the market for household customers is 1...

Written Answers — Natural Gas Grid: Natural Gas Grid (5 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 195 of 9 March 2004, which clearly sets out the basis for my review of the quantified risk assessment, QRA, report and any associated reports or studies. I can confirm that a QRA report, version F, has been received in the Department. A suitably qualified consultant has been appointed by my Department to review and assess these...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (5 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I understand that An Post applied for a price increase to the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, in May 2004. Under the European Communities postal services regulations 2002, ComReg is the designated independent body responsible for pricing policy in the postal sector with regard to the universal service segment of the postal market. I have no function in any consideration of...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (5 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 45 and 179 together. The Government and An Post are committed to the maintenance of a nationwide post office service and to the universal mail delivery service, which requires that mail be delivered at a uniform tariff to every address in the State. To ensure that these commitments continue to be honoured, it is necessary for An Post to address certain...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (5 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: Save in respect of discrete pension related appeals, where the final decision rests with the Minister for Finance, I have no function in pension and salary awards and increases.

Written Answers — Broadcasting Legislation: Broadcasting Legislation (5 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 49, 93, 171 and 172 together. Work is continuing on the development of legislative proposals that will form the basis of a new Broadcasting Bill. I expect I will be in a position to bring proposals to Government in the third quarter of this year, with publication of the Bill by end 2005. The principal objectives of the legislative proposals are as follows: the...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (5 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 50, 100, 137 and 142 together. My policy on electricity generated from renewable sources, of which wind is the dominant technology, in the first instance is to increase consumption from these sources to 13.2% of total consumption by 2010 as required by Directive 2001/77/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 September 2001 on the promotion of...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (5 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 52, 69, 95, 166, 180 and 184 together. The provision of broadband facilities is a matter in the first instance for the private sector telecommunications companies operating in a fully liberalised market. A number of factors determine where and when broadband services are offered in any area, including the potential number of customers, the level of investment...

Written Answers — Natural Gas Grid: Natural Gas Grid (5 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 54 and 168 together. In recent times, Ireland has developed a high standard of security of gas supply, through robust interconnection with the UK, to ensure sufficient importation capacity from external sources. We now have two gas interconnectors, with the second ensuring security of gas supply to 2025 and beyond. Ireland's security of supply status is on par...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (5 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: Bula Limited was formed in 1971 to acquire and develop certain minerals at Nevinstown, near Navan, County Meath. On foot of an agreement in July 1974 between Bula and the then Minister, former Deputy Justin Keating, the State acquired a 49% shareholding in the company but, because of the conditions of this agreement, the State's voting rights only amounted to 28%. For a variety of reasons, by...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (5 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 57, 81, 92, 158, 169 and 175 together. As Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, I have responsibility for overall telecoms policy, and my main goal in this policy is to create conditions for sustainable growth and competition that will benefit the economic and social development of Ireland and facilitate competitive services. It is my...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (5 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 61 and 64 together. My Department, in association with Sustainable Energy Ireland, SEI, set up a bioenergy strategy group, BSG, in December 2003. The primary objective of the group is to consider the policy options and support mechanisms available to Government to stimulate increased use of biomass for energy conversion, and to make specific recommendations...