Results 28,641-28,660 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

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

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 236 and 239 together. In the context of the development of broadcasting policy my officials and I have cause, on a regular basis, to meet with the various interests that comprise the broadcasting sector including but not limited to commercial broadcasters, public service broadcasters and independent producers.

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 — Postal Services: Postal Services (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 240 and 242 together. The Government's policy with regard to the future development of the postal service is to ensureIrish customers, both business and residential, enjoy competitively priced, high quality postal services on a par with the highest quality standards in key comparator economies elsewhere in the EU. Electronic communications services, while...

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

Eamon Ryan: I have no role in the matter of the discussions that have taken place between An Post, the postal unions and other interested parties in respect of the future of postal delivery services. This is an issue for the Board and management of An Post to decide on. In addition, Communications Regulation (ComReg), the postal regulator, has responsibility for monitoring quality of service standards...

Written Answers — Mobile Telephony: Mobile Telephony (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I have no function in the matter raised by the Deputy. The EU Commission has recently issued a recommendation on the authorisation of mobile communications services on aircraft. The recommendation clears the way for airlines to allow their passengers use their mobiles phones while the aircraft is in flight. It is a matter for airlines and service providers to decide whether to offer the...

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 — 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 — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I monitor current expenditure in my Department on an ongoing basis to ensure it remains within the parameters allocated in my Department's budget for 2008, and to ensure that efficient and effective use is made of taxpayer's money. At the end of March current expenditure was in line with profile. I expect that current expenditure in my Department for all of 2008 will be within estimate.

Telecommunications Services. (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: My Department has prepared a draft policy paper on next generation broadband, NGB. It is intended that the paper will be finalised shortly and published for consultation. The paper will review current communications infrastructure policy and propose actions to promote the roll-out of NGB policy. In this context, it will address the optimum role for the Government in the planning and...

Telecommunications Services. (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I do not under estimate the difficulties in this area. It is deeply frustrating that people cannot get broadband in parts of the country.

Telecommunications Services. (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I was answering Deputy Coveney's question. He made a point about what we say on the issue of broadband. I recognise we need to go further in terms of closing the gap and acknowledge that we need to improve in certain areas, but the reality is that dramatic increases have been made. We have the fastest growing broadband take-up of any country in the OECD and we are probably the leading...

Telecommunications Services. (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: Both the difficulties and the opportunities should be recognised. I am committed to this policy area and I am working around the clock to deliver on it, just as I am in any other area. I refute the suggestion that I am more interested in one area of my brief than in others. In fact, I see the clear connection in terms of delivering energy efficiency through digital technology. The...

Telecommunications Services. (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: One of the developments in this area was the presentation of a report by the Telecommunication and Internet Federation which has agreed broad principles from its perspective on where we need to go.

Telecommunications Services. (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: That report was welcome for the crucial principles it agreed on the open access nature of broadband development.

Telecommunications Services. (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I intend to publish this document and then hold a one-day forum at which industry players, users of broadband and other Departments can discuss how to develop next generation broadband. The paper will set out specific actions which the State can take but it is not only about the State. The level of private sector investment is far more significant than anything coming from the State and is...

Telecommunications Services. (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: As I pointed out to the Deputy earlier today in the Select Committee on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, the international advisory forum was the main source of advice for this paper, not the steering group. However, I intend to open the paper to full consultation with the industry, users and other interested bodies to commence a process of evolving policy decisions.

Electricity Transmission Network. (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The roll-out of a national smart meter programme is progressing in line with the commitments in the Government's energy policy framework and the programme for Government. The programme is a central component of our strategy to significantly enhance management of demand for electricity and achieve greater energy efficiency through the use of cutting-edge technology. The delivery of smart...

Electricity Transmission Network. (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The delivery in mid-year will be in July-August and there will be 25,000 meters in the first test phase. It is proper to do this before going to every single house in the country. We need a significant sample such as this so we can test which technologies we want to use and what level of intervention or complexity we need to apply. It is right and proper that those details are worked out in...

Electricity Transmission Network. (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: We are talking about mid-year. I will not tie people down to a particular date. Mid-year is satisfactory in terms of a timeline indication.

Electricity Transmission Network. (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: We are talking about 25,000 houses, the selection of which will be undertaken on a basis that gives a good statistical analysis of the country overall. It will be done by way of a test grouping which can be measured and which will have to reflect a range of different types of housing and different geographic circumstances. I have every confidence in the engineers in the ESB and other supply...