Results 24,921-24,940 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Telecommunications Services (20 Oct 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The figures I quoted were from a major international study. Those are not figures I have given, rather they have been cited by an outside group which noted that we had doubled our speeds, tripled our broadband penetration and that we were consistently going up the league table. Second, in terms of jobs, last year in the depths of our recession, when the overall e-economy fell by 8% or 9 % ,...

Telecommunications Services (20 Oct 2010)

Eamon Ryan: That is the reality of what is happening on the ground. That is what the University of Oxford noted in its study, which was an independent process.

Telecommunications Services (20 Oct 2010)

Eamon Ryan: I have answered the Deputy's question and gave examples of where we will invest, namely, where there is market failure, particularly if a certain area or sector is left behind. We will invest because we want to get ahead of the game and we will provide public service ICT infrastructure in our schools in particular but also in other areas. That is where the State can invest to create the...

Television Licence Fee (20 Oct 2010)

Eamon Ryan: Part 7 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 provides for public service broadcasting in Ireland and the provisions relating to the public service broadcasting corporations, RTE and TG4, including their principal objectives. These provide the companies' statutory mandates and encapsulate the national policy on public service broadcasting. They include the specific objective of providing national,...

Television Licence Fee (20 Oct 2010)

Eamon Ryan: Yes, I agree we need to do more with broadband roll-out. We cannot be complacent even though an international report states we are 13th in the leadership table. As we roll out our cable and fixed line network and improve our mobile networks, Ireland will, I believe, be in the top ten.

Television Licence Fee (20 Oct 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The report showed a dramatic improvement in the past three years in Irish telecommunications service provision compared with international performances. Real public service is provided by the likes of Matt Cooper, Vincent Browne and a whole range of different journalists. The news and current affairs content, particularly in the independent radio companies and TV3, is important and...

Television Licence Fee (20 Oct 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The fund rather than being broadcaster-led is independent producer-led. There is nothing to prevent an independent producer going to the fund with a proposal. TG4, if I recall, has received a large percentage of the allocation, as have community broadcasters. It has been expanded to include independent radio producers.

Television Licence Fee (20 Oct 2010)

Eamon Ryan: I read the exchange at the Oireachtas communications committee when the authority's chief executive officer acknowledged the delay in producing a budgetary plan and set out the reasons for this. He informed Deputy McManus that it would be presented at the end of October 2010. The sooner the better. While I have had no direct involvement in this process, I am looking forward to receiving...

Electricity Transmission Network (20 Oct 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The independent analysis of the electricity transmission assets by Frontier Economics Limited is being finalised and will be submitted to me shortly. The unbundling of the transmission assets involves the resolution of complex technical, financial and operational issues, as well as the possible development of legislation. The independent analysis includes an assessment of costs, benefits...

Electricity Transmission Network (20 Oct 2010)

Eamon Ryan: I have not seen the report but I understand it has arrived in the Department. It goes through the process of being seen by the Assistant Secretary General and the Secretary General before coming to me for consideration. That process has not yet been completed, so I have not seen a copy of the report yet. I believe it is appropriate to have a separation of the ownership of the EirGrid...

Electricity Transmission Network (20 Oct 2010)

Eamon Ryan: My recollection of the terms of reference is that the report was to consider implementation of the Government policy, as set out in the White Paper in 2007 and in the programme for Government in 2007, which was a separation of the ownership to EirGrid. It was looking at that option. I have not seen the final report to see what other options it might have examined. However, I am interested...

Electricity Transmission Network (20 Oct 2010)

Eamon Ryan: Commissioning this report was part of the process the Department went through in which it set up Fergus Cahill as an independent chairman to bring in the parties to examine how to implement Government policy, which was to bring the network assets into the ownership of EirGrid. That was its primary task. As a side element to its work the report might have examined various different options...

Electricity Transmission Network (20 Oct 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The terms of reference allow consideration of all such matters, including costs, compensation and other mechanisms. It was for that purpose we considered it right to get an independent consultant of international repute to examine what all the costs are. There are different views and assessments of those costs from both companies and other parties that have an interest, such as the ESOP....

Electricity Transmission Network (20 Oct 2010)

Eamon Ryan: My understanding is that in 2006, if I recall correctly, the instigator for the separation of the ownership was set out in a Deloitte report. That initial report was considered by the Government at the time. It was quite a complex report but one of its elements was towards the separation. The initial costings and economic analysis were set within that. This report is for the purpose of...

Energy Conservation (20 Oct 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The national energy efficiency action plan, NEEAP, sets out 90 actions which are already under way, or will be taken in the period to 2020, to achieve the national energy efficiency target. The Government has set a target of 20% across the economy and 33% in the public sector. The savings identified in the action plan represent approximately €1.6 billion in avoided energy costs for the...

Energy Conservation (20 Oct 2010)

Eamon Ryan: For my own Department-----

Energy Conservation (20 Oct 2010)

Eamon Ryan: No, the Deputy asked for figures and facts.

Energy Conservation (20 Oct 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The energy bill for my Department over the past three years has reduced by 42% and last year our energy use decreased by 12.7%. That is an example. We looked through our buildings. I attended a series of meetings with departmental officials to discuss the work the SEAI is doing. The Deputy can make hand signals but he asked-----

Energy Conservation (20 Oct 2010)

Eamon Ryan: I am answering. In my Department, the figures are specific.

Energy Conservation (20 Oct 2010)

Eamon Ryan: Those are real figures and reductions for which I am accountable in my Department.