Results 1,781-1,800 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Energy Prices. (18 Jun 2009)

Simon Coveney: It is not the regulatory market that works anywhere else.

Energy Prices. (18 Jun 2009)

Simon Coveney: It is not the market in the UK.

Telecommunications Services. (18 Jun 2009)

Simon Coveney: Question 4: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has completed an audit of all State owned broadband infrastructure; if he will publish the findings of such results; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24370/09]

Telecommunications Services. (18 Jun 2009)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Minister for that information. It is a bugbear of mine that it has taken so long to put in place an audit to establish the amount of broadband infrastructure owned by the State and its agencies or companies. That information is required in order that we can begin to concentrate on bridging the gaps in existing services to ensure we have a modern broadband infrastructure. I...

Telecommunications Services. (18 Jun 2009)

Simon Coveney: I am excited by the Minister's response. What he has outlined is precisely what we should be doing. In a recent policy document, my party set out its view on how we should proceed in regard to State-owned broadband infrastructure. We have proposed the establishment of a new State company and the amalgamation of some existing bodies to manage that infrastructure. I look forward to the...

Housing Grants. (18 Jun 2009)

Simon Coveney: Question 5: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will introduce a grant support scheme for the upgrading of windows in homes in line with the objectives of the greener homes scheme and the home energy saving scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24371/09]

Housing Grants. (18 Jun 2009)

Simon Coveney: It is important to recognise that the home energy saving scheme is operating well. However, as I have discussed with the Minister on previous occasions, there are concerns about SEI-registered companies charging more than they should. We must ensure there is effective competition in terms of pricing so that home owners get the best possible value from the companies that are registered. The...

Electricity Generation. (18 Jun 2009)

Simon Coveney: Question 6: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on whether the €600 million cost of the east-west interconnector represents value for money in terms of construction and completion costs versus similar projects in other parts of Europe; if he is satisfied that the tendering process has ensured this; and if he will make a statement on the matter....

Electricity Generation. (18 Jun 2009)

Simon Coveney: I agree with the building of an east-west interconnector and one of the scale proposed is necessary. My only question relates to whether we are paying too much for it. I met representatives of the CER and put that question to them. I also requested that they forward to me details relating to the other companies which submitted tenders in respect of this matter. However, I have not yet...

Electricity Generation. (18 Jun 2009)

Simon Coveney: The Transbay Cable option would have been cheaper.

Electricity Generation. (18 Jun 2009)

Simon Coveney: That is not the point.

Electricity Generation. (18 Jun 2009)

Simon Coveney: It is not the point.

Electricity Generation. (18 Jun 2009)

Simon Coveney: I agree with that.

Electricity Generation. (18 Jun 2009)

Simon Coveney: We needed the Luas as well but that also cost too much to build.

Electric Vehicle Programme. (18 Jun 2009)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Minister, in particular, for his second response to the effect that we are certain to get more detail in relation to the electric car project. My view is that we need to take a field of dreams philosophy here, of "build it and they'll come" because people will not buy into electric cars until they see that this is a major State project for Ireland. We are transforming our...

Telecommunications Services. (18 Jun 2009)

Simon Coveney: This is the first time I have heard the Minister concede that a number of people will be outside the national broadband scheme who cannot get broadband connectivity, which intrigues me. Can he tell us how many people, households and small businesses are in that bracket and if there is a concession that this is the case? The figure given to us in committee by the Irish Rural Link-----

Telecommunications Services. (18 Jun 2009)

Simon Coveney: -----which it got from the Department was approximately 20,000. Can the Minister give us an idea who those people are and why they are not covered by the national broadband scheme, which was supposed to be an effort at universal coverage across the country?

Electricity Metering. (18 Jun 2009)

Simon Coveney: On the last point, the ESB distribution system is an entirely separate operation from ESB Power Generation. I presume consumers switching to Bord Gáis, Airtricity or any other new electricity supplier should still keep the system that was put in place just as they will keep their wires. It would be farcical if people could not switch electricity supplier for fear of using their energy...

Electricity Metering. (18 Jun 2009)

Simon Coveney: I suspect we will get towards that ideal but we will have wasted all this time on the planning project for electricity alone.

Written Answers — Electric Motor Vehicles: Electric Motor Vehicles (18 Jun 2009)

Simon Coveney: Question 168: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress made on securing a further memorandum of understanding with car manufacturers and charging infrastructure providers following the agreements with a company (details supplied) and the ESB to promote the rapid rollout of electric cars; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24394/09]