Results 27,561-27,580 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Energy Prices: Motion (3 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I would prefer a proper regulated approach to that market until we have such competition in public supply. It can then be opened up in the same way as the business market. The ESB can operate in the business market on a free and flexible pricing basis. It has no pricing restriction in the crucial economic market——

Energy Prices: Motion (3 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: We are talking about electricity. There is no restriction on the entry of the ESB to a market because it is competitive and open. In that market, because it is competitive and we have followed the correct policy approach, we have seen that the large energy use companies which have more detailed and complex contracts have already seen, because of the prices in the gas markets coming down,...

Energy Prices: Motion (3 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The regulator may be unhappy, but I want to recognise the contribution of the ESB in agreeing to do it in the national interest, wearing a green jersey and handing over money to the private sector. It was not compelled to act in this way as, fundamentally, it is not regulated or owned by the State.

Energy Prices: Motion (3 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I would love to have a mechanism where there is an easy way to compel companies to do it. However, European law must be followed and there is no country where this policy has been applied because it is not legally possible to do so, or there is a high risk, legally, in doing so. That second option of bringing the price forward is passible but has certain risks and difficulties attached to...

Energy Prices: Motion (3 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: No, but the Government is using investment in this area to stimulate our economy and create jobs.

Energy Prices: Motion (3 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The strategy will also bring down prices because that grid development will allow us to tap into the renewables that bring prices down. That is the right policy to follow for economic growth prospects and lower prices. Today we have seen a further allocation of funding towards energy insulation. It is an example of where we can leverage State aid and work with banks and householders to...

Energy Prices: Motion (3 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: That is what this Government is concentrating on. The policy approach has taken a long time to reach fruition. I can understand Deputy Connaughton when he says he is unhappy with the regulatory system and is worried that it is not working through to prices at the petrol pump. I must say that we have the right policy framework in the area of electricity generation and supply, which has...

Energy Prices: Motion (3 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The way we protect that is by having a fair, regulated price market through which we are seen as an innovative, straight and cutting-edge country for electricity policy. We are there and shall stay there if we bring prices down, more than anything else.

Energy Prices: Motion (3 Feb 2009)

Eamon Ryan: On a point of clarification, the €300 million is a rebate, so bill payers are not paying it.

Written Answers — Energy Prices: Energy Prices (29 Jan 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I share the Deputy's concerns about the impact of energy costs on vulnerable members of society. While I have no function in setting or regulating prices, I welcome the fact that the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) announced on 1 December 2008 that there would be no further increase in the price of gas from January 2009 and that there would be a small average decrease from this month...

Seanad: Alternative Energy Projects (29 Jan 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I welcome the opportunity to respond to the points raised by Senator Ross and to outline some of the developments which will, hopefully, give some reassurance to the people he has talked to regarding the development of renewable energy power within our island. It is centre stage in Government policy to pursue, with the greatest haste and proper management, the development of such resources....

Seanad: Alternative Energy Projects (29 Jan 2009)

Eamon Ryan: This approach to questions means one's ignorance can be exposed quickly and my knowledge of seaweed is limited, other than a lifelong career pass in Kilkieran where there is a seaweed processing business which extracts nutrients and iodine, in particular, for use in industrial processing. The bio-fuels strategy we are following encourages the development of such second generation...

Seanad: Alternative Energy Projects (29 Jan 2009)

Eamon Ryan: In fairness to Commissioner Piebalgs, one of the experiences I have had in Government is that the European Commission has been more progressive in the energy area than many national governments. Far from slowing it up, it has kicked a few governments into action.

The Economy: Statements (Resumed) (29 Jan 2009)

Eamon Ryan: We are here to debate what is an obvious crisis and also to look for ways out of it, which I believe exist. We should acknowledge the situation and what got us into it. We should acknowledge that cheap money and, yes, bad planning led to a property bubble which was one of the worst developments in the history of the State, and left young people with mountainous mortgages they will have to...

The Economy: Statements (Resumed) (29 Jan 2009)

Eamon Ryan: I am here today saying exactly that. There has been a systematic failure in our banking system and also our regulatory system which we need to address. We are setting the Director of Corporate Enforcement the task of going through with a fine-tooth comb any such practices——

The Economy: Statements (Resumed) (29 Jan 2009)

Eamon Ryan: ——and with legal precision instigate any court proceedings that may be necessary to expose such individual abuses so we can restore the confidence of our people and those abroad in our banking system.

The Economy: Statements (Resumed) (29 Jan 2009)

Eamon Ryan: That is an essential first step in the economic recovery we have to take.

The Economy: Statements (Resumed) (29 Jan 2009)

Eamon Ryan: It is not the Government going in to rescue bankers. We need to go in to rescue the banks because those banks and bankers will be needed. We do not need to create a pariah group in our society but we need bankers who can get back to the business they should be in, which is lending to encourage and support enterprise in our country. That is a first task in getting us out of the crisis the...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (28 Jan 2009)

Eamon Ryan: The Broadcasting Bill 2008, which proposes to reconstitute the statutory basis for the licensing of community radio in Ireland, is currently before the Houses of the Oireachtas. The Bill assigns responsibility for licensing community radio to the proposed Broadcasting Authority of Ireland.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (28 Jan 2009)

Eamon Ryan: Details of the cost of printing reports during 2008, by my Department, are contained in the following table. The table includes details of annual reports published and where identifiable, postage costs. It should be noted that the level of reports published will vary from year to year. Reports produced by bodies operating under the aegis of my Department, are a day to day operational...