Results 1,761-1,780 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Written Answers — Electricity Supply: Electricity Supply (11 Oct 2007)

Eamon Ryan: The ESRI comment, originally contained in an article published last year, underlines the necessity to ensure adequate capacity margins on the generation system. The Government is committed to ensuring that electricity supply consistently meets the needs of Irish consumers and business. My Department liaises closely with the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), which has key functions...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (11 Oct 2007)

Eamon Ryan: Section 39 of the Electricity Regulations Act 1999 permits the offering of financial guarantees to developers of new renewable energy powered electricity generating projects, to be selected in a competitive process. On foot of this process, the Renewable Energy Feed In Tariff (REFIT) programme is a fixed price support model designed to bring greater certainty to project developers. It...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (11 Oct 2007)

Eamon Ryan: Section 16 of the Broadcasting Authority Act 1960, as amended, requires RTÉ to provide a national television and radio service and permits RTÉ the discretion to provide "broadcasting services of a local, community or regional character". Section 28 of the Broadcasting Act 2001 expands this remit to the provision of a television and radio service to the whole of the island of Ireland....

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (11 Oct 2007)

Eamon Ryan: The White Paper on Energy Policy and the Programme for Government endorse the case for a process of structural change in the electricity sector. The effective working of the all-island market, the competitiveness of energy costs, the interests of consumers and the economy require it. We need to create the conditions which will deliver more competition, real consumer choice and support...

Written Answers — Nuclear Power: Nuclear Power (11 Oct 2007)

Eamon Ryan: The Government considers that nuclear power is neither sustainable nor an answer to Ireland's energy needs irrespective of the position of a number of Member States. Our position is shared by several Member States and the EU Commission has made repeatedly clear that it is for Member States to determine their own energy mix. The President of the Commission Jose Barroso publicly restated this...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (11 Oct 2007)

Eamon Ryan: Matters relating to quality and levels of postal service in An Post are a matter in the first instance for the management and board of the company and one in which I have no statutory function. An Post operates within a regulatory framework as enshrined in EU and Irish law and therefore the universal service obligation is a statutory requirement for An Post, as the designated universal...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (11 Oct 2007)

Eamon Ryan: The Programme for Government commits to the full implementation of the National Bioenergy Action Plan which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 2 million tonnes per annum and develop the potential for energy crops, including wood and biomass. My colleague the Minister for Agriculture and Food also has responsibility for the development of energy crop potential and in this...

Written Answers — Services for People with Disabilities: Services for People with Disabilities (11 Oct 2007)

Eamon Ryan: I have received the National Council for the Blind's General Election manifesto for 2007. My Department's Disability Sectoral Plan 2006–2009, under the Disability Act 2005, sets targets for improving the range of accessible services in the all sectors under its aegis including communications. The Plan will be reviewed every three years and amended, and updated as necessary. The Commission...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (11 Oct 2007)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take questions 27 and 32 together. The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, is a matter for the private sector. Broadband service providers operate in a fully liberalised market, regulated, where appropriate, by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. The role of the Government is to formulate regulatory and infrastructure...

Written Answers — Natural Gas Grid: Natural Gas Grid (11 Oct 2007)

Eamon Ryan: Under the Gas (Interim) (Regulation) Act 2002, the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), which is a statutory independent body, has been charged with all aspects of the assessment and licensing of prospective operators who wish to develop and/or operate a gas distribution system within the State. There are currently no plans to extend the natural gas pipeline from Northern Ireland into the...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (11 Oct 2007)

Eamon Ryan: The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, is a matter for the private sector. Broadband service providers operate in a fully liberalised market, regulated, where appropriate, by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. The role of the Government is to formulate regulatory and infrastructure policies to facilitate the provision of high...

Written Answers — Renewable Energy Resources: Renewable Energy Resources (11 Oct 2007)

Eamon Ryan: The development of renewable energy in the electricity sector represents significant challenges for the Government, the energy sector, investors and EirGrid and ESB Networks. I am giving priority to addressing the barriers and realising the opportunities in order to deliver on our ambitious targets. Significant progress is being made. The installed capacity of renewable energy has more than...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (11 Oct 2007)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 31 and 59 together. The Programme for Government contains a commitment to encourage a progressive shift to Next Generation Networks. My Department is currently preparing a draft policy paper that will review current communications infrastructure policy, and analyse policy options, in light of industry developments, in relation to the optimum role for the...

Written Answers — Anti-Poverty Strategy: Anti-Poverty Strategy (11 Oct 2007)

Eamon Ryan: As stated in the White Paper on Energy Policy, the National Action Plan for Social Inclusion 2007-2016 sets the overall policy framework for tackling poverty and social inclusion up to 2016 and includes measures targeted at fuel poverty. Within that overall framework the relevant Departments and Agencies as well as energy suppliers will continue to work together to systematically address...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (11 Oct 2007)

Eamon Ryan: The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, is a matter for the private sector in both the Republic of Ireland and in Northern Ireland. Broadband service providers operate in a fully liberalised market, regulated, where appropriate, by independent regulators. Currently, there are no barriers preventing any service providers from entering either market, and many of the...

Written Answers — Energy Conservation: Energy Conservation (11 Oct 2007)

Eamon Ryan: There are over 60 actions identified in the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan 2007-2020, which I launched for public consultation on 3 October. A range of Departments and agencies are involved in the roll-out of the Action Plan which will be finalised and published following the consultation process. Delivering on our target of reducing energy demand across the economy by at least 20%...

Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (11 Oct 2007)

Eamon Ryan: I have no function in this matter. Matters relating to post office closures are for the board and management of An Post. As set out in Section 12(3) of the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983 'the company shall have power to do anything which appears to it to be requisite, advantageous or incidental to, or which appears to it to facilitate, either directly or indirectly, the...

Written Answers — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (11 Oct 2007)

Eamon Ryan: I recently launched a new Licensing Round in the Porcupine Basin inviting applications for exploration licence from interested parties. The closing date for applications is 18 December 2007. The Licensing Round offers the industry an opportunity to obtain exploration licences to invest in exploration activity in the Porcupine Basin which has recognised hydrocarbon bearing potential. The...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (11 Oct 2007)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 38 and 64 together. The provision of telecommunications services, including wired broadband, is a matter for the service providers that provide wired broadband services. Broadband service providers operate in a fully liberalised market, regulated, where appropriate, by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. Difficulties...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (11 Oct 2007)

Eamon Ryan: The draft general scheme of the Broadcasting Bill was submitted to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources in September 2006 for the purposes of public consultation under the eConsultation initiative. The Joint Oireachtas Committee published its conclusions on the draft general scheme in April 2007. It is proposed to publish the consequent Broadcasting...