Results 28,901-28,920 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Broadband Services: Motion (26 Feb 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I will give some more OECD statistics to illustrate the extent of our catch-up. In the third quarter of 2006, when the average OECD figure was some 15.6 broadband subscribers per 100, we had 10.3 users per 100. In the third quarter of 2007, the average OECD figure was 18.8 subscribers per 100, and our figure was 18.4 per 100. Even though the Deputy is saying that we were coming from a low...

Broadband Services: Motion (26 Feb 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I will come to that but statistics are important because the debate has been framed by statistics in a simple analysis that has not provided real clarity about what is happening in good times and in bad. Deputy Coveney referred to Denmark and I will comment on broadband speed there. Whatever about advertised speed in Denmark, one of the countries of best practice, figures from ComReg show...

Broadband Services: Motion (26 Feb 2008)

Eamon Ryan: ——of the next generation network of high speed broadband areas, 1% of the population were using such high speed connections last July. Whatever about advertised speeds, that is the figure for what people were using. Deputy Coveney referred to the UK speeds, a country that we need to be ahead of——

Broadband Services: Motion (26 Feb 2008)

Eamon Ryan: ——which is 10.6 megabytes per second. Data from BT shows that less than 5% of customers use such speeds. A debate is useful in getting a sense of what we must do and what we must change. The reality is that we are not there yet but we have improved. We have a similar level of penetration to our colleagues in the northern part of this island. The OECD statistics, which do not take...

Broadband Services: Motion (26 Feb 2008)

Eamon Ryan: If one includes different technology and growth since then, we are closer——

Broadband Services: Motion (26 Feb 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I will stop encouraging people.

Broadband Services: Motion (26 Feb 2008)

Eamon Ryan: Close to 50% of Irish houses have a broadband connection. We must remember that 40% of Irish houses do not have a computer. We must increase that figure so we can increase penetration in the home, which is only one of the issues, albeit a crucial one. We need broadband in other areas of our life, such as workplaces, schools and hospitals. I agree with Deputy Coveney that we should not get...

Broadband Services: Motion (26 Feb 2008)

Eamon Ryan: That is important, because this is a competitive market and a strong regulatory system can provide for the Irish people. Things change quickly in this area and an important development in the past year is the local loop unbundling, where one opens exchanges to allow competing companies access to the network to provide services. The competing companies can buy the services on a wholesale...

Broadband Services: Motion (26 Feb 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I will come to that if I can, Deputy Coveney.

Broadband Services: Motion (26 Feb 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I do not have four minutes, I have 30 minutes left.

Broadband Services: Motion (26 Feb 2008)

Eamon Ryan: No. As a result of local loop unbundling we are starting to see change. One operator is providing ADSL, a fixed line service, with speeds of between 2 megabytes and 15 megabytes per second on 37 exchanges. That serves the possibility of 500,000 lines. Another provider is providing ADSL technology with speeds up to 8 megabytes per second on 22 exchanges, with the potential of 330,000 lines...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (21 Feb 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 719 on the 5th February 2008.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (21 Feb 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The estimate of the cost of the International Advisory Forum on broadband is €50,000.

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (21 Feb 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. There are a number of platforms for delivery of broadband, and the service providers are now offering broadband by wireless,...

Written Answers — Television Licence Fee: Television Licence Fee (20 Feb 2008)

Eamon Ryan: The requirement to have a television licence is set out in the Wireless Telegraphy Acts, 1926 to 1988. Under this legislation a licence is required in respect of each location at which a television set is kept. Section 28(1) of the Broadcasting Act 2001 requires RTÉ to provide a national television and sound broadcasting service free-to-air, insofar as it is reasonably practicable, to the...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (20 Feb 2008)

Eamon Ryan: Eco-friendly domestic generation or "microgeneration", involves the small-scale production of heat and/or electricity from a low carbon source. Market studies in the U.K. and elsewhere have found that, in the long term, supported by appropriate market development measures, such generation has the potential to make a contribution to the reduction of energy related CO2 emissions. Sustainable...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (20 Feb 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. There are a number of platforms for delivery of broadband, and the service providers are now offering broadband by wireless,...

Written Answers — Freedom of Information: Freedom of Information (20 Feb 2008)

Eamon Ryan: Since 1998 the Annual Report of the Information Commissioner has detailed the number of requests received by Public Bodies and the Deputy will find the information requested in those reports. As the 2007 report is not yet published I can advise that the Department received 77 Freedom of Information requests during 2007 and seven to date, in 2008.

Written Answers — Natural Gas Grid: Natural Gas Grid (20 Feb 2008)

Eamon Ryan: I have no statutory functions with regard to the connection of towns to the gas network. The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), which is a statutory independent body, has, since 2002, been charged with all aspects of the assessment and licensing of prospective operators who wish to develop and/or operate a gas distribution system within the State, under the Gas (Interim) (Regulation)...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (20 Feb 2008)

Eamon Ryan: Postbank is a joint venture between An Post and Belgian bank Fortis and all matters relating to its operation, including details of contracts awarded, are for the two participants in the joint venture.