Results 28,101-28,120 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Alternative Energy Projects. (10 Jul 2008)

Eamon Ryan: In respect of Deputy McManus's earlier question about when we intend to have the sustainability criteria, the advantage of us supporting and working with the European Commission on this is that it alone will be able to put in the labelling and tagging system so that we clearly know where bio-fuels have come from and that there are real emissions reductions which do not lead to food poverty or...

Telecommunications Services. (10 Jul 2008)

Eamon Ryan: While the provision of broadband services is, in the first instance, a matter for the private sector and broadband is now widely available in Ireland, there are still some parts of the country where the private sector is unable to justify the commercial provision of broadband services. These areas are being addressed by the national broadband scheme, NBS, which will provide broadband...

Telecommunications Services. (10 Jul 2008)

Eamon Ryan: We intended to have contracts signed by July but that has been delayed for two reasons, one of which is the court challenge, which involves the Department and various parties. As stated in my earlier answer, we wanted to get the contract documents as sharp as possible in advance of signing off on the tender so that it would be easier for the company to roll it out as soon as the contract is...

Telecommunications Services. (10 Jul 2008)

Eamon Ryan: That decision was always an evolving process because it is an evolving provision. We set the end of June as the deadline to determine the level of service. We did not accept the situation on the basis of the map but went out to validate that the map was accurate. The end of June is the cut-off point decided for the purposes of the tender documents.

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (10 Jul 2008)

Eamon Ryan: One of the main themes of the draft consultation paper on Next Generation Broadband is to facilitate private sector investment in Next Generation Broadband networks. As the paper shows, major investment is already under way by the private sector, amounting to around €700m per annum, facilitated by a pro–competition, pro-investment regulatory regime. This favourable regulatory regime...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (10 Jul 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I have no function in the direct provision of broadband services to customers. This is a contractual matter between the service provider and their customer. The provision of electronic communications services including broadband, is primarily a matter for private sector operators. Statutory responsibility for the regulation of telecommunications operators including regulatory issues...

Written Answers — Electronic Metering: Electronic Metering (10 Jul 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 and 23 together. The rollout of a national smart meter programme is progressing in line with the commitment in the Government's Energy Policy Framework and in the Programme for Government. The Smart Meter programme is a central component of our strategy to significantly enhance management of energy demand and to achieve greater energy efficiency through the...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (10 Jul 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 and 54 together. The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, is a matter, in the first instance, for the private sector. Broadband service providers operate in a fully liberalised market, regulated, where appropriate, by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. The primary role of the Government is to...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (10 Jul 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I launched a consultation paper on Next Generation Broadband on Thursday the 3rd of July 2008. The Paper commits to a number of actions to be taken by Government to promote a better broadband network and to facilitate specific policy goals. Where these actions require Exchequer expenditure they will be funded from the National Development Plan (NDP) envelope of €435m for...

Written Answers — Mobile Telephony: Mobile Telephony (10 Jul 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The issue of roaming charges for mobile data communications is currently being addressed by the European Commission as part of the public consultation on the Review of the functioning of the Roaming Regulation and its possible extension to SMS and data roaming services. The benefit of lower roaming charges for data traffic is that it would encourage the development of new digital...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (10 Jul 2008)

Eamon Ryan: On 3 July 2008 I published a "Consultation Paper on Next Generation Broadband" which included various Government commitments including a commitment on international telecommunications connectivity. I intend to build on the success of the Global Crossing project and have asked my officials to examine (i) existing international connectivity capacity and (ii) the potential for the existing...

Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (10 Jul 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The question of windfall gains to electricity generating companies as a result of the free allocation of carbon allowances is a complex one. It arises as a result of the way the EU's Emissions Trading Scheme was constructed. As such, it is an issue which faces not only Ireland, but all EU Member States. It should be noted that to date only one EU Member State, Spain, has introduced...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (10 Jul 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 and 34 together. In February last I announced a number of new categories for the Renewable Energy Feed In Tariff support programme to support renewable energy projects in the electricity market. These new categories include offshore wind developments. The renewable energy feed-in tariff scheme or REFIT, has, to date, included biomass, landfill gas,...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (10 Jul 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 and 19 together. The Greener Homes Scheme provides support to homeowners to invest in a range of domestic renewable energy heating technologies including solar panels, biomass boilers and stoves, and heat pumps. The scheme is kept under regular review and earlier this week I announced Phase III of the scheme. I am pleased to advise the Deputy that wood...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (10 Jul 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The Government's decentralisation programme provides for the relocation of my Department in its entirety to Cavan by the end of 2010. To date some 53 staff on the Corporate Services side of the Department have already transferred successfully to Cavan. The next phase of our planned relocation involves placing Cavan-bound staff into divisions within the Natural Resources area of my...

Written Answers — Motor Fuels: Motor Fuels (10 Jul 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The Irish oil industry is fully privatised, liberalised and deregulated and there is free entry into the market. I have no function in regard to oil prices. My Department has been advised that the average price of petrol in Ireland in June 2004 was 93.8 cent per litre and in June 2008 was 129.8 cent per litre. This represents an increase of just under 39%. The average price of diesel in...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (10 Jul 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The National Postcode Project Board presented its recommendation as to the most appropriate postcode system for Ireland, the costs and benefits arising from its introduction, along with a detailed implementation, promotion and maintenance plan. The report of the board concluded that the introduction of a postcode would be a valuable addition to the country's postal infrastructure and would...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (10 Jul 2008)

Eamon Ryan: At the Council of Energy Ministers in February, and again at the Informal Meeting of Energy Ministers in Paris last week, I confirmed Ireland's general support for the proposed Renewable Energy Directive. The overall target for the European Union of 20% renewable energy contributions to electricity by 2020 is ambitious but essential. All Member States will have to play their part by...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (10 Jul 2008)

Eamon Ryan: EirGrid, as the State body responsible for the national transmission system, is working to deliver the necessary upgrading and expansion of the transmission grid in the interests of the economy and regional development. I welcome the call by EirGrid's Chief Executive for collective engagement by all stakeholders in meeting the challenges inherent in delivering vitally needed new transmission...

Written Answers — Foreshore Acts: Foreshore Acts (10 Jul 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The Foreshore Acts are the responsibility of the Minister for Agriculture and Food and are administered by the Coastal Zone Management Division of his Department. I have no statutory function in the matter. There is considerable interaction by my Department and the energy sector with Coastal Zone Management Division in the context of permissions required under the Foreshore Acts for energy...