Results 28,361-28,380 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (4 Jun 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I do not propose to accept amendments Nos. 2 and 104 at this time. The text as published in the Bill is standard language. I am happy to review the text in consultation with the Parliamentary Counsel prior to Report Stage. I do not propose to accept amendment No. 3 as no such generic provision was included when drafting the Bill as it was intended to allow the requirements to go further in...

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (4 Jun 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I very much recognise the bona fides and the motives behind the amendment and the Senator's interest in the area. I am examining innovate new ways of appointing authorities and it is important to get the balance right between various considerations. It is appropriate for the Minister of the day to have an appointment facility to boards. He or she does not have to appoint the entire board...

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (4 Jun 2008)

Eamon Ryan: If I can return to the point made by Senator O'Reilly before going on to deal with the other amendments, the issue here is whether this process will improve the quality of members we get for our boards. In the absence of a real veto, which is not being proposed here, I fear that such a vetting process could be something that might only restrict good candidates from coming forward. It would...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (29 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I am advised by Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) that the point of peak demand for 2007 occurred on 18 December last, with the generation of 5,077 megawatts of electricity. The demand was met satisfactorily. This compares with a 2006 winter peak demand of 5,035 megawatts and represents a rise of less than 1%. As with any power generation system, it is not possible to give definitive...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (29 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I convened an International Advisory Forum for a one day consultation meeting on Next Generation Broadband on 27 February last. This meeting was an important advisory input into the drafting of the consultation paper on Next Generation Broadband which I intend to launch very shortly.

Written Answers — Cyber Bullying: Cyber Bullying (29 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: As Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources I have overall responsibility for electronic communications policy, but I have no responsibility in relation to the actions of persons conducting bullying or intimidation activities over electronic communications networks. Bullying in any form can be very real issue and can be distressing for those on the receiving end, particularly...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (29 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: A Value for Money and Policy Review of Phase I of the Metropolitan Area Networks Programme is currently being finalised in my Department. Additionally, a consultation policy paper on Next Generation Broadband is also being finalised. Both reports, which I intend to publish in the coming weeks, will help to inform future decisions in this area including any future phases of the MANs.

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (29 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: Currently, over 90% of Ireland's energy needs are provided for by imports. In order to ensure the security and sustainability of our energy supply, we must reduce our reliance on imports and significantly enhance the diversity of our energy mix. While Ireland does not currently maintain a strategic gas reserve, commercial reserves of natural gas are held by licensed natural gas shippers and...

Written Answers — Television Broadcasting: Television Broadcasting (29 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The UK has a schedule to switch off analogue TV in different regions from 2008 to 2012 in favour of Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT). Analogue TV services in Wales, for instance, are expected to switch off in 2009 and this will impact on viewers in Wexford, Waterford, Wicklow and Dublin who receive UK TV channels via overspill from the UK. Viewers on cable and satellite will not be...

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (29 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 16 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 demand for electricity and to achieve greater energy efficiency...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (29 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The Third Postal Directive, EC/2008/6, was published in the Official Journal of the European Union earlier this year and was reviewed by officials in my Department with a view to establishing the key issues arising from it for Ireland. Whilst the Directive sets the date for the final liberalisation of the postal sector and stipulates that there should be no changes to the Universal Service...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (29 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: As regards the recent report relating to the effects of deregulation on the UK postal market, I do not propose to comment specifically on the development of postal sectors in other jurisdictions. With respect to the liberalisation of the Irish postal sector, set to be completed by 1st January 2011, my Department is currently conducting a public consultation process on the key issues arising...

Written Answers — Radio Broadcasting: Radio Broadcasting (29 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The Broadcasting Bill 2008 proposes a number of legislative initiatives to support the development of the independent production sector, including TV, film and radio in Ireland. Section 25 sets the new single content regulator, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI), the objective of stimulating the provision of high quality, diverse and innovative programming by independent producers....

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (29 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The Greener Homes Scheme currently provides support to homeowners to invest in domestic renewable energy heating technologies including solar panels, biomass boilers and stoves, and heat pumps. The overall aim of the Scheme is to consolidate the market for domestic renewable energy heating technologies, underpinning it with quality standards and training and providing for a long-term future...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (29 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 22 and 28 together. I would refer the Deputy to my Statement of 13th 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. It is also fundamental...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (29 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I am working with my colleague, the Minister for Transport, to progress the enhanced deployment of green energy technologies and the sustainable use of energy in transport. My Department is cooperating in the development of the Sustainable Transport and Travel Action Plan (STTAP), and is meeting with officials of the Department of Transport on a regular basis to review initiatives in the...

Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (29 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: As set out in the programme for Government, the Government remains fully committed to the objective of securing a viable and sustainable nationwide post office network through a range of measures including maximising the volume of both public and private sector business handled through the network. Currently 71% of the post office network's revenue comes from Government contracts. The...

Written Answers — Alcohol Advertising Ban: Alcohol Advertising Ban (29 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The regulation of alcohol advertising is a matter which falls to be addressed by a number of Government Departments including the Department of Health and Children and my Department in respect of broadcasting. As the deputy will be aware the Department of Health and Children recently revised its voluntary code of standards in respect of alcohol advertising. This code was developed in...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (29 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I am confident that we will meet the Government's targets for renewable energy and energy efficiency as set out in the Energy Policy Framework and the Programme for Government. We have put in place a range of actions to ensure progressive delivery on these targets which will contribute to our overall emissions reductions targets.

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (29 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The Renewable Energy Feed In Tariff (REFIT) support scheme as published is subject to EU State aids clearance. The majority of the term and conditions of REFIT as published will apply also to the additional categories of biomass, ocean energy and offshore wind which I announced in recent months. These additional categories are nevertheless amendments to the EU State aids clearance...