Results 24,801-24,820 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (9 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The Commission for Energy Regulation has publicly indicated that their preliminary estimates show that the present level of wind in the system has reduced wholesale prices by an estimated 6% as opposed to €6 million as suggested in the Deputy's question. The Single Electricity Market Operator (SEMO) website shows that the total energy price of the market last year was €1.746 billion, a...

Written Answers — Electricity Network: Electricity Network (9 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: EirGrid's transmission network investment programme is designed as an integrated solution for Ireland's economic, regional development and renewable energy requirements, so it is not possible to state definitively what cost is attributable to individual renewable generation projects or groups of projects. EirGrid's Grid25 Strategy is designed to ensure that all regions in Ireland will have...

Written Answers — Television Licence Fee: Television Licence Fee (9 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The provisions relating to Television Licences are set out in Part 9 of the Broadcasting Act, 2009. In particular, section 144 of the 2009 Act allows me, as Minister, to make regulations in regard to certain arrangements concerning television licences. This includes, inter alia, regulations in respect of the form of a licence, the manner and terms on which a licence may be renewed, the...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (9 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: My Department uses both a lo-call number and local number for members of the public. The use of a lo-call number affords considerable savings to people who do not have access to free national call services. In accordance with best practice there is an accompanying note on the website and in press notices or other literature advising that the rates charged for the use of the 1890 number may...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (9 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The Decentralisation Programme as originally announced in December 2003, included the proposal to relocate the Headquarters of my Department to Cavan. There is an advance party of 50 staff in place in Cavan at present. These personnel are accommodated in leased premises on an interim basis. All issues concerning lease or acquisition of property for my Department, including cost, under the...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (9 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: Broadband services under the National Broadband Scheme (NBS) are available, since October 2010, to all premises within each of the 1,028 designated NBS Electoral Divisions (ED), including those in County Westmeath. The detailed information sought in relation to the numbers of connections within each of the 1,028 EDs in the NBS Coverage Area is voluminous and not to hand. My officials have...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (9 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The provisions in relation to the submission of the Authority's three-year estimates and expenditure proposals and their publication are set out in section 37 of the Broadcasting Act 2009. In relation to the estimates for the period 2011-2013, I can confirm that these estimates were submitted to my Department by the Authority on 29th October 2010. My Department is now engaging with the...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (9 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: Under the terms of the National Broadband Scheme (NBS) contract, the NBS Service Provider, 3, is obliged to establish the infrastructure and make the specified NBS services available to fixed businesses and residences within the NBS Coverage Area. The rollout of the provision of NBS services advanced incrementally over a 22 month period and was completed in October 2010. In line with the NBS...

Written Answers — State Aid Clearance: State Aid Clearance (9 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: An application for State Aid Clearance in relation to REFIT for energy from biomass was submitted by my Department to the European Commission last week. My Department estimates that it will take some months for clearance to be finalised and approved by the European Commission. I expect that I will be in a position to announce implementation of the tariffs in the first quarter of 2011.

Written Answers — Daylight Savings Time: Daylight Savings Time (9 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: Having regard to the multiplicity and variety of devices that record time (phones, computers, etc.) and changes in technology away from large fixed clocks, the activity described by the Deputy has been overtaken and is now considered to be a routine task for which my Department does not disaggregate a specific time and cost.

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (4 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: As part of the electricity deregulation process, the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) commissioned market research which indicates that there is confusion among electricity consumers as to the separate identities and roles of ESB as owner and operator of the electricity network and ESB as an electricity supplier. This is of concern because ESB Networks must provide, and be perceived to...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (4 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: In the time available, it has not been possible to conclude an examination of the relevant records. Officials within my Department are compiling the information and I will revert to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Health and Safety Issues: Health and Safety Issues (4 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The design and construction of the Corrib Gas terminal is based on best international engineering practice for gas processing terminals. While the terminal is designed to ensure against a leak of gas, the developer has proposed systems that would detect a leak. The methodology proposed is standard and involves proven fire and gas detection systems. In line with the approval of the Corrib...

Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (4 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: I can confirm to the Deputy that a full reply was issued to him on 3rd November. I outline in brief below the points made in my response. The Government recognises that the cost of energy in Ireland is a serious competitiveness issue facing the enterprise sector during this difficult period for the economy. The provision of secure, sustainable and competitive energy supplies is critical...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (3 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The final tender submissions in relation to the Dundalk biomass district heating scheme were received in late 2009. The principal reason for the delay in finalising the Competition is the necessity to ensure demonstrable value for money for the Contracting Authorities, the (HSE, Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT), and Louth VEC/Department of Education and Skills) in awarding any such...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (3 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: Government policy in relation to the area of local radio broadcasting is set out in the Broadcasting Act, 2009. This recognises the continued importance and need for community broadcasting, and provides for the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, BAI, to prepare a scheme for the granting of funds to support certain categories of new sound broadcasting programmes. One of the objectives of the...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (3 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: In May of this year, I announced a Renewable Energy Feed In Tariff (REFIT) Scheme for electricity generated from biomass, ranging from 8.5 cent per kilowatt hour to 15 cent per kilowatt hour depending on the technology deployed. State Aid Clearance from the European Commission is required before the new feed in tariffs can be implemented. My Department is currently finalising the State Aid...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (3 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: Anaerobic Digestion plants will be supported under new Renewable Energy Feed In Tariffs (REFIT) scheme for electricity generated from biomass. This scheme is not yet open to applications, and therefore no commitment can be made in relation to individual projects. State Aid Clearance from the European Commission is required before the biomass tariffs can be implemented. My Department is...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (3 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The Social Partnership Agreement, Partnership 2000, provides for the creation of Partnership Committees in every Government Department. Such a Committee, which was in existence on the formation of my Department in June 2007, continues to function. No funding has been allocated to that Committee or persons associated with that Committee. Social partnership bodies in agencies under the aegis...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (2 Nov 2010)

Eamon Ryan: Production of first gas from the Corrib gas field is a matter for the developer, SEPIL, subject to conformity with all statutory consent requirements. For the Deputy's information, construction of the Corrib Gas Terminal at Bellanaboy is substantially completed as are the subsea facilities at the Corrib Gas Field. Last summer the 83km offshore section of the Corrib gas pipeline was...