Results 39,521-39,540 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Order of Business (11 Feb 2009)

Simon Coveney: Today.

Order of Business (11 Feb 2009)

Simon Coveney: That is correct. The Government did not tell us.

Telecommunications Services. (10 Feb 2009)

Simon Coveney: I would appreciate it if the Minister could stick to the question, which is specifically about the metropolitan area networks phase II. We can have the debate on some of the other issues the Minister raised on another day. My concern here is that in July last the Department chose a preferred bidder to manage MANs phase 11. Some 58 metropolitan area networks under phase II are completed. It...

Telecommunications Services. (10 Feb 2009)

Simon Coveney: It was due in July last.

Telecommunications Services. (10 Feb 2009)

Simon Coveney: It is eight months late.

Telecommunications Services. (10 Feb 2009)

Simon Coveney: They are not available.

Telecommunications Services. (10 Feb 2009)

Simon Coveney: What is the delay?

Telecommunications Services. (10 Feb 2009)

Simon Coveney: Absolutely. The Minister speaks of looking after the taxpayers' interest. We have spent €80 million of taxpayers' money on this infrastructure and it is not being used. This is dark fibre sitting in the ground not being lit up——

Telecommunications Services. (10 Feb 2009)

Simon Coveney: ——because it is not being managed.

Telecommunications Services. (10 Feb 2009)

Simon Coveney: The Minister has not given a satisfactory explanation for the time delay between July last and now. He now states that we will not see it until the end of March because he wants to get a better deal for the taxpayer. The taxpayer is losing by the day because we do not have a satisfactory broadband infrastructure across the country, partly because we have a great many wires and fibre in the...

Telecommunications Services. (10 Feb 2009)

Simon Coveney: The Minister has done so for nearly a year.

Telecommunications Services. (10 Feb 2009)

Simon Coveney: Did he choose a preferred bidder in July last?

Telecommunications Services. (10 Feb 2009)

Simon Coveney: Did he choose a preferred bidder in July last?

Telecommunications Services. (10 Feb 2009)

Simon Coveney: I am not asking the Minister to do that. I am asking him to negotiate and come to a conclusion.

Telecommunications Services. (10 Feb 2009)

Simon Coveney: No thanks to the Minister.

Alternative Energy Projects. (10 Feb 2009)

Simon Coveney: The Government spend is €26 million.

Alternative Energy Projects. (10 Feb 2009)

Simon Coveney: The Minister will not even confirm the budget of €26 million.

Energy Prices. (10 Feb 2009)

Simon Coveney: Question 76: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the way he will proceed with an energy price review through the Commission for Energy Regulation, CER; the timescale for the review announced in February 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4855/09]

Energy Prices. (10 Feb 2009)

Simon Coveney: I agree with the Minister that it is important the Government acts swiftly in respect of these matters. The Minister was instructed by the Taoiseach to undertake an energy price review and he is acting on that. He has raised the bar somewhat by saying he expects a double-digit energy price reduction this year. Presumably, he is talking about households. What I and others wish to hear from...

Energy Prices. (10 Feb 2009)

Simon Coveney: In which month can people expect a response from the Minister on whether electricity prices will be reduced?