Results 29,261-29,280 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (4 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: An indicative €435 million of Exchequer funds has been provided for the Communications and Broadband Programme in the 2007-2013 National Development Plan (NDP). €35 million has been spent to date on broadband initiatives during 2007 including Phase II of the Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) Programme and the National Broadband Scheme (NBS). It is anticipated that the full €435...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (4 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: The closing date for receipt of applications under the Salmon Hardship Scheme was 27 April 2007. Applicants have, however, until the 31 December 2007 to accept any offer under the scheme. This deadline, I believe, provides ample time for those concerned to give the scheme due consideration and accordingly, there are no plans to extend the application deadline.

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (4 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 614 and 615 together. The provision of broadband services is primarily a matter for the private sector. Broadband service providers operate in a fully liberalised market, regulated by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). There are a number of platforms for delivery of broadband, and service providers are now offering broadband by...

Written Answers — Departmental Records: Departmental Records (4 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: My Department is conscious of both its security and environmental responsibilities when organising the disposal of old information technology equipment. When a PC is no longer fit for purpose in the Department, the hard drive is wiped using software acquired for this purpose. It overwrites the hard drive multiple times with random patterns thereby eliminating any trace of the original hard...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (4 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: There is currently one Press Officer, who is a civil servant, assigned to the Press Office in my Department. I have also appointed one Press Adviser, who is a political appointee. In 2002 there was one Press Officer, a civil servant, assigned to the Press Office in the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources and the then Minister also engaged one political appointee as a...

Written Answers — Departmental Websites: Departmental Websites (4 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: There are no Podcasts currently available for download on the websites of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. I am currently examining the possible introduction of such a facility. With regard to the agencies under the aegis of my Department, the content of their websites is managed by these agencies and my Department does not have a governance role in this regard.

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (4 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: The Office of Public Works (OPW) has commissioned a major study, using expert international consultants, on the operation of my Department's buildings on Adelaide Road and Leeson Lane with a view to improving their performance in terms of energy efficiency. The results of that study have been submitted to OPW and this study will help shape development of the office space in both buildings...

Written Answers — Oil Imports: Oil Imports (4 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: The following table is a summary of Ireland's oil import sources from 1998 to 2006. Sources of Ireland's oil Imports (000 Tonnes) Year Most Imports 2nd highest 3rd highest Not specified Total 1998 UK, 5,242 – 61% Norway 3,047 – 35% 380 8,669 1999 UK, 6,299 – 67% Norway 2,707 – 29% 400 9406 2000 UK, 5,762 – 61% Norway, 2,950 – 31% France, 311 – 3% 381 9,404 2001 UK,...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (4 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: I have no function in the matter. The enabling of exchanges by Eircom is a matter for the company. The provision of broadband services is primarily a matter for the private sector infrastructure owners. Broadband service providers operate in a fully liberalised market, regulated by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg).

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (4 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: European Union policy seeks to ensure secure and competitively priced electricity markets into the future. Better interconnection between electricity systems is a key aspect of this policy and the White Paper "Delivering a sustainable energy future for Ireland" underlines Ireland's commitment to a more sustainable energy future through a range of measures including increased electricity and...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (4 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: The Greener Homes Scheme has been very successful since its launch in March 2006. There are over 17,000 grant applications approved to date and the sector is now on a firm footing. A breakdown of the number of applications approved under each category and the value of grant aid approved is shown in the following table: Technology Heat Pumps Biomass Solar % of Applications approved 27% 33%...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Legislation: Broadcasting Legislation (4 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: Section 3 of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Act 2007, enacted and commenced in April of this year, amends RTÉ's public service remit by requiring the national public service broadcaster to provide a television and radio service to Irish communities abroad and stipulating that any such television service must be representative of the existing RTÉ One, RTÉ Two and TG4 channels. Section 14 of...

Regional Fisheries Board (Postponement of Elections) Order 2007: Motion (4 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: I thank the Deputies for their contributions. Deputy Coveney made the valid point that resources for this area have historically not been at the level required to provide for the types of management and conservation measures we want. One of the reasons for the difficulty in attracting resources may have been a recognition that regional management structures vis-À-vis central ones were not...

Regional Fisheries Board (Postponement of Elections) Order 2007: Motion (4 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: I move: "That Dáil Éireann approves the following Order in draft: Regional Fisheries Boards (Postponement of Elections) Order 2007, copies of which were laid before Dáil Éireann on 8 November, 2007." I welcome the opportunity to come before the House today to discuss the motion on the Regional Fisheries Board (Postponement of Elections) Order 2007. The management and development of the...

Regional Fisheries Board (Postponement of Elections) Order 2007: Motion (4 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: They will not fall for a year.

Written Answers — Drift Net Fishing: Drift Net Fishing (29 Nov 2007)

Eamon Ryan: Applicants have until the 31 December 2007 to accept any offer under the Salmon Hardship Scheme. This deadline, I believe, provides ample time for those concerned to give the scheme due consideration. The Standing Scientific Committee of the National Salmon Commission has advised that stocks of salmon in a number of rivers in the Shannon Estuary are below conservation limit. The Regional...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (29 Nov 2007)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 185 to 187, inclusive, together. The provision of broadband services is primarily 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 — Inland Fisheries: Inland Fisheries (28 Nov 2007)

Eamon Ryan: Under the Fisheries Acts, primary responsibility for the management, conservation, protection and development of inland fisheries stocks rests with the Central and Regional Fisheries Boards. A considerable proportion of fisheries boards' resources and the time of personnel is devoted to protection of fish stocks. Last year my Department introduced, on the advice of the fisheries boards, the...

Written Answers — Energy Policy: Energy Policy (28 Nov 2007)

Eamon Ryan: The Energy Policy White Paper and the Programme for Government underline the Government's priority commitment to energy research in line 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 deliver sustainable, competitive...

Written Answers — Community Support Scheme: Community Support Scheme (27 Nov 2007)

Eamon Ryan: Officials from my Department and the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (DCRGA) are putting in place arrangements for the management of the €5 million community support scheme agreed by Government. The focus of the scheme will primarily be those communities where commercial salmon fishing has been a well-established activity and where its withdrawal demonstrably impacts...