Results 3,641-3,660 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Renewable Energy (19 Jul 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: Yes, it has. It is only possible to obtain EIB loans for projects which the bank approves and where matching or better State financing is being put up. We are not remotely in that space. We should bear in mind that there is no template here and no intergovernmental agreement in place. If something emerges from our negotiations with Britain, it will be the first such agreement as between...

Renewable Energy (19 Jul 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I am very aware of it. As recently as yesterday, the Minister of State, Deputy O'Sullivan, and I met Senator Kelly and some of his colleagues about his Bill. His Bill has certainly attracted a great deal of support, which I acknowledge. He raised an issue which is a matter of concern for some residents. The Minister of State, Deputy O'Sullivan, and her officials are engaged in further...

Radio Spectrum (19 Jul 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The management of the radio spectrum is a statutory function of the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, under the Communications Regulation Act 2002, as amended. ComReg is independent in the exercise of this spectrum management function. In accordance with its statutory functions, ComReg has consulted extensively on its proposals for the release of spectrum rights of use in...

Radio Spectrum (19 Jul 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: Yes, there has. As Deputy Durkan suggested, it is of varying quality. There are still pockets where calls are dropped and so on, as he suggested. However, immensely valuable quality spectrum is being released for the first time which will greatly enhance broadband and mobile services and it will make a considerable contribution to improving connectivity generally. Obviously, there are...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (19 Jul 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: While offshore wind is already being deployed in a number of EU Member states, it is still a very expensive technology to deploy. Offshore wind currently costs in the region of €3 million per MW to deploy compared to the cost of onshore wind which is about half of that. Wave energy technology is still very much at the research and development stage and the commercial and technical...

Written Answers — Mobile Telephony: Mobile Telephony (19 Jul 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The management of the radio spectrum is a statutory function of the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) under the Communications Regulation Act 2002, as amended. ComReg is independent in the exercise of this spectrum management function. In accordance with its statutory functions, ComReg has consulted extensively on its proposals for the release of spectrum rights of use in the...

Written Answers — Broadband Services: Broadband Services (19 Jul 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: There is a commitment in the Programme for Government to co-invest with the private sector and commercial Semi State sector to provide Next Generation Broadband customer access and associated fast speeds to every home and business in the State. The Next Generation Broadband Taskforce (NGBT) report, which I launched on the second of May last, will have an important role to play in this regard....

Written Answers — Renewable Energy: Renewable Energy (19 Jul 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The EU Renewable Energy Directive requires Member states to meet a target of 10% of renewable energy in transport by 2020. The Government intends to meet the obligation through progressively increasing biofuel penetration and an ambition that 10% of all vehicles will be powered by electricity by 2020. Though very challenging, I believe that this target can be achieved. Uptake over the next...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (19 Jul 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The International Energy Agency's (IEA) Review of Ireland's Energy Policy was launched and published on the 11th July 2012. The IEA reviews the energy policy of every member country every five years and last reviewed Ireland in 2007. The 2012 Review is a comprehensive analysis and critique of Ireland's energy policy directions. The Review incorporates the independent assessment of the...

Written Answers — Renewable Energy: Renewable Energy (19 Jul 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The 2009 Renewable Energy Directive sets Ireland a legally binding target of ensuring that 16% of all energy consumption is to be from renewable sources by 2020. This target has to be achieved across the transport, heating and electricity sectors. This target, like all targets assigned to other Member States is challenging and the Government's priority is to meet these 2020 targets in the...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (19 Jul 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 15 and 17 to 20, inclusive, together. As the Deputies will appreciate An Post is a Commercial State body with its own Board and Management. Operational matters and the sustainability of the post office network are a matter for the Management and Board of An Post. These are areas in which I have no statutory function. Nonetheless, it is Government policy...

Written Answers — Broadband Services: Broadband Services (19 Jul 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: Statistics on broadband availability in Ireland, in the format requested by the Deputy, are not available. Statutory authority to require statistical information from individual service providers, operating in the fully liberalised telecommunications market, is vested in the independent market regulator, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). ComReg, publishes quarterly...

Written Answers — Energy Prices: Energy Prices (19 Jul 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: Collective energy bargaining is an innovative practice being looked at by a number of Governments and communities within Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Netherlands amongst others. The premise is that the community or group can purchase fuel at a more competitive rate than that available to individuals, thus reducing expenditure on fuel for participants. The concept is particularly...

Written Answers — Single Energy Market: Single Energy Market (19 Jul 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: All island energy cooperation is governed by the joint All-island Energy Market Development Framework, 2004, which recognised that both Governments have a shared interest in more competitive energy markets, reduced energy costs and improved reliability of supply. That framework reinforced the benefits of ensuring that policy developments in both jurisdictions are progressed to mutual...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (19 Jul 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I and Government colleagues have consistently been supportive of the proposal by Shannon LNG to construct a LNG terminal near Ballylongford, County Kerry. Such a facility, together with the bringing onshore of Corrib Gas would provide important security of gas supply for Ireland in future years. I have met the promoters of the project on a number of occasions and both my Department and the...

Written Answers — Television Reception: Television Reception (19 Jul 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: First of all, I would like to point out that TV viewers who use the analogue TV network will need to make the change to digital in advance of 24 October and not on 24 October. TV viewers who currently use pay TV are unaffected. On 24 October our free to air national analogue TV network which has operated since 1962 will be switched off for good. The replacement digital free to air TV...

Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (19 Jul 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 441 and 443 together. Operational matters and the role of developing commercial strategies for 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...

Written Answers — Programme for Government: Programme for Government (19 Jul 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The achievements of my Department under the programme for Government are as set out Annual Report 2012 as published by the Department of the Taoiseach. My priorities for the coming year are to continue to build on these achievements in line with Government commitments including: Delivering Energy Efficiency Strategy, Programmes and Funding Mechanisms for business, public sector and domestic...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (19 Jul 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: As the Deputy will be aware, following on from the publication of the BAI Report, and the Horgan report into the circumstances surrounding the broadcast of the Mission to Prey documentary, a series of measures were put in place to address the recommendations of both of these reports. These measures include some major procedural and training developments within the broadcaster, and build on...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (19 Jul 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The following table outlines the details of monies spent directly by my Department on projects in County Meath during the period in question. In relation to details of expenditure by bodies under the aegis of my Department, this is, in the first instance, a matter for the bodies concerned. I will ask that they supply the information to the Deputy. In addition, I should mention that, as...