Results 1,981-2,000 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Other Questions: Renewable Energy Generation Issues (17 Jul 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I thank the Ceann Comhairle for facilitating the Deputy. I am sure that she will remember him at Christmas.

Other Questions: Renewable Energy Generation Issues (17 Jul 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Wave and tidal energy technology is still at the research, development and demonstration stage globally. Ireland has a rich ocean resource and significant potential in this regard. In order to take forward the ocean energy strategy, the OEDU was established in the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, SEAI, in 2009. This unit has been taking forward the development of the sector through...

Other Questions: Renewable Energy Generation Issues (17 Jul 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Wave and tidal energy technology is still at the research stage. Notwithstanding the economic constraints on the Government, we have managed more than to keep the programmes alive. Given our current circumstances and the impact of some of the adjustments that must be made, not everyone would agree that wave and tidal technology ought to be a priority. I agree with the Deputy that wave and...

Other Questions: Energy Regulation (17 Jul 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Eight suppliers operate in the electricity market and there are coincidentally eight active suppliers licensed by the regulator in the gas market. For a country our size there is certainly adequate competition, but as the Deputy fairly points out, energy prices in this country are high. That is partly because we are an isolated island that has not generated any of its own fuel in terms of...

Other Questions: Energy Security (17 Jul 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The energy regulator for Great Britain, Ofgem, published its most recent annual electricity capacity assessment on 27 June. It analysed security of supply in Great Britain over the forthcoming five winters. It shows that the buffer between peak demand and supply could be lower than previously expected and proposed for consultation certain measures to address this issue. This report and the...

Other Questions: Energy Security (17 Jul 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I assure the House that there is no basis for such reportage, nor is it true in this case that there is rationing planned for the UK. In contrast, the latest, All-Island Generation Capacity Statement for 2013-22, published in January this year, forecast that the adequacy situation in this country is positive for the next ten years. Indeed there is a considerable generation surplus forecast...

Other Questions: Energy Security (17 Jul 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: We are at cross-purposes. Deputy Moynihan referred to rationalisation but he meant rationing.

Other Questions: Energy Security (17 Jul 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Touch wood, but I think I can give the Deputy the assurance he seeks in the sense that no such circumstances are envisaged. That said, we are at the end of the pipeline. We are a remote island on the verge of Europe and we saw what happened only a couple of winters’ ago when Russia turned off the pipeline. The Deputy is asking me to look into a crystal ball. In terms of our...

Other Questions: Renewable Energy Generation Targets (17 Jul 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Microgeneration has been a problem in the country. The ESB was the only supplier prepared to take it on board and the uptake was not great. I suppose if it were commercially viable the others would be doing it also. Given the step-down in economic activity we have experienced in recent times there is not a big demand at present. We are examining the question of microgeneration and we are...

Other Questions: Energy Regulation (17 Jul 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Responsibility for the regulation of the electricity and natural gas market is a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation, which is an independent statutory regulator. I am very mindful of the importance of well-functioning energy markets for business and domestic consumers. The Government remains firmly committed to increasing competition as the best means of exerting downward...

Other Questions: Independent Broadcasting Sector (17 Jul 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I can tell Deputy Moynihan that I intend at 4 p.m. today to lay the report of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland before both Houses. Under the 2009 Act, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland is required to produce a fundamental review of funding for public service broadcasting as against the statutory objects in the Act that are on the public service broadcasters. This is the first time...

Other Questions: Renewable Energy Generation Targets (17 Jul 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 and 11 together. The 2009 EU renewable energy directive set Ireland a binding target where at least 16% of our energy requirements should come from renewable sources by 2020. In order to meet our overall 16% requirement, Ireland is committed to meeting 40% of electricity demand, 12% of heating and 10% of transport from renewable sources. Although these...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Petroleum and Gas Exploration (17 Jul 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I agree with Deputy Fleming about the importance of landing an LNG project for Tarbert. It would be a considerable boost to the local area. Even more importantly, it would be an additional string in this country's energy security bow. As the Deputy knows, the matter is before the High Court at the moment. I hope a decision will be handed down before the courts rise for the summer recess....

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Petroleum and Gas Exploration (17 Jul 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Deputies will recall a certain Taoiseach who used to occupy this seat many years ago. He used to say at this time of the year that the beaches of Kerry were beckoning. I have never met a Kerry Deputy who does not invite everyone to enjoy the highly cherished product that exists in that county. If I get an outcome from the High Court between now and August-----

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Petroleum and Gas Exploration (17 Jul 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I will.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Petroleum and Gas Exploration (17 Jul 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I will put it in the boot of the car and deliver it, like another Minister of State used to do with telephones many years ago. Those of us on this side of the House are at least as enthusiastic as Deputy Fleming about the possibility of an oil strike off the Irish offshore. That is the kind of fillip the industry needs. There is a great deal of excitement around at the moment. The...

Other Questions: Independent Broadcasting Sector (17 Jul 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: At the outset, I acknowledge the contribution of the independent radio sector in bringing diversity to the airwaves and serving the needs of communities, often at a very local level. Having said that, it needs to be borne in mind that these stations were established as commercial entities. Station owners sought and accepted licences on clear terms, which included a limited amount of public...

Other Questions: Independent Broadcasting Sector (17 Jul 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I agree with what the Deputy has said. Local radio is very important. It is quite remarkable that the regional radio stations have 60% of the audience. They provide public service content of merit, above and beyond what the legislation requires. They have a tremendously loyal audience and perform a very important role, as Deputy Colreavy notes. I spoke at the annual conference of the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: National Postcode System Establishment (17 Jul 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Ireland is the only country in the EU and OECD that does not have a national postcode and the Government is strongly committed to introducing a national postcode system. The new postcode system will be an important part of national infrastructure. The procurement process to select a postcode management licence holder to implement a national postcode system has been protracted and is...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: National Postcode System Establishment (17 Jul 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: What I put formally on the record is correct because apart from efficiency and quality, there are many logistical companies and companies that engage in target marketing certain segments of the population. All of that is likely to generate business for An Post. I do not believe this will be a negative for An Post. It will be a big plus for business because there are segments of business in...