Results 2,781-2,800 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Alternative Energy Projects (26 Feb 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 108, 111 and 120 together. The Biofuel Obligation Scheme was introduced in July 2010 as the primary means to meet the target of at least 10% renewable energy in transport by 2020, which was mandated by the 2009 Renewable Energy Directive. In preparing the National Renewable Energy Action Plan as required pursuant to the Directive, it was estimated that at...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services Provision (26 Feb 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 110 and 121 together. The Government’s National Broadband Plan aims to radically change the broadband landscape in Ireland by ensuring that high speed services of at least 30Mbps are available to all of our citizens and businesses, well in advance of the EU’s target date of 2020, and that significantly higher speeds are available to as many...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Postal Services (26 Feb 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The Special and Commemorative Stamp Programme for 2014, initially approved by Government on 18 December 2012, did not include a stamp to commemorate the bicentenary of the birth of Thomas Davis. Nevertheless, I am pleased to advise that following reconsideration of the strong case made by the Thomas Davis Commemoration Society Mallow, An Post’s Philatelic Advisory Committee has now...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Mobile Telephony (26 Feb 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The management of the radio spectrum is a statutory function of the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) under the Communications Regulation Act, 2002 as amended. ComReg recently announced the winning bidders of its Multi-band Spectrum Auction for the 800, 900 and 1800 MHz bands. The winning bidders will pay €854.64 million for these spectrum rights, comprising firstly...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Social Media Regulation (26 Feb 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 116 and 135 together. As the Deputies will be aware, Social Media are online platforms that allow people create, share and exchange information, and to comment amongst themselves in virtual communities and networks. To date, these media have not been subject to a formal regulatory regime akin to that used to ‘regulate’ traditional radio and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Television Licence Fee Collection (26 Feb 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The Programme for Government commits to examining the role and collection of the TV licence fee in light of existing and projected convergence of technologies and to transforming the TV licence into a household based Public Broadcasting Charge to be applied to all eligible households and applicable businesses, regardless of the device used to access content or services. In line with this...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Television Licence Fee Collection (26 Feb 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The Programme for Government commits to examining the role and collection of the TV licence fee in light of existing and projected convergence of technologies and to transforming the TV licence into a household based Public Broadcasting Charge to be applied to all eligible households and applicable businesses, regardless of the device used to access content or services. In line with this...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electromagnetic Fields Studies (26 Feb 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The East West Interconnector is a strategically vital energy project for the island of Ireland and is financially supported under the European Energy Programme for Recovery. The Interconnector will bring many benefits to Irish electricity consumers over the decades to come, benefits such as increased competition, secure supplies of energy and the opportunity to export indigenous renewable...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadcasting Legislation (26 Feb 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 123, 137 and 143 together. I have no plans currently to introduce broadcasting legislation. There are several areas of broadcasting policy which are actively being considered by my Department, including most specifically the question of a broadcasting charge to replace the existing method of funding public service broadcasting. When due consideration has...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services Provision (26 Feb 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: As Minister with overall responsibility for spectrum policy, I am committed to ensuring that our National spectrum resource is assigned and used effectively. The day to day management of spectrum is a matter for ComReg. Spectrum is used for a variety of purposes and its value to society and the economy are demonstrated clearly in the most recent multiband spectrum auction by ComReg and in...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services Expenditure (26 Feb 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 125 and 146 together. Approximately €1bn is being invested in Ireland by existing companies in fibre infrastructure which will deliver broadband speeds of 30Mbps to 150Mbps to most homes and businesses. This investment will provide significant choice to the consumer. While fibre to the home (FTTH) is currently not widely available to householders...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Environmental Schemes (26 Feb 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: There are a number of items to be progressed by the Irish Presidency in relation to the promotion of green technology. The Council conclusions on last year’s Commission renewable energy communication invited the Commission to present non-binding guidance to further improve national support schemes in order to achieve further cost reduction and market integration, as well as separate...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electricity Transmission Network (26 Feb 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: EirGrid’s Grid25 programme is a strategy designed to develop the transmission networks in order to ensure safe, secure and affordable electricity supplies throughout Ireland supporting economic growth, renewable and sustainable energy. The Government endorses this major investment programme currently underway in the high voltage electricity transmission system. Grid25 is the most...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electricity Transmission Network (26 Feb 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: This is a day to day operational matter for EirGrid and not one in which I, as Minister, has a role or function.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Schemes (26 Feb 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I and Government colleagues have consistently been supportive of the proposal by Shannon LNG to construct a LNG terminal near Ballylongford, County Kerry. Such a facility, together with the bringing onshore of Corrib Gas would provide important security of gas supply for Ireland in future years. The Deputy will be aware that on 29 June 2012 the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER)...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services Provision (26 Feb 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 471 of the 19th February.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services Charges (26 Feb 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I have no plans to introduce a broadband charge on Irish households. In Ireland, businesses and citizens can obtain a broadband service from a multiplicity of service providers operating in the market. The market is competitive with prices being determined by competitive dynamics between the various operators. The State has also intervened to ensure that basic broadband services are...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Marine Resources (26 Feb 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: In terms of marine energy testing facilities in Irish waters, there is one existing wave test site in Galway Bay in operation. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and the Marine Institute established an Ocean Energy Test Site for quarter scale prototypes of wave energy devices in Galway Bay in 2006. The Galway Bay wave energy test site facilitates the open sea deployment of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Television Reception (26 Feb 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: RTÉ has built, owns and controls the Saorview TV network and is responsible for the roll-out, coverage and operation of that network. This is in accordance with Part 8 of the Broadcasting Act 2009, which provides that the development of the RTÉ network is an operational matter for RTÉ. Section 130 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 Act provides that RTÉ must roll out a national...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services Provision (26 Feb 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: On 30 August 2012, I published the National Broadband Plan, which contains ambitious targets for high speed broadband services across Ireland. The Plan is available on my Department’s website. The National Broadband Plan will deliver on these targets by leveraging investment from both private and public sectors. The Plan envisages that industry will be the key driver of investment...