Results 28,621-28,640 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Written Answers — Regulatory Bodies: Regulatory Bodies (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The provision of electronic communications services, including broadband is primarily a matter for private sector operators. Statutory responsibility for the regulation of electronic communications service providers rests with the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). In relation to ComReg's enforcement powers, the Deputy may be aware that these were substantially enhanced by...

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

Eamon Ryan: My Department and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment for Northern Ireland jointly commissioned a study in 2007 to assess the medium to long-term position with regard to security of natural gas supply on an all-island basis and the scope for an all-island approach to natural gas storage and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). The Executive Summary of the Report was published in...

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

Eamon Ryan: The Government is committed to ensuring that electricity supply consistently meets the needs of Irish consumers and business. My Department liaises closely with the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), which has primary independent statutory functions with regard to monitoring and ensuring security of electricity supply, and with EirGrid as the independent Transmission System Operator....

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

Eamon Ryan: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 268 of 3 April 2008.

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

Eamon Ryan: The Programme for Government underlines the imperative to secure long term energy security and sustainability and a low carbon future for Ireland, responding to the urgent and massive challenge of climate change. The comprehensive policy actions set out in the Energy Policy White Paper, reinforced and augmented by the Programme for Government, will result in a transformed landscape for the...

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

Eamon Ryan: The availability of reliable, secure and competitively priced electricity supply is critical to Ireland's economic social and regional development and the competitiveness of Irish industry. The challenge is underlined by the continued growth in electricity demand in our economy, the need to accelerate the growth of renewable energy sources and the imperative to reduce green house gas...

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

Eamon Ryan: I welcome Commissioner Reding's recent praise for Ireland's progress in increasing take-up of broadband. In addition I acknowledge her comments on the cost of retail broadband pricing. However, we have already seen a steady fall in the price of retail broadband in Ireland which can be attributed to an increase in competition. In 2002 the cost of eircom's standard DSL product was €107.70...

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

Eamon Ryan: There are currently no grants available to support the installation of individual domestic wind turbines. At my request Sustainable Energy Ireland is putting in place a microgeneration programme which will underpin and inform development of appropriate cost effective measures to support the deployment of small renewable generators.

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

Eamon Ryan: International consultants Ecofys have been appointed to undertake the independent study on the comparative merits of overhead electricity transmission lines versus underground cables. The consultants were appointed on 8th April 2008 following a tender process launched on 29 February on the Government's eTenders website. Ecofys, which is based in the Netherlands, with offices in twelve...

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

Eamon Ryan: The Government's target as set out in the Energy Policy Framework and the Programme for Government is to increase the contribution from renewable energy sources to electricity by 33% by 2020. This national target is fully reflected in the legally binding target for Ireland proposed by the EU Commission in the Renewable Energy/Climate Change Package. I have stated previously that 33% should...

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

Eamon Ryan: The postal regulations provide that An Post may apply to the High Court to make an order prohibiting the provision by an individual of services legally reserved for An Post. The reserved area has been gradually reduced since 2000 and the transposition of the third postal directive into Irish law will see the complete removal of the reserved area on 31 December 2010. Consequently, postal...

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

Eamon Ryan: I am aware that growing concerns are being expressed on the consequences of increased global demand for biofuels for global food stocks as well as a range of sustainability concerns. The EU Commission's proposed Renewable Energy Directive sets a minimum mandatory target of 10% market penetration of biofuels in transport in all Member States by 2020. It also includes an explicit framework...

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

Eamon Ryan: Matters relating to quality and levels of postal service are a matter in the first instance for the management and board of An Post and one in which I have no statutory function. In addition, the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, in accordance with the 2002 European Communities (Postal Services) Regulations, is responsible for the monitoring, measurement and regulation of the...

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

Eamon Ryan: I am aware that the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon, has called for a full review of international biofuels policy in light of increasing global food prices and food security concerns. I am also aware of the concerns about the environmental impacts of unsustainable biofuels production expressed by Dr. Rajendra Pachavri in the context of climate change. I welcome the fact that the EU...

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

Eamon Ryan: The Energy White Paper, 2006 sets out targets for electricity generated from alternative and renewable energy sources in Ireland of 15% of electricity consumed in 2010 and 33% in 2020. The dominant technology providing the required new capacity will be wind, both onshore and offshore. It is our objective also to ensure that additional capacity will be provided by biomass, small hydro and...

Written Answers — Waste Disposal: Waste Disposal (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: Under the Programme for Government we are strongly committed to a waste management hierarchy based on the cornerstones of reduction, reuse, recycling and marketing of recycled products. We are committed to ensuring that the National Waste Management System uses all available sustainable technologies to the highest operating standards and best international practice, including the use of waste...

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

Eamon Ryan: With the exception of the wind technology gate connection process in the electricity sector, I am not aware of any concerns expressed about recurring delays in securing planning permission or authorisations, where required, to harness or convert renewable and alternative energy resources. The planning process is a matter for individual local authorities and An Bord Pleanála and my...

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

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 233 and 237 together. Statistical information on energy production, transformation, and related matters is collated by the Energy Policy Statistical Support Unit (EPSSU) of Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) and published by SEI. The published reports are available from SEI directly or from its website. The latest published report is "Energy in Ireland 2006",...

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 — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: While overall accounting responsibility for national emissions policy is primarily a matter for my colleague the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the Environmental Protection Agency, it is the responsibility of Government as a whole to meet our overall climate change and energy targets. The Government has established a Cabinet subcommittee on climate change and...