Results 2,101-2,120 of 9,393 for speaker:Alex White

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

Alex White: No Special Adviser has been formally appointed since my appointment. Special Adviser appointments will be undertaken in accordance with the Instructions on Ministerial Appointments for the 31st Dáil and the Guidelines on Staffing of Ministerial Offices (July 2014) issued by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. In accordance with Section 11(1)(a) of the Public Service...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Appointments to State Boards (17 Jul 2014)

Alex White: My Department is committed to seeking to attain the 40% target for both genders on State Boards and it is a key concern of mine to ensure high quality representation on Boards irrespective of gender. This Government adopted a significant innovation in 2011 to widen access by all persons to be considered for appointment to State Boards by providing that expressions of interest be sought...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Programme for Government Priorities (17 Jul 2014)

Alex White: The Statement of Government Priorities 2014 to 2016 sets out clear and ambitious targets to build on the achievements of the last three years and to broaden and deepen the economic and social recovery and improve the living standards of our citizens. Energy and broadband connectivity are amongst the most strategic sectors of the Irish economy and are clearly reflected in the strategy for...

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

Alex White: Arrangements will be made to publish the relevant briefing on my Department's website as soon as possible.

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

Alex White: No Special Adviser has been formally appointed since my appointment. Special Adviser appointments will be undertaken in accordance with the Instructions on Ministerial Appointments for the 31st Dáil and the Guidelines on Staffing of Ministerial Offices (July 2014) issued by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. In accordance with Section 11(1)(a) of the Public Service...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Feed in Tariff Scheme Expenditure (16 Jul 2014)

Alex White: The PSO levy is designed to support the national policy objectives of security of energy supply, including through the use of indigenous fuels (i.e. peat), and the use of renewable energy sources in electricity generation. The proceeds of the levy are used to recoup the additional costs incurred by suppliers in sourcing a proportion of their electricity supplies from such generators. The...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Prices (16 Jul 2014)

Alex White: I am acutely aware of the financial challenges faced by many families at the current time. However it is important to note that the electricity and gas markets are commercial, liberalised and competitive and that they operate within national and European regulatory regimes. As Minister, I have no statutory function in the monitoring or setting of gas or electricity prices. Responsibility...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Sale of State Assets (16 Jul 2014)

Alex White: Commercial transactions involving privately owned assets are matters for the parties to such transactions and are not matters in which I, as Minister, have any role or function. However, I am aware that Phillips 66, the current owners of the refinery, confirmed in mid-2013 that they had commenced a process to market their Irish business with the process expected to last for several months,...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Commencement of Legislation (16 Jul 2014)

Alex White: There are two Acts for which parts or sections have yet to be formally commenced by my Department and details of these are set out in tabular form. Title of Act Parts/Sections not yet commenced Purpose of sections Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2012 section 17(2)(f) To amend section 9 of the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 to provide for the appointment of gas safety officers by a...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Exploration Licences (15 Jul 2014)

Alex White: I propose to take Questions Nos. 433 and 434 together. There have been four commercial natural gas discoveries since exploration began offshore Ireland in the early 1970s, namely the Kinsale, Ballycotton and Seven Heads (Kinsale area) producing gas fields off the coast of Cork fields and the Corrib gas field off the coast of Mayo. There have been no commercial discoveries of oil to date. ...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Rural Broadband Scheme (15 Jul 2014)

Alex White: The Government’s National Broadband Plan, which was published in August 2012, aims to radically change the broadband landscape in Ireland by ensuring that high speed broadband is available to all citizens and businesses. This will be achieved by providing a policy and regulatory framework that assists in accelerating and incentivising commercial investment; and a State-led intervention...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Generation Targets (15 Jul 2014)

Alex White: Ireland submitted its National Renewable Energy Action Plan (NREAP), as required under Article 4 of Directive 2009/28/EC on renewable energy, to the European Commission in July 2010. This Plan sets out how Ireland will meet the national targets established under that Directive for the share of energy from renewable sources. There have been no findings against Ireland by the Aarhus Convention...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: State Bodies (15 Jul 2014)

Alex White: Staffing issues of An Post are a matter for the Board and management of the company and not one in which I have a function.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Post Office Network (15 Jul 2014)

Alex White: Securing the future viability of the post office network in the longer term will entail the network continuing to modernise, as it is doing, to provide the services that its customers require. An Post has undertaken a programme of capital investment particularly in the computerisation of the post office network including the automation of all post offices. As a result, the post office network...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Reports (15 Jul 2014)

Alex White: My Department's 2013 Annual Report has been approved by Government and in accordance with usual practice it is currently being translated, ensuring that it will be available in both the Irish and English languages. I am advised that this process should be complete in the next two weeks at which point the report will be made available, including on my Department's website. I will arrange to...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Telecommunications Services Provision (15 Jul 2014)

Alex White: 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. This is being achieved through measures designed to accelerate commercial investment and the development of a State-led intervention for non-commercial areas. Since publication of the Plan, investments...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Oireachtas Proceedings (15 Jul 2014)

Alex White: The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) has statutory responsibility in this area and I have no function in this matter. Under Section 43 (1)(c)(i) of the Broadcasting Act 2009, the Authority must prepare and, from time to time, revise rules with respect to the specific steps each broadcaster is required to take to promote the understanding and enjoyment by those who are deaf or have a...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Public Relations Contracts Expenditure (15 Jul 2014)

Alex White: My Departmental remit includes complex policy areas, oversight of State regulation and service provision across key strategic services such as energy and public broadcasting, and regulation of sectors such as mining and hydrocarbon exploration. Given the technical complexity, economic significance and community interest in these areas, there is a requirement to disseminate information and to...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Fisheries Protection (15 Jul 2014)

Alex White: I am advised that Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) have received a request from local stakeholders for a Bye-law for the rivers referred to by the Deputy. I understand that this request is currently being reviewed in the context of the scientific data held by IFI for the rivers in question to consider if that the proposals are in line with best scientific advice. In addition, a draft...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Telecommunications Services Provision (15 Jul 2014)

Alex White: I propose to take Questions Nos. 444 and 445 together. 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. This is being achieved through measures designed to accelerate commercial investment and the development of a State-led intervention for...