Results 2,501-2,520 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Metropolitan Area Networks Programme (30 Apr 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: There are no plans to add further towns to the Metropolitan Area Networks programme at this time. The Government however recognises the need to ensure that high speed broadband is available in all parts of Ireland to underpin economic growth, enable eCommerce and greater connectivity for citizens generally. To this end, the National Broadband Plan, which I published in August last, aims to...

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. I am not aware of any plans to locate wind turbines on the banks...

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

Pat Rabbitte: Bord Gáis Éireann has invested both capital and resources into specific research and development projects providing support to emerging technologies and it is hoped that this investment will deliver added value to the company’s energy business, Bord Gáis Energy, which will shortly be offered for sale as part of the State Assets Disposal Programme. Any future funding by...

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

Pat Rabbitte: In that regard, the Government has sought to ensure that the burden of taxation is not excessive and does not discourage job creation. The last Budget specifically contained a ten point tax reform plan to support small businesses. The measures contained in the Budget are intended to assist small businesses in a number of ways, including:helping their cash flow position; helping them access...

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

Pat Rabbitte: In line with this commitment, my Department is involved in the ongoing analysis and policy development work that is necessary in advance of the implementation of any changes that may be required. The overall aim of Public Service Broadcasting is to provide services and content which cater for all interests in society, while ensuring that the varied elements of Irish culture and its...

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

Pat Rabbitte: As the Deputy is aware, Energy Ministers met in Dublin over two days last week to discuss various topics relevant to the way forward for European energy policy. The deliberations commenced with a joint discussion with Environment Ministers to help identify key priority issues which will be needed to ensure a coherent post 2020 energy and climate policy framework facilitating a transition to a...

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

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 355 to 357, inclusive, together. The River Feale counter is located approximately 5 kilometres downstream of Listowel Town in the townland of Scartleigh at the Kerry County Council water abstraction plant. The counter is a one channel counter operated on a crump which was installed to assist fish over the large weir. I am advised the counter works very well...

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

Pat Rabbitte: I can confirm that arrangements will be put in place shortly to publish the diary of the Secretary General of my Department on the website of the Department.

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

Pat Rabbitte: The State can only intervene in the broadband market to ensure access to broadband services in areas where the competitive market has failed to deliver such services. The National Broadband Scheme and the Rural Broadband Scheme (NBS & RBS) are examples of such market interventions to provide basic broadband services in areas of the country not served on a commercial basis. Between...

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: Broadcasting Legislation (30 Apr 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 361 and 365 together. In line with this commitment, my Department is involved in the ongoing analysis and policy development work that is necessary in advance of the implementation of any changes that may be required. The replacement of the existing funding system based on the collection of television licence fees with one based on the imposition of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Public Procurement Contracts Tenders (30 Apr 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The procurement process to select a postcode management licence holder to implement a National Postcode System which began in 2011 with the publication of a Pre-Qualification Questionnaire on www.etenders.gov.ie is still ongoing. The reference to a tender in Parliamentary Question number 746 of 16 April 2013 was, in fact, a reference to the concluding stage of this procurement. It was not a...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Better Energy Homes Scheme Applications (30 Apr 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The Better Energy Programme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). The Better Energy: Homes scheme provides support to homeowners towards the installation of attic and wall insulation, and heating system upgrades including solar thermal with the works being undertaken by privately appointed contractors. The grant in question is on hold pending resolution of...

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

Pat Rabbitte: The provision of wood pellets in the Irish market is a matter for the producers and importers of the product. I am aware that there are some local market issues which have resulted in a shortage of wood pellets in the Irish market. However, I understand that wood pellets are an internationally traded commodity and there is no shortage of this product worldwide. I believe, therefore, that...

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

Pat Rabbitte: As Minister for Communications Energy and Natural Resources, I have policy responsibility for providing a supportive legislative and regulatory environment to facilitate the development of high quality communications infrastructure and services. However, I do not have sole responsibility for addressing how that infrastructure is used. Responsibility of certain potentially harmful content...

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

Pat Rabbitte: The Affordable Energy Strategy was developed by the Inter-Departmental/Agency Group on Affordable Energy (IDGAE) and published in November 2011 as part of the Department’s commitment in the Programme for Government to help mitigate energy poverty. The Strategy is key to protecting the most vulnerable in our society who may be at risk of energy poverty and provides a framework for...

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

Pat Rabbitte: As Minister for Communications Energy and Natural Resources, I have policy responsibility for providing a supportive legislative and regulatory environment to facilitate the development of high quality communications infrastructure and services. However, I do not have sole responsibility for addressing how that infrastructure is used. Responsibility of certain potentially harmful content...

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

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 369, 371 and 372 together. International comparison tables of broadband speeds and services should be interpreted with some caution. International comparisons do not take account of high speed services at speeds up to and exceeding 1 gigabit per second which are contracted by heavy users of such service for use using leased lines or comparable links....

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: Exploration Licences Numbers (30 Apr 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The number of Mineral Prospecting Licences and Petroleum Exploration Licences granted in each year between 1 January 2009 and to date in 2013 is set out in the following table: Licences granted during period 2009 – 2013 (to date) Year Prospecting Licences (Minerals) Petroleum Exploration Licences 2009 66 1 2010 93 0 2011 98 2 2012 102 0 2013 7 0 Total 366 3 While there have...