Results 25,141-25,160 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Written Answers — Global Positioning Systems: Global Positioning Systems (29 Sep 2010)

Eamon Ryan: I am aware of the website www.myloc8ion.com. As this is a private sector operation I have no function or responsibility for the development of this or similar postcode products by private operators in the market place. I am still targeting the end of 2011 for the full implementation of a National Postcode System (NPS).

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

Eamon Ryan: I regret to advise the Deputy that it was not possible to compile the information requested in the time allotted. I will write to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

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

Eamon Ryan: The rollout of broadband services to the areas designated under the National Broadband Scheme (NBS) is nearing completion and there are no plans to extend the scope of the Scheme. Prior to the commencement of the NBS a detailed mapping exercise was carried out to help determine those areas that would be included in the scheme and those which, by virtue of being already substantially served...

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

Eamon Ryan: Prior to the commencement of the National Broadband Scheme (NBS) a detailed mapping exercise was carried out to help determine those areas that would be included in the scheme and those which, by virtue of being already substantially served by existing broadband suppliers, could not be included. EU State aid and competition rules govern how states can intervene in areas where there are...

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

Eamon Ryan: Details of all the areas to be covered by the National Broadband Scheme (NBS), including the current status of the NBS rollout, are available at www.three.ie/nbs. Under the NBS contract, all Electoral Divisions (EDs) in the NBS Coverage Area must have broadband coverage by late October 2010. With particular reference to County Cork, all of the 96 designated EDs within the county can now...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (29 Sep 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 continuing their examination of the position and I will revert to the Deputy as soon as possible.

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

Eamon Ryan: In the context of preparing legislation to transpose the third postal directive my Department has reviewed the extant legislation concerning the delivery of postal services. In a common law context, the obligation on the postal service provider to deliver all letters to the addressees (and only to return to the sender in very limited and defined circumstances) is an essential feature of the...

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

Eamon Ryan: The provision of broadband services is in the first instance a matter for private sector service providers. These services are provided over various platforms including DSL (i.e. over telephone lines), fixed wireless, mobile, cable, fibre and satellite. In cases of market failure the Government will intervene, where it is appropriate and possible to do so. Such intervention is governed by...

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

Eamon Ryan: The changes in the regulated electricity prices for domestic consumers from this October are attributable to the re-introduction of the Public Service Obligation (PSO) Levy due to the decline in gas prices. The key elements of this levy, which supports renewable and indigenous peat generation, were first put in place in 2001. The Levy was set at zero for the years 2007, 2008 and 2009 as a...

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

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1560 and 1561 together. The Broadcasting Act 2009 provides for the development of an Oireachtas Channel and an Irish Film Channel, including a right of carriage on the RTÉ digital terrestrial television multiplex in respect of these channels. In accordance with section 125 of the Act, the Commission of the Houses of the Oireachtas may establish a public...

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

Eamon Ryan: The National Oil Reserves Agency Limited (NORA) is responsible for ensuring that Ireland meets its EU and International Energy Agency (IEA) obligations to maintain 90 days' oil stocks for use in the event of an oil supply disruption. NORA meets its stock-holding obligations by a combination of wholly-owned stocks and by entering into agreements with third parties in Ireland and other EU...

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

Eamon Ryan: Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) are high-speed, open access, carrier neutral electronic communications networks, which facilitate competition in the electronic communications market in regional towns and cities nationwide. The MANs Programme, which commenced in 2002, has so far delivered eighty-six optical fibre based networks to ninety-two towns and cities throughout the country. Phase I...

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

Eamon Ryan: The National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NEEAP) sets out 90 actions that Government is either already taking or will take in the period to 2020 to achieve the national energy efficiency targets 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 economy in 2020. There is a...

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

Eamon Ryan: The use of the spectrum that will be released following the switchover from analogue to digital broadcasting, the 'digital dividend' has been the subject of public consultations by ComReg, the Irish spectrum management authority. Spectrum policy relating to the digital dividend involves balancing the competing demands of different, though converging, sectors and identifying priorities and a...

Written Answers — Communications Masts: Communications Masts (29 Sep 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The regulation of telecommunications operators, including regulatory issuessurrounding access by operators to other operators' networks including infrastructure is the responsibility of the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) in accordance with its functions under the Communications Regulation Act 2002 and the Regulations, which transpose the EU Regulatory Framework for...

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (29 Sep 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The table below details the appointment dates, length of contract and due date of renewal, where applicable, for the Chief Executives and equivalent grades of the 15 relevant Agencies under the aegis of my Department:

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

Eamon Ryan: Section 101(1) of the Broadcasting Act, 2009 provides that RTÉ, following a public consultation, shall prepare not later than 12 July 2010 (12 months after the passing of the Act) a public service statement setting out the principles to be observed and activities to be undertaken by it. RTÉ submitted their public service statement to me on July 12, 2010 in line with the requirements of the...

Written Answers — Unfair Competition: Unfair Competition (29 Sep 2010)

Eamon Ryan: I have received a detailed written submission from National Newspapers of Ireland on a number of matters of concern to them including those raised by the Deputy, and I propose to meet with National Newspapers of Ireland in the near future to discuss these further. As the Deputy will be aware, the Broadcasting Act 2009 sets out, inter alia, the principal objects and associated powers and...

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

Eamon Ryan: An Post is charged with the role of "issuing agent" in respect of the collection and administration of television licence fees in accordance with the provisions of section 145 of the Broadcasting Act 2009. My Department currently has a contract in place with An Post for the execution of this role. Notwithstanding this, section 145(3) of the 2009 Act provides the option to designate an...

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

Eamon Ryan: Both the Statement of Strategy and the Annual Output Statement for my Department set out that the ensuring of "a fully sustainable, secure and competitive energy market underpinned by diverse energy sources, energy efficiency and robust infrastructure" is a key high level goal for the energy sector. This is underpinned by a programme goal "to enhance the competitiveness of energy markets"....