Results 3,821-3,840 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Radio Spectrum (26 Jun 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: Deputy Ferris is correct that mobile services are not subject to the same universal social obligations as fixed lines. I started out from a similar position to that of the Deputy. My officials have discussed this issue with ComReg on several occasions and I have met its representatives on more than one occasion. ComReg is adamant that difficulties will not arise for a number of reasons....

Radio Spectrum (26 Jun 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: If the service provider agreed contractually to provide the service, it seems to me it is obliged to provide it. I would need to see the details of the contract but I would be happy to raise the matter with the authority that has statutory responsibility for consumer protection in this area if the Deputy outlines the details.

Consumer Protection (26 Jun 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: Calls of the nature referred to by Deputy Tom Fleming are regulated in accordance with the European Communities (Electronic Communications Networks and Services) (Privacy and Electronic Communications) Regulations 2011, known as the e-privacy regulations. Responsibility for enforcement of these regulations falls to the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner. Regulation 13 of the...

Consumer Protection (26 Jun 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I accept that the practices described by Deputy Fleming take place. It may be that the e-privacy regulations, which I transposed into Irish law last summer, need further promulgation and need to be brought to the attention of consumers in the manner described by Deputy Fleming. Where calls are recorded and retained by the marketing company, the subscriber has the right of access to a copy...

Consumer Protection (26 Jun 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I do not dispute the Deputy's argument that there are many people who are not aware of their rights in this regard and that we should seek to address this. If I can help to publicise the protections that are in place, I will endeavour to do so.

Renewable Energy (26 Jun 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: Last month, I launched a new Strategy for Renewable Energy 2012–20. Under this strategy the development of wind farms in Ireland will play a critical role in delivering on our renewable energy ambitions, both in terms of meeting our own national 2020 targets and in contributing to the development of a renewable electricity export market with the UK in the first instance. There has been...

Renewable Energy (26 Jun 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: Deputy Ferris is correct that Scotland is a European, if not a world, leader in this area. Scotland, like Ireland, has propitious wind resources. Its energy policy in terms of oil and gas is retained at Westminster. The Scottish Government invests a great deal in the promotion of renewables, in particular wind. I would be hesitant to stick my neck out and say that the targets set by...

Renewable Energy (26 Jun 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I was in Scotland on Friday on this business. I met the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth in the absence of the Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism to discuss some of these issues in a side conference during the British-Irish Council meeting. Earlier last week I was in London to meet the Minister of State with responsibility for energy, Mr. Charles...

Exploration Licences (26 Jun 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 111, 120 and 121 together. I welcome the recent publication by the Joint Committee on Communications, Natural Resources and Agriculture of its report on offshore oil and gas exploration. I am aware the committee has invested a considerable amount of time in gathering information and discussing relevant issues. I am sure the report will contribute to the...

Exploration Licences (26 Jun 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I welcome the report and the work put into it by the all-party committee. The Deputy can be assured I will take it seriously. The Seanad has invited me to discuss the report tomorrow. There are eleven major recommendations, the common sense of some of which I certainly recognise. I would like the opportunity to discuss this further and have already committed to agreeing to do so whenever...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (21 Jun 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The regulation of telecommunications operators, including regulatory issues surrounding billing by operators, is the responsibility of the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) in accordance with its functions under the Communications Regulation Act 2002, as amended. I understand from ComReg that Eircom introduced a minimum €20 payment for transactions using the over-the-counter...

Written Answers — Natural Gas Grid: Natural Gas Grid (21 Jun 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The Deputy will be aware from my replies to previous Parliamentary Questions that the decision on the regulatory treatment of the gas interconnectors is statutorily a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) and I have no function in the matter. Most recently, the CER decision has been delayed by the requirement for the regulator to provide material to my Department in response...

Written Answers — Radio Broadcasting: Radio Broadcasting (21 Jun 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. I am advised by ComReg that the foundation licence for amateur radio referred to by the Deputy is unique to Britain and that it is not widely recognised outside of Britain. The amateur radio licence issued by ComReg...

Seanad: Petroleum and Gas Infrastructure (21 Jun 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I am grateful to the Senator for his contribution to this debate. I am advised by the independent expert consultants engaged by my Department to monitor compliance with the conditions of the Corrib consents under the gas and petroleum Acts that pipelines are normally designed taking account of the largest loads they are likely to experience during their lifetime, including transport, loading,...

Seanad: Petroleum and Gas Infrastructure (21 Jun 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: Yes, it is the case that, in the first instance, the company will carry out this assessment and report to the Department. However, that report will be subject to analysis by the Department and independent consultants retained by it. This is important. As I have indicated to the Senator, the pipeline is scheduled to be inspected this summer and as a result, the survey reports will be given...

Seanad: Water and Sewerage Schemes (21 Jun 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: As the Senator is aware, I am responding on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, who is in Rio de Janeiro on Government business. I thank the Senator for providing me with the opportunity to clarify the position on the development of proposals for, and the procurement of, further wastewater facilities in the Gweedore area. The Gweedore...

Written Answers — Better Energy Homes Scheme: Better Energy Homes Scheme (20 Jun 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The Better Energy Programme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). The Better Energy Homes scheme provides financial assistance to householders who wish to improve the energy performance of their homes. Fixed grants are provided towards the cost of a range of measures including attic insulation, wall insulation, heating systems upgrades, solar thermal panels...

Written Answers — Inland Fisheries: Inland Fisheries (20 Jun 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) have advised that, as regards the issue of sea lice from marine salmon farms, an important scientific study conducted by IFI on the impact of sea lice infestation of outwardly migrating salmon smolts from a number of rivers on Ireland's West Coast was published earlier this year. I am advised that the basis for all the conclusions in the scientific study is set...

Written Answers — Information and Communications Technology: Information and Communications Technology (19 Jun 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: Broadband services under the National Broadband Scheme (NBS) are available since October 2010 from "3", the NBS service provider, in all of the 1,028 Electoral Divisions (ED) designated to be covered under the Scheme. In keeping with State Aid clearance for the Scheme, the broadband service contracted under the NBS is an affordable, scalable product. The NBS mobile wireless service...

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

Pat Rabbitte: RTÉ provides full digital reception through its SAORVIEW (98%) and SAORSAT (100%) networks. This is the first time in the history of TV that Ireland has a national TV network covering 100% of the population. RTÉ has built, owns and controls the digital TV network and is also responsible for the coverage and operation of that network. In accordance with Part 8 of the Broadcasting Act...