Results 28,661-28,680 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Electricity Transmission Network. (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: To a certain extent, the detail of what is actually delivered is something that will be gone through in the test process. I will not pre-empt the work that is ongoing with CER, ESB and others to decide which meters they use and which functions they have. That is something which is being undergone at present by the committee to which I referred. As electrical engineers, they are best placed...

Electricity Transmission Network. (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: It is an ongoing process of engagement on a range of different issues in terms of the meters, prices and the networks for which the customers pay.

Electricity Transmission Network. (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: There is a complex product on which I am confident our best energy people are now delivering.

Electricity Generation. (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: Peat has been and remains an important element of Ireland's energy mix and still contributes significantly to security of supply by providing diversity in the fuel mix and as the primary indigenous fossil fuel resource in Ireland. It is, however, a declining resource and its overall contribution to the fuel mix for power generation will continue to progressively reduce over the next decade....

Electricity Generation. (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: Bord na Móna has already committed not to acquire new peatlands for commercial development. With regard to the medium to long-term use of the fuel, there are a number of constraints, one of which is our climate change targets. What we do in the energy area must ensure we meet, for this sector and as part of the overall national effort, our climate change targets. As the price of carbon...

Electricity Generation. (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: ——Bord na Móna is very good at logistics and management of land and that would provide it with real opportunities in terms of lower emission technologies.

Electricity Generation. (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I do not have legislation planned in that regard. It is not completely down to the market. That is not what I said. Any energy policy decisions must be made on the basis of us meeting our climate change targets but also, looking at the broad energy security issues, three constraints must be taken into account: security of supply, cost and environment. There are constraints in that regard...

Energy Policy. (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: Growing concerns are being expressed internationally about the consequences of increased global demand for bio-fuels for global food stocks as well as a range of sustainability concerns. Developments in European Union policy relating to bio-fuels must take account of these concerns and this is recognised by the Commission and all member states. Ireland is currently working to deliver the...

Energy Policy. (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: We are being very precise in supporting the European Commission's proposals that sustainability monitoring be put in place on any bio-fuels bought or sold in the European Union. It is correct that under World Trade Organisation rules we cannot differentiate between bio-fuels from one country or another and we do not have full traceability in place to examine the origin of the supply. It is...

Energy Policy. (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I will come back to the details. I do not have the figures with me on the amount of bio-fuels. I agree that sustainability cannot be defined where it is leading to real food poverty across the world.

Energy Policy. (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: In Opposition in recent years I continually referred to concerns that existed about the development of bio-fuels in that it was not the panacea and that it would raise significant environmental and food price issues. I raised that issue on numerous occasions for several years before it started to evolve as a clear problem because we were aware of those sustainability issues. There is,...

Energy Policy. (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I will come back to the Deputy on the statistic. She has a valid point and I will ensure the statistic, if available, is provided.

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...

Telecommunications Services. (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: There are 90.

Telecommunications Services. (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: There are 90 due to be completed by the middle of this year.

Telecommunications Services. (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The national broadband scheme is designed exactly to cover rural areas. We are currently tendering and the winning company will cover areas which are not currently covered. That is the purpose of the scheme and it is exactly what it is designed to do. Going back to what Deputy Coveney stated, the provision of broadband completely across the country is a first step, not the conclusion. We...

Telecommunications Services. (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I cannot, in the middle of a tendering process, go into the specific contract details because the issue is subject to a competitive tendering process. On a broad basis, we wish to be in a position where we can ramp up speeds. The number of MANs is currently approximately 60 or 65. It changes as many will have been opened in the first quarter or half of this year. To apply a football...

Energy Resources. (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: Our capacity to deliver a secure energy supply at competitive cost is critical for Ireland's ability to attract and retain foreign direct investment. It is also critical for all sectors of indigenous Irish enterprise competing in global markets. Increasing the contribution of indigenous renewable energy will improve security of supply by substituting for expensive and volatile fossil fuel...

Energy Resources. (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: As I understand it, the dividend is paid to the Department of Finance. Our overall budget allocation is then given to us by that Department. The issue of high energy prices is crucial. We are engaged in a retreat from fossil fuels. At the same time, my Department is promoting an advance in digital technologies. The latter requires a great deal of electricity. As the advance into such...

Energy Resources. (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: It is my opinion.