Results 27,901-27,920 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (29 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: In July 2008 I launched a consultation paper on Next Generation Broadband. This paper contained proposed policy actions in relation to optimal use of State assets, fibre connections to second level schools and new premises, strong regulation and innovative spectrum licensing, government investment, demand stimulation and evidence based research. The consultation period has now closed and my...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (29 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I am regular contact with my EU colleagues at Energy Council meetings and other EU and international fora on the issues raised by the Deputy. Most recently, I had the opportunity to discuss these issues with colleagues at the Energy Council of 10 October. At that meeting political agreement was reached by Energy Ministers on the European Commission's Third Package of reforms for the...

Written Answers — Energy Prices: Energy Prices (29 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The position in law is that the regulation of ESB electricity tariffs and BGÉ 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. I...

Written Answers — Energy Prices: Energy Prices (29 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The regulation of ESB electricity tariffs and 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.

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (29 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The provision of telecommunications services including broadband and mobile telephony are, 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 role of the Government is to formulate regulatory and infrastructure...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (29 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The provision of telecommunications services including broadband and mobile telephony are, 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 role of the Government is to formulate regulatory and infrastructure...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (29 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The downturn in the Irish advertising market is affecting RTÉ, and indeed, all other broadcasters. RTÉ is also funded by television licence fee revenue, which is channelled through the Vote of my Department. As recently announced, as part of Budget 2009, the 2009 TV licence provision for RTÉ is estimated at €209.7m.

Telecommunications Services. (29 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: A key objective of broadband policy is to develop access to at least 100 megabyte per second high speed broadband in secondary schools. The consultation paper on next generation broadband, published in July, contains a commitment to this project and discussions have taken place between officials of my Department and HEAnet to develop the means by which it will be implemented. A steering...

Telecommunications Services. (29 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: Some 3,901 out of 3,936 schools have their local broadband connectivity installed, which is over 99% of them. Installation has typically been at speeds of up to 2 megabytes per second. My belief is that it is appropriate for us to go to speeds of 100 megabytes per second and eventually to have wireless connectivity within the school, so broadband is available in each classroom and not...

Telecommunications Services. (29 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The main reason for that downturn is that we are not progressing with a further stage of investment in the metropolitan area networks. This is a policy with which Fine Gael agreed. That took up some €200 million over recent years. The reason for the reduction in the budget is that the programme is being reviewed. I do not see the budget cuts impacting on our ambitions in broadband...

Telecommunications Services. (29 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: No, it will not. That is why the Government will deliver in that area.

Telecommunications Services. (29 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The policy framework for future broadband development is set out in the consultation paper on next generation broadband which I published last July. A central objective is that Ireland will have universal access to broadband by end 2009 to early 2010 and that by 2012 our broadband speeds will equal or exceed those in other EU regions. That paper also sets out a number of specific actions to...

Telecommunications Services. (29 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I will happily answer each question although a number of them are addressed in further parliamentary questions, which I hope we will reach. The national broadband scheme has taken slightly longer than we would have liked. My hope is that the detailed work that has gone into the preparation of the contract in advance, whoever the bidder is, will mean we will have swift roll-out and delivery...

Fuel Poverty. (29 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The Government is committed to protecting vulnerable consumers from the impact of rising energy costs through a combination of institutional supports and investment in improving the energy efficiency of the housing stock. I am working closely with the Minister for Social and Family Affairs to deliver a fully cohesive strategic approach across Government and agencies. We have established an...

Fuel Poverty. (29 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: With regard to the fuel allowance, while one can never provide enough because on cold mornings such as we had today this is a real crisis issue for people on low incomes, the fuel allowance has doubled since 2005, and it rose by approximately 12.5% this year. While it is never at the level one would want, we should recognise the increase that has occurred. Even in the difficult budgetary...

Fuel Poverty. (29 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: Some 400,000 people are supported by the fuel allowance scheme, which is important and a major component——

Fuel Poverty. (29 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: Investment in the warmer homes scheme has been doubled from what it was in the previous year. With the involvement of the energy supply companies, I see no reason that we should not set a growth pattern to double it again. This is what I am working towards in recognition that helping 5,000 households this year is an important development. The approximately 20,000 households we may be able...

Mobile Phone Bullying. (29 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: As Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources I have overall responsibility for electronic communications policy, but I do not have responsibility with regard to the actions of persons conducting bullying or intimidation activities over electronic communications networks. I am conscious, however, that bullying in any form can be distressing, especially for children. The Irish...

Mobile Phone Bullying. (29 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I am concerned about this issue but it is a criminal act. It is an offence under section 10 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997 to harass a person by use of a telephone. It is also an offence under section 13 of the Post Office (Amendment) Act 1951, as amended by the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983, to send by telephone any message or other matter which is...

Mobile Phone Bullying. (29 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: This is a serious issue. That is why I believe that as it is a criminal activity the Garda Síochána should be responsible.