Results 25,121-25,140 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (29 Sep 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The cross-Departmental/Agency Bioenergy Working Group is currently finalising a Bioenergy Road Map to 2020, which will underpin the contribution of bioenergy to Ireland's Renewable Energy target for 2020 and which will be submitted to me in the near future. I announced earlier this year proposed REFIT tariffs for bioenergy produced from biomass, which will help foster the development of a...

Written Answers — Energy Prices: Energy Prices (29 Sep 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The Government recognises that the cost of energy in Ireland is a competitiveness issue facing the enterprise sector during this difficult period for the economy. The provision of secure, sustainable and competitive energy supplies is critical for the economy. Ireland's recent higher energy costs, by comparison with EU average prices, were primarily due to significant dependence on volatile...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (29 Sep 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The Renewable Energy Feed In Tariffs (REFIT) for bioenergy, which I announced earlier this year, require State Aid clearance from the European Commission before they can be implemented. My Department is currently finalising the State Aid application for submission to the Commission. Miscanthus remains a realistic option for consideration as an energy crop, together with other energy crops,...

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (29 Sep 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The details requested in respect of staffing in my constituency offices and those of Ministers of State assigned to my Department are outlined in the tables herewith. The salary amounts include employers PRSI and overtime. Expenses are indicated where appropriate. Minister Eamon Ryan Constituency Office staffing June 2007-2010 Grade 2010 (Amount paid to date) 2009 2008 2007...

Written Answers — Compulsory Purchase Orders: Compulsory Purchase Orders (29 Sep 2010)

Eamon Ryan: This is a day to day operational matter for Bord Na Móna and not one in which I have a function. I am informed by Bord na Móna that the Board purchased all rights, title and interests over the lands in question between 1959 and 1973 and the Company has continuing development plans in this area. I am advised that the Board is not in a position to return the lands to any former owners or...

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (29 Sep 2010)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1531 and 1555 together. My Department currently occupies three leased premises. The leases are negotiated and managed by the Office of Public Works and issues in relation to these leases are a matter for that office. They leased buildings are— 29/31 Adelaide Road, Dublin 2, which is the HQ building, a part of Elm House, Earlsvale Road, Cavan, and a...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (29 Sep 2010)

Eamon Ryan: Section 103 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 provides for both RTÉ and TG4 to vary the number of channels it operates subject to the consent of the Minister. This section also sets out the procedure that the Minister must adopt in making a decision on whether to consent to any new or additional channels. These procedures provide for the Minister to, inter alia, consult with RTÉ and other...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (29 Sep 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The table below lists the Government decisions on the stamps programme 2008 to date in 2010. No proposals on the stamps design and topics were rejected by Government in the period. The Philatelic Advisory Committee in An Post has responsibility for selecting what topics comprise each annual stamp programme. Any proposals for stamp topics submitted to the Department are forwarded to the...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (29 Sep 2010)

Eamon Ryan: 74 schools were connected with 100Mbps broadband by April 2010 with the remaining four schools completed in May 2010. All schools participating in the project are connected to the Schools 100Mbps Network, managed and maintained by HEAnet on behalf of my Department. All 78 schools are actively using the network. A list of the 78 post primary schools participating in the project is shown in...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (29 Sep 2010)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1536 and 1537 together. The Decentralisation Programme as originally announced in December 2003, included the proposal to relocate the headquarter of my department to Cavan, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland to Dundalk, Inland Fisheries Ireland to Carrick-on-Shannon and Ordnance Survey Ireland to Dungarvan. As announced by the Minister for Finance...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (29 Sep 2010)

Eamon Ryan: Eircom is a private company and is entitled to implement the corporate structure that best meets its needs provided that appropriate engagement takes place with the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) on any regulatory issues that might arise in a separated company. The Government has no role in the corporate strategy of a private company and ComReg is statutorily independent...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (29 Sep 2010)

Eamon Ryan: One of the main aims of the Broadcasting Act 2009 was to provide opportunities for the development of a commercial digital terrestrial television (DTT) service in Ireland. In this regard, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) was given the role of providing for commercial DTT service providers. In particular, the legislation made provision for the BAI to enter into contracts with...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (29 Sep 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The Renewable Energy Feed in Tariff (REFIT) scheme was introduced in 2006 encompassing electricity from onshore wind, small hydro, biomass combustion and landfill gas. I have subsequently announced the expansion of the scheme to cover electricity from offshore wind, wave and tidal energy, biomass CHP and Anaerobic Digestion. REFIT schemes are subject to State Aid clearance by the European...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (29 Sep 2010)

Eamon Ryan: There are no existing proposals for the amalgamation of Coillte Teo and Bord na Móna. The broader issue of how State assets can be better used or disposed of to support the public finances and more generally, the investment priorities of State bodies, is currently the subject of consideration by the Review Group on State Assets and Liabilities.

Written Answers — Energy Prices: Energy Prices (29 Sep 2010)

Eamon Ryan: Public Service Obligations (or PSOs) are imposed to achieve national energy policy objectives which would not otherwise be delivered by competitive energy markets. In line with EU and national legislation, PSOs have been imposed to support power generation from peat as an indigenous fuel supply for security of supply purposes, to support renewable generation capacity to reduce emissions and...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (29 Sep 2010)

Eamon Ryan: ComReg's website www.callcosts.ie provides detailed information on the various private sector telecommunications products and services available on a county by county basis. More generally, the provision of broadband services is in the first instance a matter for private sector service providers. Government does however, intervene in the market in instances of clear market failure, as in the...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (29 Sep 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The regulation of charges in the natural gas market, including transmission and supply tariffs to final customers, is the statutory responsibility of the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) under the Gas (Interim) Regulation Act 2002. Section 14 of the 2002 Act provides that the CER may set the basis for charges for transporting gas through the transmission systems. Transmission charges...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (29 Sep 2010)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1546 and 1548 together. The licensing of any wireless telegraphy apparatus is a function of ComReg under the Wireless Telegraphy Acts. In accordance with Section 12B of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1926 (inserted by Section 34(f) of the Broadcasting Act, 1960), any person who uses any apparatus for the purpose of interfering with any wireless telegraphy shall...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (29 Sep 2010)

Eamon Ryan: I can inform the Deputy that there are seven commercial bodies, which are State owned enterprises, under the aegis of my Department. The following table outlines the information requested in respect of the 2009 and 2008 financial years. Agency Date Most Recent Annual Report Received Date Annual Report Approved by Department Date Previous Year's Annual Report Received Date Annual Report...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (29 Sep 2010)

Eamon Ryan: EirGrid applied for planning consent for the Meath Tyrone 400kV Interconnection Development Project in December 2009, under the Planning and Development Act 2000 as inserted by the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act 2006. An Bord Pleanála convened an oral hearing on the matter on 10th May 2010. On Wednesday 23rd June, it was drawn to EirGrid's and the inspector's...