Results 2,041-2,060 of 9,393 for speaker:Alex White

Other Questions: Broadband Services Provision (17 Jul 2014)

Alex White: We want to ensure that the entire country gets the service and to the extent that there is commercial involvement in areas of the country where that occurs, that should be allowed to occur. I agree with Deputy Wallace that it is always best that any project, whether it is in the public or private sector, should be expedited, but all State resources are scarce. Decisions must be made about...

Other Questions: Post Office Network (17 Jul 2014)

Alex White: I have had only the most preliminary discussion on this issue with the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection but I have no doubt I will have an opportunity to discuss this matter further with her in the period ahead. I do see opportunities in respect of the post office network but like any other sector, those opportunities must be sought, developed and brought forward. That is...

Other Questions: Post Office Network (17 Jul 2014)

Alex White: I have encountered a number of fences in my first few days as Minister so I do not propose to jump on either side of any fence for the moment regarding these matters other than to agree with the Deputy that there is a tension, although describing it as a tension is a bit strong. Historically, there is the public service remit that we all understand, and then the commercial world and public...

Other Questions: Broadband Services Provision (17 Jul 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 aims to radically change the broadband landscape in Ireland by ensuring that high speed broadband is available to all citizens and businesses. Since publication of the plan,...

Other Questions: Broadband Services Provision (17 Jul 2014)

Alex White: I repeat that this is a priority. The mapping exercise is under way to identify locations. I have given the Deputy and the House indicative information relating to County Tipperary. There is a need in that county but there is an identified need across the country, particularly in rural areas and in areas where there is no real prospect of commercial involvement. In many areas of public...

Other Questions: Ministerial Priorities (17 Jul 2014)

Alex White: The Government's statement of priorities for the period between 2014 and 2016 sets out clear and ambitious targets, which will build on the achievements of the last three years, broaden and deepen the economic and social recovery and improve the living standards of our citizens. Energy and broadband connectivity, which are among the most strategic sectors of the economy, are clearly...

Other Questions: Ministerial Priorities (17 Jul 2014)

Alex White: We do not know what the destination of anyone in this House will be. We do not know which side of the House we will be on, or which positions we might occupy, in the future. On the basis of the manner in which the Deputy has outlined his priorities, I could see every possibility that he will have an opportunity to take up a position in the future. I agree with his survey of what are the...

Other Questions: Ministerial Priorities (17 Jul 2014)

Alex White: I repeat that I am willing to work with the Deputies on these issues. I know the Minister of State, Deputy McHugh, who is responsible for natural resources, has the same view. We can try to address what the Deputy referred to as the "under-utilisation of our inland fisheries" and seek to bring forward ideas in that regard. We can return to the question of broadcasting on a future occasion....

Other Questions: Post Office Network (17 Jul 2014)

Alex White: It is Government policy that An Post should remain a strong and viable company that is in a position to provide a high-quality, nationwide postal service and maintain a nationwide customer-focused network of post offices in the community. Proposals for a whole-of-Government review of the scope for providing additional public services through local post offices were presented to the Cabinet...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Broadband Services Provision (17 Jul 2014)

Alex White: The Government's statement of priorities for the period 2014 to 2016 reaffirms our commitment to delivering State-led broadband intervention in rural areas. The Government's national broadband plan aims to change radically the broadband landscape in Ireland by ensuring high-speed broadband is available to all citizens and businesses. This is being achieved through measures designed to...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Broadband Services Provision (17 Jul 2014)

Alex White: Intensive work is continuing in the Department to develop full details of the intervention strategy I have outlined. The outcome of the mapping exercise to which I referred will be published for public consultation in quarter four of this year. There are two items. The mapping exercise will be available in quarter four of this year and the comprehensive implementation strategy to which I...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Broadband Services Provision (17 Jul 2014)

Alex White: As I said, the steps required to be taken include the completion of the mapping exercise. I referred to that earlier. The idea is to map out where the areas of need are throughout the country. We are being assisted by NUI Maynooth in this regard. This is a useful mapping exercise which I have seen used in other areas of public policy. The idea is that where we see need across the...

Other Questions: Sale of State Assets (17 Jul 2014)

Alex White: On 30 June last, the sale of Bord Gáis Energy was completed. In line with the share purchase agreement entered into by Ervia, formally Bord Gáis Éireann, the total enterprise value, inclusive of debt, for the sale is €1.1 billion, including a small element of contingent consideration. On 7 July, a special dividend of €150 million was received from Ervia...

Other Questions: Sale of State Assets (17 Jul 2014)

Alex White: It is worth repeating that the Government's consistent position has been that the funds released from asset disposals, including the proceeds from the sale under discussion, that is, the sale of Bord Gáis Energy, should be used to support job creating initiatives in the economy. I agree with the general tenor of the Deputy's remarks to the extent that, where sale agreements like this are...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Electricity Transmission Network (17 Jul 2014)

Alex White: These are complex processes involving the assessment of evidence, particularly relating to planning. The Deputy knows the planning process is set out quite clearly in statute and is not a matter of the opinion of any individual Minister or otherwise on it. The job I must do is to uphold the integrity of that process, and I intend to do that. The independent expert panel will enhance the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Post Office Network (17 Jul 2014)

Alex White: It is Government policy that An Post remains a strong and viable company, in a position to provide a high quality, nationwide postal service and maintain a nationwide customer-focused network of post offices in the community. Proposals for a whole-of-government review of the scope for providing additional public services through local post offices were presented to the Cabinet committee on...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Post Office Network (17 Jul 2014)

Alex White: The Deputy makes some interesting points which I am sure will feature in the ongoing debate and consideration of this issue. As he correctly pointed out, it has been debated extensively in the Dáil. An Post has the largest retail presence in the country. Ireland has one of the most extensive post office networks per head of population in the EU. There are 1,147 active company and...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Post Office Network (17 Jul 2014)

Alex White: I accept the Deputy's point regarding the post office network and this issue being an important matter of public policy. However, we also live in a world that is characterised by public procurement rules, and we must live with those rules. I doubt that anybody is suggesting that such important rules should be bent or moved in a particular direction. I believe the two worlds, the world of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Electricity Transmission Network (17 Jul 2014)

Alex White: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. The independent expert panel considering EirGrid’s Grid West and Grid Link projects has held six meetings. The 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. That process is now under way and the panel expects to be in a position to provide an opinion to...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Electricity Transmission Network (17 Jul 2014)

Alex White: One of the key concerns arising from the public consultation process on Grid25 was the extent to which undergrounding options had been explored to allow ready comparison to be made in respect of overhead line solutions for individual projects. That is why EirGrid was asked to conduct a comprehensive analysis of what would be involved in undergrounding the high-voltage cables for the Grid...