Results 1,921-1,940 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (15 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: There is no grant or financial assistance available to single residences for the installation of solar panels. I am reviewing all options for innovative approaches to propagating best practice in cost effective energy provision and use but am not in a position to make any commitments today. Sustainable Energy Ireland, SEI, which was established as a statutory agency in May 2002, implements a...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (15 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 300 to 302, inclusive together. My Department is not opposing any proposals at European Council, has not achieved any exemptions from EU directives or regulations in its competency area and is not seeking any exemptions from EU directives or regulations in its competency area.

Written Answers — Ministerial Meetings: Ministerial Meetings (15 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I have received a request for a meeting and I am considering that request.

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (15 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I travelled to Belfast on official business by train on 5 July 2005. I also travelled to an official engagement in Sandyford on Luas on 6 December 2004.

Written Answers — National Spatial Strategy: National Spatial Strategy (15 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: In the communications area, under phase 1 of the €64 million metropolitan area network, MANs, programme, open access fibre optic networks were installed in five national spatial strategy, NSS, hubs, Ballina, Cavan, Kilkenny, Monaghan and Wexford. In this phase, fibre optic networks were also received by nine NSS gateway towns, Athlone, Dundalk, Galway, Letterkenny, Limerick, Mullingar,...

Written Answers — Commission for Energy Regulation: Commission for Energy Regulation (15 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The Commission for Energy Regulation, CER, was initially established and granted regulatory powers over the electricity market under the Electricity Regulation Act 1999. The enactment of the Gas (Interim) (Regulation) Act 2002 expanded the CERs jurisdiction to include regulation of the natural gas market. Certainty and independence are critical elements of sectoral regulation. While I intend...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (15 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The production of electricity from renewable energy sources, of which wind is the dominant technology, is a key priority of this Government. The consumption of electricity from these sources was approximately 5.1% of total electricity consumed last year. I am finalising a new programme to support the construction of at least a further 400 MW of new renewable energy powered electricity...

Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (15 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The future configuration and role of An Post is, in the first instance, a matter for the board and management of An Post. The Government and the board of An Post are committed to the objective of securing a viable and sustainable nationwide post office network as set out in the programme for Government. Notwithstanding the commercial remit of An Post, there is clear Government recognition of...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (15 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: Data show that 4.3% of staff in my Department have disabilities. According to the latest data provided by bodies under the aegis of my Department, which relates to the end of 2004, 2.79% of the total workforce employed in the bodies which reported have disabilities. The policy on the 3% target for the employment of people with disabilities in the Civil Service is the responsibility of the...

Written Answers — North-South Co-operation: North-South Co-operation (15 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The North-South unit of my Department has responsibility for the co-ordination of and reporting on ongoing work to strengthen North-South co-operation across the sectoral policy areas of telecommunications, energy, broadcasting, fisheries, maritime transport and maritime safety. The unit represents the Department at the Interdepartmental North-South groups chaired by the Department of Foreign...

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (15 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: Total expenditure by my Department on the metropolitan area networks to 31 October 2005 is €76.4 million. This includes capital works and associated costs of the programme. Under phase 1 of the MANs programme, e-net has taken charge of all 19 metropolitan area networks. This handover phase has been ongoing during the past year with different networks coming on stream at different stages. It...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (15 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: According to provisional figures for 2004 supplied by the energy policy statistical support unit of Sustainable Energy Ireland, which may be subject to minor change when finalised, the proportion of primary energy consumption in Ireland in 2004 for each different fuel type was as follows: % Coal 12.9 Peat 3.8 Oil 55.8 Natural Gas 24.3 Hydro 0.4 Wind 0.4 Biomass 1.2 ...

Leaders' Questions. (16 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The potential coalition is creaking.

Industrial Relations. (16 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 86 and 88 together. The current dispute in An Post is a serious national issue and one in which every effort is being made to reach a timely and viable resolution. It would be helpful if I outline the background to the current industrial relations problems at An Post. I emphasise that An Post has been through a protracted process that began in 2003 following...

Industrial Relations. (16 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: Does the Deputy have a question?

Industrial Relations. (16 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: Deputy Broughan would be the first to jump up and down in this House if I, as Minister, started interfering with the appointment of anybody in An Post, even a postman. I am sure he would be highly irate about that. Questions of appointment, management and so on are matters for the board of An Post, not the Minister. It is important that it should be so. I agree that the industrial relations...

Industrial Relations. (16 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: As Minister, I have a responsibility to this House and to the public to ensure we have a postal service that works well into the future. When one spells out realities, it is sometimes difficult for people to accept that one is doing anything other than issuing threats. In response to a query about what would happen in the event that a resolution could not be found and the postal service were...

Industrial Relations. (16 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I gave answers to questions that were put to me, the information for which was available to me from the Department and from An Post workers and managers. I did not at any stage say that all workers work for three and a half hours a day. That is the case for some, however.

Industrial Relations. (16 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: In response to specific questions, I told the truth as I know it and as it is confirmed to me. I blackguarded nobody. If people have a problem with the truth, that is their problem rather than mine. Little service would be paid to An Post workers and management, or the general public, by making this issue into a political football.

Industrial Relations. (16 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: There is a problem in An Post that must be resolved. That will only happen by the two sides talking to each other. I have made this clear from the beginning. Regarding the number of pensioners, I was informed by the union, but cannot verify this figure, that some 74 pensioners have died in the last number of years without receiving their payments under Sustaining Progress.