Results 3,001-3,020 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Alternative Energy Projects (31 Jan 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 122, 124 and 125 together. Directive 2009/28/EC known as the Renewable Energy Directive assigns a legally binding target of 16% on Ireland for the share of renewables in energy consumption by 2020. This target has to be meet across the electricity, transport and heating sectors and a minimum of 10% in the transport sector is required. Ireland intends to...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Exploration Licences (31 Jan 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Question Nos. 123 and 126 together. The number of Mineral Prospecting Licences and Petroleum Exploration Licences granted in each year between 1 January 2009 and to date in 2013 is set out in the following table: Licences Granted during period 2009 – 2013 Year Prospecting Licences (Minerals) Petroleum Exploration Licences 2009 66 1 2010 93 0 2011...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Post Office Network (31 Jan 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Operational matters in relation to the post office network are a matter for the management and Board of An Post and one in which I have no statutory function. As shareholder, however, I do have a strong concern in relation to the ongoing commercial position of the Company and I regularly liaise with the Company in this regard. An Post has many strengths and has the largest retail presence...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Telecommunications Services (31 Jan 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 128 and 129 together. Broadband connectivity, as an enabling infrastructure for economic and social development, is a critical element of future sustainable economic growth and a priority for Government. In terms of telecommunications policy, my Department plays a key role in providing a supportive legislative and regulatory environment within which...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services (31 Jan 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The most recently published statistical report published by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), for the period July-September 2012, reports that 75% of broadband customers in Ireland have contracted for marketed broadband services in a range between 2-10 Mbps and a further 21% have contracted at speeds exceeding 10 Mbps. EU Commission statistics, published on its digital...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services (31 Jan 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Considerable progress has been made in recent years in both the coverage and speeds of national broadband infrastructure, with a multiplicity of commercial operators, providing services over a diverse range of technology platforms. The Government has also undertaken a number of initiatives to bring broadband to those parts of the country where commercial operators have been unable to offer...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Generation (31 Jan 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The 2009 Renewable Energy Directive set a binding target on all Member States to achieve at least 10% renewable energy in transport by 2020. The increased deployment of Electric Vehicles will help in this regard but the primary means of meeting this target will be by the increasing use of biofuels. The Biofuel Obligation Scheme was introduced in July 2010 and works by obligating large road...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Exploration Licences (31 Jan 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced the terms of reference for the more extensive second stage of its research into the use of hydraulic fracturing, the final results of which are expected in early 2015. As I have confirmed to the House on a number of previous occasions, no decision will be made on any proposal for the use of hydraulic fracturing in exploration...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Inland Fisheries (29 Jan 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I am advised by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), which manages the Lough Aderra fishery, that the fishery there is a “put and take” fishery and reared rainbow trout are stocked periodically throughout the year. The fishery operates throughout the regular angling season up to the end of September each year when most trout fishing ceases. Put and take rainbow trout fisheries are...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electricity Grid Connection fees (29 Jan 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 492 and 493 together. Supervision of the grid connection process is vested in the Commission for Energy Regulation. The Gate 3 Direction to System Operators (CER/08/260) published in December 2008 set out the list of projects to receive grid connection offers. As explained in the Direction, Gate 3 was designed to ensure the 40% target for renewable...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Community Radio Stations Funding (29 Jan 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Community radio stations in Ireland receive funding from various sources, including funds derived from donations, advertising and sponsorship. In terms of public funding, the Broadcasting Funding Scheme is a significant source of support. The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) is assigned responsibility under Part 10 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 for the administration of the Scheme...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services (29 Jan 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 495 and 496 together. Broadband connectivity, as an enabling infrastructure for economic and social development, is a critical element of future sustainable economic growth and a priority for Government. In terms of telecommunications policy, my Department plays a key role in providing a supportive legislative and regulatory environment within which...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Incentives (29 Jan 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: In terms of supporting renewable energy, Ireland is legally obliged under Directive 2009/28/EC to increase consumption of renewables to 16% by 2020. The National Renewable Energy Action Plan sets out the planned trajectory for achieving the target across the electricity, heat and transport sectors with 40% needed in electricity, 10% in transport and 12% in heat to meet Ireland’s...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Fuel Prices (29 Jan 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 498 and 499 together. I have no statutory function in the setting of oil prices. The Irish oil industry is fully privatised, liberalised and deregulated and there is free entry to the market. Increases in oil prices arise primarily from increases in the international commodity prices over which Ireland has no control. For example, the spot price of a...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Public Service Reform Plan Update (29 Jan 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I wish to advise the Deputy that following the review undertaken on rationalisation of State agencies, insofar as Bodies under the aegis of my Department are concerned, it was determined that the Digital Hub Development Agency (DHDA) will be merged with Dublin City Council (DCC). A transition team has been established to give effect to the transfer of the DHDA to DCC and administrative...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Commission for Energy Regulation Staff (29 Jan 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) is a statutory independent regulator, established under the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999. I have no function in the day to day operational matters of the CER in line with its statutory regulatory independence. The scheme of performance related payments referred to by the Deputy dates from when the CER was set up in 1999, and was subject to the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services (29 Jan 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The Government’s National Broadband Plan aims to radically change the broadband landscape in Ireland by ensuring that high speed services of at least 30Mbps are available to all of our citizens and businesses, well in advance of the EU’s target date of 2020, and that significantly higher speeds are available to as many homes and businesses as possible. During the preparation of...

Tax Compliance and Exchange of Information: Motion (24 Jan 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I move:That Dáil Éireann approves the following Order in draft:Agreement to Improve Tax Compliance and Provide for Reporting and Exchange of Information concerning Tax Matters (United States of America) Order 2013,a copy of which was laid before Dáil Éireann on 11th January, 2013."

Exchange of Information Relating to Taxes: Motion (24 Jan 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I move:That Dáil Éireann approves the following Order in draft:Exchange of Information Relating to Taxes (Montserrat) Order 2013,a copy of which was laid before Dáil Éireann on 11th January, 2013.”

Order of Business (24 Jan 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I remember a period like that a few years ago, where there was none for four years.