Results 25,921-25,940 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (2 Mar 2010)

Eamon Ryan: My Department is currently operating within the framework of the public service numbers policy. In this regard, my Department is operating within an authorised staffing level of 275. At the end of January 2010, my Department's whole time equivalent staffing number was 269. There are approximately fourteen staff members due back from career break or maternity leave over the course of the...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (2 Mar 2010)

Eamon Ryan: I regret to advise the Deputy that it is not possible to provide a response to his Question at this time. I will write to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (2 Mar 2010)

Eamon Ryan: EirGrid's most recent report of 8 February advises that there are just over 100 wind farms connected to the grid with an installed wind capacity 1264MW. There are an additional 100 wind farms with a total contracted capacity of 1415MW which have contracted for grid connections which will be built out over the next number of years. The CER decision on the 'Gate 3' round provides for...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (2 Mar 2010)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 452 and 456 together. Government policy pertaining to the electronic communications market in Ireland is set out in "Next Generation Broadband – Gateway to a Knowledge Ireland", which I published in June 2009. The policy paper was developed in accordance with various key principles, which are crucial to the development of the market. The policy paper sets...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (2 Mar 2010)

Eamon Ryan: Under Directive 2009/28/EC Ireland, together with all other Member States, is obliged to submit a National Renewable Energy Action Plan to the Commission by next June. My Department and Sustainable Ireland are working on the detailed modelling which will underpin the projections for each year up to 2020 on the contribution of renewable energy to electricity, heat and transport. Precise...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (2 Mar 2010)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 455 and 461 to 463, inclusive, together. The issues raised by the Deputy are appropriate to ComReg, the independent regulator which enables competition in the communications sector by facilitating market entry through a general authorisation to provide networks and services. I have no role in relation to these matters.

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (2 Mar 2010)

Eamon Ryan: I regret to advise the Deputy that due to industrial action it is not possible to deal with his question.

Written Answers — National Grid: National Grid (2 Mar 2010)

Eamon Ryan: 6,593 megawatts (MW) of generation capacity is currently connected to the grid. Connection agreements are in place for 3,906MW and a further approximately 5,800 MW are in the Gate 3 process established by CER to connect to the transmission and distribution systems. It is intended to connect all of this capacity as part of the ongoing development of the electricity distribution and...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Sector: Broadcasting Sector (2 Mar 2010)

Eamon Ryan: In the context of the development of broadcasting policy, my officials and I have cause, on a regular basis, to meet with the various interests that comprise the broadcasting sector. This includes interaction with the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, as well as meetings with commercial and public service broadcasters, independent producers and other stakeholders. I am not in a position to...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (2 Mar 2010)

Eamon Ryan: My Department occupies a Head-Quarters building at Adelaide Road, Dublin 2 as well as accommodation at Elm House Cavan. The Department also shares Tom Johnson House, Beggars Bush, Haddington Road Dublin 4 with the Labour Court/Labour Relations Commission. There are car parking spaces available at each site. All of the buildings are either State owned or leased through the Office of Public...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (2 Mar 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The table below sets out the number and grade of staff who qualified for performance related pay in my Department prior to that payment being abolished and also the appropriate pay scales with effect from 1st January 2010. Grade Number of Staff in Grade Pay Scale Deputy Secretary 1 €168,000 Assistant Secretary 3 €127,796; €133,605€139,898; €146,191

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (2 Mar 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The position remains that any future broadband investment decisions, including investment in any further phases of the Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) Programme, will be guided by (i) the policy paper on Next Generation Broadband, which was published in June 2009 (ii) the Value for Money and Policy Review of Phase I of the MANs Programme, which was published in July 2008 and (iii) the...

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (25 Feb 2010)

Eamon Ryan: I regret to advise the Deputy that it is not possible to provide a response to his Question at this time. I will write to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (25 Feb 2010)

Eamon Ryan: I regret to advise the Deputy that it is not possible to provide a response to his Question at this time. I will write to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

Written Answers — Energy Prices: Energy Prices (25 Feb 2010)

Eamon Ryan: Responsibility for the regulation of natural gas prices is a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), which is an independent statutory body. I have no function in setting or regulating energy prices. The CER regulates the domestic and small business customer tariffs charged by Bord Gáis Energy Supply. It does not regulate the large industrial segment of the market. From...

Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (24 Feb 2010)

Eamon Ryan: I regret to advise the Deputy that due to industrial action it is not possible to deal with his question.

Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (24 Feb 2010)

Eamon Ryan: I regret to advise the Deputy that due to industrial action it is not possible to deal with his question.

Unemployment: Motion (Resumed) (24 Feb 2010)

Eamon Ryan: I am thrilled to be able to speak about the NewERA proposal. It would be the quango to end all quangos - the HSE on steroids.

Unemployment: Motion (Resumed) (24 Feb 2010)

Eamon Ryan: It would be a bizarre six-humped corporate camel. Fine Gael is proposing that 100 officials in the Department of the Taoiseach should be running our electricity, gas and broadband grids, as well as our water services, our forests and bogs and our building insulation industry. It is bizarre. I do not think it has been thought through.

Unemployment: Motion (Resumed) (24 Feb 2010)

Eamon Ryan: I do not think it would work. I know it would not work. Some elements of Fine Gael's energy proposals make sense. We are providing for smart metering and electric vehicles. We are spending €1 million a week in support of the 3,500 contractors who are involved in the insulation programme. I want to pursue the Grid 25 strategy. The biggest obstacle in the way of Grid 25 is the attempt...