Results 29,141-29,160 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

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

Eamon Ryan: There was no major policy shift between the Energy Policy Green Paper and the Energy Policy White Paper in relation to the transfer of the ownership of the transmission assets from ESB to EirGrid. The Green Paper which was launched in October 2006 for a period of public consultation, outlined the options for future energy policy, including the competitiveness of energy supply. The Green...

Written Answers — Prospecting Licences: Prospecting Licences (19 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: My recent decision not to grant Prospecting Licences to two companies which would have allowed them to search for uranium in Donegal was taken after careful consideration. The most likely end use of any uranium extracted here would be for nuclear electricity generation. It would not be consistent, therefore, to permit the extraction of uranium for use in nuclear reactors in other countries,...

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

Eamon Ryan: The Government attaches the highest priority to the development of electricity interconnection between Ireland and other EU Member States. The Energy Policy Framework underlines this commitment, which will contribute to security of supply and competitiveness. Greater interconnection between Member States is also a key priority for the European Union to ensure the effective working of the...

Written Answers — Energy Efficiency: Energy Efficiency (19 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 108 and 115 together. Far from there being a shortfall for energy efficiency initiatives in Budget 2008, I announced additional funding for insulation, energy building rating schemes together with the energy efficiency programme for SMEs. This is in line with the Government's commitment to radically enhance energy efficiency in the interests of environmental...

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

Eamon Ryan: The All Island Study is a comprehensive assessment of the ability of the electrical power system and, as part of that, the electricity grid on the island of Ireland to integrate significant levels of electricity produced from renewable energy sources. The study assesses renewable resources potential and the technical feasibility and the relative costs and benefits associated with a number of...

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

Eamon Ryan: I have not received any formal offers from the ESB in relation to the funding of construction of an electricity interconnector. The Government decided in 2006 that the ownership of the East West Interconnector would be vested in EirGrid, the National Transmission System Operator. EirGrid in conjunction with the Commission for Energy Regulation is proceeding with the competitive procurement...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (19 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: The Strategic Energy Infrastructure Programme of the National Development Plan envisages the investment of over €1.25 billion in key strategic energy infrastructure projects. A number of large scale public good energy infrastructure projects have been identified in the Programme. These projects include the construction of the East/West electricity interconnector, the construction of a...

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

Eamon Ryan: The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, is primarily a matter for the private sector. Broadband service providers operate in a fully liberalised market that is regulated, where appropriate, by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. The role of the Government is to formulate regulatory and infrastructure policies to facilitate the...

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

Eamon Ryan: I have noted with considerable interest the announcement last week by the Secretary of State for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform of his proposals to enable the potential development of up to 33 Gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2020. I share Minister Hutton's belief in the vast potential for renewable energy in these islands, and we also share a clear determination to play our...

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

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 role of the Government is to formulate regulatory and infrastructure policies to facilitate the provision of high...

Written Answers — Equal Opportunities Employment: Equal Opportunities Employment (19 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: Employment and recruitment of staff is a day-to-day operational matter for the agencies as is fulfilling their obligations under the Disability Act 2005 I have no direct function in these matters. However, the Department's Disability Act Sectoral Plan 2005 requires Agencies under the remit of the Department to report on the levels of employment of persons with disabilities. The independent...

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

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 role of the Government is to formulate regulatory and infrastructure policies to facilitate the provision of high...

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

Eamon Ryan: On 13 July this year, I hosted a forum for senior representatives from across the Irish energy sector. The purpose of holding the event was to start a dialogue with the key players on innovation and job creation in the energy sector. Investment in clean and green energy technologies is growing worldwide. Ireland's advantage in renewable natural resources such as wind and ocean energy...

Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (19 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: The assessment of the prospects for geological storage of carbon in Ireland is at a relatively early stage. A study by Sustainable Energy Ireland, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Geological Survey of Northern Ireland and Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI) examining the potential for such storage on the island of Ireland is proceeding on schedule. The results of this study is due to...

Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (19 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: All commercial scale fossil fuelled electricity generating stations in Ireland are obliged to participate in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme, as part of the national and EU contribution to meeting greenhouse gas emissions obligations under the Kyoto Protocol. My colleague the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has overall responsibility for the management of the EU...

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

Eamon Ryan: My Department is compiling the data sought by the Deputy in this regard and I shall forward it to her as soon as possible.

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

Eamon Ryan: Employment of staff within the agencies under the aegis of my Department is a day-to-day operational issue for these agencies. There is an upper authorised number for each of the non-commercial bodies operating under the aegis of my Department from time to time which is generally agreed after consultation between the Agency, my Department and the Department of Finance. Within that...

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

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). Details of broadband services available throughout the country are available on my Department's website (www.dcenr.ie). The widespread provision of...

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

Eamon Ryan: I can confirm that all buildings where Department offices are located are fully accessible to people with disabilities. Health and safety audits have been conducted in all buildings and any issues identified those from those audits are being dealt on an ongoing basis, as are any items arising from audits carried out by the National Disability Authority. The Office of Public Works is...

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

Eamon Ryan: Financial allocations for each body, which is funded from my Department's Vote, are agreed each year as part of the Annual Financial Estimates/Budget process and are based on available resources and an evaluation of individual agency needs in line with both its existing level of service requirements and any new or additional services that are to be introduced. The global amounts for 2007 and...