Results 40,001-40,020 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

e-Government Projects. (29 Apr 2008)

Simon Coveney: By the look of the length of the Minister's script——

e-Government Projects. (29 Apr 2008)

Simon Coveney: I am just asking the question because——

Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (EirGrid) Bill 2008: Second Stage (24 Apr 2008)

Simon Coveney: It is unusual for the Minister not to use his full allocation of time, particularly when he is talking about energy issues. I welcome the opportunity to do so.

Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (EirGrid) Bill 2008: Second Stage (24 Apr 2008)

Simon Coveney: That is true. Fine Gael will not be opposing this Bill and it welcomes its introduction for the very straightforward reason that it believes the east-west interconnector between Ireland and Britain needs to be built as soon as possible. EirGrid is the obvious body to manage this task. In essence, the legislation is necessary to ensure there will be no further delays regarding this project,...

Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (EirGrid) Bill 2008: Second Stage (24 Apr 2008)

Simon Coveney: Yes, the Minister is correct about that but there are substantially more groups with planning permission than can be granted connection. This problem will get worse. Most in the industry believe the Minister has given a general price support allocation for offshore wind farms which will result in large scale farms being proposed. In the overall context of the Minister's target of 4,000 MW...

Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (EirGrid) Bill 2008: Second Stage (24 Apr 2008)

Simon Coveney: The Minister is in government now.

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (23 Apr 2008)

Simon Coveney: Question 228: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will clarify the contribution that wind will make to the electricity grid by the year 2020; and if he has policy in place to deal with the many developers who will continue to spend money on developing wind farms that have no prospect of connection to the grid due to the limitations outlined in his grid...

Telecommunications Services. (23 Apr 2008)

Simon Coveney: Question 65: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the results and conclusions reached by the recently formed international forum on next generation networks; and the way he will progress the issue to promote the roll-out of next generation broadband. [14995/08]

Telecommunications Services. (23 Apr 2008)

Simon Coveney: Despite the repeated references of the Minister and his Department to the growth in penetration of broadband based on last year's figures, the reality is that Ireland continues to lag behind most European countries. The lack of urgency on the issue, particularly in comparison to the urgency accorded to other energy policy issues, has fuelled concern and speculation that the Minister is...

Telecommunications Services. (23 Apr 2008)

Simon Coveney: This is about next generation broadband, and bandwidth and speeds.

Telecommunications Services. (23 Apr 2008)

Simon Coveney: The Minister is double counting.

Telecommunications Services. (23 Apr 2008)

Simon Coveney: Can the Minister tell us when the national industry steering group on next generation broadband access last met, given that it was set up by his Department to promote policy in this area?

Telecommunications Services. (23 Apr 2008)

Simon Coveney: When did the steering group last meet?

Telecommunications Services. (23 Apr 2008)

Simon Coveney: Was it six months ago?

Telecommunications Services. (23 Apr 2008)

Simon Coveney: When did the steering group last meet?

Electricity Generation. (23 Apr 2008)

Simon Coveney: Question 67: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will introduce legislation to set a time period for the complete phasing out of peat as a source of fuel for power generation by setting a clear date after which peat or turf will not be legally allowed to be used in power generation; and if he will introduce legislation to ensure that no new bogs are...

Electricity Generation. (23 Apr 2008)

Simon Coveney: I wish to clarify why I put down this question. The issue has raised concerns, particularly among certain employees in the midlands, and understandably so. What I want to ask the Minister is whether he would deem it appropriate to introduce legislation that would give leadership as to the timescale for a phasing out of peat as a fuel source in power stations over a medium to long-term...

Electricity Generation. (23 Apr 2008)

Simon Coveney: The point of the question is whether the Minister intends to leave this issue to the market, essentially, and to Bord na Móna to bring about change in its own timeframe or whether he intends to introduce legislation to set that timeframe.

Energy Resources. (23 Apr 2008)

Simon Coveney: There is no need for the Minister to convince us on the merits of the shift to renewable energy. The issue at hand is how we are to adapt existing infrastructure to facilitate that shift. One of the factors in the increasing price of energy is that we are required to factor the cost of carbon into the price of electricity. Is the Government examining ways in which some of that money can be...

Energy Resources. (23 Apr 2008)

Simon Coveney: That will not happen until after 2014.