Results 1,901-1,920 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (8 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: In phase 1 of the metropolitan area networks, MANs, programme, 19 networks were completed and handed over to e-Net, the company that holds the services concession contract to manage, maintain and market the MANs. A further seven MANs are nearing completion. In phase 2 of the MANs programme, 90 towns with a population of 1,500 and above have been identified as lacking an adequate broadband...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (8 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The Deputy will be aware that 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. Those companies compete with each other for business, and promote their products by way of advertising, special offers,...

Written Answers — Irish Language: Irish Language (8 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The information requested by the Deputy is outlined in the following table: Year Total Expenditure Training Translation Advertising Bilingual Signage Other â'¬ â'¬ â'¬ â'¬ â'¬ â'¬ 2002 4,309 (est.) — 1,331 — 2,978 (est.) — 2003 697 (est.) — 480 17 200 (est.) — 2004 28,439 (est.) — 18,744 8,276 200 (est.) 1,219* *Printing costs associated...

Written Answers — Departmental Administration: Departmental Administration (8 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The Department has had an audit committee, chaired by an external member, since July 1999. There are three other external members and three internal staff members, including the chief engineer and two assistant principal officers, on the committee. The committee was established under a written charter dated and signed by the Secretary General and the Assistant Secretary General, who was the...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (8 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The Department has conducted a preliminary assessment of the possible costs associated with decentralisation, in terms of one-off costs over the period of relocation and ongoing annual costs after relocation. Further comprehensive analysis is under way to underpin fully quantified estimates of the costs. The Deputy also asked about the cost of implementing strategies to address the issues...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (8 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: As part of its normal business, the Department's audit committee reviews the risk assessment and mitigation strategies across the entire Department, including the risks associated with decentralisation. The committee, at a meeting in June 2004, considered that the decentralisation process was potentially the most serious risk identified to date, because of the potential loss of corporate...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (8 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: Sustainable Energy Ireland, which was established as a statutory agency in May 2002, implements initiatives on renewable energy, including research, on behalf of the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. The agency's renewable energy research, development and demonstration programme aims to stimulate the deployment of renewable energy technologies which are close to...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (8 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources is responsible for the promotion and development of renewable energy including biofuels. 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. In 2004, the Department secured an amendment to the Finance...

Written Answers — National Seabed Survey: National Seabed Survey (8 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The geological survey unit of the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources has agreed a joint programme of work with the Marine Institute. The programme, Integrated Mapping for the Sustainable Development of Ireland's Marine Resource, or INFOMAR, will be a successor to the Irish national seabed survey. A memorandum for Government has been circulated to Departments for...

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (8 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: Disclosure of disability is not required of nominees or appointees to State boards and I am not therefore in a position to confirm the numbers of persons with disabilities appointed to State boards under the aegis of my Department since 30 September 2004.

Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (8 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The primary responsibility for the development of the post office network rests with An Post. The automation of the network was completed in 1997 and it has only been in very exceptional circumstances, such as an existing automated office closing and its equipment being transferred to a suitable neighbouring location which transacts significant volumes of welfare business, that further...

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (9 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The legislation on strategic environmental assessments, SEAs, has only recently come into force. The Kinsale Head gas field started production in 1978 and pre-dates the legislation. The Corrib field also pre-dates the legislation but was obliged, as part of its plan of development, to be subjected to an environmental impact study, EIS. My Department intends to carry out an SEA in respect of...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (9 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The initial cost of the subscription to the executive programme provided by the company to which the Deputy refers was €13,225 in 2003. The cost of the subscription rose to €31,439 in 2004 and €34,989 in 2005. My Department did not go out to tender, given the specialised nature of the subscription service and the absence of similar suitable alternatives. The Department's internal audit...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (9 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: My Department advises that the service provided by this company represents value for money. The service to which the Department subscribes falls into two categories, regular briefing material on current and future trends in the ICT industry and direct access on demand to research analysts who specialise in particular ICT industry segments. Both services are being used frequently and have...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (9 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I have been advised that none of my officials has attended conferences organised by the company referred to, as VIP guests. One official has attended two such conferences in the past 18 months. The conference registration fee was included as part of the company's executive programme to which my Department subscribes. All other travel costs and expenses for the official concerned were paid by...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (9 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: My Department subscribes annually to the service provided by the company to which the Deputy refers in terms of analysis and research information on ICT strategic business and technology trends and best practice. The executive programme is available to all members of staff in the information systems division. Currently there are 25 officials who have direct access to the programme, together...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (9 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The company to which the Deputy refers was the only company considered for such a subscription by the Department due to pre-eminence in its specific field of expertise, as well as localised presence in Ireland.

Written Answers — Communications Masts: Communications Masts (9 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: No payment was sought or obtained from France for the transfer of ownership of the Loran C mast, as France and The Netherlands had originally purchased the mast and equipment. In accordance with the North West European Loran C System, NELS, international agreement, France agreed to contribute 50% of the capital expenditure for the new station in Ireland, The Netherlands agreed to 5%, and...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (9 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: In the time available, it has not been possible to identify and assemble the information requested. My Department is compiling the data sought by the Deputy in this regard and I shall forward it to him as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (10 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: In 2004, Sustainable Energy Ireland published a report entitled, A Liquid Biofuels Strategy for Ireland. Figures provided in this report show that in 2004, the cost of petrol at the filling station, exclusive of excise duty and VAT, was 33c per litre, compared with production costs of 58c per litre for wheat-based bioethanol and 74c per litre for sugar beet-based bioethanol. In addition, due...