Results 3,741-3,760 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Written Answers — Energy Prices: Energy Prices (3 Jul 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 402 and 409 together. Responsibility for the regulation of natural gas prices is a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), which is an independent statutory body. Bord Gáis Energy's (BGE) gas tariffs for domestic customers continue to be regulated by the CER and reviewed each year. I have no function in the matter. The largest component of...

Written Answers — Water Levels: Water Levels (3 Jul 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The Electricity (Supply) (Amendment) Act 1934 was enacted for the purpose of ESB further developing the water-storage capacity of Lough Derg, Lough Ree, and Lough Allen on the River Shannon. This legislation remains in effect. There was no statutory order issued specifically in 1979 in respect of Lough Ree. The 1934 Act allows ESB to draw the water level in Lough Ree to a minimum level of...

Written Answers — Irish Language: Irish Language (3 Jul 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: My Department spent €77,000 approximately in translation and interpretation costs over the past five years broken down as follows: 2007: €27,295; 2008: €17,768; 2009: €9,646 ; 2010: €16,790 ; 2011: €5,514. In addition there would have been an element of expenditure related to Irish language requirements across a range of expenditure areas e.g. salaries, printing of reports and...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (3 Jul 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 468 of 22nd May 2012. The position has not changed.

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (3 Jul 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: Issues relating to the transmission, coverage and availability of SAORVIEW are an operational matter for RTÉ whose obligations are set out in the Broadcasting Act, 2009. As such I have as no role in these matters, including decisions on sites being used for the provision of SAORVIEW. I have however been informed by SAORVIEW that overall coverage in County Cork has improved with the...

Written Answers — Legal Cases: Legal Cases (3 Jul 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The information which the Deputy requested is set out in tabular form. Year of Commencement Legal Case 1999 De Braam Mineral Water Co Ltd -v- BHP World Exploration Inc., Priority Drilling Ltd., Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Ireland and the Attorney General. 2001 Comcast International Holdings Incorporated. Declan Ganly, Ganly International Limited and GCI...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (3 Jul 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 410 and 411 together. Details of funding for the period in question from my Department to organisations under its aegis are set out in the table. In addition, subscriptions are also paid to a number of organisations operating in the sectoral areas for which my Department has responsibility. The annual total of these subscriptions is also set out in the...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (3 Jul 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The table lists the taxable allowances paid to staff in my Department, there are no non-taxable allowances paid to staff in the Department. The allowances and corresponding amounts in each case are as approved centrally by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. Allowances Modified Rate PPC Rate Child (Annual per child) €113 - Franking Machine (Weekly)Full (15 or more...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (3 Jul 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question Nos. 147 to 149, inclusive, of 28 June and as I have stated in previous parliamentary question responses, I do not propose to introduce grant schemes for the purpose of digital switchover.

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (3 Jul 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The position remains the same as outlined in Question No. 482 of 14 September 2011 and the individual has not contacted my Department since then with the further information required. However, my Department will again make direct contact with the individual and will conduct a new search for his records.

Written Answers — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (3 Jul 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: Ireland's fiscal and non-fiscal licensing terms were revised in 2007 following a comprehensive review by independent economic consultants. The revised fiscal terms provided for a new supplementary tax, known as a profit resource rent tax, of up to 15% in addition to the 25% corporate tax rate already applying. The revised terms apply to production arising from exploration licences granted...

Written Answers — Electricity Transmission Network: Electricity Transmission Network (3 Jul 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: EirGrid the State owned transmission system operator is building the East West Interconnector, on behalf of the State, between the electricity grids of Ireland and Britain. The construction and operation of the East West Interconnector is the statutory responsibility of EirGrid. The project is on schedule and on budget for completion by September next. The cost of the Interconnector is...

Written Answers — Renewable Energy: Renewable Energy (3 Jul 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The development of renewable energy is a key priority for the Government as underlined in the Strategy for Renewable Energy 2012 to 2020, which I published in May. Renewable energy reduces dependence on fossil fuels, improves security of supply, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions creating environmental benefits while delivering green jobs to the economy, thus contributing to national...

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (3 Jul 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The table sets out details of all appointments which were made to State Boards under the aegis of my Department since 9 March 2011. Body Appointee An Post Mr Donal Connell Mr James Wrynn Mr Paul Henry Bord na Móna Ms Denise Cronin Mr John Horgan EirGrid Dr Gary Healy Ms Regina Moran Mr Liam O'Halloran Ms Bride Rosney Ms Doireann Barry ESB Ms Noreen Wright Mr Seamus Mallon...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (3 Jul 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The radio frequency spectrum that will become available when the switch off of analogue television signals is completed will pave the way for the delivery of new jobs, new mobile and broadband services and new national economic growth. I welcome the release of these resources for telecommunications purposes and look forward to its contribution towards the development of next generation...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (3 Jul 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. Accordingly, neither I, as Minister, nor my Department has a role in the consultation process referred to by the Deputy or in the actual drawing up of such codes. The Audiovisual Media Services...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (28 Jun 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: RTÉ has developed a series of tariff models for carriage on the Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) service and these have been available to broadcasters for several years. In 2011, RTÉ contracted with TV3 and TG4 for inclusion on the SAORVIEW DTT service during the simulcast period i.e. the period when both the analogue and DTT networks are operating together. Section 130 of the...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (28 Jun 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 147 to 149, inclusive, together. As I made clear on 21st June at the special digital switchover briefing session to which all Oireachtas members were invited, the date of analogue switch off will not be changed. On Wednesday, October 24th this year, 118 days from now, the analogue system will cease to operate. The Broadcasting Act 2009 requires RTÉ to...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (28 Jun 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: Last week, building on the June 2011 British Irish Council agreement on developing an all islands energy approach, I had the latest in a series of bilateral meetings with UK Energy Minister Charles Hendry on plans to develop renewable electricity trade between the two countries. Both sides agreed to work towards concluding a Memorandum of Understanding by the end of the year. This will be a...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (28 Jun 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: Following scientific research conducted by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) indicating that the European eel stocks are in a critical state, the EU introduced Council Regulation 1100/2007, the objective of which is to achieve recovery of the stocks to previous high levels. The Regulation required that all Member States prepare a national Eel Management Plan...