Results 28,761-28,780 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Written Answers — Electricity Transmission Network: Electricity Transmission Network (12 Mar 2008)

Eamon Ryan: Management of industrial relations within ESB is, in the first instance, a matter for the board and management of the company. I am aware of the ballot undertaken by a number of the unions within ESB last November. I am also aware of recent comments from a representative of one of the constituent unions with regard to Smart Metering. My Department is continuing to monitor the situation...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (12 Mar 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The Energy White Paper sets out over 200 policy actions, measures, goals and targets that are designed to deliver on security of supply, sustainability and competitiveness over the period to 2020. We are making fundamental changes to the way we provide and use energy. Ireland's sustainable energy future depends on it. The Programme for Government underlines the imperative to secure long...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (12 Mar 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The statistics in relation to reliance on energy imports underline the imperative for contingency planning but crucially underline the imperative need to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. The Government is committed to delivering on our targets for the accelerated development of renewable energy in the electricity, heating and transport sectors which will progressively reduce our...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (12 Mar 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 99, 109 and 129 together. 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 by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). The widespread provision of broadband services continues to be a priority for the...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (12 Mar 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I intend for RegTel to be under the aegis of ComReg and details of this will be outlined in the Broadcasting Bill which I will present to the House in the coming months.

Written Answers — Regulatory Bodies: Regulatory Bodies (12 Mar 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The Programme for Government includes a commitment to instigate a Review of the Economic Regulatory Environment. An Interdepartmental Group, chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach and including a representative from my Department, has been tasked by the Government with advancing work in this area. An independent review is being commissioned by that Group to address the need for stronger...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (12 Mar 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I have no plans to extend the universal services obligation to broadband. However, the widespread provision of broadband services continues to be a priority for the Government. In that regard my Department has undertaken initiatives to address the gaps in broadband coverage. These include providing grant-aid under the recently concluded Group Broadband Scheme and investment in Metropolitan...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (12 Mar 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The UK Government is planning to close down analogue broadcasting services in Wales in 2009 and replace them with digital broadcasting services. When the analogue services are switched off, TV viewers in the South East of Ireland who currently receive UK channels through overspill, will lose reception of these analogue channels. TV viewers will, of course, continue to receive the Irish...

Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (12 Mar 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I hold regular meetings with the Minister for Transport and his department officials at which various issues are discussed including those related to the impact of energy on climate change policy.

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (12 Mar 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 105 and 119 together. 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...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (12 Mar 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 106 and 125 together. The provision of broadband services is, in the first instance, a matter for private sector service providers operating in a fully liberalised market, regulated, where appropriate, by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. There are a number of platforms for delivery of broadband, and service providers are now...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (12 Mar 2008)

Eamon Ryan: Any future decisions in relation to the development of additional energy storage will be informed by analysis by EirGrid and ESB, research and development as necessary and the views of the Commission for Energy Regulation, taking into account the findings of the All-Island Grid Study and the needs of the energy sector.

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (12 Mar 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 by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). The widespread provision of broadband services continues to be a priority for the Government. There are still some parts of the country where the...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (12 Mar 2008)

Eamon Ryan: My Department has prepared a draft Policy Paper on Next Generation Broadband and has recently completed a successful meeting of the expert International Advisory Forum to examine the issues, options and recommendations for future policy. There are a number of options available to Government which are considered in the policy paper, including how to make the optimum use of state...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (12 Mar 2008)

Eamon Ryan: Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) is progressing on a number of fronts. The 2007 Broadcasting (Amendment) Act introduces a framework for the licensing of DTT in Ireland and assigns responsibilities to ComReg, RTE and the BCI. ComReg is responsible for ensuring there is sufficient spectrum for DTT broadcasting. RTE is responsible for developing a national DTT service with capacity for...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (12 Mar 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, is 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 latest OECD statistics show Ireland in first place in terms of per-capita subscriber growth over the year to end of June...

Written Answers — Energy Conservation: Energy Conservation (12 Mar 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 115, 118 and 122 together. The Greener Homes Scheme provides support to homeowners to invest in a range of domestic renewable energy heating technologies including solar panels, biomass boilers and stoves and heat pumps. There has been a strong interest in the scheme since it was launched in March 2006. On foot of the achievement of the scheme targets a full...

Written Answers — Energy Policy: Energy Policy (12 Mar 2008)

Eamon Ryan: In February 2007, my Department, in conjunction with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment for Northern Ireland (DETINI), commissioned a joint study on a common approach to All-Island natural gas storage and liquefied natural gas (LNG). The report was completed and submitted to both Departments in December. The study assesses the medium to long-term position with regard to...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Legislation: Broadcasting Legislation (12 Mar 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 123 and 280 together. The draft general scheme of the Broadcasting Bill, submitted to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources in September 2006 for the purposes of public consultation under the eConsultation initiative, is intended to ensure the establishment of the appropriate regulatory and organisational structures for...

Written Answers — Fuel Poverty: Fuel Poverty (12 Mar 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I am advised that the final report of the Fuel Poverty Action Research Project is scheduled for publication in mid 2008. There are currently no national statistics available on the number of people experiencing fuel poverty in Ireland. The EU Survey on Income and Living Conditions which is carried out by the Central Statistics Office each year, measures the number of households that have...