Results 28,521-28,540 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Written Answers — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (13 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The Irish downstream oil industry, which is fully privatised, liberalised and de-regulated, is served by a number of multi-national and domestic independent companies operating in accordance with their own commercial policies. Ireland's commercial oil distribution system is currently based on sea and road transport and the question of compulsory purchase orders for oil pipelines has not...

Written Answers — Fisheries Schemes: Fisheries Schemes (13 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I understand from the Loughs Agency of the Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission, who are administering the salmon hardship scheme in the Foyle, that there were a total of 156 applications for compensation under the scheme. To date, 128 claimants have received payment while 7 applications are still being processed. The remaining 21 applications were deemed ineligible.

Written Answers — Energy Efficiency: Energy Efficiency (13 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 546 and 550 together. I launched the pilot Home Energy Saving Scheme on 24 April. The pilot scheme, for which funding of €5 million is provided in 2008, is designed to encourage owners of older homes to improve the energy efficiency of their homes, primarily through insulation measures. The ongoing results of the pilot scheme will inform the roll-out of...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (13 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The question of assistance to former miners or any other type of employees who suffer health problems as a consequence of working conditions in the past is, primarily a matter between them and their employers, and, in so far as the State is concerned, of disability or occupational injuries benefit entitlement under the social welfare code. Accordingly the question of a new form of assessment...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (13 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I announced last month a new micro-generation programme, to be carried out by Sustainable Energy Ireland, which will support a range of research and demonstration activities in renewable and Combined Heat and Power electricity micro-generation. An initial focus of this programme will be to commission analysis on the options for commercial arrangements for small scale generation in Ireland....

Written Answers — Energy Conservation: Energy Conservation (13 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: My Colleague John Gormley T.D., Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is responsible for setting guidelines for planning authorities concerning design standards for new apartments, and for the regulation of apartment block management companies. My colleague Dermot Ahern T.D., Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform is responsible for property law, including matters...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (13 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The programme for Government includes the commitment to "modernise and consolidate all mineral development legislation". The Minerals Development Acts, 1940 to 1999 comprise five pieces of primary legislation and a number of regulations have been made thereunder. Consolidation is required to address problems and changes in policy and environment which have arisen since 1999. It will also...

Written Answers — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (13 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: Drilling operations by Shell and by Statoil Hydro off the north-west coast have not yet commenced but are expected to do so in the coming weeks. My Department is kept informed continually of progress in all drilling activities. On completion of exploration wells, the results normally require careful technical assessment over a period of some months.

Written Answers — Broadcasting Legislation: Broadcasting Legislation (13 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to address the matter raised by the Deputy in the context of the Broadcasting Bill 2008 which I intend to introduce into the Oireachtas shortly.

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (13 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The delivery of commitments by An Post in regard to access issues at company-owned post offices is an operational matter for the board and management of An Post.

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (8 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: My Department is currently finalising the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan in light of the consultative process and I will be bringing it to Government shortly with a view to launching the Plan thereafter. In that context I intend shortly to establish a Public Sector Energy Efficiency Working Group to drive collective delivery of the Government's target of 33% for the public sector....

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (8 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: Under the Fisheries Acts, primary responsibility for the management, conservation, protection and development of the inland fisheries resource rests with the Central and Regional Fisheries Boards. The rivers meeting their conservation limit and for which a surplus of fish was identified for harvest in 2008, are specified in the Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme Regulations 2007 (SI...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (8 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: Officials in my Department are in the process of finalising arrangements for the inaugural meeting of an informal geothermal working group. This group will consider relevant technical, legal and regulatory issues and is scheduled to report back to me later this year, setting out the options for the development of a proportionate and realistic regulatory regime for geothermal energy...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (8 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I have no role in the matter raised by the Deputy. The provision of telecommunications services is a matter, in the first instance, for the relevant companies operating in a fully liberalised market, regulated where appropriate by the Independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. My Department operates a dedicated website www.broadband.gov.ie where potential broadband...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (8 May 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. The role of the Government is to formulate regulatory and infrastructure policies to facilitate the provision of high quality...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (8 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: It is a key objective of my Department, in its dealings with suppliers of goods and services, to pay all invoices as soon as possible after the goods and services have been satisfactorily delivered. In addition, payments governed by the provisions of the Prompt Payment of Accounts Act 1997, are required to be made within the statutory limit of 30 days set out in the Act. The vast majority...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (8 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The social and environmental sustainability concerns raised by the Irish Missionary Union reflect the agreed need to ensure that biofuel production and utilisation is fully sustainable. The European Commission's Renewable Energy Directive proposes a 10% target for biofuels by 2020, backed up by proposals for stringent sustainable criteria. Together with other Member States, Ireland fully...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (8 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: There are a number of challenges to be addressed as we work to facilitate the widespread adoption of micro-generation. A key challenge is the absence of commercial arrangements for export of surplus electricity. The new micro generation programme which I announced recently, to be operated by Sustainable Energy Ireland, is designed to address the challenges. The new programme includes a...

Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (8 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: It is Government policy that An Post remains a strong and viable company into the future, in a position to compete in a liberalised market, provide a high quality, nationwide postal service and maintain a nationwide, customer-focussed network of post offices. Matters and decisions relating to the future of the post office and the optimum number of post offices are, in the first instance, for...

Written Answers — Budget Submissions: Budget Submissions (8 May 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The settlement of the Department's spending Estimates by Government in the context of annual Budget decisions for the years in question involved a process of consultation over a period of months with the Department of Finance culminating in Ministerial meetings. Meetings of this nature do not require an agenda to be circulated in advance and minutes of such meetings are not maintained as part...