Results 28,021-28,040 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy (7 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: It seems to me that I grew up with Séamus Brennan. I remember in the 1970s watching "Seven Days" and seeing him appear on it, almost like a character from an American movie like "All the President's Men". He had the collar, tie, sideburns and hair to go with modern times and modern politics. I grew into political consciousness during the election of 1977, when all the razzmatazz and...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (2 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 — Energy Conservation: Energy Conservation (2 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The pilot areas for the individual strands of the Home Energy Savings Pilot Scheme are Limerick County Council, Clare County Council, Dundalk Town Council, Thurles Town Council and Tipperary SERVE area (an area within North Tipperary which is the subject of an EU energy project coordinated by Tipperary Energy Agency and North Tipperary County Council). The pilot also includes a Cluster...

Written Answers — Energy Conservation: Energy Conservation (2 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) operates a range of programmes in support of sustainable energy products and services aimed at securing greater energy efficiency and wider exploitation of renewables in the residential, business and industrial sectors. Among these programmes are: Warmer Homes Scheme (energy efficiency upgrades for low income households) Greener Homes Scheme (renewable...

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Second Stage (2 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I could not agree more. There are also benefits to come from having that public broadcasting remit. I listened intently to the weather forecast on the radio during the summer. Although it was such a straight, old fashioned approach it was the most crucial programme of the day and represented the most important and innovative programming because it related to my holiday and my time. There...

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Second Stage (2 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: That is sometimes the case——

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Second Stage (2 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: ——but politics works best when we do the hard work to find the truth of the story and then explain it. It is the same in broadcasting because it must be easy sometimes to stir up controversy for the sake of it and not stick to trying to find the truth. That is not in the public service interest, be it in a commercial, independent or public sector broadcaster. The second definition of...

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Second Stage (2 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: While that has been a success, we need to further refine the assessment of what RTE produces in return for its licence fee. The system of measurement needs to be more sophisticated than a simple tally of the number of hours of programming in each category — it should refer to some of the broad values I mentioned earlier. While those values may be difficult to define, it is appropriate for...

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Second Stage (2 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I do not think it is the correct term.

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Second Stage (2 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am very proud and honoured to commence the Second Stage debate on the Broadcasting Bill 2008. This Chamber has seen historic debate in the past days. Listening to the radio this morning, I heard an interview with our colleague in the Seanad, Senator Martin Brady, when he was exiting at 7 a.m. He used the analogy that what we were doing...

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Second Stage (2 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: These are all valid and there is a proper place and part for these topics in our entertainment. However, the regulation of broadcasting will always be difficult as it must also deal with the trickier, more sensitive areas of politics, sex, religion——

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Second Stage (2 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: ——and how broadcasters approach that aspect of our culture and our national conversation. I was fortunate first to introduce this Bill in the Seanad where there was a very interesting, wide-ranging and well informed debate. An example from that debate showing how complex these issues can be comes to mind. Senator Rónán Mullen questioned why it is we allow advertising of tarot cards,...

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Second Stage (2 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: That is equally a question that could be asked. I raised the point and I have asked my officials in framing the Bill to examine those issues, and to see if wording applies which could steer the regulators or broadcasters towards a sensibility that is in tune with the national conversation and with our sense of our collective consciousness. This sounds very broad, but I believe that is the...

Energy Poverty: Motion (1 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after 'Dáil Éireann' and substitute the following: recognising that: ongoing volatility in energy prices is an EU wide problem with the EU being the largest importer and second largest consumer of energy in the world and that some Member States have substantial indigenous energy resources unlike Ireland; natural gas and oil are internationally...

Energy Poverty: Motion (1 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I commend Fine Gael on putting down a motion on this crucial matter which is the most important and fundamental social issue facing the country in the coming winter. It is recognised as such on this side of the House and it calls for action and consideration as to what additional measures we can take to help people through that difficult time. Earlier this year I attended a presentation by...

Energy Poverty: Motion (1 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I will leave that to others.

Energy Poverty: Motion (1 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: Deputy Olwyn Enright asked about the committee's membership. It has a wide membership, including representatives from the Departments of the Taoiseach, Finance, Social and Family Affairs, the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and Health and Children. It also comprises representatives from the Office for Social Inclusion, the Commission for Energy Regulation and Sustainable Energy...

Energy Poverty: Motion (1 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: We have an urgent timeline on it. It will feed into our budget thinking.

Energy Poverty: Motion (1 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The budget is in two weeks time and the work it is doing must feed into that process. It will continue to meet over the autumn and report to the Cabinet committees on social inclusion, climate change and energy security. One of the first areas that must be tackled is the legacy of older buildings with poor energy efficiency standards. Sustainable Energy Ireland's low-income housing...

Energy Poverty: Motion (1 Oct 2008)

Eamon Ryan: That behavioural approach, while not as high profile or well recognised as some of the other physical measures, is acknowledged by those with an interest in this area as being crucial. There are a number of other schemes in operation but I do not intend to go into all of the details on them now. I appreciate that Deputy Coveney recognises certain measures, including the introduction of smart...