Results 26,201-26,220 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Alternative Energy Projects. (26 Jan 2010)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 98 and 147 together. The Minister of State, Deputy Conor Lenihan, and I have stated on a number of occasions our commitment to the early provision of a legislative framework for the exploration for and development of geothermal energy. Accordingly, in the course of 2009, I instructed my Department to prioritise the drafting of a general scheme of a Bill with...

Alternative Energy Projects. (26 Jan 2010)

Eamon Ryan: I appreciate the Deputy's comments in that regard. It is a major Bill and needs to be drafted at the same time as we are producing the minerals development Bill, which is also very extensive. However, I believe it will be possible to develop both Bills quickly and I look forward to introducing them.

Alternative Energy Projects. (26 Jan 2010)

Eamon Ryan: It falls under the remit and brief of the Minister of State, Deputy Conor Lenihan. He is absolutely right that it is being given priority. Resources from my Department and the Office of the Attorney General are being allocated to it to get it over the line as quickly as possible. Getting the heads of a Bill in February, in the very short time since it was proposed to take that action, is a...

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (20 Jan 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The new National Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme administered by Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) which was announced in Budget 2010 has the objective of radically improving the energy efficiency of both domestic and non-domestic building stock nationwide, with a particular emphasis on low-income households. The detailed design of the new programme will be finalised and subject to...

Written Answers — Departmental Websites: Departmental Websites (20 Jan 2010)

Eamon Ryan: My Department manages a number of websites that are focused on delivering information and mapping services to the wide range of stakeholders that have an interest in the Communications, Energy, and Natural Resources areas for which my Department is responsible. As the unique visitor numbers illustrate, the websites vary between those of general interest, and specialised websites which supply...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (20 Jan 2010)

Eamon Ryan: At the request of my Department, Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) has commissioned a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) on Wave, Tidal and Offshore Wind Development in Irish waters. The Ocean Energy Development Unit in SEI is progressing the SEA with the assistance of expert technical advice. The process is being overseen by a Steering Group which comprises my Department, SEI, the...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Legislation: Broadcasting Legislation (20 Jan 2010)

Eamon Ryan: This issue is a matter for the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. The Broadcasting Act 2009 provides for the Compliance Committee of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland to accept complaints from the general public in relation to a range of issues. The grounds and procedures for making complaints are set out in Section 48 of the Act. The Compliance Committee of the Broadcasting Authority...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (20 Jan 2010)

Eamon Ryan: Broadband services are provided by private service providers over various platforms including DSL (i.e over the telephone lines), fixed wireless, mobile, cable, satellite and fibre. Details of the availability of broadband services in County Roscommon, are available at www.broadband.gov.ie. I would add that the information contained in this website is provided by service providers....

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (20 Jan 2010)

Eamon Ryan: There are currently 153 wind farm projects proceeding through the Gate 3 process. The list of Renewable Projects in Gate 3 has been published by the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) and available on its website (http://www.cer.ie). There are 10 Wind Farm projects in Gate 3 located in the Galway area. The total capacity applied for is 407.59 MW. 8 of these projects are due to receive...

Written Answers — Energy Regulation: Energy Regulation (20 Jan 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The regulation of electricity network charges is the statutory responsibility of the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), under the Electricity Regulation Act 1999. I have no function in setting these tariffs. The CER reduced the network charges for all domestic and business customers from May 1st 2009 which resulted in an average decrease of electricity bills of 10.3%. This brought...

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Premium Rate Services and Electronic Communications Infrastructure) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (20 Jan 2010)

Eamon Ryan: I welcome the support of Senators for Second Stage of this Bill. I shall deal with a couple of points. Senator O'Reilly said something that bears repeating about the good work the existing agency, Regtel, has been doing. We acknowledge this, while recognising the lack of statutory powers which hindered Regtel from doing the work necessary, especially in an evolving area, thus requiring us...

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Premium Rate Services and Electronic Communications Infrastructure) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (20 Jan 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The Senator is right. The question then is whether the customer is not looking for it, because unwarranted advertising is a very serious issue. It is slightly different from the premium rates services issue. In that sense it is a contract that is entered into, either wittingly or unwittingly, whereas the issue of unwarranted communications is primarily a matter for the Data Protection...

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Premium Rate Services and Electronic Communications Infrastructure) Bill 2009: Second Stage (20 Jan 2010)

Eamon Ryan: I am pleased to bring this important Bill before the Seanad for its consideration. The primary purpose of the Bill is to transfer the function of regulating premium rate services from Regtel to the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. During its passage through the other House, I introduced an important amendment to the Bill that changed it from one dealing solely with premium...

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Premium Rate Services and Electronic Communications Infrastructure) Bill 2009: Second Stage (20 Jan 2010)

Eamon Ryan: No, I am due to leave at 5.30 p.m.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (19 Jan 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The Greener Homes Scheme, which supports installation of renewable heating technology in homes, is now in its third phase. To date, over 37,000 applications have been received for grant aid under the Scheme, with over €61m paid to over 24,000 applicants. The third phase of the Greener Homes Scheme is limited to existing houses defined as residences that are over one year. This was...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (19 Jan 2010)

Eamon Ryan: Following scientific research conducted by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) indicating that the European eel stocks are in a critical state, the EU introduced Council Regulation 1100/2007, the objective of which is to achieve recovery of the stocks to previous high levels. The Regulation required that all Member States prepare a national Eel Management Plan...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (19 Jan 2010)

Eamon Ryan: Broadband services are provided over various platforms including DSL (i.e. over telephone lines), fixed wireless, mobile, cable, satellite and fibre by private sector service providers. I understand that broadband is available in Turlough, County Mayo, from wireless and satellite service providers and therefore this area will not be addressed by the National Broadband Scheme (NBS). Details...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (19 Jan 2010)

Eamon Ryan: There are currently 292 staff (272 whole-time equivalents) employed in my Department. Information on the qualifications of individual staff members is held on their Personnel file if it has been disclosed to our Human Resources Division. Data on qualifications held by individual staff members is not recorded centrally but I will compile the information sought and forward it to the Deputy as...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (19 Jan 2010)

Eamon Ryan: The information provided by the Deputy relates to the commercial operations of a private company, in this case, the planned enablement of an exchange by eircom. This is a matter for the company and I am not in a position to comment on it. In my reply to the Deputy on 3 November 2009 I set out that the area of St. Johnston, County Donegal, would receive broadband under the National Broadband...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (19 Jan 2010)

Eamon Ryan: In December 2008, my Department entered into a contract with "3", a Hutchison Whampoa company, for the delivery of the National Broadband Scheme (NBS). 3 is required to provide services to all residences and businesses that are within the NBS area and which seek a service. The company continues to progress its network roll-out and services have gone live in almost half of the designated...