Results 28,681-28,700 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Energy Resources. (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The second reason related to very poor performance by a number of ESB plants during peak periods. We have, therefore, an urgent need to keep electricity prices here low. By investing in renewable sources of energy, we can do so. The fuel price is free. As already stated, renewable energy often provides a good hedge against varying gas prices and brings the overall cost of electricity...

Energy Resources. (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: Yes. I explicitly support the development of the emissions trading scheme in such a way that rather than giving free allocations, energy providers will be obliged to auction in order to purchase. I look forward to the introduction of such a change to the scheme so that we can obtain greater efficiencies in our electricity system. This change will also deliver funds that will help develop...

Energy Resources. (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: No, it will be 2012. If possible, we will do it sooner. However, it must be done within the European Union context. We will need to develop the infrastructure, particularly that relating to the grid, and this will help us deliver some of the technologies to which I referred earlier. That will probably be one of the biggest constraints. I replied to Deputy McManus's original question in...

Energy Resources. (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: Perhaps what we should do is cite the work of the CBI — IBEC's counterpart in the UK — which has drawn up a very progressive and ambitious programme of change.

Energy Resources. (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I listen with due consideration and every respect to IBEC. However, I cite the CBI's recent report as a best case example of industry groups seeing the opportunities as well as the challenges that exist in the context of our new energy future.

Telecommunications Services. (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 72 and 78 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 undertaken...

Telecommunications Services. (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: First, I am reluctant to say anything in terms of anyone's court challenge, and particularly not to outline the case for someone from the other side. If the Deputy does not mind, I will restrict my comments in that regard.

Telecommunications Services. (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The timetable is that there is a hearing for a judicial review on 10 June. My expectation and hope is that it will not unduly delay the development of the completion of contracts and the roll-out of the programme. That is something that will be subject to judicial decision but my firmly held expectation is that we will continue this project on time and deliver as soon as possible because we...

Telecommunications Services. (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: It is the technical and scientific assessment. There will always be houses that cannot be covered for a variety of reasons. Even in our current system under the universal service obligation, which we discussed earlier, there are houses that the fixed-line provider cannot get to. In such circumstances alternatives will always be put in place. In terms of broadband, the most likely...

Telecommunications Services. (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I said I am reluctant to discuss the details of the judicial review but there will always be exceptions, no matter what technology we deliver and what country one is in. By dint of geography there will be houses that cannot be covered as there are in the delivery of the universal service obligation with regard to fixed lines. In those circumstances, it is right for us to allow for an...

Telecommunications Services. (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: Just as I do not wish to talk about a legal case, we are in the middle of a tendering process so I will not speculate on what a company might do.

Telecommunications Services. (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The principle here is to get to those communities and the definition used is the areas that do not have coverage at present under mobile, fixed line or other wireless services. Satellite covers most of the country so that exists as a covering system but was not what we were examining in the mapping process. It was to do with the communities that do not have other technologies. There may be...

Telecommunications Services. (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The intention is to replicate what is available in the rest of the country in these areas, in terms of speed and other conditions——

Telecommunications Services. (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: ——across a range of service issues, as I understand it. I am reluctant because one cannot be precise in terms of contracts when one is in the middle of a tendering process.

Telecommunications Services. (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: It is a competitive tendering process and the issue of tender documents is due on 28 April, as I said earlier at a committee meeting. I do not wish to be specific because I do not wish to restrict anything. In general, the principle is to have the same service as is available in the rest of the country. I must revert to Deputy Stanton in respect of the penetration issue in terms of mobile...

Alternative Energy Projects. (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The programme for Government commits to the development of an Irish bio-fuels industry and to the sustainable development and deployment of indigenous bioenergy resources. In the context of our renewable energy ambitions we need to mobilise as yet untapped biomass resources, including the potential offered by marine algae or seaweed. Work is under way to determine what the marine...

Alternative Energy Projects. (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I agree with the Deputy about the potential benefits in this area. We have a fundamental problem regarding energy in that we will never get anything as good as petrol. I saw an analysis recently which showed the return on energy investment. For exploration petroleum which is extracted and processed, there is a return of 20 units of energy for every single unit of energy put in. The...

Alternative Energy Projects. (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: This is an international issue because all the main energy companies are now investing in what is called clean energy finance. Investment in this area has gone from about €24 billion in 2006 to roughly €110 billion last year, a massive growth. There is enormous interest where any research initiative is exhibited by international financial people to determine who gets the technology to...

Tributes to the Taoiseach (23 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: On my behalf and that of my party, I wish to pay personal tribute to the Taoiseach, Deputy Bertie Ahern, as he prepares to step down from his office. It is personal because I wish to recount some simple recollections. While the Taoiseach may not remember some of them, I first saw him in the Phoenix Park at a road bowling event some time in the early 1980s. A tribe from Armagh had come...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (22 Apr 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I have recently announced an electricity microgeneration programme whereby grant support to meet 50% of the initial start up costs will be made available for the installation of microgeneration systems in approximately 50 trials to be conducted nationwide. This programme is being administered by Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) and will focus on commercial/organisational on-site generation...