Results 2,561-2,580 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Gas and Electricity Disconnections (16 Apr 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Responsibility for the regulation of the electricity and gas markets, including disconnections, is a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), which is an independent statutory regulator and one in which I have no statutory function. The CER provides quarterly and annual updates on the electricity and gas retail markets, including on disconnections, and further information may be...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Schemes (16 Apr 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers a number of schemes under the Better Energy programme on behalf of my Department. The Better Energy Homes scheme provides a financial incentive to private homeowners who wish to improve the energy performance of their homes. Fixed grants are provided towards the cost of a range of measures including attic insulation, wall...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Semi-State Bodies Remuneration (16 Apr 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: On 26 March 2013, I appointed Mr. Christoph Mueller as Director and Chairperson of An Post for a period of five years. The remuneration in respect of this appointment will be at a rate of €31,500 per annum. There are no pension arrangements associated with this appointment.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Incentives (16 Apr 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: My Department does not provide direct funding to schools who wish to use renewable energy on their premises. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, which is under the aegis of my Department, provides guidance on energy management in schools and An Taisce runs a Green Schools programme and award scheme in Ireland in co-operation with Local Authorities. Green Schools is an...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Gas Exploration Licences (16 Apr 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 722 and 723 together. In 2012, Shell E&P Ireland applied for a permit under its Petroleum Prospecting Licence 1/12 to acquire 3D OBC seismic data over the Corrib Gas Field. It was the developer’s intention to complete this survey in 2012 but this was not possible for technical and poor weather reasons. The developer is now planning to acquire...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadcasting Sector Regulation (16 Apr 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: RTÉ is an independent national public service broadcaster whose remit and obligations are set out in Section 114 of the Broadcasting Act 2009. Section 98 provides that the company shall be independent in the pursuance of these objects, subject to the requirements of the Act and as such, I, as Minister, have no function in the management of RTÉ’s day to day affairs including...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadcasting Sector Regulation (16 Apr 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland's Annual Report and Accounts for 2011 was laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas on 11th April.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services Provision (16 Apr 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Ireland’s telecommunications market has been fully liberalised since 1999 in accordance with the requirements of binding EU Directives. The market has since developed into a well-regulated market, supporting a multiplicity of commercial operators, providing services over a diverse range of technology platforms. Details of broadband services available in each County, including County...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Wind Energy Guidelines (16 Apr 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Information on numbers of wind farms currently being constructed are not held by my Department, EirGrid (the Transmission System Operator) or ESB Networks (the Distribution System Operator). However, data published by EirGrid indicates that 25 larger wind farms are contracted to connect to the high voltage transmission grid and data published by ESB Networks shows that 74 wind farms are...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Wind Energy Guidelines (16 Apr 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Keeping the cost of energy in Ireland as low as possible is important for all consumers and plays a critical role in maintaining our overall economic competiveness. Late last year the Government agreed with my decision on cost grounds not to proceed with an application to the European Commission for State Aid clearance for a higher priced feed in tariff to support offshore wind development...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Wind Energy Guidelines (16 Apr 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The construction of onshore wind farms in Ireland is subject to the Planning and Development Acts, including the requirements for public consultation irrespective of the source of funding for their construction. Best practice Wind Energy Guidelines were also published in 2006. Currently, the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government – in conjunction with my...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Nuclear Plants (16 Apr 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The matter raised in the question is the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. I refer the Deputy to the reply to Question No. 781 on today’s Order Paper.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Alternative Energy Projects (16 Apr 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Bord Gáis Éireann is a commercial State company and this is an operational matter for the Board and not one in which I have a function. SWS Natural Resources Limited was part of a business originally founded by the South Western Cattle Breeding Society. In December 2009 Bord Gáis Éireann acquired SWS Natural Resources Limited, a renewable energy business which included...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Telecommunications Services Provision (16 Apr 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The market for the provision of telecommunications network facilities and services is fully liberalised. These are therefore matters for commercial operators authorised by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), the independent regulator of the telecommunications market. I have no statutory function in relation to the provision of such facilities nor have I a shareholder role...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadcasting Sector Remuneration (16 Apr 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: RTÉ is an independent national public service broadcaster whose remit and obligations are set out in Section 114 of the Broadcasting Act 2009. Section 98 provides that the company shall be independent in the pursuance of these objects, subject to the requirements of the Act and as such, I, as Minister, have no function in the management of RTÉ’s day to day affairs including...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Ministerial Travel (16 Apr 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I was abroad on official business in the United States over the period 13th March to 17th of March. While there, my intensive programme of events and engagements was aimed primarily at promoting Ireland as a location for investment. I was accompanied by my Private Secretary and my Special Adviser. The cost incurred by my Department to date amounts to €4,068.76.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electricity Generation (16 Apr 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Prices in the retail market have now been fully deregulated, effective since 4 April 2011, and there is no longer scope for specifying a regulated tariff/payment for microgeneration in the retail market as part of the Commission for Energy Regulation’s (CER) tariff setting. Individual supply companies, however, remain free to make payment offerings in respect of surplus electricity...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services Provision (16 Apr 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 736 and 737 together. Ireland’s telecommunications market has been fully liberalised since 1999 in accordance with the requirements of binding EU Directives. The market has since developed into a well-regulated market, supporting a multiplicity of commercial operators, providing services over a diverse range of technology platforms. Details of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Croke Park Agreement Implementation (16 Apr 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The implementation and the provision of information on the extent of the application of the Croke Park II Agreement are matters for my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. It is my understanding, however, that, as in the case of the first Croke Park agreement, the proposed new public service agreement - Croke Park II – will not pertain to staff in RTÉ....

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Gas Exploration Licences (16 Apr 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 739 to 741, inclusive, together. Details of all extant petroleum authorisations made under the Petroleum and Other Minerals Development Act 1960, e.g. petroleum exploration licences, petroleum licensing options and petroleum prospecting licences can be found in the half-yearly reports made to the Houses of the Oireachtas under the Act. An acreage report and...