Results 2,401-2,420 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Report on Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration: Statements (14 May 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I am pleased to open this debate on the report of the former Joint Committee on Communications, Natural Resources and Agriculture on the subject of offshore oil and gas exploration. I am grateful to the Government Chief Whip for acceding to my request to make time available for the debate. Although issues relevant to the subject matter of the report have been discussed in this House from...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Fisheries Protection (14 May 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: In 2006 following a Government decision to align with the scientific advice, indiscriminate mixed stock salmon fishing at sea was ceased. Expert scientific advice available showed that the marine survival of salmon in the North Atlantic has decreased significantly in the previous decades. It was in this context and to afford every protection to the remaining stocks that the decision to...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Licence Applications (14 May 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The yearly allocation of public licences for commercial draft nets is governed by the provisions of the relevant Control of Fishing for Salmon Order. The process identifies a number of categories of applicant depending on, inter alia, the applicant's previous fishing history. The issuing of licences is administered by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) and decisions will be made in advance of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Generation (14 May 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I understand that the Deputy’s question relates only to the REFIT 2 scheme. REFIT 2 follows on from REFIT 1. It is designed to accommodate new renewable generation built from the start of 2010 to the end of 2017 and its aim is to ensure sufficient new renewable electricity plant is built to make a significant contribution to our legally binding 2020 target under the Renewable...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Public Service Obligation Services (14 May 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: RTÉ is an independent national public service broadcaster whose remit and obligations are set out in Section 114 of the Broadcasting Act 2009. In particular, section 114(1)(b) of the Broadcasting Act 2009 provides that, as one of its objects, RTÉ shall establish and maintain a website and teletext services in connection with the other services of RTÉ. The obligation in regard...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Conservation (14 May 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 399 and 409 together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Job Creation Issues (14 May 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The Digital Hub currently supports approximately 64 companies which between them employ over 805 people, making a significant contribution to job creation. The DHDA provides companies in the digital media sector with support to survive and grow. More than 160 companies have been located at the Digital Hub since 2003. The Digital Hub’s most recent Annual Report (2011) shows that...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Payable Orders (14 May 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: This matter relates to a payment which was made when my Department had responsibility for Marine functions. These functions have since transferred to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. I have passed these details to that Department and asked them to reply directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: International Agreements (14 May 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I understand that under the EU's Common Commercial Policy, the EU Commission is responsible for negotiations on the EU - Canada Free Trade Agreement, commonly referred to as the CETA. I am advised that negotiations are still underway on this agreement and that the EU and its Member States will continue to be free to legislate for legitimate public policy reasons in a non-discriminatory way.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Seismic Surveys (14 May 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: During the period 1 January 2010 to date my Department has not incurred expenditure on the conducting of seismic surveys. Active promotion and research are important elements of Ireland’s offshore hydrocarbon strategy. In that regard my Department is currently in the process of commissioning an extensive regional seismic acquisition programme over a number of Ireland's major...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Television Licence Fee Yield (14 May 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: In 2012 my Department received €215m in respect of television licence fee sales and ‘free’ licences issued by the Department of Social Protection. As the Deputy will be aware, An Post receives a portion of licence fee revenue to cover the cost of its activities as the Minister's issuing and collecting agent for TV licences. Under the provisions of the Broadcasting Act...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Public Sector Staff Remuneration (14 May 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The information requested by the Deputy, in respect of my Department, is outlined below: Salary Band Number of Staff 0 - 20K 6 20K - 30K 23 30K - 40K 45 40K - 50K 53 50K - 60K 42 60K - 70K 20 70K - 80K 22 80K- 90K 16 90K -100K 12 100K- 125K 5 125K - 150K 4 150K - 175K N/A 175K - 200K 1 No member of staff in my Department is paid a salary greater than €200,000....

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Tailings Management (14 May 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: As the Deputy knows, I am very aware of the issues surrounding the Gortmore Tailings Management Facility in the Silvermines area. Following my visit to the area and meetings with interested parties, my Department retained the services of expert agricultural advisors to conduct negotiations with the landowner. I am sure that the Deputy will understand that this is a sensitive process...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services Provision (14 May 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Ireland’s telecommunications market has been fully liberalised since 1999 in accordance with the requirements of binding EU Directives. The market has since developed into a well-regulated market, supporting a multiplicity of commercial operators, who provide services over a diverse range of technology platforms. Details of broadband services available in each County, including...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Expenditure (14 May 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The amount of overtime paid in the case of political/Ministerial appointees from June 2007 to date in 2013 relative to my Department is as follows: Minister Term of Office Staff Paid Overtime Cost € Mr. Pat Rabbitte TD, Minister March 2011 to date Personal Assistant Personal Secretary 22,225 1,838 No overtime payments were made to the Secretary General or Special Advisers...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Better Energy Homes Scheme Expenditure (14 May 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The Better Energy Homes and the Better Energy Warmer Homes schemes are administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland under the Better Energy Programme. The Better Energy Homes scheme provides support to homeowners towards the installation of attic and wall insulation, and heating system upgrades including solar thermal with the works being undertaken by privately appointed...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: EU Directives (14 May 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The Energy Efficiency Directive, which replaces the Cogeneration Directive (2004/8/EC) and the Energy Services Directive (2006/32/EC), was formally adopted by the Council of Ministers and European Parliament in October 2012. This Directive translates elements of the European Efficiency Plan into binding measures on Member States, in response to the Commission’s assessment that the EU...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Conservation (14 May 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers the Better Energy Homes Scheme under the Better Energy Programme. Better Energy Homes provides a financial incentive to private homeowners who wish to improve the energy performance of their homes. Fixed grants are provided towards the cost of a range of measures including attic insulation, wall insulation, heating systems...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Telecommunications Services Provision (14 May 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I understand that ESB is currently considering the prospect of utilising its network to rollout fibre services. To this end, it sought expressions of interest in 2012 for a joint venture with the telecommunications sector. This process has not yet been completed and I await a detailed proposal from the company in this regard. The ESB proposition is just one of a number of encouraging...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services Provision (14 May 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The market has since developed into a well-regulated market, supporting a multiplicity of commercial operators, who provide services over a diverse range of technology platforms. Details of broadband services available in each County, including County Cavan, can be found on ComReg’s website at www.callcosts.ie. Decisions by private operators relating to investment in infrastructure,...