Results 29,121-29,140 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (19 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: The position of the Telecommunications Council on this issue reflected the balance of the position of Member States in the matter. In so far as Ireland is concerned, An Post, as universal service provider, provides a free postal service for blind and partially sighted persons. The draft third postal directive proposes that this practice may continue. I intend that our national legislation...

Written Answers — Emergency Call Services: Emergency Call Services (19 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: My Department launched an open tender process seeking proposals from undertakings in relation to the provision of an emergency call answering centre in September 2007. The closing date for the receipt of tender was on the 7th December 2007 and four tenders were received by that date. Following the evaluation process, it is planned to enter into contract negotiation with the highest ranked...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (19 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: The challenge of sustainable global development of Biofuels is coming increasingly into focus. It is expected that the European Commission's forthcoming renewable energy legislative proposals, will contain targets for biofuels market penetration, subject to the introduction of sustainability criteria and the coming on stream of second-generation biofuels. Ireland's biofuels obligation will...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (19 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: Matters relating to quality and levels of postal service in An Post are a matter, in the first instance for the management and board of the company and one in which I have no statutory function. Furthermore, in accordance with the European Communities (Postal Services) Regulations, the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, is responsible for the monitoring, measurement and...

Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (19 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: The applications processed by my Department, the time taken to process each application and where appropriate the steps being taken to speed up the processes are included in the following table. Applications processed by the Department of Communications, Energy & Natural Resources Average processing time Steps being taking to speed up the processing time Prospecting Licence Applications 4...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (19 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 87 and 102 together. The 2007 Broadcasting (Amendment) Act introduces a framework for the licensing of Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) in Ireland. Under this legislation, RTÉ is required to carry the current national TV channels of RTE and RTE 2, TV3 and TG4 over a national, free to air DTT multiplex and the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI) is...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (19 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: TG4 will continue to receive public funds to finance its operations, along with the income it receives from advertising. In the recent Estimates process, TG4 has been allocated €36.580m in funding, for the year ending 31 December 2008. As the Deputy is aware, TG4 was established as an independent statutory body from 1 April 2007. The Code of Practice for the Governance of State bodies...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (19 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: The following table shows the bodies for which I have Ministerial responsibility for the information of the Deputy. In relation to the budget for these bodies, I can advise that these details are available in their Annual Reports and Accounts. This information is a matter of public knowledge and is in the public domain. The Mining Board has no budget allocation and its expenses are paid...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (19 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: Deep geothermal energy exploitation may offer the potential to supply an important part of Ireland's renewable energy mix. In order for this sector to develop to a level that is commercially sustainable, a regulatory and administrative regime would need to be implemented to provide for the orderly development of geothermal energy. Some complex issues in relation to ownership and access will...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (19 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: The Investment Programme of at least €770 million by EirGrid in the transmission grid up to 2013 is designed to meet overall electricity demand, enhance security of supply and accommodate the connection of renewable energy sources to the grid in line with our ambitious targets up to 2020. Decisions in relation to further investment in the grid will be informed by the findings of the...

Written Answers — Warmer Homes Scheme: Warmer Homes Scheme (19 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: The following table summarises the expenditure and houses remedied through Sustainable Energy Ireland's Low Income Housing programme from 2000 to date. The Warmer Homes Scheme (WHS) was introduced in 2003. Applications to the Warmer Homes Scheme are managed by the respective Community Based Organisations in their respective areas. They are responsible for identifying the client homes in...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (19 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: The Deputy will be aware that in August of this year I announced revised licensing terms for oil and gas exploration and production. The Government decision to revise the fiscal licensing terms followed an independent review that included a comparative analysis of eight other exploration areas, including Norway. That review had regard to energy prices, water depths, operating and capital...

Written Answers — Electricity Transmission: Electricity Transmission (19 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 94, 114 and 413 together. The European Union is committed to ensuring secure and competitively priced electricity into the future. Better interconnection between electricity systems and major investment in transmission and distribution networks markets is a key priority for Europe. The Energy Policy Framework and the Programme for Government underlines...

Written Answers — Sustainable Travel: Sustainable Travel (19 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: My Department is represented on the Cross-Departmental Group on Sustainable Travel and Transport. The work of the group is informing the finalisation of a Sustainable Travel and Transport Action Plan to be published by my colleague, the Minister for Transport in 2008.

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (19 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 96 and 104 together. Currently over 90% of Ireland's energy needs are provided for by imports. In order to ensure the security of our energy supply, the Government's objective is to reduce our reliance on imports and to significantly enhance diversity of energy sources. Natural gas, coal and oil accounted for 50%, 19% and 9% respectively of electricity...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (19 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: The Energy Policy Framework and the Programme for Government underline the Government's priority commitment to energy research development and innovation in line also with EU priorities. The Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy and the National Development Plan both reflect the vital importance of energy research and innovation to underpin the energy sector and the imperative to...

Written Answers — Semi-State Bodies: Semi-State Bodies (19 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 98 and 415 together. Government policy is clear on the retention of the ESB Group as a strong, commercially viable and integrated State-owned entity. The Programme for Government, together with the White Paper on Delivering a Sustainable Energy Future for Ireland, explicitly confirms the Government's position that the electricity network, as a strategic...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (19 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: The National Postcode Project Board (NPPB) has 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 plan. As part of its analysis, the NPPB's advisors carried out an extensive consultation with stakeholders both within the postal sector and outside it with a view to...

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (19 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: The Programme for Government commits to having a smart meter in every home as part of demand management and energy efficiency strategies. The provision of smart metering technology will allow customers to manage their own demand for electricity and reduce their bills. In this way, smart metering is a key strategy for promoting efficient use of electricity and reducing the amount of...

Written Answers — Fishing Industry: Fishing Industry (19 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: I am advised that all applicants under the Salmon Hardship Scheme, operated by the Loughs Agency, who have fulfilled the requisite conditions will receive payments now that State Aid approval has, I understand, been intimated by the European Commission. When lodging the application for approval, a meeting with officials was offered by my Department to the Commission in order to facilitate...