Results 1,761-1,780 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (18 Jun 2009)

Simon Coveney: I accept I may be out of my depth on the technical side of this amendment. It distinguishes between broadcasting that occurs on commercial shipping and fisheries vessels such as that for navigation, communications between vessels, the Coast Guard and so forth. There is a grey area, however, with privately owned vessels. Anyone lucky enough to own a sailing yacht or motor boat will have a...

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (18 Jun 2009)

Simon Coveney: For clarity, as amendment No. 152 refers to "wireless telegraphy apparatus in ships and vessels associated with safety and security on board", is the Minister referring to both commercial vessels and privately owned vessels?

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (18 Jun 2009)

Simon Coveney: It is accurate to state that this amendment was the subject of enormous concern on Committee Stage, particularly from TV3. I acknowledge the Department has spoken in detail to the station's representatives to try to allay their fears. For the record, TV3's fears were based on its expenditure of up to €50 million to secure exclusive rights to broadcast programming in Ireland over the next...

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (18 Jun 2009)

Simon Coveney: A certain element of trust is required when the Minister says that he and his Department have got this right. I am concerned about the effect this proposal will have on this country's only national independent television broadcaster. Of all the amendments being made in this legislation, this is the one that has exercised the broadcaster in question - I do not refer to RTE or TG4 - to the...

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (18 Jun 2009)

Simon Coveney: The Minister proposes to add the words "or other vessels" after "ship" on the third or fourth last line of the Bill. Similar to an earlier question I asked him, this section relates to convictions and fines for breaches of legislation in the broadcasting area. Does his amendment refer to privately owned vessels? I can understand the need to include fishing vessels and other commercial...

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (18 Jun 2009)

Simon Coveney: On the last item that was raised by the Minister and Deputy McManus, I would happy to proceed with Question Time as soon as possible, but I respect that Deputy McManus has planned her day around it being scheduled to commence later. The sooner questions could be taken, the better it would be for me. On the Bill, consideration has been long, drawn out and detailed. I thank the Minister's...

RTE Funding. (18 Jun 2009)

Simon Coveney: Question 1: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the discussions he has had with RTE in relation to funding difficulties over the past 12 months; the outcome of such discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24368/09]

RTE Funding. (18 Jun 2009)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Minister for his response. In 2007, did the Minister receive the Indecon report on costings within RTE that was referred to in last weekend's newspapers? What actions did he take, or insist that RTE take, as a result of the recommendations in that report? I understand the Indecon report indicated that Ireland's national broadcaster had higher per capita staffing costs than the...

RTE Funding. (18 Jun 2009)

Simon Coveney: Is the Minister happy that just fewer than 150 people in RTE earn more than €100,000 a year? Seven or eight people in the organisation earn more than €300,000 per annum. Is that appropriate for an organisation the size of RTE? Perhaps it is, I do not know, but it is my job to ask those questions when RTE is currently under significant pressure financially and that pressure is being...

Energy Prices. (18 Jun 2009)

Simon Coveney: Question 3: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when he will change the regulatory model for gas and electricity prices at a domestic household and small business level to facilitate direct price competition in a effort to bring prices down; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24369/09]

Energy Prices. (18 Jun 2009)

Simon Coveney: We have had this debate before, and I will continue to make the same point, particularly with regard to the electricity market; I accept that the gas market is slightly different. We have a crazy situation in which the ESB could supply households in Ireland with electricity for at least 10% less than the cost of producing it at the moment. Yet it is not allowed to do so because of...

Energy Prices. (18 Jun 2009)

Simon Coveney: At what point in the electricity market will the Minister insist on opening up the household market to competition so the ESB can compete? How many customers do BGE and Airtricity have to take from the ESB before the Minister will allow an opening of the market so everyone can benefit?

Energy Prices. (18 Jun 2009)

Simon Coveney: We are talking about households. That is what the question was about and I ask the Minister to stick to that.

Energy Prices. (18 Jun 2009)

Simon Coveney: What about households?

Energy Prices. (18 Jun 2009)

Simon Coveney: Ireland is the most expensive market in Europe outside the household market, so that is not a good example.

Energy Prices. (18 Jun 2009)

Simon Coveney: To 150,000 people.

Energy Prices. (18 Jun 2009)

Simon Coveney: What about the other 1.8 million who are being overcharged?

Energy Prices. (18 Jun 2009)

Simon Coveney: The Minister is talking nonsense. He claims that competition works, yet he is preventing the largest supplier in the market from competing. We have a controlled market in terms of price. It is true that people can pick up the phone and switch to Bord Gáis as long as they can be sure their bank account details are safe-----

Energy Prices. (18 Jun 2009)

Simon Coveney: I am coming to that. They can also switch to Airtricity. I encourage people to switch. Both Bord Gáis and Airtricity are fine companies that can provide reliable electricity. However, this idea that by allowing the ESB to reduce its prices we will drive Airtricity and Bord Gáis out of the market is utter nonsense. These are large, powerful companies with big backers, particularly in...

Energy Prices. (18 Jun 2009)

Simon Coveney: Why is the Minister delaying it?