Results 2,801-2,820 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

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

Pat Rabbitte: Under the Renewable Energy Directive, Ireland is required to increase renewable energy from 3.1% in 2005 to 16% in 2020, with a minimum target of 10% in the transport sector. Energy is consumed across the transport, heating and electricity sectors. The intention is to reach Ireland’s overall target through 40% renewable electricity, 10% renewable heating and 12% renewable transport,...

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

Pat Rabbitte: All post-primary schools will have a 100Mbps broadband connection installed by the end of 2014, through a project jointly funded by my Department and the Department of Education and Skills (DES). In 2009, under the initial pilot phase of this project, a total of 78 post-primary schools, were provided with 100Mbps broadband connectivity. The national rollout, which commenced in 2012, will be...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Oil Heating Registration Scheme (26 Feb 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 389 and 395 to 398, inclusive, together. I assume that the Deputies are referring to the potential dangers that may result from faulty installations, especially carbon monoxide gas, which would be dangerous to people in their homes and at their places of work. In that regard, I was pleased to launch the first Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week on the 24th...

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

Pat Rabbitte: The functions of Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) are the protection, management and conservation of the inland fisheries resource, which contribute directly to the development of the sector’s tourism potential. IFI actively promotes the potential of our inland fisheries resource, and on its establishment in 2010, set up a Business Development Division to further develop the potential...

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

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 391 and 392 together. I understand that on 4th February, 2012, German politician and scientific advisor Helmut Fehr presented a talk at a public meeting in Drumshanbo, County Leitrim, on how fracking might affect rural areas. I understand that amongst other views, he expressed his belief that the Environmental Protection Agency should have the last word on...

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

Pat Rabbitte: Ireland’s telecommunications market has been liberalised since 1999 and since then has developed into a well-regulated market, supporting a multiplicity of commercial operators, providing services over a diverse range of technology platforms. Details of broadband services available on a county-by-county basis can be found on the website of the Commission for Communications Regulation...

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: Broadband Services Provision (26 Feb 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Ireland’s telecommunications market has been liberalised since 1999 and since then has developed into a well-regulated market, supporting a multiplicity of commercial operators, providing services over a diverse range of technology platforms. Details of broadband services available on a county-by-county basis can be found on the website of the Commission for Communications Regulation...

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

Pat Rabbitte: Security of energy supply is a key imperative for Ireland and the European Union. The relatively small size of the Irish electricity market underlines the need for greater interconnection as a means of enhancing security of supply, promoting competition and integrating the Irish electricity market into the wider European market. The Government is committed to achieving enhanced...

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

Pat Rabbitte: The Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme commenced for both commercial and recreational salmon fishing licence holders on 1st January 2001, having been provided for in the Fisheries (Amendment) Act, 1999 (No. 35 of 1999). This was followed by the introduction of Total Allowable Catches (TAC) for the commercial salmon fishing sector and bag limits for recreational anglers in 2002. As...

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

Pat Rabbitte: I can assure the Deputy that, where relevant, information will be placed in the public domain.

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

Pat Rabbitte: Within the REFIT schemes, each project will have a unique and individual file history. Renewable energy projects may be delayed from proceeding for several reasons. Some projects may be delayed as a result of a personal decision by a project developer relating to their particular circumstances; others may be delayed due to a decision by a developer to reconfigure their project, which might...

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

Pat Rabbitte: The Memorandum of Understanding on energy cooperation that UK Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Edward Davey and I signed on 24 January will result in completion of consideration of how Irish renewable energy resources might be developed to the mutual benefit of Ireland and the United Kingdom. This will determine whether it is beneficial for both countries to enter into an...

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

Pat Rabbitte: Ireland’s overall goal during our Presidency is to ensure that the efforts of the EU are focussed on the steps necessary to restore economic stability and promote jobs and growth. In Ireland and across Europe, the digital economy is considered to be a key enabler for stability, jobs, growth and social inclusion. For this reason, as chair of the Transport, Telecommunications and...

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

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 406 and 407 together. I wish to advise the Deputy that the information sought regarding payments made to CEOs and staff in the agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each Agency. All directions issued by the Government in relation to remuneration of CEOs in Semi State Companies have been brought to the attention of the...

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

Pat Rabbitte: As I have stated previously in this House, I fully recognise the contribution of the independent radio sector in bringing diversity to the airwaves, and serving the needs of communities, often at a very local level. However, it should be borne in mind that these stations were founded as commercial operations, with the profit motive as their primary objective. Station owners sought and...

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

Pat Rabbitte: In terms of telecommunications policy, my Department plays a key role in providing a supportive legislative and regulatory environment within which competition can flourish and private sector investment can take place. The Government has undertaken a number of initiatives to bring broadband to those parts of the country where operators have been unable to offer services on a commercial...

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

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 410 to 412, inclusive, together. Neither I nor the Commission for Energy Regulation have a statutory function in the monitoring or regulation of petrol and diesel prices. The Irish oil industry is fully privatised, liberalised and de-regulated and there is free entry to the market. There is no price control and it is Government policy to encourage price...

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

Pat Rabbitte: There has been significant growth in the take up of broadband services and contracted speeds in Ireland in recent years. The most recent telecommunications data report by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), reveals that the number of broadband subscribers has more than doubled to over 1.6 million between 2007 and 2012. Similarly, in the case of speeds, the number of...

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

Pat Rabbitte: The award of spectrum licences including the imposition and monitoring of associated quality and coverage requirements for the spectrum rights to provide mobile telephony services are statutory functions of the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) under the Communications Regulation Act, 2002 as amended. Section 11 of the Act, requires that “Subject to this Act, the...