Results 28,601-28,620 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: My Department has prepared a Draft Policy Paper on Next Generation Broadband. The Paper reviews current communications infrastructure policy and analyses policy options in light of industry developments in relation to the optimum role for the Government in the planning and roll out of next generation broadband. In February of this year I convened a meeting of the expert International...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The Broadcasting (Amendment) Act, 2007 provides for the development of digital terrestrial television in Ireland. Under this Act, RTÉ is required to provide a digital terrestrial television system with capacity to carry RTÉ, TG4 and TV3. The legislation also requires the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI) to seek commercial applicants who are interested in providing commercial...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The National Postcode Project Board (NPPB) presented its recommendation as to the most appropriate postcode system for Ireland, the costs and benefits arising from its introduction along with a detailed implementation, promotion and maintenance plan. A proposal concerning the introduction of postcodes went to Government in May 2007 and Government decided that prior to the introduction of...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: My Department has prepared a Draft Policy Paper on Next Generation Broadband. The Paper reviews current communications infrastructure policy and analyses policy options in light of industry developments in relation to the optimum role for the Government in the planning and roll out of next generation broadband. Part of the preparatory work on the paper involved consultation with service...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: Spam is a global problem and the capacity of an individual State to control it in isolation is very limited because spam can originate outside the State's jurisdiction. The combating of spam requires an approach encompassing legislation, education and awareness raising and cooperation between regulatory authorities, both nationally and internationally. The ICT industry and communications...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The roll out of a national smart meter programme, in line with the commitment in the Government's Energy Policy Framework and in the Programme for Government, is a central component of our strategy to significantly enhance management of demand for electricity and to achieve greater energy efficiency through the use of cutting-edge technology. The delivery of smart metering requires a...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: There are a significant number of interconnector projects planned and underway in Europe. Greater interconnection between Member States is a key urgent priority for the European Union to ensure the effective working of the internal market and security of supply. It is also critical for the integration of renewable energy into the grid. The EU Commission has identified in its Priority...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: My Department has reviewed the Directive with a view to establishing the key issues arising from it for Ireland and I intend to shortly hold a public consultation process examining these issues. The results of this process will assist my thinking with respect to the transposition of the directive into Irish law, including any possible consolidation of existing postal legislation.

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: My Department is currently finalising a consultation paper in relation to the proposed biofuels obligation. The consultation process will be rolled out shortly and this will allow all interested stakeholders to submit their views on the proposal. Specific details of the obligation will be developed as part of the consultation process. Ireland's national biofuels obligation will take full...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The processing of applications for connections to the electricity network is a matter for ESB Networks or EirGrid in the first instance. The processing of Gate Three applications and adjudicating on disputes in relation to connection requests and decisions are matters for the Commission for Energy Regulation. I have no statutory function in the matter. Projects which have secured a...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: Paragraph (xia) of the First Schedule to the Value-Added Tax Act 1972, as amended, provides for an exemption from VAT for public postal services (including the supply of goods and services incidental thereto) supplied by An Post, including postmasters. Essentially, the exemption covers services provided within the "universal service" in the EU Postal Services Directive. Any specialised...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I have no statutory function in relation to this matter. Matters relating to quality and levels of postal service are a matter, in the first instance, for the management and board of An Post. The Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, is responsible under the European Communities (Postal Services) Regulations 2002 for monitoring quality of service standards in relation to the...

Written Answers — Energy Efficiency: Energy Efficiency (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I have provided some €4 million to Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) in 2008 to fund the Warmer Homes Scheme, which is an increase over the €2.5m available to this scheme in 2007. This scheme provides insulation and other energy efficiency solutions to low income homes across Ireland. The service is coordinated by SEI and is delivered principally through community based organisations....

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (23 Apr 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 — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: Section 19(1)(c) of the Broadcasting Act, 2001, provides that the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI) shall, upon being directed by the Minister to do so, prepare a code specifying standards to be complied with, and rules and practices to be observed, in respect of advertising, tele-shopping material, sponsorship and other forms of commercial promotion employed in any broadcasting...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 102 and 119 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 policy commitment 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...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 103 and 110 together. The role of the Government is to formulate regulatory and infrastructure policies to facilitate the provision of high quality telecommunications services, by competing private sector service providers. The widespread provision of broadband services continues to be a priority for the Government. In that regard my Department has...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I have not had any discussions with the Department of Social and Family Affairs regarding this matter. I understand however, that under that Department's Telephone Allowance Scheme, where people access the Internet using a landline, the telephone allowance applies to their bill usage and will cover the cost of calls or Internet usage up to the level of their allowance. I also understand...

Written Answers — Natural Gas Grid: Natural Gas Grid (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The Government has no plans for the privatisation of Bord Gáis Éireann and there have been no discussions with Bord Gáis Éireann on the matter. The Government, in the Energy Policy Framework 2007–2020, recognises the fundamental role played by the Semi-State Energy bodies, including Bord Gáis Éireann, in the economic and social development of Ireland and underlines the strategic value...

Written Answers — Nuclear Plants: Nuclear Plants (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The use of nuclear fission for the generation of electricity in Ireland is statutorily prohibited under Section 18 subsection 6 of the Electricity Regulation Act 1999. It is also relevant in this context that Section 3 of the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act 2006 amends the Planning and Development Act 2000 to state that "Nothing in this Act shall be construed as...