Results 2,021-2,040 of 9,393 for speaker:Alex White

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Service Speeds (17 Sep 2014)

Alex White: The Government’s Statement of Priorities for the period 2014 to 2016 reaffirms our commitment to delivering a State-led broadband intervention in rural areas. The Government’s National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to radically change the broadband landscape in Ireland by ensuring that high speed broadband is available to all citizens and businesses. This is being achieved through...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Broadband Plan Implementation (17 Sep 2014)

Alex White: The Government’s Statement of Priorities for the period 2014 to 2016 reaffirms our commitment to delivering a State-led broadband intervention in rural areas. Through the implementation of the National Broadband Plan (NBP) we aim to radically change the broadband landscape in Ireland, ensuring that high speed broadband is available to all citizens and businesses. This is being achieved...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Service Provision (17 Sep 2014)

Alex White: Since market liberalisation in 1999, the provision of telecommunications services, including broadband services are delivered in the first instance through private sector operators who operate in a fully liberalised market, regulated by the independent regulator, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). The market has developed into a well-regulated market, supporting a...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Functions (17 Sep 2014)

Alex White: I refer to the paper from the Oireachtas Library Service, which the Deputy forwarded to me, setting out a distinction between an 'administrative arrangement' and a 'contract for services' and I can confirm that there are two such administrative arrangements in the case of my Department. Details are as follows: Name of Company Details Duration of administrative arrangement Cost of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Service Speeds (17 Sep 2014)

Alex White: Since market liberalisation in 1999, broadband services are delivered in the first instance through private sector operators. The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband services and issues surrounding speeds, is primarily a matter for the service providers concerned who operate in a fully liberalised market, regulated by the independent regulator, the Commission for...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Bioenergy Strategy Publication (17 Sep 2014)

Alex White: I will shortly be publishing the Bioenergy Plan in draft form pending the completion of a Strategic Environmental Assessment and an Appropriate Assessment. The draft Plan sets out the broader context for the development of Ireland’s bioenergy sector and the current status with regard to the range of policy areas that must be coordinated in order to create the conditions to underpin the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Resources (17 Sep 2014)

Alex White: The overarching objective of the Government's energy policy is to ensure secure and sustainable supplies of competitively priced energy to all consumers. Ireland is committed to meeting 40% of electricity demand, 12% of heating and 10% of transport power from renewable sources by 2020. At the end of 2012, 19.6% of Ireland’s electricity requirements came from renewable sources with 5.2%...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Resources (17 Sep 2014)

Alex White: The overarching objective of the Government's energy policy is to ensure secure and sustainable supplies of competitively priced energy to all consumers. Coal has played a larger part in our energy mix in recent years, with the predominant increase coming in power generation, primarily due to its competitiveness. Coal's enhanced competitiveness as an energy source is caused by its low price...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Broadband Plan Implementation (17 Sep 2014)

Alex White: The Government’s Statement of Priorities for the period 2014 to 2016 reaffirms our commitment to delivering a State-led broadband intervention in rural areas. through the National Broadband Plan (NBP) the Government aims ensure that high speed broadband is available to all citizens and businesses in Ireland. This is being achieved through measures designed to accelerate commercial...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Telecommunications Services Provision (17 Sep 2014)

Alex White: The State will only intervene in the telecommunications market in cases of clear market failure. Any State intervention requires the prior approval of the European Commission (DG Competition) to ensure that such investment does not distort competition and displace commercial investment. In the case of the proposed intervention under the National Broadband Plan, the clear intention of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Television Licence Fee Payments (17 Sep 2014)

Alex White: The TV licence fee is distributed in accordance with Section 123 of the Broadcasting Act 2009, to both RTÉ and TG4 in order to facilitate the pursuit of their public service objectvies which are also set out in the 2009 Act. An Post pays the Department all TV licence revenues collected from sales and the Department of Social Protection currently pays a sum of €52m in respect of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadcasting Service Provision (17 Sep 2014)

Alex White: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1651 and 1652 together. The objects of the national public service broadcasters, RTÉ and TG4, are set out in the Broadcasting Act 2009. In pursuit of those objects, RTÉ and TG4 are statutorily charged with the provision of a comprehensive range of programmes in the Irish and English languages, including programmes that provide coverage of sporting,...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Incentives (17 Sep 2014)

Alex White: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1653, 1654 and 1656 together. The overarching objective of the Government's energy policy is to ensure secure and sustainable supplies of competitively priced energy to all consumers. Ireland is currently heavily reliant on imported fossil fuels to meet our energy needs. While it is acknowledged that fossil fuels will remain part of the energy mix for some...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Policy Review (17 Sep 2014)

Alex White: A consultation process on a Green Paper on Energy Policy in Ireland was launched in May this year, inviting written views, observations and suggestions on the shape of Ireland’s future energy policy. Over 1,200 submissions were received by the closing date in July, including a submission on behalf of BW Energy. Each of the submissions will be considered as part of the process of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electricity Transmission Network (17 Sep 2014)

Alex White: Following a Government decision, the Independent Expert Panel was asked to oversee the integrity of a process to be undertaken by EirGrid to report on the Grid West and Grid Link projects. While the North South Transmission Line project (North-South) is not covered by the Government’s decision, the Panel also agreed to provide an opinion on the compatibility of the methodologies to be...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Ministerial Appointments (17 Sep 2014)

Alex White: The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table: Year Grade 2011 (from 1/3/11) Special Advisor to Minister (2) Personal Assistant to Minister Personal Secretary To Minister Civilian Driver to Minister (2) Personal Assistant to Minister of State Personal Secretary to Minister of State Civilian Driver to Minister of State (2) Clerical Officer (5) 2012...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Public Sector Staff Increment Payments (17 Sep 2014)

Alex White: The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the Non Commercial Semi-State Bodies and Regulators under the aegis of my Departmentand is set out in the table below. The information requested by the Deputy in respect of Civil Servants in my Department will be provided by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. Name of Body Number of Public Sector employees who are subject...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Staff Data (17 Sep 2014)

Alex White: The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the Non Commercial Semi-State Bodies and Regulators under the aegis of my Departmentand is set out in the table below. The information requested by the Deputy in respect of Civil Servants in my Department will be provided by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. Question: BAI CER ComReg DHDA IFI NORA OSI SEAI 1. How many...

Topical Issue Debate: Telecommunications Services Provision (17 Jul 2014)

Alex White: I thank Deputy Byrne. I am glad to have this opportunity to report to the House on the measures in place to regulate the provision of telecommunications services and the options available to users to minimise costs. Since the telecommunications market was fully liberalised in 1999, in accordance with an EU timetable, the increased convergence in telecommunications technologies has allowed...

Topical Issue Debate: Telecommunications Services Provision (17 Jul 2014)

Alex White: I thank the Deputy for her gracious words. I look forward to being as helpful in my new role as I hope I was able to be in my previous role. I take the points she has made on the basis of her experience and contact with her constituents, particular older people who sometimes find it difficult to change from a landline to a mobile telephone. It is a challenge for people who are used to the...