Results 261-280 of 3,665 for speaker:Seán Power

Bio-fuel Industry. (12 Mar 2009)

Seán Power: It is imperative the bio-fuels in Ireland are compliant with the EU sustainability criteria which will be used as the basis when drafting the legislation.

Alternative Energy Projects. (12 Mar 2009)

Seán Power: The Minister recently launched the microgeneration programme, which is being operated by ESB Customer Supply and supported by ESB Networks. The programme will provide up to 4,000 domestic customers investing in microscale projects with a financial payment for electricity exported back to the grid. It will also enable two way metering to be installed without additional charge to the...

Alternative Energy Projects. (12 Mar 2009)

Seán Power: I am glad the Deputy welcomes the scheme. We have worked with the energy regulator and the ESB in developing the scheme. It is in its early stages but has the potential for enormous development. With the current difficult economic times, people are looking for new opportunities. This is one area that could present opportunities for families across the country. On the cost, it should be...

Alternative Energy Projects. (12 Mar 2009)

Seán Power: I do not agree that Ireland is poorly positioned.

Alternative Energy Projects. (12 Mar 2009)

Seán Power: We are embarking on a process which probably should have commenced 20 or 30 years ago. However, it is not possible to turn back the clock. We have made what will prove to be an attractive proposition to many farming households.

Alternative Energy Projects. (12 Mar 2009)

Seán Power: I do not have in my possession information relating to the prices charged in other countries. The price we are proposing was not plucked out of thin air. We devised the scheme in consultation with the regulator and the ESB and we are of the view that it will be quite attractive. It is only natural that changes will have to be made and the scheme will be reviewed on a regular basis. If the...

Departmental Bodies. (12 Mar 2009)

Seán Power: My Department is responsible for overseeing general policy and the State shareholder interest in a number of commercial state bodies, namely, the ESB, EirGrid, Bord Gáis Éireann, Bord na Móna, the INPC, RTE, TG4 and An Post. These bodies employ in the region of 23,300 people and had, according to the latest published figures, a total turnover of some €6.7 billion in 2007. They play a...

Departmental Bodies. (12 Mar 2009)

Seán Power: The programme for Government contains a commitment with regard to retaining the electricity and gas network infrastructures, as strategic national assets, in State ownership. It is intended to ensure these assets are never privatised.

Departmental Bodies. (12 Mar 2009)

Seán Power: We have no intention of selling off any of our assets.

Departmental Bodies. (12 Mar 2009)

Seán Power: We also have no intention of selling off any of the companies. Even if it was our intention, I cannot think of a worse environment in which to contemplate their sale. We attach great importance to these companies and consideration has not been given to selling any of them.

Departmental Bodies. (12 Mar 2009)

Seán Power: I can only provide the Deputy with the information at my disposal. While I appreciate the Exchequer currently has a pressing need for funds, as I stated earlier, I could not think of a worse time to be contemplating the sale of State resources. We have not given consideration to selling any of the bodies that come under the remit of my Department nor is it our intention to do so.

Alternative Energy Projects. (12 Mar 2009)

Seán Power: I propose to answer Questions Nos. 6 and 48 together. The Government is giving high priority to supporting the development of Ireland's ocean energy potential. Not only will ocean energy contribute to Ireland's renewable energy targets, it has considerable potential for inward investment and enterprise activity in support of economic renewal. The multi-annual ocean energy package, which I...

Alternative Energy Projects. (12 Mar 2009)

Seán Power: The Deputy judges the priority the Government gives to something by the amount of money it spends on it. There is probably some truth in that. The Deputy mentioned this on the last Question Time and the Minister explained clearly——

Alternative Energy Projects. (12 Mar 2009)

Seán Power: No. For capital expenditure the Department of Finance is taking a hands-on approach. It is doing that in the interest of the country to ensure that what we are spending needs to be spent and that we are getting good value for the spend. I am being honest with the Deputy. I agree that there is huge potential in ocean energy. A study carried out by Bacon/ESBI calculated that up to 1,900...

Alternative Energy Projects. (12 Mar 2009)

Seán Power: So far there have been 20 expressions of interest, leading to seven firm proposals being submitted by developers. Contracts for funding of three of those projects will be issued within a few weeks. Four proposals are currently the subject of technical and business evaluation. Funding decisions will be made in light of these evaluations. The expenditure on the prototype fund in 2009 is...

Alternative Energy Projects. (12 Mar 2009)

Seán Power: We are all probably vulnerable to attack in these times. With regard to the announcement of €26 million, that figure was given as the amount required to be invested in the short term to develop the industry and provide the type of support needed for research and applied research leading to the full scale commercialisation of the technology. One of the first companies operating in this...

Alternative Energy Projects. (12 Mar 2009)

Seán Power: I have outlined the €7 million we plan to spend now. We have clearly set out the priority we are giving to ocean energy and we are providing the necessary funds to allow that sector to develop.

Alternative Energy Projects. (12 Mar 2009)

Seán Power: We never gave a commitment to spend €26 million over——

Alternative Energy Projects. (12 Mar 2009)

Seán Power: Let me finish.

Alternative Energy Projects. (12 Mar 2009)

Seán Power: We never gave a commitment to spend €26 million over a particular 12 month period.