Results 30,161-30,180 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Telecommunications Services. (19 Oct 2006)

Eamon Ryan: Question 3: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the revisions he intends to make to the construction of the second phase of metropolitan area networks to ensure cost effective last mile connections for the end user and a backhaul connection from the MANs to the broader telecommunications network. [33854/06]

Telecommunications Services. (19 Oct 2006)

Eamon Ryan: The first phase of the programme is not working. It has cost approximately €80 million and its reported annual turnover was cited as €3.5 million in April, a poor return on a State investment by any measure. From presentations to the relevant committees by the operators of the MANs, it is clear that a different system is needed. According to Mr. Conal Henry, the chief executive officer...

Telecommunications Services. (19 Oct 2006)

Eamon Ryan: I checked the time, a Cheann Comhairle. I believe we have a couple of minutes.

Telecommunications Services. (19 Oct 2006)

Eamon Ryan: I am not standing here on behalf of Eircom. I would never have sold Eircom. I would even have bought back Eircom. However, I recognise the reality that Eircom still holds all the cards and that the Minister's attempt to set up an independent network will not make any sense unless one can go the last mile and unless there is a backhaul network. The Minister is doing neither and he has not...

Nuclear Test Ban Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Oct 2006)

Eamon Ryan: I wish to share my time with Deputy Connolly. I, like my colleagues on the Opposition side, am happy to address this issue and this timely debate, given developments in Korea, Iran and elsewhere on the issue of testing and the related issue of the proliferation of nuclear weapons. It is also appropriate that this Parliament shows a lead in this area. We have a proud history on the Treaty on...

Requests to move Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 31 (19 Oct 2006)

Eamon Ryan: I ask that the business of the House be suspended under Standing Order 31 to discuss a matter of urgent national interest, namely, the increasing energy, insurance and wage costs that are resulting in the loss of manufacturing jobs in this country, as evidenced by yesterday's announcement by Cadbury's of 450 job losses in Coolock.

Order of Business (19 Oct 2006)

Eamon Ryan: The 2006 Bill could be in 2007.

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (18 Oct 2006)

Eamon Ryan: Question 126: To ask the Minister for Finance his views on whether legislation is needed to amend the National Pension Reserve Fund after the revelation that the fund has invested in companies that assist the internationally discredited Government in Sudan. [33202/06]

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (18 Oct 2006)

Eamon Ryan: Question 174: To ask the Minister for Finance the estimate of the increase in tax receipts that have resulted from increased oil prices in 2006. [33201/06]

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (18 Oct 2006)

Eamon Ryan: Question 238: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if, in view of the increasing awareness in recent years of the impact of fishing operations on cetacean populations, he intends to sign the Agreement on the Conservation of small cetaceans of the Baltic and North Seas. [33453/06]

Written Answers — Fishing Industry: Fishing Industry (18 Oct 2006)

Eamon Ryan: Question 243: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number of farms that produce farmed salmon; the number of farms that produce farmed cod; the number of escape incidents that occurred on salmon farms; the number of farmed salmon that escaped; the number of farmed salmon that died on farms; the diseases that have been diagnosed and reported on salmon...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (18 Oct 2006)

Eamon Ryan: Question 286: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the purchases by the State for buses to be used in the school bus scheme for each year from 1990 to date in 2006; the value of each contract and number of buses and the company of person that was involved in each case. [33328/06]

Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (18 Oct 2006)

Eamon Ryan: I commend my constituency colleague for the clarity, brevity and necessity of the Bill, which my party will support. Like Deputy Gregory, I remember an example of a road accident in which a young woman I knew was killed. Late one night in Dublin, she was knocked 50 yards by a car and died three or four days later. The example is not important, but a part of the case struck home. I went to...

Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Report Stage (18 Oct 2006)

Eamon Ryan: When amendments come at a late Stage, it is difficult for Opposition Deputies to do in-depth research on specific and significant developments. We are talking here about the major new strategic development of a company of significant historical and economic importance to many parts of the country. It is difficult to do the issue justice in the time available. If the company goes to the...

Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Report Stage (18 Oct 2006)

Eamon Ryan: If it were to take the full amount out, what would be the rough debt-equity ratio? How exposed would the company be and how heavily borrowed would it be in regard to its assets?

Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Report Stage (18 Oct 2006)

Eamon Ryan: This is a complex issue. Am I correct that the Minister is not amending the Planning and Development Act 2006 by inserting these provisions and that he is setting out conditions in this legislation? If I am incorrect, does the Gas Act 1976 need to be cited if he is amending separate legislation? I am concerned that if a separate body of legislation is being amended and the 1976 Act is not...

Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Instruction to Committee (Resumed) (18 Oct 2006)

Eamon Ryan: I wish to briefly comment on each of the four or five main items included in this special addition to the miscellaneous Bill. It truly has turned into a miscellaneous Bill. I will first deal with the capital stock in Bord Gáis Éireann. It is appropriate and welcome that we are incentivising employees within State companies on a performance basis with regard to their work. I have a...

Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Instruction to Committee (Resumed) (18 Oct 2006)

Eamon Ryan: It was a disgrace. The company which let the situation develop should be ashamed of its behaviour and its lack of concern for the local community, which suffered as a result. If we can solve that problem today in legislation, I would be happy to support it.

Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Report Stage (18 Oct 2006)

Eamon Ryan: I welcome the concept of incentivising and rewarding staff in State-owned companies. I am, however, concerned that it may affect the long-term strategic development of such companies. Following the success, from a trade union perspective, of the Eircom ESOP, and the increasing value of the Aer Lingus ESOP, we must be careful and certain in the message that is being sent out about them. We...

Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Report Stage (18 Oct 2006)

Eamon Ryan: Will the Minister confirm that it is only full-time workers rather than contractors who would be able to avail of the ESOP? Does he have details of the numbers of full-time workers? The Minister said trade union representatives presented him with information on the means by which they planned to improve performance and productivity and that this encouraged him to agree to the giving over of...