Results 341-360 of 3,665 for speaker:Seán Power

Seanad: Schools Building Projects (12 Feb 2009)

Seán Power: I thank the Senator for his comments. He is not obliged to keep the good news to himself.

Seanad: Gas (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Feb 2009)

Seán Power: I thank Senators for their very positive contributions. I very much appreciate their support in progressing the Bill through Committee Stage. The Bill has been passed by the Dáil and will make its way to the President for consideration and signature into law. As I mentioned earlier, we are attempting to increase the statutory borrowing limit of Bord Gáis Éireann from its existing €1.7...

Seanad: Gas (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Feb 2009)

Seán Power: I am pleased to introduce the Gas (Amendment) Bill for Committee Stage consideration in the Seanad. The Bill has one provision, namely, to increase the statutory borrowing limit that applies in respect of Bord Gáis Éireann from the existing figure of €1.7 billion to €3 billion. Its enactment will give the company the legal ability to access funds to develop the strategic direction set...

Written Answers — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (10 Feb 2009)

Seán Power: The North West Mayo Forum is an initiative involving the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and myself. It was established in November last following Government approval. The forum is chaired by Mr Joe Brosnan, a former Secretary General of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. The Forum has, as...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (10 Feb 2009)

Seán Power: As part of the overall rationalisation of State agencies that the Minister for Finance announced in Budget 2009, a new national inland fisheries body will be established, which will replace the existing Central and regional fisheries boards. I have set an ambitious target for implementing the decision. A restructuring implementation group has been established and is developing the key...

Written Answers — Mine Rehabilitation: Mine Rehabilitation (10 Feb 2009)

Seán Power: The rehabilitation works at the Gortmore Tailings Management Facility are being carried out in phases. The first phase was commenced in July 2008 and successfully completed in December 2008 in accordance with the schedule and within the budget allocation. Associated reconstruction works to local roads are still ongoing. Design works for phase two are currently in progress and...

Written Answers — Exploration Licences: Exploration Licences (10 Feb 2009)

Seán Power: Details of the number of Mineral Prospecting Licences (PLs) issued in the last five years are contained in the following table. PLs Issued Years 2004-2008 Year Total issued Issued 1 Jan-30 June Issued 1 July-31 Dec 2004 26 25 1 2005 51 30 21 2006 165 77 88 2007 143 51 92 2008 91 31 60 No new economic deposits of minerals have been discovered onshore in recent years. However, there...

Written Answers — Corrib Gas Field: Corrib Gas Field (10 Feb 2009)

Seán Power: The developers of the Corrib Gas Project, Shell E&P Ireland Ltd, have stated their expectation that first gas will be available in the last quarter of 2010. Completion of the development works by the developers is the principal factor that will ultimately determine the date for first gas.

Written Answers — Regional Fisheries Boards: Regional Fisheries Boards (4 Feb 2009)

Seán Power: As part of the overall rationalisation of State agencies that the Minister for Finance announced in Budget 2009, a new national inland fisheries body will be established which will replace the existing Central and regional fisheries boards. A restructuring implementation group has been established and is developing the key features and structures of the new model. Primary legislation will...

Written Answers — Central Fisheries Board: Central Fisheries Board (4 Feb 2009)

Seán Power: In compliance with European Council Regulation No.1100/2007 establishing measures for the recovery of the stock of European eel, a draft Eel Management Plan was submitted to the Commission for approval. Given the critical status of the eel stock, as demonstrated in the assessment contained in the Eel Management Plan, a number of management measures have been identified as necessary to reach...

Energy Prices: Motion (Resumed) (4 Feb 2009)

Seán Power: No. That is not correct.

Energy Prices: Motion (Resumed) (4 Feb 2009)

Seán Power: Give us the facts. Do not make it up.

Energy Prices: Motion (Resumed) (4 Feb 2009)

Seán Power: It is not.

Leaders' Questions (4 Feb 2009)

Seán Power: We can see that on Deputy Kenny's face.

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (3 Feb 2009)

Seán Power: Recent scientific advice issued by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), indicated that the European eel fish stock is so depleted that it is now outside safe biological limits. Subsequently, the EU brought forward Council Regulation 1100/2007 establishing measures for the recovery of the stock of European eel. The purpose of the Regulation is to put in place a...

Energy Prices: Motion (3 Feb 2009)

Seán Power: My ministerial colleague, Deputy Eamon Ryan, has highlighted some of the measures the Government is taking to improve the competitiveness of the energy sector that will ultimately deliver lower electricity prices to consumers. I am sure that is something we will all work towards and can all agree with. It is important to examine some of the measures we are participating in at European...

Energy Prices: Motion (3 Feb 2009)

Seán Power: There were a number of factors at play.

Energy Prices: Motion (3 Feb 2009)

Seán Power: The regulator took a decision that was in the interest of consumers. There was much hype at the time and there was talk of oil going to $147 a barrel. People were tripping over themselves telling us how they predicted it would be €200 before the year was out. We all know what happened. We are hopeful that the downward trend in global fuel prices will be reflected in decreases this year....

Energy Prices: Motion (3 Feb 2009)

Seán Power: We are planning the roll-out of smart meters nationally. These meters are a tool that put the control of electricity demand directly into the hands of consumers. They will provide consumers with a means of monitoring and managing their demand. The programme also has the potential to change significantly the way in which many of the activities of the energy supply are undertaken, therefore...

Seanad: Gas (Amendment) Bill 2008: Second Stage (3 Feb 2009)

Seán Power: I am pleased to introduce the Gas (Amendment) Bill for the consideration of the House. The Bill proposes to increase the statutory borrowing limit of Bord Gáis Éireann from €1.7 billion to €3 billion. The enactment of this Bill will give Bord Gáis Éireann the legal ability to access funds to develop the strategic direction set out in its five-year corporate plan up to 2012 and...