Results 26,541-26,560 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (3 Nov 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 992 and 996 together. It is accepted that even after the full roll-out of the National Broadband Scheme (NBS) there will still be a small percentage of premises that will not be capable of receiving broadband services. This is primarily due to technical and other reasons (suitability of a telephone line, distance from an enabled exchange, no line of sight...

Written Answers — Semi-State Bodies: Semi-State Bodies (3 Nov 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I have no statutory function regarding the construction of specific power lines or in relation to arrangements entered into with landowners by ESB networks and EirGrid. The matters raised are operational matters for the two State bodies with statutory responsibilities to deliver Ireland's transmission and distribution network infrastructure.

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (3 Nov 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 997 and 1001 together. Approval of any RTÉ superannuation pension scheme is required under Section 81 of the Broadcasting Act 2009. A scheme submitted to me under this section shall, if approved of by me with the concurrence of the Minister for Finance, be carried out by RTÉ in accordance with its terms. RTÉ submitted the 50/50 risk sharing pension scheme...

Written Answers — State Agencies: State Agencies (3 Nov 2009)

Eamon Ryan: In my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 267 of 21 October 2009, I stated that membership of the Irish Business and Employers Confederation by bodies operating under the aegis of my Department is a day to day operational issue for those bodies and not one in which I have a role. I will request that the agencies reply directly to the Deputy with the information sought.

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (3 Nov 2009)

Eamon Ryan: My Department has entered into a contract with "3", a Hutchison Whampoa company, for the delivery of the National Broadband Scheme (NBS) in order to provide broadband services to rural areas, many of which do not currently have any broadband service. 3 will be required to provide services to all residences and businesses that are within the NBS area and who seek a service. The availability...

Written Answers — Social Partnership Agreements: Social Partnership Agreements (3 Nov 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department was not charged with establishing any working groups to deal with any matters arising from social partnership agreements. My Department has established a Central Partnership Committee to facilitate and oversee the development and enhancement of partnership within the Department. It aims to help improve organisational performance and efficiency,...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (3 Nov 2009)

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. I understand that broadband is available in the general areas of Cloonfaughna and Glinsk, County Galway, from wireless and satellite service providers. Details of broadband availability from service providers...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (3 Nov 2009)

Eamon Ryan: My Department has 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 is progressing its network roll-out and services have gone live in a number of areas. The entire NBS area must be covered...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (3 Nov 2009)

Eamon Ryan: In relation to the maintenance of postal services, it is Government policy that An Post continues to provide a high quality, nationwide postal service and maintain a nationwide, customer-focused network of post offices. In addition, my Department is preparing for the transposition of the Third Postal Directive, which ensures that the universal service will be maintained and also provides for...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (21 Oct 2009)

Eamon Ryan: Membership of the Irish Business and Employers Confederation by bodies operating under the aegis of my Department is a day to day operational issue for those bodies and not one in which a have a role.

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (21 Oct 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The information requested by the Deputy is almost complete and will issue to him in the next few days.

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (21 Oct 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The objective of the National Broadband Scheme (NBS) is to provide access to affordable, scalable broadband services to rural areas, many of which do not currently have any broadband service. The NBS is being rolled out on an electoral division basis and will address electoral divisions (EDs) that are without adequate broadband services. The terms used to determine the areas that will...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (21 Oct 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 270, 271 and 273 together. The enabling of exchanges for broadband purposes is a matter for the owners of the relevant exchanges. It is anticipated that the facilitation of greater competition via the introduction of broadband from different technology platforms should encourage the more rapid enabling of exchanges. Broadband services are provided by private...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (21 Oct 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I am assuming that the Deputy is referring to female Civil Servants, employed as telephonists by Department of Posts and Telegraphs who were compelled to leave the Civil Service on marriage. The situation for those employees is that a marriage gratuity was paid in lieu of pension benefits and therefore there is no further entitlement to a Civil Service pension.

Seanad: National Marine Mapping Programme: Motion (21 Oct 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I am very glad to be here to reply to the various contributions made and acknowledge the very good work done by our public servants in this area. As Senator Mullen said, too often we concentrate on the negative and do not recognise the things we do that are innovative and progressive. In this area what we are doing is world-class and worthy of recognition. On 6 and 7 October at an...

Seanad: Proposed Postcodes: Statements (21 Oct 2009)

Eamon Ryan: This was a useful and important debate. I will take on board the concerns raised by Senators about the protection of county recognition, the requirement for An Post to be protected by not applying excessive costs and the need to deliver this system in a timely manner. As I acknowledged in my opening contribution, it has been a long and slow process but one which we are prepared to complete....

Seanad: Proposed Postcodes: Statements (21 Oct 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The key task is to agree the data system, the mapping, the allocation of small clusters of between 20 and 40 houses into a particular code and the allocation of addresses to each house. It takes time, however. I want to do it by way of open tender because we want to see the level of input from the range of public and private sector bodies which might have an ability to do those tasks for...

Seanad: Proposed Postcodes: Statements (21 Oct 2009)

Eamon Ryan: To answer Senator Brady's question, my officials and I will go through the various questions he raised in his contribution and reply to him directly on those. There will be ongoing consultation. There has been a good deal of consultation. The original postcodes body investigating this had representation from a range of different interests and therefore as we progress, we will continue that...

Seanad: Proposed Postcodes: Statements (21 Oct 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The Senator is right in that one of the possible outcomes from having such a postcode system, and this goes back to what I said about the economic and employment opportunities available, is that there may be a greater facility for direct mail services on the back of a postal code system. That is the reason we must be careful. While we appreciate that may have certain benefits and...

Seanad: Proposed Postcodes: Statements (21 Oct 2009)

Eamon Ryan: One of the main changes in work practices is that if one is on the Internet and looks to get something addressed to oneself, we are changing the address we give and that will lead to a much more efficient system and may lead to a significant increase in mail business, parcel business and a range of other new services which will create economic and employment opportunities. If there is any...