Results 27,061-27,080 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Written Answers — Energy Costs: Energy Costs (12 May 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 73, 74 and 109 together. I welcome the decision taken by the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) to reduce electricity tariffs by 10% and gas tariffs by 12% from May 1st, following completion of the review of regulated tariffs, which I requested in February last. The Commission's decision on electricity tariffs is reflective of the decline in international...

Written Answers — Energy Supply: Energy Supply (12 May 2009)

Eamon Ryan: EirGrid, with the approval of the Government, is developing to schedule the East West Interconnector. The Government is fully committed to the cost effective delivery of the interconnector as a key strategic energy infrastructure project. The benefits for the economy, the energy market and consumers include: · Enhancing security of energy supply by delivering additional capacity to the...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (12 May 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 76 and 93 together. Applications for grid connections are made to ESB Networks and/or EirGrid, in the first instance. Data on grid connections has been published by the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) as part of its consultation process on grid connections and additional information is published from time to time by EirGrid. There are currently in...

Written Answers — Radio Broadcasting: Radio Broadcasting (12 May 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The Radio spectrum is managed by countries at the national level and through international coordination. The overarching allocation of Radio spectrum is undertaken in an international context and in accordance with international regulations. The Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), is the statutory body responsible for spectrum management in Ireland and is statutorily obliged...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (12 May 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Question Nos. 80 and 114 together. The matters raised by the Deputies are a customer service issue for the organisation or business concerned. The use and display of telephone numbers is an area in which I have no statutory function. In relation to the wider public sector, I will ask my officials to contact the Quality Customer Service Officers Network, which is managed...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (12 May 2009)

Eamon Ryan: EU State Aid and competition rules prevent States from intervening in the areas already substantially served by broadband. While recognising that some premises within substantially served areas may have difficulties for whatever reason (long lines, pair gains, no line of sight etc) in receiving a broadband service, the National Broadband Scheme cannot cater for such limited instances. It is...

Written Answers — Electric Vehicles: Electric Vehicles (12 May 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 83, 84 and 95 together. Together 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 represent up to 250,000 cars on Irish roads over the next 12 years. A number of initiatives to advance the strategy have already...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (12 May 2009)

Eamon Ryan: Matters relating to the An Post pension fund are a matter for the board and management of the company and the trustees of the schemes and one in which I have no direct role. In common with many pension funds, due to the economic downturn, An Post's pension fund is in deficit. An Post's annual report for 2008 shows that, because of its pension deficit at the end of last year, its net assets...

Written Answers — Energy Conservation: Energy Conservation (12 May 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 86 and 101 together. The Warmer Homes Scheme is administered by Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) and delivered by community based organisations (CBOs), which work in partnership with their local network of poverty and community support organisations, including public health nurses, MABS and St Vincent De Paul, to identify and address the energy needs of...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (12 May 2009)

Eamon Ryan: No submissions have been made recently to my Department proposing the nationalisation of eircom. Clearly eircom is an important player in private sector provision of telecommunications services and will continue to play a key role in providing higher speed broadband services. The commercial performance and ownership of the company is a matter for the company in the first instance and I have...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (12 May 2009)

Eamon Ryan: 59 of the 60 Phase II MANs, which provide state-of-the-art, fibre, open access networks to 65 towns across the country are now completed. It is expected that the final network will be completed in early 2010. All completed Phase II networks are being managed, maintained and operated on an interim basis by the technical services firm Magnum Opus on behalf of my Department. Magnum Opus will...

Written Answers — Smart Meters: Smart Meters (12 May 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 90 and 97 together. The rollout of a 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 significantly enhance management of energy demand and to achieve greater energy efficiency...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (12 May 2009)

Eamon Ryan: In designing the National Broadband Scheme (NBS), which was approved by the EU Commission, my Department needed to strike a balance between reaching as many unserved premises as possible and minimising the impact of the scheme on businesses already providing broadband services in rural areas, thereby minimising market distortion in accordance with EU State Aid rules. The NBS will be rolled...

Written Answers — Radio Broadcasting: Radio Broadcasting (12 May 2009)

Eamon Ryan: DAB digital radio is an improved way of broadcasting radio via a network of terrestrial transmitters. It provides listeners with more choice, clearer sound and more features, while keeping all the features of FM radio, such as portability and free to use. The Broadcasting (Amendment) Act 2007 provides for the development of radio over digital multiplexes by both public service and commercial...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (12 May 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The National Broadband Scheme (NBS) contract guarantees that broadband connectivity will be available to 100% of the buildings within the NBS coverage areas. In recognition of the fact that some areas will be very costly and technologically challenging to reach using standard infrastructure, a limited number of residences and businesses in the NBS coverage area may be covered by a satellite...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (12 May 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The Power of One campaign aims to bring about more energy efficient behaviour by domestic consumers and other energy using sectors to achieve energy and CO2 savings. The campaign has been operating since August 2006 and has brought about a significant increase in awareness of energy efficiency and best practice energy behaviour. Since the beginning of 2009, Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI)...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (12 May 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The Decentralisation Programme as originally announced in December 2003, included the proposal to relocate the Headquarters of my Department to Cavan. As announced by the Minister for Finance in his statement of 14th October last, the Government has deferred decisions on the timing of the implementation of elements of the Decentralisation Programme including that of my Department, pending a...

Written Answers — Energy Regulation: Energy Regulation (12 May 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The regulation of ESB electricity tariffs and Bord Gáis Éireann gas tariffs is the responsibility of the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), which is statutorily independent in the performance of its functions. I have no responsibility for setting these tariffs. The CER has a statutory duty to advise me as Minister on the development of the electricity and gas markets, and regular...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (12 May 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The current global economic climate has had a negative impact on pension scheme funds generally, including Bord na Móna schemes. The pension schemes and the emerging pension deficit are matters for the Board of Bord na Móna plc and the Trustees of the Pension Schemes in the first instance. Officials in my Department are in regular contact with Bord na Móna in relation to the schemes. The...

Written Answers — Energy Costs: Energy Costs (12 May 2009)

Eamon Ryan: Ensuring a competitive and sustainable energy supply is a key policy objective for the Government. Energy costs are a major concern for all sectors of the economy. There is a range of factors which have contributed to Ireland's higher than the EU average increases in electricity prices over recent years. • Historical reasons – A long period without any price increases granted to ESB,...