Results 27,661-27,680 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (2 Dec 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I published a consultation paper on Next Generation Broadband in July 2008. The introduction of a regulation to require the installation of open access fibre connection in new premises, where practicable, was one of the proposed policy actions. Fibre has been deployed in a number of residential developments but they are proprietary systems. I am interested in putting open access networks in...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (2 Dec 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The International Advisory Forum met on the 26th and 27th February 2008 to advise me on the optimum role for Government in the development of Next Generation Broadband in Ireland. The members of this forum brought a diverse range of knowledge and experience from around the world and critiqued a draft policy paper on Next Generation Broadband, which was prepared by my Department. The insight...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (2 Dec 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The expenditure on consultancy in my Department to date in 2008 amounts to €6,921,989. This amount includes major spends of €1.4m in respect of the Power of One Energy Efficiency advertising campaign and €765k in respect of the procurement process for the National Broadband Scheme. As with all Departments the 2009 allocation for consultancies in my Department has been greatly reduced....

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (2 Dec 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The consultation paper on Next Generation Broadband committed to providing access by private operators to public sector broadband assets. In particular access will be facilitated to ducting that already exists along publicly owned infrastructure, which could be used to provide backhaul connections. While the private sector has the primary role in investing in telecommunications...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (2 Dec 2008)

Eamon Ryan: Following the Government decision in May 2007 that further evidence and evaluation was required of the monetary benefits that would arise from the implementation of a national postcode, my Department recruited consultants to assist with an additional study on the costs and benefits of the postcode system, as they would relate to the public sector. The consultants have recently submitted...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (2 Dec 2008)

Eamon Ryan: Earlier this year I launched the Ocean Energy Initiative to ensure Ireland is well positioned in the development of ocean energy technologies. Ireland's ocean energy resource offers significant potential to become a key contributor to the development of our renewable energy capacity. The programme includes: The establishment of the Ocean Energy Development Unit based in Sustainable Energy...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (2 Dec 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The Renewable Energy Feed In Tariff (REFIT) support scheme operated by my Department supports the construction of new renewable energy powered plants with sufficient generating capacity, typically at or a multiple of 1 megawatt, to attract market interest from electricity suppliers interested in purchasing the power in commercial quantities. Micro-scale plants, on the other hand, are...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (2 Dec 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 91 and 102 together. Section 3(1)(b) of the Broadcasting Act 2007 requires RTÉ to establish and maintain a television broadcasting service and a sound broadcasting service, which services shall be made available, in so far as the RTÉ Authority considers reasonably practicable, to Irish communities outside of the island of Ireland. RTÉ has reviewed the...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (2 Dec 2008)

Eamon Ryan: 40% of all energy used in my Department is from renewable sources. All of the electricity supplied to my Department's main buildings at Adelaide Road and Tom Johnson House, Beggars Bush, and the storage facility at Sandyford, is from renewable sources. This results from a contract with a specific supplier negotiated by the Government Supplies Agency under which 100% of electricity supplied...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (2 Dec 2008)

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 (2 Dec 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The share of electricity from renewable energy in 2007, the latest year for which published data is available, was 9.4%. This is a significant increase, which more than doubles the contribution from renewable energy sources within a decade from 3.6% in 1997. We also remain on track to deliver the national targets of a 15% contribution from renewable sources to the electricity market by 2010...

Written Answers — Corrib Gas Terminal: Corrib Gas Terminal (2 Dec 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 95 and 119 together. On 6th November I, together with the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaelteacht Affairs, announced the establishment of the North West Mayo Forum. The Forum, which is separate from the planning and statutory consent processes, will offer a positive opportunity for furthering the socio-economic development of the North West Mayo region,...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (2 Dec 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The Marine Institute was engaged to survey the sea area during last summer, in preparation for a detailed engineering and technical design for the facility. The final survey requirement, the near shore and landfall for the cable route, will be conducted in the coming weeks. The arrangements for the technical and engineering management for the development of the facility are currently being...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (2 Dec 2008)

Eamon Ryan: As the Deputy will be aware expenditure by the State Agencies on travel and subsistence in relation to the conduct of their business is, subject to application of the various Department of Finance regulations in this area, a day-to-day operational issue and therefore a matter for the Agencies themselves. In addition all expenditure by the relevant Agencies is subject to review and scrutiny by...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (2 Dec 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The Government's policy in relation to energy is set out in the White Paper, "Delivering a Sustainable Energy Future for Ireland — The Energy Policy Framework 2007 — 2020". The three pillars of Government energy policy are security of energy supply, environmental sustainability and delivery of real and effective competition in energy markets. In relation to environmental sustainability,...

Written Answers — Energy Prices: Energy Prices (2 Dec 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The regulation of ESB electricity tariffs and Bord Gáis Éireann (BGÉ) gas tariffs is the statutory responsibility of the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) under the Electricity Regulation Act and the Gas (Interim) Regulation Act 2002. I have no function in setting or regulating energy prices. I note yesterday's announcement by the CER of its Phase 2 decision on ESB and BGÉ tariffs,...

Written Answers — Electricity Interconnector: Electricity Interconnector (2 Dec 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The East-West Interconnector is a 500 MegaWatt High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) interconnector, which will link the electricity grids of Ireland and Britain. This project is of vital strategic importance to Ireland and its delivery to schedule by 2012 is a key Government priority. The East West Interconnector will significantly enhance security of supply and will facilitate increased...

Written Answers — Greener Homes Scheme: Greener Homes Scheme (2 Dec 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The Greener Homes Scheme, since its launch in March 2006, has provided support for home owners investing in renewable energy heating technologies. The scheme has been modified over that period, supported by appropriate budgetary allocations year on year. Phase III continues to support the installation of a range of technologies in existing homes. Demand trends under the scheme continue to...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (2 Dec 2008)

Eamon Ryan: "3", a Hutchison Whampoa company, was appointed as the Preferred Tenderer for the National Broadband Scheme (NBS) on 25 November 2008, following an open tender process using the "competitive dialogue" procurement process. As regards the accuracy of the mapping for the scheme, a comprehensive mapping process has been undertaken. This process involved: contacting service providers for details...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (2 Dec 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 104 and 114 together. The Broadcasting (Amendment) Act, 2007 puts in place a flexible framework for the licensing of Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) into the future. The Act provides for the establishment of a free to air DTT service to replace the existing analogue terrestrial services offered by RTÉ, TG4 and TV3. The Act also provides for the...