Results 1,421-1,440 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Telecommunications Services. (15 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: In future, a number of appeals may be heard at the same time to avoid undue delay. If people decide to go to court, I hope their cases are heard by the commercial rather than the normal courts to expedite matters. As Deputy Durkan is correct continually to point out, this is a matter of significant national importance and interest. While I am satisfied the directions of my predecessor are...

Telecommunications Services. (15 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: While I am open to suggestion, I do not see what other initiatives are available. We have the MANs programme, school broadband and group and county broadband schemes, all of which are playing a role. Short of moving in and buying the exchanges back or coming to some arrangement with Eircom, which I can imagine would be very popular politically, I do not see what can be done.

Telecommunications Services. (15 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: While I am prepared to explore it if necessary, MANs will provide competition for that infrastructure. Eircom will have to make up its mind and decide whether to be in the market. If it continues as it has and we continue to develop the MANs programme, I can see it becoming attractive for other companies to come in to provide the last mile of access. That is the route we will go if we can.

Postal Services. (15 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: Deputies should be aware that Ireland is the only country in the EU which does not have a national postcode system. A system of postcodes is regarded internationally as a necessary element of a modern, efficient and competitive economy. The Commission for Communications Regulation, the remit of which includes postal services, produced a report following a consultative process in November...

Postal Services. (15 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I am delighted with the Deputy's conversion to automation.

Postal Services. (15 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: He appeared to condemn me for introducing a very effective, efficient method of voting and counting votes but he has absolute and total faith in the geo-directory to which he referred and that is available to An Post.

Postal Services. (15 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: It is based on the same kind of technology that is used in the voting system. I am delighted with Deputy Broughan's conversion. Perhaps he will look again at some of the benefits of the voting system now that he has been converted.

Postal Services. (15 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The Deputy appears to know the shape of the postcode system although I do not know what it will be. I hope the people whom we will appoint will have enough sense to look at the systems that are in place. The Deputy has shown that this information is widely available. I hope they can learn from the 32 other countries to which he referred and devise a system that will overcome the pitfalls he...

Postal Services. (15 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: ——would like to see this as a public good rather than for it to be operated as a private concern. In regard to the other point the Deputy made about inflicting costs on An Post, it has not been decided who will operate this system.

Postal Services. (15 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: If the group makes that recommendation to me, that is fine. Obviously that will be taken into consideration. It could also say that it should be operated by a separate State or semi-State body or that it should be controlled by a Department and operated by a private company in the context of public good. A number of different models could be used. I have not made up my mind and will not until...

Broadcasting Legislation. (15 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 and 191 together. My core policy objectives for the development of the broadcasting sector are detailed in my Department's statement of strategy. These objectives are to create an environment that encourages the maintenance of high quality Irish radio and television services by both independent broadcasters and RTE, to secure a viable future for high quality...

Broadcasting Legislation. (15 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I hope I am interpreting the Deputy's question correctly. I do not regard increased provision of satellite platforms for broadcasting as a difficulty. On the contrary, it is an opportunity for all concerned. If I recall correctly, Ireland has the highest satellite-cable penetration of any country in Europe and greater provision will not cause a problem. The Deputy's question may allude to the...

Broadcasting Legislation. (15 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: Further consultations will take place on the broadcasting Act. I am currently engaged in talks with the Government Whip with a view to ensuring that a Bill such as the broadcasting Bill would be part of a pilot scheme he wishes to introduce on e-government to facilitate online consultation. I want the Joint Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources involved in this regard....

Broadcasting Legislation. (15 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The reason we are taking action to move to digital terrestrial television is to try to ensure a platform is available at all times for free-to-air services, including our national broadcaster and other broadcasters which reflect Irish content. I am not unduly concerned at this point. As regards the question of particular sports events, legislation is in place to address this matter and is...

Written Answers — Company Takeovers: Company Takeovers (15 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I have no statutory function in the matter raised by the Deputy. Decisions taken by the company to which he refers, or any other operator in a fully liberalised market, to acquire another company are a commercial matter for that company and the Competition Authority and not one in which I have a function.

Written Answers — Alternative Fuels: Alternative Fuels (15 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 9, 19, 28, 41, 43, 47, 76, 198, 208 to 211, inclusive, and 242 together. My Department is responsible for the promotion and development of renewable energy including biofuels and I am committed to the development and promotion of a biofuels market in Ireland's transport fuel sector, and to the development of alternative fuels which can contribute to emissions...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (15 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 10, 15, 48, 51, 70, 75, 172, 213 and 218 together. The latest available broadband figures from Eurostat relate to 2004, and are now almost six months old. They show, however, that Ireland is placed 20th of 26 countries in respect of broadband connections for all enterprises. The figure in respect of large enterprises is 79%, placing Ireland in 16th place....

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (15 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 and 190 together. A migration to digital television is under way in most EU countries. Different technologies apply to the broadcasting of television services and new technologies are emerging all the time. I expect that all television broadcasting will eventually be on a digital basis. This will provide benefits to viewers, including more channels and...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (15 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 12, 16, 66, 100, 171, 174, 199, 212, 222, 223 and 240 together. The 13.2% target relates to all renewable energy and is not based on wind energy alone. Taking account of the mix of technologies, this would require about 1,400 MW connected. Statistics for 2003, the most recently available at this time, quantify the outputs by renewable energy technologies in...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (15 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 14, 94, 206, 207 and 231 together. My colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, has lead responsibility for Government policy on meeting Ireland's target under the Kyoto Protocol. The energy sector will make its contribution to meeting our obligations under the Kyoto Protocol through participation in the EU emissions trading...