Results 28,821-28,840 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Alternative Energy Projects. (12 Mar 2008)

Eamon Ryan: No.

Electricity Transmission. (12 Mar 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 84, 120, and 269 to 272, inclusive, together. The invitation to tender for the independent study on the comparative merits of overhead and underground electricity transmission lines was placed on the Government's eTenders website on 11 February last. The deadline for receipt of tenders was 29 February. The terms of reference for the study were available both...

Electricity Transmission. (12 Mar 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I will have to check, but my understanding is that the deadline is 40 days, not 40 working days.

Electricity Transmission. (12 Mar 2008)

Eamon Ryan: Forty days would not allow us to stay within the April-May timeframe I am setting out. One of the options we wanted to preserve was for the consultants to come to the committee and present the analysis as set out. That would be appropriate and would allow the committee to ask relevant questions with regard to the findings of the study once it is completed. As to what happens after that, I...

Electricity Transmission. (12 Mar 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I cannot give details of the companies involved or the likely winner as they are commercially sensitive. In terms of the Deputy's first question on reputation and independence, the companies that have applied are internationally recognised in this area of energy advice. The names of the companies indicate that we are dealing with leading international firms in the area of consultancy and...

Electricity Transmission. (12 Mar 2008)

Eamon Ryan: One of the elements I insisted on, in going through this process, was a forum for people with an interest in the issue to make detailed submissions that the consultants must take into account. We ensured this would happen by advertising widely in local and national newspapers to give people the opportunity to make a submission. People are very aware of some of the technical issues and I...

Electricity Transmission. (12 Mar 2008)

Eamon Ryan: This is the process we decided on to allow people make submissions. The time frame for the work to be done is tight but one of the advantages of using international consultants with experience in this area is they are not entirely new to the issue; they will draw on a basis of international experience as this matter has been examined in many countries. It is appropriate that we use best...

Electricity Transmission. (12 Mar 2008)

Eamon Ryan: As our all-Ireland grid study, to which I referred earlier, shows there is a significant requirement for us to urgently build a series of grid connections — we would have to do this in any event to upgrade our grid, even if we were not changing our energy policy direction — it is right for us to treat this on a national basis rather than on a project-specific basis because the lessons we...

Electricity Transmission. (12 Mar 2008)

Eamon Ryan: Having said that, there are very different topographic or regional demographic issues in regard to a 440 kV power line which would go 80 km through drumlin country versus a smaller grid connection that might be applied in the west or in a mountainous region. There are obviously different considerations. We are looking for the consultant to bring back information on the implications for...

Electricity Transmission. (12 Mar 2008)

Eamon Ryan: EirGrid has made its point in numerous public fora and in publications.

Electricity Transmission. (12 Mar 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I am not directing the consultant in terms of any meetings. It is up to them with their experience in the area to take the information provided and to bring in international experience because we need to see what exactly has applied elsewhere and if there are other examples in the world where this issue has been resolved. That will tell us more in a sense. The reality on the ground in...

Electricity Transmission. (12 Mar 2008)

Eamon Ryan: We are asking the consultants to bring in international expertise to look at the broad national picture here but, obviously, within that to look at specific examples of topography or network configurations which will apply in the development of our network. In doing that one has to look at some of the big connection projects, the North-South interconnector being one of the largest....

Electricity Transmission. (12 Mar 2008)

Eamon Ryan: As I understand it, there will be nothing in the contract which would preclude such a meeting.

Telecommunications Services. (12 Mar 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 85, 90, 131 and 139 together. As Deputies are aware, considerable emphasis is being placed internationally on the development of next generation broadband, NGB, networks. This is a big issue for telecommunications policy in Ireland and I am determined that the approach we adopt will be the right one. To that end, my Department has prepared a draft policy...

Telecommunications Services. (12 Mar 2008)

Eamon Ryan: We wanted a mix. It is difficult to talk about these individuals because they gave their time.

Telecommunications Services. (12 Mar 2008)

Eamon Ryan: Of the first two I mentioned, Mr. Thompson comes from a strong American position and has experience in the fixed-line business, while Mr. Sanda from Japan has extensive experience in mobile networks, particularly in the evolution of mobile networks at the present time. It is an example of regulatory, business — both fixed-line and mobile — and international backgrounds. It is not easy...

Telecommunications Services. (12 Mar 2008)

Eamon Ryan: It should be short — a number of months — because this is a fast-changing area. We want to encourage investment by the private sector in the technological developments being considered at present. I do not want long and drawn out speculation on government intervention delaying investment from private operators. Considering the example of countries that were successful, Denmark and the...

Telecommunications Services. (12 Mar 2008)

Eamon Ryan: In response to Deputy Crawford, we must consider what will be the next leap forward, the next crucial development. We must ensure we assist and develop broader digital technology changes that are occurring. The computer industry is moving from one where all the services are on a PC in an office or on a laptop to one where many services will be available on a network. Those in the computer...

Telecommunications Services. (12 Mar 2008)

Eamon Ryan: To answer Deputy Coveney, we are engaged in a competitive dialogue process in respect of the national broadband scheme and must be careful about interfering in it while companies look to determine the best position. The Government would seek an evolving system so that access speeds can improve in line with speeds elsewhere in the country. This will be difficult in rural areas because of the...

Telecommunications Services. (12 Mar 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The national broadband scheme is a key component in ubiquitous access because it will lead to a situation in which Cavan, Monaghan and elsewhere will be covered.