Results 28,261-28,280 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (26 Jun 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I expect to publish the Value for Money and Policy Review of Phase I of the Metropolitan Area Networks Programme and the policy paper on Next Generation Broadband Networks in early July 2008.

Written Answers — National Gas Grid: National Gas Grid (26 Jun 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 195 to 197, inclusive, together. Since 2002, the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), which is a statutory independent body, has been charged with all aspects of the assessment and licensing of prospective operators who wish to develop and/or operate a gas distribution system within the State under the Gas (Interim) (Regulation) Act 2002. In 2006, CER...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (25 Jun 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. Details of broadband suppliers, prices and locations throughout the country are available on www.broadband.gov.ie. The role of the...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (25 Jun 2008)

Eamon Ryan: All EC Directives issued since 1973 and relevant to this Department have been transposed and thus implemented into national legislation with the exception of those that were recently issued and not yet due for transposition and Directives 2003/54/EC, 2004/8/EC and 2006/32/EC. The outstanding Directives are expected to be transposed shortly and it is intended that all recently issued...

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Report Stage (25 Jun 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I appreciate the variety of comments on this crucial issue. There is clear recognition across all parties that there is public interest in our reducing our consumption of alcohol; it is as simple as that. This can be achieved in part through a reduction in availability and advertising and through greater education on more responsible consumption of alcohol. The issue is cross-departmental...

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Report Stage (25 Jun 2008)

Eamon Ryan: These are a series of what one might call procedural or textual amendments, each of which is designed to improve the process, rather than to alter fundamentally the policy objectives. I hope they can be agreed to.

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Report Stage (25 Jun 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The purpose of this amendment is to lengthen the time in respect of the right of reply. Hopefully, by increasing the period from ten to 21 days, which will give greater freedom to those making such a request, it will be sufficient to deal with the concerns raised in the House on this issue while, at the same time, ensuring the process moves sufficiently quickly to ensure the value is not...

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Report Stage (25 Jun 2008)

Eamon Ryan: This is a similar amendment that tries to give a slightly longer time for people to apply the provisions.

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Report Stage (25 Jun 2008)

Eamon Ryan: This is procedural in nature.

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Report Stage (25 Jun 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I considered the points put forward on Committee Stage in respect of amendment No. 53 and on reflection, I am of the opinion that the text of section 49(21)(l) and section 49(21)(m) essentially are intended to achieve the same purpose. As such, I propose, under amendments Nos. 51 and 52, to delete section 49(21)(m) entirely. As a consequence, I do not propose to accept amendment No. 53.

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Report Stage (25 Jun 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I wish to discuss these amendments as a group rather than individually. They are largely textual in nature and do not change the policy direction in any particular area.

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Report Stage (25 Jun 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I appreciate the comments and the like-minds on the continuation of a licence for seven years in the case of uncontested applications. With regard to amendment No. 108, section 134 provides that the BCI may extend by four years the terms of an FM sound broadcasting contractor, provided the sound broadcasting contractor concerned is willing to provide its sound broadcasting services on a...

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) (25 Jun 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I very much appreciate Senator O'Toole's comments. I am glad that we were able, through the discussions on Committee Stage, to improve the Bill in that regard. I will take into account what he said with regard to amendment No. 85 and the possibility of improving teletexting in the Irish language.

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) (25 Jun 2008)

Eamon Ryan: We are seeking to take on board here some of the discussions on Committee Stage, particularly with regard to the commissioning of programmes from independent radio producers. Senators argued on Committee Stage that this be changed to a fixed percentage rather than a fixed amount, and such a percentage should result in a higher level of mandatory commissioning by RTE from independent radio...

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) (25 Jun 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I am taking suggestions on board as the Bill progresses and I am sure there will be further amendments. I agree with Senator O'Toole that it is very important for us to recognise there are obligations on independent commercial broadcasters just as there are with public service broadcasters. Each broadcaster has access to a valuable public commodity in the spectrum which can be used in a...

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) (25 Jun 2008)

Eamon Ryan: One of the directions we will have to give to any new authority is that with that public resource, the spectrum to broadcast and the ability to use that public owned asset, comes obligations to ensure we develop high standards. I am not saying individual journalists are not meeting the highest standards against the odds but it is important we set standards to ensure broadcasting can flourish...

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Report Stage (25 Jun 2008)

Eamon Ryan: To respond to Senator Bradford, I do take the spirit of it in the sense that we need public sector broadcasting to present programming to the various publics, and to ensure that it is not always on the basis of commercial return and it looks after specific audiences. I also have the sense that programming which dips into the our heritage, especially archive programming, would make very...

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Report Stage (25 Jun 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The amendment relates to the levy imposed on broadcasters by the BAI to meet its expenses. As I indicated on Committee Stage, I believe the levy is justified and appropriate. Also, the BAI should not seek, through a levy on broadcasters, to obtain funds greater than those it requires. As I outlined on Committee Stage, the legislation places sufficient strictures on the BAI in this regard....

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Report Stage (25 Jun 2008)

Eamon Ryan: We must go back to the fundamentals of the Bill. One of the basic principles was that we wanted to have a level playing pitch between public sector broadcasters and commercial, independent and community broadcasters. In those circumstances it would be inappropriate, where a levy is to be applied, to fund the regulation of that level playing field in order that it would apply to one...

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Report Stage (25 Jun 2008)

Eamon Ryan: As I mentioned on Committee Stage, I appreciate Senator Quinn's concerns and I understand the thinking behind amendment No. 28. I agree that best practice dictates that annual reports and accounts should be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas without delay upon completion of the audit. I do not accept, however, that the timeframe proposed in this amendment would necessarily achieve...