Results 2,281-2,300 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: North-South Interconnector Issues (11 Jun 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: As the Deputy may be aware, in April EirGrid completed a re-evaluation process on the North South 400kV Interconnection Development and published a “Final Re-evaluation Report”. It followed the publication of a “Preliminary Re-evaluation Report” in May 2011. The final report represents a comprehensive re-evaluation of the project, involving, among other things,...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Natural Gas Grid (11 Jun 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: As the Deputy will be aware from my replies to previous Parliamentary Questions raised by him on this issue, the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) is the statutory, independent body, charged with the assessment and licensing of prospective operators seeking to develop and operate a gas distribution system within the State. I have no direct statutory function in relation to the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: EU Directives (11 Jun 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: In February, the European Commission published a proposal for a European Directive concerning measures to ensure a high common level of network and information security across the European Union. The Irish Presidency has been active in initiating discussions in the Council of the European Union and on 6 June, I chaired an orientation debate in the Council in regard to this matter. While all...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Hydraulic Fracturing Policy (11 Jun 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: There are various methodologies currently being used with respect to minerals and petroleum exploration both onshore and offshore Ireland that will continue to be used into the future. With specific regard to the likely conduct of exploration activities proposing the use of hydraulic fracking, as I have advised on a number of occasions, the Environmental Protection Agency is in the process...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Generation Targets (11 Jun 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: 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. Though these targets are challenging, I am confident that they can...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Coillte Teoranta Harvesting Rights Sale (11 Jun 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The Government, as part of the agreement with the Troika, has agreed to a State asset disposal programme with a view to using half of the proceeds to invest in economic recovery and jobs. My Department, in cooperation with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the Department of Finance and NewERA is progressing the disposal of the Bord Gáis Energy business in 2013. My...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Broadband Plan Implementation (11 Jun 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Considerable progress has been made in recent years in both the coverage and speeds of national broadband infrastructure, with a multiplicity of commercial operators, providing services over a diverse range of technology platforms. The Government has also undertaken a number of initiatives to bring broadband to those parts of the country where commercial operators have been unable to offer...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Metropolitan Area Networks Programme (11 Jun 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Under Phase I of the Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) Programme, 28 MANs were completed and 60 MANs, covering 66 towns, were completed under Phase II. The MANs which are regionally dispersed enhance the attractiveness of the locations for indigenous and foreign investment. A list of the MANs and their respective locations is detailed in the tables below. The MANs are managed, operated,...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Prices (11 Jun 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Responsibility for the regulation of the retail electricity market is a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), which is an independent statutory body. Prices in the electricity retail market are fully deregulated. Customers can therefore avail of competitive offerings from electricity and gas suppliers. Prices are set by suppliers and are commercial and operational matters...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Biofuel Obligation Scheme Targets (11 Jun 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 94 and 526 together. The 2009 Renewable Energy Directive set a binding target on all Member States to achieve at least 10% renewable energy in transport by 2020. The primary means, for most if not all Member States, of meeting this target will be by the increased use of biofuels. The Biofuel Obligation Scheme was introduced in July 2010 and works by...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Generation Targets (11 Jun 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The 2009 Renewable Energy Directive set Ireland a binding target where at least 16% of our energy requirements should come from renewable sources by 2020. The directive also requires all Member States to achieve a minimum target of 10% renewable energy in the transport sector by 2020. In order to meet our overall 16% requirement, we aim to achieve 40% in the renewable electricity sector,...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Public Broadcasting Charge Introduction (11 Jun 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: In line with the commitment in the Programme for Government to transform the TV licence into a household based Public Broadcasting Charge, my Department is involved in the ongoing analysis and policy development work that is necessary in advance of any changes that may be required. As I have previously outlined to the Deputy, a Value for Money Policy Review has been recently completed by an...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (11 Jun 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: As the Deputy will be aware I published the second National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NEEAP) on 28 February last, which reaffirms Ireland's commitment to a 20% energy savings target in 2020 in pursuit of our EU obligations. This is equivalent to 31,925 Gigawatt hours (GWh) or a reduction in annual CO2 emissions of around 7.7 Mega tonnes (Mt). Recognising that Government must lead by...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Generation Issues (11 Jun 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The development and operation of wind farms in Ireland require planning permission from the relevant planning authority and, in the case of offshore wind farms, a foreshore lease from the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government. Wind farms also require an Authorisation to Construct a Generating Station and a Licence to Generate from the Commission from Energy Regulation....

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Wind Energy Guidelines (11 Jun 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The development and operation of wind farms in Ireland require planning permission from the relevant planning authority and, in the case of offshore wind farms, a foreshore lease from the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. They also require an Authorisation to Construct or Reconstruct a Generating Station and a Licence to Generate from the Commission for Energy...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Resources (11 Jun 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Investments in energy efficiency are associated with job creation in two principal ways. Firstly, jobs are supported directly through initiatives to install energy efficiency technologies and systems (including the manufacture and supply of energy efficiency technologies). Secondly, energy efficiency gains lead to additional spending power which supports additional induced jobs. Experience...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Exploration Licences Approvals (11 Jun 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: My Department publishes details relating to exploration authorisations granted together with a map of the locations concerned on a regular basis on its website at: . The latest report and map known as the Acreage Report and Concession Map respectively, is in respect of the position on 1 May 2013 and a copy of this report and map is available on the Department's website. The report gives...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadcasting Service Provision (11 Jun 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: RTÉ is an independent national public service broadcaster whose remit and obligations are set out in the Broadcasting Act 2009, and, as such, I, as Minister have no role in it day-to-day operations including in relation to controlling the access to content on the RTÉ Player outside the jurisdiction of the Republic of Ireland. Section 114(1)(a) of the Broadcasting Act, 2009 states...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services Provision (11 Jun 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 515 and 516 together. Ireland's telecommunications market has been fully liberalised since 1999 in accordance with the requirements of binding EU Directives. Under EU State Aid rules, the State can only intervene to ensure access to broadband services in areas where the competitive market has failed to deliver such services. The National Broadband Scheme...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Mobile Telephony Services Provision (11 Jun 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The provision of telecommunications services in Ireland generally occurs within a competitive liberalised market. The provision of mobile telecommunications networks within that market is also subject to a requirement to secure the necessary wireless telegraphy licence to access the required radio spectrum. The terms and conditions of the required wireless telegraphy licences and the...