Results 27,161-27,180 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 May 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I am in accord with Deputy Coveney's views on the need to regulate the promotion of alcohol on television and on the protection of minors in this area, as well as the wider issues for society. I have provided a requirement in section 42 that the broadcasting authority of Ireland prepare codes governing the standard and practices to be observed by broadcasters. These provisions, under...

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 May 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I fully agree with both Deputies that we do not want to create an expensive administrative system with economic consequences for broadcasters, but the proposed legislation provides the right cover and strictures for the broadcasting authority of Ireland. A key determinant of the cost of a public service body such as this is the staffing level. Section 15(1) requires the consent of the...

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 May 2009)

Eamon Ryan: Section 37(1) states: The chief executive, following the agreement of the Authority, shall not later than 30 September in each year, submit estimates of income and expenditure to the Minister in respect of the subsequent three financial years, in such form as may be required by the Minister, and shall furnish to the Minister any information which the Minister may require in relation to such...

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 May 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The Bill sets out the structure of what this authority will do. The ability to meet those is not given in statutory form as it is done by a chief executive and the Minister within the powers they have to get more from our public service commitments.

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 May 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I agree with the principle of carrying over funds because this ends the bad practice whereby people might be frantically seeking to spend money at the end of the financial year. It is better management and practice to have a certain level of flexibility. Such flexibility exists in respect of my Department's spend, in respect of which carryover facilities exist. I am of the view that...

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 May 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I will answer the Deputy's-----

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 May 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I move amendment No. 35: In page 42, between lines 39 and 40, to insert the following: "(5) An annual report shall include a report to the Minister in respect of contracts entered into by the Authority under section 67 and any consequent strategy the Authority proposes to adopt to encourage competition in respect of the award of sound broadcasting contracts, excluding contracts entered into...

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 May 2009)

Eamon Ryan: To answer the broad question the Deputy asked earlier in terms of staffing, one of the points I made is that what we are looking for in the public service reform process is the amalgamation of other agencies. That is not completed and, therefore, it is not in the legislation but there is nothing precluding us from doing that in this legislation. The amalgamation of such agencies into the...

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 May 2009)

Eamon Ryan: We are straying slightly from the amendment but I do not mind doing it-----

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 May 2009)

Eamon Ryan: -----because the development of digital terrestrial television is a crucial area. It is crucial because the switch off of analogue transmission services in 2012 gives us a major economic opportunity to switch on a range of broadband and other services we can use in that spectrum. What I have said to people in the broadcasting area is that this is a crucial economic development for the...

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 May 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I will not prejudge the process the BCI is engaged in but there will be an outcome which sees us having an effective DTT service combining a free-to-air service with a commercial allied service. The second key reason we want to see that delivered is not only do we get a benefit from the analogue switch off, but we also need a variety of platforms here to ensure that we are not dependent on...

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 May 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I am happy with that.

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (30 Apr 2009)

Eamon Ryan: Sustainable Energy Ireland administers a number of schemes, which stimulate the wider deployment of sustainable energy technologies including: - Greener Homes Scheme – stimulating installation of renewable heating systems in homes, including solar panels, biomass and gasification boilers, biomass stoves and geothermal heat pumps. - ReHEAT Scheme – supporting technologies for the...

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (30 Apr 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The Home Energy Saving (HES) Scheme is administered by Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI). SEI recommends that people participating in the HES who are uncertain about their best options for energy saving avail of the before/after BER grant. Initial indications are that as many as one third of applicants plan to avail of this option. There will also be homeowners who are already familiar with...

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (30 Apr 2009)

Eamon Ryan: Annual reports are received from bodies under the aegis of my Department. Annual reports are laid before the house and are available in the library of the houses of the Oireachtas. Other reports published by bodies under the aegis of my Department are available from those bodies.

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (30 Apr 2009)

Eamon Ryan: In the time available it has not been possible to identify and assemble the information requested. My Department is in the process of identifying and assembling the information and I will revert to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (30 Apr 2009)

Eamon Ryan: Solar and wind-powered technologies contribute to different energy requirements in domestic settings. Solar panels harness heat for hot water and space heating. Wind-turbines, on the other hand, are installed primarily to generate electricity. Solar panels qualify for support under the Greener Homes Scheme operated by Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI). It is a qualifying condition that...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (29 Apr 2009)

Eamon Ryan: Under the terms of the Broadcasting Authority Act 1960 (as amended), RTÉ pension schemes and arrangements are subject to my approval with the concurrence of the Minister for Finance. Officials from my Department are continuing to engage with officials from the Department of Finance to progress RTÉ pension issues so that the RTÉ hybrid pension scheme can be approved as soon as possible.

Infrastructure Stimulus Package: Motion (Resumed) (29 Apr 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I wish to share time with Deputies Cuffe, Thomas Byrne, White and Sargent. I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Private Members' motion dealing with the crucial issue of the development of our new and modern economic infrastructure for the 21st century. The motion is set around Fine Gael's NewERA document published some weeks ago. To summarise my response to it, the good elements are...

Infrastructure Stimulus Package: Motion (Resumed) (29 Apr 2009)

Eamon Ryan: We are indeed ahead.