Results 1,741-1,760 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Energy Resources. (12 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I was hoping it would take about ten minutes.

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (12 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 90, 94, 95, 124, 149, 167, 242, 246, 249, 250, 258 and 261 together. The provision of telecommunications, including broadband, is a matter in the first instance for the private sector companies operating in a fully liberalised market regulated by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. In March 2004, my predecessor, the Minister,...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (12 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: My core policy objectives for the development of the broadcasting sector are detailed in my Department's statement of strategy 2003-05. 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 public service broadcasting; and to seek to...

Written Answers — Mobile Telephony: Mobile Telephony (12 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 92, 98, 107, 115, 129, 144, 155, 161, 168, 234 to 238, inclusive, 241, 243 and 267 together. I have no function in the regulating of pricing for phone services, mobile phone termination costs, cost effectiveness and efficiency of mobile telephone services, market share, quality of service or competition in the mobile market. The regulation of...

Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (12 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: As clearly set out in the programme for Government, this Government and the board of An Post are committed to the objective of securing a viable and sustainable nationwide post office network. Notwithstanding the commercial remit of An Post, there is clear Government recognition of the social benefits of maintaining the nationwide post office network. Accordingly, An Post development...

Written Answers — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (12 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 96 and 285 together. Since 1996 there have been offshore petroleum discoveries or "shows" at four locations: the Corrib discovery in 1996 in the Slyne-Erris Basin west of Ireland; the Seven Heads Field, originally discovered in 1984 but declared commercial in May 2002; the Connemara discovery in 1997 in the North Porcupine Basin west of Ireland; and the Dooish...

Written Answers — Energy Market: Energy Market (12 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: As the Deputy is aware, in November 2004 the all-island energy market development framework was published jointly by Mr. Barry Gardiner, MP, the then Northern Ireland Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment and myself. The framework document, which was produced in collaboration with the two energy regulators and involved widespread consultation with industry and other energy...

Written Answers — Television Reception: Television Reception (12 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 99, 132 and 173 together. Digital television is already available in Ireland. Both cable-MMDS operators and satellite operators provide subscription digital television services to an estimated 40% of Irish television households. It is estimated that 28% of households receive analogue cable-MMDS services, and 32% of households avail of analogue terrestrial...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (12 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: With globalisation, liberalisation and developments in technology which are changing the way people communicate, all national postal operators, including An Post, have to change very rapidly to stay competitive and commercial in the European postal market. This reflects the change in the market from one dominated by letters to one dominated by parcels and direct mail. Both of these areas are...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (12 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I have been apprised of the comments made by the UK Minister for Energy in respect of the outlook for UK gas supplies this winter. Bilateral contact between my Department and the Department of Industry in the UK has clarified that the Minister recently sounded a note of caution for UK businesses that do not book firm gas supplies and capacities in advance. Such businesses may face...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (12 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: VoIP is the technical term for the transmission of voice over telecommunications networks using the Internet protocol standard. The increased use of Internet protocol technology is changing the way telecommunications networks are designed and operated. It is expected that the early adoption of this technology will lead to the more cost effective delivery of telecommunications in the future. A...

Written Answers — Digital Hub: Digital Hub (12 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 103, 139, 247 and 248 together. The Digital Hub project, managed by the independent Digital Hub Development Agency, has been and will continue to be successful in developing a digital industry cluster, as well as in regenerating an historic community area in the heart of Dublin by operating a number of significant community and educational initiatives as part...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (12 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: My Department operates a number of fiscal incentive programmes aimed at promoting the integration of renewable technologies. To date in Ireland, 675 MW of renewable capacity has been connected with a further 175 MW under active construction. Further development will also take place from the last two rounds of competitive tendering, the AER V and AER VI competitions. Last month, I announced a...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (12 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 108 and 260 together. Local loop unbundling, LLU, is mandated by a European Council Regulation and responsibility for its implementation is a matter for the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, under the Communications Regulation Act 2002 and the transposed EU Regulatory Framework for Electronic Communications Networks and Services. ComReg is...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (12 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 109, 110, 147, 163, 179, 185, 244, 252, 253, 277, 278 and 286 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 sector in Ireland's transport fuel market, which will contribute to emissions reductions and overall security of supply....

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (12 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: Prior to 1995 the oil companies in Ireland were obliged to meet a substantial portion of Ireland's oil stockholding obligations. This system proved unsatisfactory however, and under the European Communities (Minimum Stocks of Petroleum Oils) Regulations 1995, responsibility for the maintenance of strategic oil stockholding was removed from the industry and vested in a new State body, the...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (12 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: SI No. 307 of 2003, the European Communities (Electronic Communications Networks and Services) (Framework) Regulations 2003, provides for the establishment and operation of independent appeal panels to hear and determine appeals of decisions made by the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. As ComReg is therefore a party to the appeals process and the appeals panel is independent...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (12 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The development and continued viability of An Post and the post office network, is in the first instance, a matter for the board and management of An Post. I believe that 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...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (12 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The management of the .ie domain name is carried out by IE Domain Name Registry Limited. It is responsible for the setting of the fees and for the day-to-day management of all aspects of the administration of the registry. The registry recently announced that it has over 50,000 customers. In relation to the regulation of the .ie domain name, I propose to bring proposals to the Houses of the...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (12 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 117 and 240 together. The Commission for Energy Regulation is an independent body under paragraph 9 in the Schedule to the Electricity Regulation Act 1999. I have no statutory function in this matter.