Results 28,381-28,400 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Written Answers — Fuel Prices: Fuel Prices (29 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The Energy Policy Framework 2007-2020 sets out a range of actions designed to ensure the security and reliability of gas supplies for Ireland while we work to deliver greater diversity in the fuel mix. The sources of Ireland's natural gas supply are indigenous production combined with imports from the UK to Ireland via sub-sea gas interconnection to the Moffat entry point located onshore in...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (29 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 40 together. The location of an onshore gas terminal is a matter for the developer who must then obtain the necessary planning permission. I have no statutory role in this regard. In the case of the Corrib Gas Project the onshore gas terminal at Bellanaboy is currently under construction having been granted planning permission by An Bord Pleanála...

Written Answers — Fuel Prices: Fuel Prices (29 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 33, 49, 55, 199 and 200 together. The price of oil, diesel or petrol, which is set on international markets, is outside our direct control. The Irish oil industry is fully privatised, liberalised and deregulated. There is free entry into the market. Prices at the pump reflect global market price, transportation costs, Euro/Dollar fluctuations and other...

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

Eamon Ryan: I propose to issue a draft policy paper shortly on Next Generation Broadband. The paper will set out the framework for Government policy and related proposed actions in this area. I will be inviting comments on the draft paper through an online consultation process. Whilst I cannot indicate the detail of the paper at this juncture, I can say that it is my ambition for Ireland to have a Next...

Written Answers — Emergency Call Services: Emergency Call Services (29 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: In September 2007, my Department went to public tender seeking invitations for undertakings to provide an Emergency Call Answering Service. The closing date for the receipt of tenders was in December 2007. The evaluation of these tenders is almost concluded. Following the selection of the highest ranked bidder, it is proposed to enter into detailed discussions for the delivery of the...

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

Eamon Ryan: Broadband services are provided in the Irish market by the private sector, with appropriate regulation from the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). The role of Government is to ensure that the appropriate regulatory regime is in place and to also invest directly in the case of market failure such as the proposed National Broadband Scheme. The latest figures from the OECD show...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (29 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: As part of the Government's decentralisation programme, the headquarters of my Department is scheduled to relocate to Cavan at the end of 2010. This will involve the relocation of approximately 300 posts. 122 civil servants have signed up to decentralise with my Department to Cavan to date. 47 have already relocated to interim accommodation in Elm House, Cavan. This figure is expected to be...

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

Eamon Ryan: A proposal, based on the recommendations of the National Postcode Project Board (NPPB) concerning the introduction of postcodes, was made to Government in May 2007. The work of the NPPB focused on quantifying the costs and benefits of postcodes to the postal sector including postal operators and customers and did not explicitly address non-postal costs and benefits. Two extensive...

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

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 41, 47 and 53 together. 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. The role of the Government is to formulate regulatory and infrastructure...

Written Answers — North-South Interconnector: North-South Interconnector (29 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: In the course of EirGrid's pre-planning public consultations on proposed routes for the North-South and Meath-Cavan transmission lines, concerns were expressed locally about the impacts of overhead transmission lines. Noting that these concerns are likely to be common to all transmission line projects, and in order to provide clarity on issues in relation to overhead versus underground...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (29 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The decentralisation of the Central Fisheries Board (CFB) involves relocating the entire Headquarters complement to Carrick-on-Shannon. In that regard, I can advise the Deputy that 41 staff have been recruited to posts relocating since the announcement of the decentralisation programme, the majority of which are temporary. The other major element of the Decentralisation Programme relates to...

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

Eamon Ryan: I am satisfied that the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) has effective enforcement mechanisms to ensure that performance targets for communications operators are met. ComReg's enforcement powers were substantially enhanced by the Communications Regulation (Amendment) Act 2007 including: The creation of new summary, indictable and continuing offences for breaches by operators...

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

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 46 and 196 together. The electricity generation and supply markets are both fully liberalised. The future development of any wind-farm in the context of the liberalised market, including any future developments on the Arklow Banks, is a matter for the commercial judgement of the developers concerned. I am fully supportive of the development of our offshore...

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

Eamon Ryan: The investigation into the funding of public service broadcasting in Ireland, to which the Deputy refers, arose in the context of a formal complaint, made originally in 1999, alleging infringements of Articles 92–94 of the EC Treaty relating to, among other things, the payment of licence fee revenue and direct grants to RTÉ. The Amsterdam Protocol to the European Treaty establishes the...

Written Answers — Nuclear Power: Nuclear Power (29 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I believe that the public would be better informed about the energy security and climate change challenges we face by an informed debate on what alternative fuel supplies we can turn to as we withdraw from our use of fossil fuels. I believe that a debate on nuclear power fits within such a context. It could best take place within the remit of an Oireachtas committee given that the committees...

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

Eamon Ryan: In Budget 2008, the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance announced the requirement for all Government Departments to examine all administrative spending under their aegis with a view to producing efficiency savings. All non-commercial State Bodies under the aegis of my Department were requested to carry out an efficiency review in this regard and report back to my Department by 9 February....

Written Answers — Petrol Station Network: Petrol Station Network (29 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The Irish oil industry is fully privatised, liberalised and deregulated. There is free entry into and out of the market. Current trends in the retail petrol station network are a matter for the commercial companies themselves and I have no statutory function in the matter. I have recently commissioned a study on the security of Ireland's access to oil supplies, which will include an...

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

Eamon Ryan: I welcome the new Audiovisual Media Services Directive which builds on, and replaces, the Television Without Frontiers Directive. The new Directive is timely, given the need to address technological developments in the audiovisual sector and the ongoing need to maintain a balance between economic and public interest objectives. The Directive has a wide range of provisions addressing matters...

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

Eamon Ryan: The Audiovisual Media Services Directive provides that Member States of the European Union may take measures to ensure wide access by the public to television coverage of national or non-national events of major importance for society. The events designated are available to qualifying broadcasters to provide coverage on free television services. The events are designated under The...

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

Eamon Ryan: The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, is 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. The role of the Government is to formulate regulatory and infrastructure policies to facilitate the provision of high quality...