Results 1,861-1,880 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (20 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The consumption of electricity from renewable energy sources was of the order of 5.1% of total electricity consumed in 2004. I recently announced and am currently finalising a new support programme to support the construction of at least a further 400 MW of new renewable energy powered electricity generating plant by 2010. This capacity, together with other capacity constructed since 2004,...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (20 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The issue of pension entitlements to retired company employees is a matter for the company in question. Assistance to pensioners, seeking clarity in respect of entitlements, is given via an appeals mechanism which is set out clearly in the Pensions Ombudsman Regulations 2003, SI No. 397 of 2003. The company superannuation schemes also allow for such appeals to be made to the company. The...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (20 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I have no function in regard to this matter as the Commission for Communications Regulation is responsible for the appointment of the economic and technical consultants with regard to the postcode project. Following on from the recommendations of the working group report, consideration of the feasibility, design and implementation of a practical postcode project proposal is being advanced. In...

Written Answers — Kyoto Protocol: Kyoto Protocol (25 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: My Department continually reviews possibilities for incentivising the increased utilisation of cost effective energy efficient technologies. Sustainable Energy Ireland, which was established as a statutory agency in May 2002, implements a wide variety of programmes on energy efficiency and renewable energy on behalf of my Department. Any increase in funding required for these programmes would...

Written Answers — Mobile Telephony: Mobile Telephony (25 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 211 of 11 October 2005.

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (25 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The amendment to which the Deputy refers is one of 38 amendments adopted by the European Parliament. Not all were acceptable to the Commission or the Council and the conciliation process is, therefore, now in progress. Under these circumstances, it would not be appropriate to comment on either the Council's or the Irish position on individual amendments. The Government recognises the need to...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (25 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 333 and 351 together. With globalisation, liberalisation and developments in technology that 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...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (25 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I assume the Deputy refers to allegations made about illegal fishing. When this matter was brought to my attention, I arranged to have the matter formally referred to the Garda Síochána with a request for an investigation. I understand the Garda is conducting an investigation into the matter. That investigation is solely a matter for the force and I have no role in it. As the timeframe and...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (25 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 342 and 343 together. In the time available, it has not been possible to complete an exhaustive examination of all reports and consultancies commissioned since 1988 that came within the remit of my Department or its predecessors. My Department's policy is to engage consultants or commission reports only in circumstances where: specialised knowledge or...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (25 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The current target to promote renewable-powered technologies in the electricity market is to increase the amount of electricity from all renewable energy sources to 13.2% by 2010. This will require us to more than double the current generating capacity of 675 MW of renewable powered plant connected to our system to 1,450 MW by 2010. This target is demanding and requires change. I recently...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (25 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The amount spent to date by my Department in bringing into effect the provisions of the Official Languages Act 2003 is €84,342.36.

Written Answers — EU Funding: EU Funding (25 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: Under the broadband measure of the Economic Infrastructure Operational Programme 1994-1999, EIOP, an invitation to tender was issued on 20 July 1999. Following the evaluation process, 12 projects were selected for funding. Details of the individual companies and contracts are set out as follows. Contractor Project Description EIOP Payments â'¬ NTL Deployment of fibre optic cable...

Written Answers — Industrial Relations: Industrial Relations (25 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I am aware of the situation that has arisen in regard to industrial relations issues at An Post, in particular, the non-payment of Sustaining Progress increases to the company's pensioners and employees. I have no function in directing An Post in the matter of operational and commercial issues such as the application of national pay awards. An Post has a remit to be financially viable and,...

Leaders' Questions. (26 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: Bunreacht na hÉireann was passed in 1937.

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (26 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: My Department provides significant public funding for TG4 to enable it to provide an Irish language television service. The 2005 Estimates includes a provision of €24.858 million for TG4. Decisions in relation to the commissioning of programmes are a matter for TG4. I have no role in the matter.

Written Answers — Industrial Relations: Industrial Relations (26 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I refer the Deputy to a reply I gave to similar questions posed by Deputies Coveney and Durkan on 12 October, Questions Nos. 229, 175 and 256. An Post is a commercial company and the question of pay increases in the company is one in which I have no function. I would like to update the Deputy on recent developments on industrial relations in the company. The ballot for industrial action, put...

Written Answers — Foreign Travel: Foreign Travel (26 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The following table shows details of the foreign conferences which I attended since taking office as Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources:

Written Answers — Industrial Relations: Industrial Relations (26 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I refer the Deputy to a reply I gave to similar questions posed by Deputies Coveney and Durkan on 12 October, Questions Nos. 175 and 256. An Post is a commercial company and the question of pay increases in the company is one in which I have no function. I would like to update the Deputy on recent developments on industrial relations in the company. The ballot for industrial action, put to...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (27 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 176 and 177 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. ComReg's register of authorised undertakings currently lists no less than 196 companies offering...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (27 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: There are five directives awaiting transposition by my Department, only one of which is overdue, Directive 2003/55/EC. The detailed position in relation to directives awaiting transposition is set out in table 1. Since the establishment of my Department in 2002, the European Commission has issued letters of formal notice or reasoned opinions on ten occasions: 2002, 2; 2003, 3; 2004, 3; 2005,...