Results 3,221-3,240 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Other Questions: Telecommunications Services (29 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The United Kingdom made a great investment in this area. Unfortunately, we are not in a position to do likewise. I must admit that as a result of the discussions I have had with ComReg, both recently and when the prospectus for the bidders was being formulated prior to the commencement of the auction process, I am reassured in this matter. As the Deputy might expect, we dealt with it in...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Broadband Services (29 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The 13 western counties were chosen because the reception they have is poor, as is the case in many areas. That job is now finished, and the second tranche is being prepared and will be completed by the beginning of the academic year in 2014. It really makes a difference. For example, there is a school in Warrenmount in Dublin, with which Deputy Joan Collins will be familiar, which is in a...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Broadband Services (29 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: Again, I agree with the Deputy. As described, this is the equivalent of the rural electrification scheme of the 1950s and is hugely significant. As the Deputy noted, if we are not careful there is a danger of creating a digital divide. I hope the national plan for broadband, which I published immediately after the summer recess, will remain an objective within the lifetime of this...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Better Energy Homes Scheme (29 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: Oh my God, Deputy Murphy would not inflict that on me.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Better Energy Homes Scheme (29 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I listen to Lyric FM in the morning. It is one thing having half the population of the country being depressed by the unending dirge of misery and negativity one gets from 7 a.m. until midnight, without me being depressed because we would have no hope at all if that were to happen. I did not hear the programme but I will take Deputy Murphy’s word for it that it was as dismal as she...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Broadband Services (29 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I accept that the widespread availability of reliable telecommunications services in both voice and data are imperative in a modern economy and society. As a result of targeted Government interventions through initiatives such as the national broadband scheme, basic broadband services are now widely available across the country. In addition, the State-funded metropolitan area networks,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Broadband Services (29 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I agree with the Deputy that availability of high-speed broadband in the schools system is transformative. I have seen the impact not only on the pupils but also on teachers. It really transforms the learning environment. For that reason, I am very proud that last year I was able to persuade the Department of Education and Skills - even if my Department has to pay for it - that every second...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Better Energy Homes Scheme (29 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The Government, through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, SEAI, has invested over €145 million in Better Energy Homes and its forerunner schemes since 2009. The existing scheme is demand-led, with €76.146 million committed in Exchequer funding this year. Better Energy Homes provides financial assistance for improving the energy performance of older homes built any...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Better Energy Homes Scheme (29 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The Deputy is right to draw attention to the value of these schemes and also to point to the fact that there has been a decline in the number of applications this year. However, she is wrong in somehow persuading herself, as she has done in the question, that it is due to a lack of continuity. Whatever it is, it is not due to a lack of continuity and it is not the case that the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Energy Prices (29 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I have no statutory function in the setting of gas or electricity prices, whether in the regulated or non-regulated parts of these markets. Responsibility for the regulation of the retail electricity market is a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation, CER, which is an independent statutory body. Since 4 April 2011 prices in the electricity retail market have been fully deregulated...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Energy Prices (29 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I welcome the Deputy to his role as spokesman in this area and wish well and also a long stay there. I look forward to working with him and counsel him not to sign any statements prepared over quiet weekends in the Fianna Fáil head office as he did last weekend on "The Frontline" programme because the assertions in that statement about my role were not true. The Deputy raised a good...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Energy Prices (29 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I am looking at a note on the voluntary severance package to which I have referred and that will close by year end. The associated costs are forecast at €137 million due to approximately 500 staff exits being anticipated. It is good on the one hand to see a strong Irish multinational State company turning in a strong performance. When the 12 months returns are available they will...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadcasting Services (29 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: As I have told this House on a number of occasions, I fully recognise the contribution of the independent radio sector in bringing diversity to the airwaves, and serving the needs of communities, often at a very local level. As I noted when I addressed the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland (IBI) Annual Conference earlier this year, “Local radio gives a voice and enhances social...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Sale of State Assets (29 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The Government has decided to dispose of Bord Gáis Éireann’s Energy business and some of ESB’s non-strategic power generation capacity as part of the State Assets disposal programme. The Government has also reiterated its commitment to retaining the electricity and gas networks as well as the two gas interconnectors in State ownership as national strategic...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Irish Language (29 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland is the independent Regulator responsible for the oversight of the broadcasting sector in this country. The Contract Awards Committee makes arrangements to invite, consider and recommend to the Authority proposals for the provision of broadcasting services additional to the existing broadcasting services provided in the State. Section 25 of the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Advertising Standards (29 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) is an independent statutory body which has responsibility under Section 26 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 for the preparation of broadcasting codes or rules. Section 42 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 obliges the BAI to prepare and monitor compliance with certain broadcasting codes, including the Children’s Commercial Communications Code, as...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Alternative Energy Projects (29 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: In 2011, Ireland had 17.6% renewable electricity, 3.6% biofuels and 5% renewable heating, which amounted in total to 6.5% of all energy consumed being from renewable sources. Our intention, in order to meet our 2020 binding targets, is to increase renewable energy to 40% in the electricity sector, 10% in the transport sector and 12% in the heating sector, which together amounts to 16%...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Alternative Energy Projects (29 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 30 together. The Biofuel Obligation Scheme was introduced in July 2010 as the primary means to meet the target of at least 10% renewable energy in transport by 2020, which was mandated by the Renewable Energy Directive. It is estimated that 8.4% of the energy in transport in Ireland will be achieved by deployment of biofuels. The Biofuel Obligation...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Alternative Energy Projects (29 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 24 and 50 together. The additional cost incurred with no wind generation is an estimated figure of approximately €300 million in avoided national gas imports from the use of all renewable energies in the generation of electricity in 2011 which was published recently by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). They calculate that wind...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Post Office Network (29 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 26, 45, 49 and 144 together. As the Deputies will appreciate An Post is a Commercial State body with its own Board and Management. Therefore operational matters are a matter for the Board and management of An Post. These are areas in which I have no statutory function. Nonetheless, it is Government policy that An Post remains a strong and viable State...