Results 24,741-24,760 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

National Recovery Plan 2011 - 2014: Statements. (25 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: I would like to outline the thinking behind what was done on that day. We all understand the public mood that obtains at present: the deep anger and the great sense of fear. A number of months ago, my party referred to the need for consensus. What we did on Monday was an attempt to remove politics from the equation in respect of some of the votes relating to the budget. I accept that...

National Recovery Plan 2011 - 2014: Statements. (25 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: Let us give it a try. That is what the people expect and what they would want at this difficult time.

National Recovery Plan 2011 - 2014: Statements. (25 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: People have inquired, in the context of the national recovery plan and the partnership model, whether we should have reappraised the Croke Park agreement, etc. I am of the view that the onus is going to be on management in the public service to ensure that real efficiencies are achieved in order that we will be in a position to do more with less. It may be easier for us to do this in the...

National Recovery Plan 2011 - 2014: Statements. (25 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: I absolutely agree that it is our job to do so. However, it is not an easy job. If there are alternative or different ways of proceeding, I would be open to their being outlined in order that we might evaluate how they might work.

National Recovery Plan 2011 - 2014: Statements. (25 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: In the context of growth, a strategic decision was taken to protect enterprise, investment and education in the budget. These three areas are key to encouraging growth. We need to make our debt dynamics work. A development which has been of assistance in recent weeks is the fact that the matter of our 12.5% corporation tax rate has been placed on the back burner. I commend our French and...

National Recovery Plan 2011 - 2014: Statements. (25 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: It is not easy. It is scary. However, as my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Gormley, stated on Monday last, we have a duty of care. Our party is willing to contribute to ensure we get through this difficult period - get through the budget, get through the negotiations that we must conclude with our European colleagues and give the country a sense of confidence. I believe we will do that...

Written Answers — Postal Network: Postal Network (24 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The Government's core policy goal for the postal sector is to ensure that Irish customers, both business and residential, enjoy competitively priced, high quality postal services. The Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill was recently published with a view to transposing the third Postal Services Directive, which mandates opening the postal market to full competition from 1...

Written Answers — Television Licence Fee: Television Licence Fee (24 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: Under Section 123 of the Broadcasting Act, 2009, with the approval of the Minister of Finance, I may pay RTÉ in respect of each financial year an amount equal to the total receipts in that year in respect of broadcasting (TV) licence fees less (i) any expenses incurred in relation to the collection of those fees, and (ii) an amount being equal to 7% of these net television licence fee...

Written Answers — Energy Conservation: Energy Conservation (24 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of the Government launched the Energy Efficiency Fund for business and the public sector in June 2010. The fund supports exemplar projects which achieve verifiable and significant energy savings. These 43 projects will critically provide key lessons for all business and public sector bodies. The projects are projected to create...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (24 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: Broadband services have been made available, since October 2010, to all Electoral Divisions (EDs) within the National Broadband Scheme (NBS) Coverage Area in line with the timeframe set out in the NBS contract. My Department and its external consultants actively monitor coverage within the NBS areas. With particular reference to the Electoral Division of Church Hill (ED reference no. 57032)...

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010: Second Stage (24 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: I am pleased to present the Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010 for the consideration of this House. This Bill is an important milestone for the postal service. Transposing the third postal service directive represents the last step of the liberalisation process of this important market. All mail in excess of 50 grammes is currently open to competitors and the directive...

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010: Second Stage (24 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: In that case I will happily finish. I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach for his reassurance. I was thinking that as soon as the bell stopped I would have to run. Section 27 provides for the setting and monitoring by ComReg of quality of service targets for the designated universal service providers, while section 37 provides that prior notice be given to users where a postal service provider...

Written Answers — Energy Conservation: Energy Conservation (23 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The Home Energy Saving (HES) scheme, which is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), on behalf of my Department, provides grant assistance for a range of energy efficiency measures, including roof insulation, internal and external wall insulation, boilers and heating controls. Since the inception of the scheme in 2008, the scheme has provided energy efficiency...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (23 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The following table below provides the breakdown for 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 to date of the total allocation and expenditure under the Home Energy Savings Scheme, Warmer Homes and Green Homes programmes administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. Programme 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 (to date) Programme Totals (08 to date) Home Energy Saving scheme (HESS) Total...

Written Answers — Television Licence Fee: Television Licence Fee (23 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) was established on 1st October 2009. The Authority is a content regulator for commercial, community and public service broadcasters. Section 124 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 allows for the Authority to recommend in a report to the Minister an annual licence fee modification. This recommendation is to be based on a review on the extent to which...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (23 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband services, is a matter for private sector service providers operating in a liberalised market regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). Broadband services are provided by private service providers over various platforms including DSL (i.e. over telephone lines), fixed wireless, mobile, cable, fibre and...

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (23 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The data requested by the Deputy is being assembled in my Department and a complete schedule of material is being prepared. I have directed that this be completed as soon as possible and forwarded to the Deputy thereafter.

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (18 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The Electricity Regulation (Amendment)(Carbon Revenue Levy) Act 2010 which came into effect on 1st July 2010 provides for the recovery of carbon windfall gains from electricity generators until the end of 2012. The Act provides for the establishment of a fund administered by the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), to whom the levy is paid by the generators. It also provides that this...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (18 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The Third Postal Services Directive provides for the final step in the gradual and controlled opening of the postal services market to competition. Primary legislation to transpose this Directive has been drafted and Government approval has been given to publish the new Bill shortly. The issues for Ireland arising from the implementation of the Directive have been widely and comprehensively...

Written Answers — Departmental Investigations: Departmental Investigations (18 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: I can inform the Deputy that external reports and reviews commissioned by State Agencies and Boards under the aegis of my Department, and the amount spent on these reports and reviews is a day to day operational matter for the Agencies and Boards concerned. As the Deputy will be aware, Public Bodies are required to comply with national and EU public procurement rules when procuring goods and...