Results 28,001-28,020 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Written Answers — Home Energy Saving Scheme: Home Energy Saving Scheme (14 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The Home Energy Saving Scheme was launched on a pilot basis earlier this year. The experience of the pilot phase will inform the design and roll out, subject to budgetary decisions, of a wider scheme from next year. Evaluation of the impact of the pilot scheme will be completed over the next two months.

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (9 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: My Department has reached the evaluation stage of the National Broadband Scheme (NBS) procurement process. The closing date for receipt of tenders was 6 October 2008 and two bids were received from Eircom Ltd and Hutchinson 3G Ireland Ltd. The evaluation of the bids is scheduled for completion on 31 October 2008 and the contract is expected to be signed next month. Subject to agreement...

Written Answers — Internet Domain Names: Internet Domain Names (8 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I have no responsibility in relation to the issue raised by the Deputy. The IE Domain Registry Limited (IEDR) is the company responsible for the management of the .ie Internet domain name space. It has a dispute resolution process in place where a complainant can address a grievance in respect of .ie domain names in use on the Internet. The dispute resolution process is handled by the...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (8 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The provision of telecommunications services including broadband is, in the first instance, a matter for the private sector. Broadband service providers operate in a fully liberalised market, regulated, where appropriate, by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. I have no direct function in relation to pricing arrangements for broadband in particular areas.

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (8 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I announced earlier this year a new support programme to underpin approximately 50 trials of small scale wind and photovoltaic electricity generators operating domestic and commercial appliances. It is also the case that amendments of the rules associated with small scale generators will enable them to connect to the electricity grid without prior authorisation. A guide to connecting...

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (8 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I will not be attending the ceremony referred to above due to prior diary commitments.

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (7 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: Intelligent lighting systems offer very significant potential for energy efficiency savings in buildings. Many new public buildings are including advanced lighting systems that encompass high-efficiency fittings and advanced controls. Retrofit solutions are also available and can sometimes offer attractive returns on investment, but are not always economically justified. I understand that...

Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (7 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The website of the Government's climate change awareness campaign, www.change.ie, provides a carbon calculator that enables everyone to work out their own carbon footprint. Using this tool, my Department has estimated that the CO2 emissions arising in the course of my ministerial functions for the period 14 June 2007 to 14 June 2008 amounted to 11.38 tonnes. Of this, 5.92 tonnes related to...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (7 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I am aware of the analysis published by EirGrid in 2007, which provides a framework to assess cost implications of wind powered generation under a range of scenarios. EirGrid advise that the framework supersedes the study they published in 2004. It is also the case that since the 2007 framework was published fossil fuel prices have risen exponentially and the Single Wholesale Electricity...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (7 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The East-West Interconnector is a 500MW High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) interconnector, which will link the electricity grids of Ireland and Britain. This project is of strategic national importance to Ireland and its delivery to schedule by 2012 is a key Government priority. The interconnector will enhance the reliability and security of electricity supply, promote competition in the...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (7 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The All-Island Grid Study concluded that it is feasible to generate 42% of electricity on the island of Ireland from renewable energy sources by 2020 subject to a number of factors including the pace and scale of grid development and reinforcement and the development of more flexible conventional operational capacity on the system. The study shows that we have the potential to do more than...

Written Answers — Electricity Sector: Electricity Sector (7 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I refer the Deputy to my statement of 13 March on the future of Ireland's electricity sector. In that statement I affirmed the Government's decision in the Energy Policy White Paper and the Programme for Government, to transfer the ownership of the electricity transmission assets from ESB to EirGrid. The unbundling of the transmission assets involves the resolution of complex technical,...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (7 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I have no function in the matter of the enabling for broadband purposes, of exchanges owned by private companies or the quality of lines for provision of broadband services. It is anticipated that the facilitation of greater competition via the introduction of broadband from different technology platforms should encourage the more rapid enabling of exchanges for broadband.

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (7 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The Commission for Energy Regulation/ESB Networks have recently amended the rules associated with small scale generators. It is now the case that generators of less than 6kW on single phase electricity and 11kW on three phase electricity supply cables can now connect their generators without prior authorisation. Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) will shortly publish a guide to connecting...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (7 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 409 and 415 together. The Invitation to Tender (ITT) for the National Broadband Scheme (NBS) issued on 25 August 2008. Various complex legal and commercial matters raised by the service providers towards the end of the competitive dialogue process were addressed prior to the issuing of the ITT. The closing date for receipt of tenders was 6 October 2008 and...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (7 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: Broadband service providers operate in a fully liberalised market, regulated, where appropriate, by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. I have no role in processing applications for broadband connections owned by private companies and therefore no applications are made to me.

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (7 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The provision of broadband services is, in the first instance, a matter for the private sector. Broadband service providers operate in a fully liberalised market, regulated, where appropriate, by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. Broadband services are available from competing service providers over multiple platforms such as DSL (telephone lines), cable,...

Written Answers — Regional Fisheries Boards: Regional Fisheries Boards (7 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: Details of the number of salmon angling licences issued by the Regional Fisheries Boards can be found in the annual report of the Central Fisheries Board. The annual reports for the years 2006 and 2007 were recently submitted to me for approval and I expect to lay the reports before both Houses of the Oireachtas shortly. The reports will thereafter be published by the Central Fisheries Board...

Written Answers — Electricity Sector: Electricity Sector (7 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The issue of incentives for new entrants to the Single Electricity Market (SEM) is a matter for the Statutory SEM Committee, which comprises the Commission for Energy Regulation, the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation and an independent member. I am supportive of measures which would improve the efficient use of all generating plants and meet the overall aim of providing a...

Written Answers — Electricity Sector: Electricity Sector (7 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The operational efficiency of fossil fuel generating plants is a day to day matter for each individual generator, operating in the wholesale electricity market. My Department does not have available to it estimates as to the amount and value of potential fuel and emissions savings in the scenario posited by the Deputy.