Results 26,901-26,920 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Electricity Generation. (18 Jun 2009)

Eamon Ryan: Yes, but the cable would have been shorter and less powerful. This provides some form of benchmark. We are satisfied that the contract and tendering process was proper and above board. The crucial assessment comes down to what will be the benefits. EirGrid, separate to any of the international companies, carried out such an assessment.

Electricity Generation. (18 Jun 2009)

Eamon Ryan: It is the point.

Electricity Generation. (18 Jun 2009)

Eamon Ryan: There will be a benefit of some €66 million to the electricity market in this country per annum.

Electricity Generation. (18 Jun 2009)

Eamon Ryan: This means the net benefit of the project to the consumer and the electricity market will be extremely positive.

Electricity Generation. (18 Jun 2009)

Eamon Ryan: It is difficult to determine what represents the right price. We engaged in a tendering process involving three major, world-renowned companies. Only one of those companies could be successful. I acknowledge it is a seller's rather than a buyer's market. However, we obtained a competitive bid which stands up to international comparison. The benefits to the consumer and the electricity...

Electric Vehicle Programme. (18 Jun 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to answer Question Nos. 7, 8 and 22 together. In conjunction with the Minister for Transport, I have announced plans for the large scale deployment of electric vehicles in Ireland. The target of 10% of all vehicles to be powered by electricity by 2020 will equate to 250,000 cars on Irish roads. The interdeparmental-interagency task force is chaired by my Department and comprises...

Electric Vehicle Programme. (18 Jun 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I do not have an exact date for the publication of the report. However, it will be issued shortly. I will provide the Deputy with a broad outline of what we envisage will happen over the first two years of the strategy. The first point to make is that the strategy is dependent on the availability of suitable vehicles. Nothing can be done until such vehicles become available. From...

Electric Vehicle Programme. (18 Jun 2009)

Eamon Ryan: We are seeking memorandums of understanding with other manufacturers because crucially, car availability is the constraint. I fully agree with the Deputy. We should be ambitious in this regard and ahead of the curve as a country. In a sense we should be ahead of the people in providing facilities for them because I believe this will be enormously positive for the country. We are also...

Telecommunications Services. (18 Jun 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 43 together. My Department entered into a contract with "3", a Hutchison Whampoa company, for the delivery of the national broadband scheme, NBS, in December 2008. Within my Department, the implementation of the NBS is being overseen at senior management level by full-time civil servants at the grades of assistant secretary and principal officer....

Telecommunications Services. (18 Jun 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I would have to check the stage at which that was included but I imagine it is because it is fairly standard procedure in some of our other similar projects. For example, the MANS always had a technical advisory component as it was being implemented as well as at the concept stage. On similar projects there is always that technical outside assessment of whether it is being delivered.

Telecommunications Services. (18 Jun 2009)

Eamon Ryan: It is to be rolled out in September 2010.

Telecommunications Services. (18 Jun 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The 28 month tendered bid was for a total of €399,000 and for the various stages of that right through to the end of the scheme. The Minister asked whether we can be certain there will be no planning delays. One cannot be certain. This is a very complex project all over the country. Masts have to be put up involving very significant, complex backhaul works involving new technology. No...

Telecommunications Services. (18 Jun 2009)

Eamon Ryan: A couple of years ago in my old house in Ranelagh I could not get broadband because of a paired split on the DSL line. I eventually got it by putting a fixed wire connection to a distant point. There is a range of different reasons. Largely the areas are where electoral districts had the vast majority of homes covered by existing subscribers, and under European competition rules we were...

Electricity Metering. (18 Jun 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Question Nos. 10 and 38 together. The roll-out of the national smart metering programme is progressing in line with the commitment in the Government's energy policy framework and in the programme for Government. The smart metering programme is a central component of the strategy to radically enhance management of energy demand and to deliver greater energy efficiency...

Electricity Metering. (18 Jun 2009)

Eamon Ryan: In response to the question as to who pays and who benefits, the Deputy is correct that the supply companies will benefit and it is designed to do that. The first benefit is that there is less theft. With more control over where electricity is going and real-time information as to what is happening, the experience internationally has been real savings, which may be single-digit but are...

Electricity Metering. (18 Jun 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I need to check on that matter and come back to the Deputy. Obviously, Bord Gáis's entry into the market occurred at a late stage when we were very advanced in this trial system. I would need to check what happens when a consumer swaps. This is a meter being installed by the ESB and it is part of its distribution grid system. That is not to say the information and all the other aspects...

Electricity Metering. (18 Jun 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The number of houses to participate in this test phase is close to 17,000. Originally it was 21,000. The detailed calculation was done and it was seen that we could deliver the analysis we needed on that basis. It is not a question of whether we are going to do this but how we can best do it. It is a programme for Government commitment and it makes sense. As with anything in the energy...

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (17 Jun 2009)

Eamon Ryan: Amendments Nos. 141 and 142 are in my name. Amendment No. 141 proposes the deletion of a duplicate reference and amendment No. 142 proposes to clarify the timelines within which a fixed payment notice may be served. Amendment No. 133, in the name of Deputy McManus, seeks to ensure that a person does not require a second television licence if he or she possesses a television set for a short...

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (17 Jun 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I thank the Ceann Comhairle for that clarification. I had completed my submission with regard to the amendments in question, so I would be interested to get the views of the Deputies opposite.

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (17 Jun 2009)

Eamon Ryan: No, I am finished with the laughing.