Results 27,681-27,700 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

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

Eamon Ryan: Under phase I of the Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) 27 MANs are available to customers from eNet which is operating, managing and maintaining the networks on behalf of the State under a 15 year concession agreement. Under Phase II of the MANs Programme, 58 of a total of 60 MANs covering 64 towns have been completed during 2007 and 2008. Construction of the remaining two networks will be...

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

Eamon Ryan: The Warmer Homes Scheme is overseen by Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI), and is targeted at households on low incomes, such as those in receipt of fuel allowance, invalidity or disability benefit. The Warmer Homes Scheme will install cavity wall insulation, attic insulation, a boiler lagging jacket, draught proofing measures and Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs). Advice is also provided to...

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

Eamon Ryan: The Irish oil industry is fully privatised, liberalised and deregulated and there is no price control on petroleum products in Ireland. There is free entry to the market. Prices at the pump reflect global market price, transportation costs, Euro/Dollar fluctuations and other operating costs. Price differences are an ongoing feature of the market economy and it is a matter for retailers to...

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

Eamon Ryan: The Government has not considered the issue of possible purchase of eircom infrastructure. The issue of whether this infrastructure would be offered for sale is a matter for eircom, under the Government's telecommunications infrastructure strategy the private sector has primary responsibility for the development of such infrastructure. There are a number of infrastructure providers of which...

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

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 109 and 385 to 387, inclusive, together. In 2007, the latest year for which published dated is available, electricity from renewable energy resources contributed 9.4% of electricity consumed. The contribution by resource was 6.7% wind, 2.2% hydro and 0.5% biomass. These technologies harness indigenous energy sources thereby reducing our dependency on imports....

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

Eamon Ryan: The provision of telecommunications services including broadband services is, in the first instance, a matter for the private sector. The relevant service providers operate in a fully liberalised market, regulated, where appropriate, by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. The broadband market is a fast moving and dynamic one; this applies to all OECD countries....

Written Answers — Electric Car Industry: Electric Car Industry (2 Dec 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 112, 113 and 378 together. Following on from the recent Government decision to establish an inter-departmental/agency group to look at deployment of electric vehicles in Ireland, it was agreed that my Department would oversee the group. All relevant Government Departments, including the Department of Transport, and agencies are represented on the group. The...

Written Answers — Seirbhísí Poist: Seirbhísí Poist (2 Dec 2008)

Eamon Ryan: Mhol an Bord um Thionscnamh na bPostchód Náisiúnta i 2006 go dtabharfaí isteach cineál postchód bunaithe ar litreacha agus uimhreacha le haghaidh earnáil na bpost ach ní bunaithe ar an gcóras Sasanach. Measadh go mbeadh sé ar an tslí dob oiriúnaí mar nach gcuireann sé iallach ar bhaill den phobal malairt a chur ar leagan amach na seoltaí atá acu agus mhol an Bhord na...

Written Answers — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (2 Dec 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 116, 122 and 125 together. Exploration for oil and gas, both onshore and offshore, is carried out under licence by my Department. Details of authorisations in place are published on my Department's website. Most of the exploration activity is carried out offshore where there are currently 24 Exploration Licences in place, along with five Licensing Options...

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

Eamon Ryan: I have attended six meetings of the Cabinet Sub Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security.

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

Eamon Ryan: The corporate structure of eircom, which is a private company, is a matter for that company subject to appropriate engagement taking place with the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) on any regulatory issues that might arise. ComReg is independent in the exercise of its functions. More generally, the EU Commission's proposals for reform of the legislative framework for the...

Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (2 Dec 2008)

Eamon Ryan: While the issue of emissions levels at Moneypoint Generating Station is, in the first instance, a day-to-day management matter for the company, I have included with this reply, at Table 1, details of the annual CO2 emissions from Moneypoint Generating Station for the period 2005-2007. These emission levels have been verified in accordance with the EU's Emissions Trading Scheme Directive and...

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

Eamon Ryan: EirGrid, as the State body responsible for the national transmission system, is working to deliver the necessary upgrading and expansion of the transmission grid in the interests of the economy and regional development. I welcome the call by EirGrid's Chief Executive for collective engagement by all stakeholders in meeting the challenges inherent in delivering vitally needed new transmission...

Written Answers — Consumer Protection: Consumer Protection (2 Dec 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The Irish oil industry is fully privatised, liberalised and deregulated and there is no price control on petroleum products in Ireland. Retail prices reflect global market price, transportation costs, Euro/Dollar fluctuations and other operating costs. I would advise the Deputy that the National Consumer Agency, which operates under the aegis of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and...

Written Answers — Fuel Poverty: Fuel Poverty (2 Dec 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The Fuel Poverty Action Research Project was established by Combat Poverty and Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) to inform public policy on the merits of domestic energy efficiency programmes. The project involves an integrated and systematic ex-post assessment of the energy, environmental, thermal comfort and health benefits of the SEI-administered Warmer Homes Scheme, which retrofits low...

Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (2 Dec 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The Programme for Government target refers to a 3% reduction per year on average in greenhouse gas emissions. The energy sector for which I have policy responsibility will make a leading contribution towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions through a range of measures designed to improve energy efficiency and increase the penetration of renewable energy across the electricity, heat and...

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

Eamon Ryan: In February of this year I announced a tariff of €140 per megawatt hour of power produced for offshore wind energy projects within the Renewable Energy Feed In Tariff (REFIT) support scheme. This announcement was made well in advance of the planned development of offshore wind projects to send a strong market signal and to ensure all State aid requirements could be clarified and resolved...

Written Answers — Geothermal Heat: Geothermal Heat (2 Dec 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The publication of the Geothermal Resource Map of Ireland by Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) in July 2004 highlighted the potential of deep geothermal energy. The report recommended that support be given for a medium-depth pilot borehole, for example on the Blackrock–Rathcoole Fault in an area with many potential users. SEI has funded a study, in conjunction with University College...

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

Eamon Ryan: The Government targets are to increase the contribution from renewable energy sources to electricity consumed to a minimum 15% by 2010 and 40% by 2020. The provision of back up capacity to ensure security of electricity supplies to consumers as increasing volumes of undispatchable renewable energy technologies contribute to targets delivery can be provided from a number of sources including...

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

Eamon Ryan: On the 25 November 2008 I announced that 3, a Hutchison Whampoa company, has been selected as the preferred tenderer for the National Broadband Scheme (NBS) following the conclusion of a comprehensive competitive procurement process. The NBS contract is expected to be signed with 3 by mid-December. NBS consumers will be provided with a reliable and price competitive broadband connection...