Results 27,961-27,980 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Medical Cards: Motion (Resumed) (22 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I believe that if we do what is right, fundamentally we will give people the confidence that we can manage our way through what will be a time of real scarcity where we have to manage our resources.

Seanad: Broadband Infrastructure Bill 2008: Second Stage (22 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I welcome the opportunity to discuss this Broadband Infrastructure Bill as initiated by Senator Ross. I commend him on allowing us the opportunity to discuss a crucial infrastructure for the future of our country. I regret that I cannot accept the Bill or support it. While I very much agree with the ambitions set out in the legislation and the ambition that Ireland sets itself to have the...

Seanad: Broadband Infrastructure Bill 2008: Second Stage (22 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: It grabbed me that Senator Ross proposed such a mechanism.

Seanad: Broadband Infrastructure Bill 2008: Second Stage (22 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The alternative would be to return to the days of the Department of Post and Telegraphs where the Minister would have a direct hand in who does and does not get a telephone. While there have been many developments in recent years I would question, I am not sure we should return to the days to the Department of Post and Telegraphs to deliver vital infrastructure, especially one where there...

Seanad: Broadband Infrastructure Bill 2008: Second Stage (22 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: That is the central point of my 15 minutes: the fundamental difference between the Government's approach to the development of this broadband infrastructure and that set out by the Senator, which I understand but with which I cannot agree. We have a liberalised telecommunications market and regardless of whether one agrees with that policy, it has been set in train for ten to 15 years....

Seanad: Broadband Infrastructure Bill 2008: Second Stage (22 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: It is an important step, yes. One of the problems I encountered at the conference was that my mobile telephone did not work.

Seanad: Broadband Infrastructure Bill 2008: Second Stage (22 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I could not connect my mobile telephone to the network. I could not run Skype on the network. I could not send a single 5 Mb video file from the convention centre. While it is useful to analyse and use international comparisons to determine what is happening in other countries and learn from them, we must remember that we have our own unique characteristics. We do not have the high...

Seanad: Broadband Infrastructure Bill 2008: Second Stage (22 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I am certain that, for Ireland, the key development in the broadband area will be access to high-speed broadband in our schools. This will enable us to activate our children's imaginations and their ability to learn from the Internet. It will give children the tools to go to any part of the world to find help with their lessons and enable teachers to deliver an education system which is fit...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (21 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: Given the nature of many of the issues to be considered, primary legislation will be required to transpose the Directive into Irish law. My Department recently held a public consultation on the key issues arising from the Directive for Ireland and the responses are currently being assessed with a view to informing and assisting the transposition of the Directive.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (21 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The following table sets out on a subhead by subhead basis the capital expenditure undertaken by my Department since its establishment in June 2007. The information is not available on a county by county basis. However, if the Deputy has a question in relation to a specific item of capital spending I will make appropriate enquiries. Subhead 2008 Outturn to end Sept '08 2007 Outturn June...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (21 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The modelling work employed in the "All Island Grid Study" applied a series of assumptions to the six portfolios examined. The study took portfolio 1, which includes 16% renewable electricity in 2020, as the reference case to assess the performance of the other portfolios. In the case of portfolio 5, which examines a 42% share of renewable generation capacity in 2020, the estimated savings in...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (21 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: A study has been commissioned to rework the findings of the All-Island Electricity Grid Study to take specific account of potential Demand Side Management measures. The study is part of an agreed programme of out-working a range of aspects of the Grid Study. The study has been commissioned jointly by my Department and the Northern Ireland Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, and...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (21 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: My Department has not conducted direct studies or computer modelling of the electricity market in 2008, nor are there any planned for 2009. In the performance of its statutory functions including in relation to the Single Electricity Market (SEM), the Commission for Energy Regulation undertake various studies and modelling tasks on the electricity market. I am advised that the Commission...

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (21 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The Community Support Scheme, amounting to €5 million, has been made available to those affected by the cessation of the mixed stock salmon fishery through the implementing bodies viz. 15 LEADER companies and Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann, in respect of island communities and Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta Teoranta, in respect of the Gaeltacht areas. The scheme is primarily targeted at...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (21 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The vast majority of property related costs in relation to decentralisation have been paid directly by the Office of Public Works (OPW). Earlier this year the Department agreed a short term rental of storage facilities in Cavan and costs to date in 2008 are €3200. The total non-property costs incurred by the Department in respect of the decentralisation programme since 2003 and reported to...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (21 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The Decentralisation Programme as originally announced in December 2003 included the proposal to relocate the Headquarters of my Department in its entirety to Cavan Town. This involved the relocation of approximately 300 Civil Service posts. A total of 56 staff members from my Department have relocated to interim accommodation in Cavan Town to date. This interim accommodation was arranged by...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (21 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 506 and 518 together. The consultation period on the "Consultation Paper on Next Generation Broadband" has now concluded and my officials are evaluating the submissions received. I will publish the final policy paper shortly. Future investment decisions, including any investment in any new Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) will be guided by the final policy...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (21 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: EirGrid launched its grid development strategy, Grid25, on 8 October 2008. The Strategy sets out a roadmap for the development of the electricity transmission network for the next seventeen years and aims to double the capacity of the national grid during this period. This increase in capacity is required to meet the projected increase in electricity demand over that period, and to support...

Written Answers — Data Protection: Data Protection (21 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 508 and 511 together. I do not have statutory responsibility to impose any particular measures across the public service in relation to the data stored on laptops, blackberries and other portable devices. In relation to my own Department, it employs layered network defences including intrusion detection systems, multiple firewalls, web content filtering,...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (21 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 509, 510 and 516 together. The Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources was established in June 2007. There have been no instances of early retirement by staff in the Department.