Results 28,781-28,800 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

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

Eamon Ryan: I am in favour of the establishment of a new Oireachtas channel which could provide for extended free-to-air television coverage of the proceedings which take place in the Houses of the Oireachtas and in other democratic fora. The programme for Government contains a commitment in this regard. I have attended meetings with the Ceann Comhairle and the Joint Oireachtas Committee for the...

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

Eamon Ryan: The provision of broadband services is a priority for the Government. In this context, the primary 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 broadband market in Ireland is fully liberalised and regulated, where appropriate, by ComReg,...

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

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 128 and 130 together. 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 and the implementation of local loop unbundling rests with the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). Open...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (12 Mar 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I published details of the Community Support Scheme on Friday 7 March 2008, details of which can be viewed on the Department's website at www.dcenr.gov.ie The Community Support Scheme, amounting to €5 million, will be made available to those affected by the cessation of the mixed stock salmon fishery in 16 fishery districts through 15 LEADER companies and Comhdháil Oileáin na...

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

Eamon Ryan: Section 19(1)(c) of the Broadcasting Act, 2001, provides that the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland shall, upon being directed by the Minister to do so, prepare a code specifying standards to be complied with, and rules and practices to be observed, in respect of advertising, tele-shopping material, sponsorship and other forms of commercial promotion employed in any broadcasting service or...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (12 Mar 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The National Development Plan makes provision for an envelope of €149m in the Energy Research sub-programme over the period 2007-2013. This subprogramme includes energy research capacity building and applied sustainable energy research, development and demonstration projects including the fields of ocean energy and the building environment. It will also address further priorities which...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (12 Mar 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The Government has set targets for the development of renewable energy resources which mirror or exceed existing targets set by the EU. In the electricity market we will increase the contribution by renewable energy sources to at least 15% by 2010 and 33% by 2020 of electricity consumed and work towards the higher level of renewables indicated as being possible in our all island grid study....

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

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 136 and 140 together. The Third Postal Directive was published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 20 February 2008 and is currently being reviewed by officials in my Department. I intend to hold, shortly, a public consultation process examining the key issues arising from the Directive. I anticipate that the consultation will be held over an...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (12 Mar 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The Government's targets for electricity generated from alternative and renewable energy sources in Ireland are 15% of electricity consumed in 2010 and 33% in 2020. The dominant technology providing the required new capacity will be wind powered both onshore and offshore with additional capacity provided by biomass, small hydro and wave and tidal projects. We are also committed to...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (12 Mar 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The All-Island Grid Study concluded that it is feasible to generate 42% of electricity on the island of Ireland from renewable energy sources by 2020. The study shows that we have the potential to do more than reach the Government target of 33% renewables which should be considered as the base rather than the limit of our ambitions. Achieving existing targets and aiming higher again is our...

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

Eamon Ryan: In line with the commitment in the Programme for Government, my Department and Sustainable Energy Ireland are in discussion with the Commission for Energy Regulation with a view to identifying and removing barriers including regulatory barriers, to the deployment of high efficiency CHP and district heating. I hope to be in a position to publish proposals in April.

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (12 Mar 2008)

Eamon Ryan: It is a commercial decision for producers of pure plant oil or other alternative fuels as to whether or not they export to other EU Member States. Under the Biofuels Mineral Oil Tax Relief Schemes, which were competitive calls for proposals from producers meeting the criteria, preference could not be given to any applicants by virtue of the origin of biofuels feed stocks. This is a...

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

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 274 and 275 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, where appropriate, by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. The role of the Government is to formulate regulatory and infrastructure...

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

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 276 and 279 together. Responsibility for the provision of electronic communications services is a matter for the service providers concerned. Statutory responsibility for the regulation of telecommunications operators, including regulatory issues surrounding the quality of services rests with the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), which acts...

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

Eamon Ryan: The Government's Energy Policy Framework 2007-2020, underlines the Government's commitment to ensuring completion of the ongoing capital investment programme by EirGrid and ESB in the transmission and distribution network by 2010 and overseeing further extensive investment in strategic energy infrastructure. The Government is giving particular priority to the delivery of the second North...

Written Answers — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (12 Mar 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I refer the Deputy to my reply to question number 420 on 19 December 2007, in which I outlined that during 2007, two finds were made in the North Celtic Sea Basin off the south coast. Providence Resources Limited identified an oil accumulation at the Hook Head prospect in block 50/11 while Island Oil and Gas Limited encountered gas at the Schull prospect in block 57/2. In addition, Island...

Telecommunications Services. (12 Mar 2008)

Eamon Ryan: 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 initiatives to address the gaps in broadband...

Telecommunications Services. (12 Mar 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The intent of the national broadband scheme is clear, namely, to ensure broadband services will be available throughout the country. As this is a changing area, it is difficult to state at a given time what precisely are the services being provided. The Department asked the industry to outline in detail which areas would be served. If areas are not served by 1 July, the date on which we...

Telecommunications Services. (12 Mar 2008)

Eamon Ryan: As I explained, my Department aims to achieve 100% coverage. I intend to deliver on that objective.

Decentralisation Programme. (12 Mar 2008)

Eamon Ryan: As the Deputy will be aware, the Government's decentralisation programme was announced on 3 December 2003. The relocation of the Central Fisheries Board to Carrick-on-Shannon is included in the programme. The decentralisation of the board involves relocating 62 posts to Carrick-on-Shannon. Progress to date on that front is that 20 staff have been recruited to posts relocating since the...