Results 3,301-3,320 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadcasting Legislation (20 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The Broadcasting Act 2009 provides for the establishment of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) as the independent regulator responsible for the oversight of compliance in relation to broadcast content in the State. One of the objectives of the Authority, set out in Section 25(b) is to ensure “that the democratic values enshrined in the Constitution, especially those relating...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Semi-State Sector Remuneration (20 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 424 and 425 together. I wish to advise the Deputy that the information sought regarding retirees, staff, contractors and consultants in Commercial Semi State Companies is an operational matter for each company.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services (20 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) is independent in the exercise of its functions in accordance with the provisions of the Communications Regulation Act 2002, as amended. I understand from ComReg that the purpose of document 12/63 was to revisit the existing regulatory controls in place on Eircom Limited when it sells a bundle or bundles of services that include Retail...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Postcode System (20 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The procurement process to select a postcode management licence holder to implement a National Postcode System is ongoing and being managed by my Department on a ring fenced basis. That process began last year with the publication of a Pre Qualification Questionnaire on www.etenders.gov.ie. The final decision to proceed with implementation of a national postcode will be one for Government...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Telecommunications Services (20 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: While clearly any announcements of job losses are a cause of concern, I must point out I have no statutory function in relation to this matter. Eircom is a private company operating in a liberalised market. As the Deputy will appreciate, any proposals by the company, including this decision to reduce its workforce, is a day to day operational matter for the company. Eircom has confirmed...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services (20 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The Government accepts that the widespread availability of high speed broadband is a key requirement in delivering future economic and social development. With basic broadband services now widely available across Ireland, the challenge is to accelerate the roll out of high speed services. The National Broadband Plan, which I published recently, aims to radically change the broadband...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Schemes (15 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: Better Energy: Warmer Homes delivers a range of energy efficiency measures to households which are vulnerable to energy poverty. The scheme is managed by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and delivered through a combination of SEAI appointed Community Based Organisations (CBOs), augmented by a panel of private contractors in order to ensure national coverage. I am informed...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Agencies (15 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The pay rates for the Commissioners of the Commission for Communications Regulation is €164,464 where the appointee is making a personal pension contribution and €156,241 for an appointee who does not make a personal pension contribution. These rates are applicable from I January 2010 following reductions introduced in accordance with the Financial Emergency Measures in the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Telecommunications Services (15 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The provision of telecommunications network services, including Skype services, is a matter in the first instance, for private sector service providers operating in a liberalised market regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). I am advised by ComReg that they have just recently received a small number of consumer complaints in respect of the blocking of Skype and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Telecommunications Services (15 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The telecommunications market in Ireland, including the provision of mobile telephone services, is a fully liberalised market regulated by the independent market regulator, the Commission for Communications Regulation in accordance with the provisions of the Communications Regulation Act 2002, as amended. In the case of roaming charges, ComReg’s market regulation is also exercised in...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Consultations (15 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has carried out a number of public consultations to date this year in line with statutory requirements. Details of these public consultations are outlined in tabular form. Description of Consultation Date of consultation Public consultation on the bringing into use of a telecommunications duct infrastructure constructed alongside the gas...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Telecommunications Services (14 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 189 and 190 together. The provision of telecommunications network services, including Skype services, is a matter in the first instance for private sector service providers operating in a liberalised market regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). I am advised by ComReg that they have just recently received a small number of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Warmer Homes Scheme Applications (14 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: Better Energy: Warmer Homes delivers a range of energy efficiency measures to households that are vulnerable to energy poverty. The scheme is managed by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and delivered through a combination of SEAI appointed Community Based Organisations (CBOs), augmented by a panel of private contractors in order to ensure national coverage. In order to...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Usage (14 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 192 and 193 together. The National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NEEAP) sets out 90 actions that Government is either already taking or will take in the period to 2020 to achieve the national energy efficiency targets of 20% across the economy and 33% in the public sector. The savings identified in the Action Plan represent approximately €1.6...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Offshore Exploration (14 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The Corrib Gas field was discovered in 1996 under Frontier Exploration Licence 3/94 which was granted in March 1994 and surrendered in June of this year. The most recent activity on this licence was the drilling of the “Corrib North” exploration well in 2010. The well was unsuccessful as it failed to encounter hydrocarbons and was plugged and abandoned. Other than the Corrib...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Public Sector Reform (14 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I wish to advise the Deputy that I have not abolished any State Bodies since taking office on 9 March 2011. My Department has reviewed the rationalisation proposals for agencies under its aegis as set out in the Public Service Reform Plan. The outcome of this review, which was recently published by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, is that the Digital Hub Development Agency...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Staff Promotions (14 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The information requested by the Deputy is outlined in the following table: Grade 2009 2010 2011 2012 Principal Officer Standard Scale 0 0 1 0 Assistant Principal Officer Standard Scale 0 0 0 0 Higher Executive Officer 0 0 0 0 Executive Officer 0 2 2 2 Staff Officer 0 0 0 0 My Department does not have posts at the grades of Principal Officer Higher (PO1) or...

Leaders' Questions (13 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I remind Deputy Mattie McGrath it is nearly 4 p.m. and a stunt has not yet been pulled.

Leaders' Questions (13 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: We do.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Fisheries Protection (13 Nov 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The total number of salmon passing the counter (upward) in the months September and October 2102 was 1,142. I have set out as follows for the Deputy’s information figures for the counter available to date in 2012 and also for the four years to 2011. Recommendations as regards the conservation limit for any individual river are based on an assessment of the last five years in order to...