Results 2,461-2,480 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Renewable Energy Policy (30 Apr 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: To some degree there is a dialogue of the deaf between Deputy Colreavy and me. I would argue that five of the Deputy's six conditions are included in the strategy, and the impact on human health and animals is emphatically included. There are rigorous planning hurdles that must be complied with, including environmental impact assessments. The relative contribution of developing an energy...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Renewable Energy Policy (30 Apr 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The Deputy is right and I hear that developers are proceeding to take options on possible sites for development in different parts of the country. That has been ongoing for 15 years. If the export possibility develops, the process will be on a larger scale. Deputy Colreavy knows enough about the history of this country to acknowledge I cannot do anything about farmers who want to sign up...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Renewable Energy Policy (30 Apr 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Development in the renewable energy sector in Ireland is underpinned by a clear policy framework. Under the Renewable Energy Directive, Ireland is required to increase renewable energy from 3.1% in 2005 to 16% in 2020, with a minimum target of 10% in the transport sector. Energy is consumed across the transport, heating and electricity sectors. At the end of 2012, we had reached 6.4% of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Energy Prices (30 Apr 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The matter goes back to the previous question from Deputy Tom Fleming, in that if we are to exploit our indigenous renewable resources, which will make a contribution in the area about which Deputy Moynihan is concerned, then we must generate the investment capital as best we can or ensure that we can remunerate the capital that is borrowed in the market in the normal way by, for example, the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Energy Prices (30 Apr 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: That is a layman's description with which I agree. The regulator observes a model that has been laid down from the outset and it makes its own call on these matters. I accept Deputy Moynihan's contention that in circumstances where some consumers are under pressure in terms of energy prices it is difficult to reconcile this with seemingly very high profits. However, I have no doubt that the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Renewable Energy Generation (30 Apr 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The Deputy is right, in that we are uniquely endowed in terms of our renewable energy prospects. We have propitious wind resources, for example. The Deputy referred to the onshore performance in that regard. Wave and tidal energy is still at research stage. It could be an important element for Ireland down the line. The extent to which renewables can be integrated into the system is an...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Energy Prices (30 Apr 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Responsibility for the regulation of the retail electricity and gas markets 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 and similarly for gas, except in the case of Bord Gáis Electricity, BGE, tariffs for domestic consumers. Customers can therefore avail of competitive...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Renewable Energy Generation (30 Apr 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Deputy Fleming is right about this country being overly reliant on imports of fossil fuels. As an island and as the most isolated of the 27 EU member states, Ireland is vulnerable as long as 100% of its oil and 90% of its gas must be imported. Of course, gas is used to a large degree in the generation of electricity. It is not something which keeps the citizens of Ireland awake at night...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Renewable Energy Generation (30 Apr 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Development in the renewable energy sector in Ireland is underpinned by a clear policy framework. Under the renewable energy directive, Ireland is required to increase renewable energy from 3.1% in 2005 to 16% in 2020, with a minimum target of 10% in the transport sector. Energy is consumed across the transport, heating and electricity sectors. Our intention is to reach our overall target...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Broadcasting Legislation (30 Apr 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: My latest advice is that I will receive the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland report within the coming four weeks. The Bill on media mergers legislation is being brought through the House by my colleague, the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. Given it is on the A list of legislation and because, as Deputy Moynihan noted, it has been promised for some time, my understanding is...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Broadcasting Legislation (30 Apr 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Perhaps I should tell the House, first, that it is not my intention that the charge will be greater than the existing television licence and, second, subject to study it is not the intention that the categories of people to whom Deputy Moynihan refers, who currently have free television licences, will change. I do not envisage they will.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Broadcasting Legislation (30 Apr 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: As the Deputy is aware, the Broadcasting Act 2009 was enacted in July 2009 and served to consolidate the vast majority of all previous forms of broadcasting legislation in the State. While it is the case that I have no immediate plans currently to introduce broadcasting legislation, the continuing development and ultimate implementation of various policy positions in my Department will give...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Prices (30 Apr 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Question Nos. 95 and 109 together. 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. Since 4 April 2011 prices in the electricity retail market have been fully deregulated. Business customers can therefore avail of competitive offerings from electricity...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Media Pluralism (30 Apr 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The event to which the Deputy refers was organised by the Institute for International and European Affairs and was held on the 22nd of March. It was titled 'Media Pluralism and Freedom in a Connected Europe', and provided an opportunity to discuss some important trends that are emerging across Europe in relation to media. Other speakers included Commissioner Neelie Kroes, who is...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Postcode Implementation (30 Apr 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Ireland is the only country in the EU and OECD that does not have a national postcode. I wish to reiterate the strong commitment of the Government to introducing a national postcode system. A national postcode system is in my view a vital part of the national infrastructure. Apart from providing efficiencies for postal delivery it will significantly impact deliveries of public and private...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services Provision (30 Apr 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The Government’s National Broadband Plan, which I published in August last, aims to radically change the broadband landscape in Ireland by ensuring that high speed services of at least 30Mbps are available to all of our citizens and businesses, well in advance of the EU’s target date of 2020, and that significantly higher speeds are available to as many homes and businesses as...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Generation (30 Apr 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The Commission for Energy Regulation is responsible for issuing licences to construct generation capacity and to generate electricity. Ireland primarily supports the development of renewable energy in order that we can meet our challenging targets under the Renewable Energy Directive. To achieve the 16% target we will have to ensure that renewable energy contributes 40% to our electricity...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Wind Energy Guidelines (30 Apr 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Plans to locate wind turbines in specific locations is in the first instance a matter for developers in consultation with the relevant planning authority, having due regard to the Development Plan for the area. Any such proposed project would be subject to the Planning Acts, including the requirements for public consultation. Additionally, proposed projects would require appropriate...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Prices (30 Apr 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Question Nos. 101 and 377 together. Responsibility for the regulation of the retail electricity and gas markets 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 and similarly for gas, except in the case of BGE tariffs for domestic consumers. Customers can...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Digital Strategy Publication (30 Apr 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The National Digital Strategy will be published in the coming weeks and will set out a strong policy framework for greater adoption and use of digital technologies. The overarching objectives will be to increase digital skills and consequent employment opportunities, assist in overall economic growth and job creation and facilitate the objective of delivering a wide range of public services...