Results 3,881-3,900 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Written Answers — Energy Conservation: Energy Conservation (6 Jun 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers the Better Energy Programme. Exchequer funding of €76.146 million has been allocated to the Better Energy Programme in 2012, which is projected to deliver 524GWh in energy savings. The Better Energy Programme includes Better Energy Homes, Warmer Homes and Better Energy Workplaces. Better Energy Homes provides financial...

Written Answers — Inland Fisheries: Inland Fisheries (6 Jun 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 502 to 504, inclusive, together. I am advised by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) that surveys of transitional or estuarine waters during the monitoring of eels stocks under Ireland's Eel Management Plan (EMP) over the last three years showed differences between each water body and between the transitional waters and lakes. The transitional waters contained...

Written Answers — Energy Conservation: Energy Conservation (6 Jun 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 505 to 507, inclusive, together. The Better Energy Homes programme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and provides grants to homeowners who wish to improve the energy performance of their homes through insulation and heating upgrades. Better Energy Homes is demand-led and open to all homeowners of dwellings built, completed...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (24 May 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 120 and 121 together. The acquisition, development and disposal of lands by Bord na Móna are operational matters for the company, acting under the Turf Development Acts 1946 to 1998, and I have no function in this matter. I am advised by Bord na Móna that the company acquired over 5,000 hectares of land in North Mayo mainly in the early 1950's as part of a...

Written Answers — Inland Fisheries: Inland Fisheries (24 May 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I am advised by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) that the lock in question is on a gate on an individual's private property and does not cause IFI officers any undue inconvenience. I am also advised that vehicular access is not required at this location as this area is patrolled on foot.

Written Answers — Natural Gas Grid: Natural Gas Grid (24 May 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The decision on the regulatory treatment of the gas interconnectors is statutorily a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) under the Gas (Interim) (Regulation) Act 2002. I have no function in the matter. The CER, as the independent energy regulator has a remit to protect energy consumers, ensure security of supply and support competitiveness. It also has a duty to ensure...

Electricity Regulation (Carbon Revenue Levy) (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second and Subsequent Stages (24 May 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I thank Deputies who have contributed to this debate and express my appreciation to them for facilitating the quick passage of the legislation. Even Deputies who have searingly forensic questions to which they want answers do not oppose the legislation per se and acknowledge that we do not have much choice but to enact this legislation in the public interest. Deputy Catherine Murphy pointed...

Electricity Regulation (Carbon Revenue Levy) (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second and Subsequent Stages (24 May 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The Deputy may not be up to speed on the progress that has been made on renewables. We approach the issue in the context of our European targets for 2020. In a small market there is a limit to the extent to which we can switch to renewable energy. What happens on a day like today when the wind is not blowing?

Electricity Regulation (Carbon Revenue Levy) (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second and Subsequent Stages (24 May 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The 2020 target for electricity, at 40%, sets a high threshold but we believe we will meet it. I will send the Deputy a copy of a paper on renewables which I will publish next Monday. I do not know if it will give him a stick with which to beat me.

Electricity Regulation (Carbon Revenue Levy) (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second and Subsequent Stages (24 May 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I will be interested in hearing the Deputy's opinions. He is correct that it is an important area and that we have uniquely propitious wind resources. We intend to utilise that indigenous resource to the best of our abilities, consistent with the constraints imposed by the transmission system. We have engaged in discussions with the Government on the neighbouring island regarding our...

Electricity Regulation (Carbon Revenue Levy) (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second and Subsequent Stages (24 May 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: It is a fact that State enterprises did not do that. I have noted that. Deputy Catherine Murphy raised the issue of a ring-fenced levy. The original statue provided that the proceeds of the levy were for the benefit of the Exchequer. Therefore, it is not possible to earmark the proceeds in the fashion that Deputy Catherine Murphy would like.

Electricity Regulation (Carbon Revenue Levy) (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second and Subsequent Stages (24 May 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: Deputy Catherine Murphy made a point about motor taxation but I suspect that was specified at the time. I had this experience when I established the national drugs strategy and task forces. At the time, Members pressed that the moneys retrieved by the Criminal Assets Bureau from drug crime should be earmarked for beneficial purposes in the communities worst ravaged by the drug situation....

Electricity Regulation (Carbon Revenue Levy) (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second and Subsequent Stages (24 May 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I understand it is ending.

Electricity Regulation (Carbon Revenue Levy) (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second and Subsequent Stages (24 May 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I cannot answer for areas outside of my Department. I do not know what the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government would say if he was here. It is ending for electricity and I will communicate with the Deputy privately when I am clear on the answer to the wider question.

Electricity Regulation (Carbon Revenue Levy) (Amendment) Bill 2012: Order for Second Stage (24 May 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."

Electricity Regulation (Carbon Revenue Levy) (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second and Subsequent Stages (24 May 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am pleased to have this opportunity to present the Electricity Regulation (Carbon Revenue Levy) (Amendment) Bill 2012 for consideration by the House, and I thank the Whips and Deputies for facilitating the Bill being taken today. The legislation seeks to cease the inclusion of the carbon revenue levy in wholesale electricity prices bid...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (23 May 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: On 25 April as a result of issues raised during a topical debate on SAORVIEW coverage in Cork, I requested from RTÉ an overview report on coverage in Cork and I can confirm that a summary report in this regard has since been received from RTÉNL by my Department. This summary concludes that in the Cork area there is a substantial increase in TV coverage as a result of the introduction of...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (23 May 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: Ireland's telecommunications market has been liberalised since 1999 and since then has developed into a well-regulated market, supporting a multiplicity of commercial operators, providing services over a diverse range of technology platforms. Details of broadband services available on a county-by-county basis can be found on the Commission for Communications Regulation's (ComReg) website at...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (23 May 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: Fairness and impartiality is a critical component of broadcasting; audiences and citizens deserve to have access to programme material that is objective and free from bias, and particularly so when the broadcaster is publicly funded, as in the case of RTÉ and TG4. Since the introduction of the Broadcasting Act 2009, there is a single regulator in place, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland...

Written Answers — Energy Conservation: Energy Conservation (23 May 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 158 and 159 together. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers the Better Energy Programme. The table below details the number of energy efficiency measures delivered and grants paid from the Exchequer under the Better Energy programme in 2011 and 2012. 2011 Better Energy : Homes Better Energy : Warmer Homes Homes Completed 47,594...