Results 4,161-4,180 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (21 Mar 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: As part of its Media Research Funding Scheme, the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI) commissioned a report, "Digital Radio for Ireland, Competing Options; Public Expectations", which was published in September 2009. The research was undertaken by Helen Shaw, Athena Media and Dr. Brian O'Neill, Dublin Institute of Technology. The aim of the research was to contribute to the debate on...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (21 Mar 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) is responsible for licensing spectrum to both the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland and RTÉ in respect of sound broadcasting services, including digital radio services. I can confirm that my Department has been in touch with ComReg on this matter and ComReg has confirmed that it has issued no recommendations in relation to developing...

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

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 338 to 340, inclusive, together. The Rural Broadband Scheme was launched last year in recognition of the fact that despite the widespread availability of broadband throughout Ireland, there still remained individual premises that were unable to receive broadband provision, mainly due to technical difficulties. This Scheme is aimed at making a basic broadband...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (21 Mar 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 341 and 342 together. The Ocean Energy Development Programme of Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has been allocated €2.9 million in 2012, €2.2 million of which is capital and €0.7 million is current. €1.6 million capital is allocated to the Ocean Energy Prototype Development Fund; €455,000 capital is allocated to the Galway Bay test...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (15 Mar 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The Rural Broadband Scheme was launched last year in recognition of the fact that despite the widespread availability of broadband throughout Ireland, there still remained individual premises that were unable to receive broadband provision, mainly due to technical difficulties. This Scheme is aimed at making a basic broadband service available to those individual unserved premises in rural...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (15 Mar 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The Next Generation Broadband Taskforce (NGBT) has proven to be a very useful forum for detailed discussions with some industry stakeholders on their views regarding the optimal policy required to facilitate investment in next generation broadband infrastructure. The Taskforce is currently finalising its deliberations. I expect it will conclude its deliberation in the coming weeks. The...

Written Answers — Natural Gas Grid: Natural Gas Grid (15 Mar 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The development and expansion of the natural gas network is in the first instance a commercial matter for Gaslink, which is mandated under Section 8 of the Gas Act 1976, as amended, to develop and maintain a national system for the supply of natural gas that is both economical and efficient. The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), is statutorily responsible for all aspects of the...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (14 Mar 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: It is estimated that the Corrib gas field will be capable of supplying up to 60% of Ireland's gas requirements for a period of up to five years when at full production, declining thereafter. Completion of the development works by the developer is the principal factor that will determine the date for first gas. Pending such completion, it is not possible to state a date for when gas from the...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (14 Mar 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I wish to advise the Deputy that, following a Government decision, the salary rate for newly appointed CEOs of Commercial Semi State Companies under the aegis of my Department is as set out in a table with effect from 21 June 2011. Salary Rate for newly appointed CEOs of Commercial State Companies Name of Company New Appointment Rate An Post €240,448 BGÉ €191,014 Bord na Mona...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (14 Mar 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I wish to advise the Deputy that all directions issued by the Government in relation to remuneration of CEOs in Commercial Semi State Companies are brought to the attention of the relevant State Companies under the aegis of my Department. The Government decided that the salary range for newly appointed CEOs of Commercial Semi State Companies under the aegis of my Department should be as set...

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (14 Mar 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: My Department is not involved in any direct rental of buildings. The Department's accommodation needs are provided for by the Office of Public Works (OPW) in the following locations:- Department Headquarters, 29/31 Adelaide Road, Dublin 2 Geological Survey of Ireland Core Store, Sandyford, County Dublin Elm House, Earlsvale Road, Cavan. (The Department occupies part of the building)...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (14 Mar 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband services, is a matter, in the first instance, for private sector service providers operating in a liberalised market regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation. Broadband services are provided by private service providers over various platforms including DSL (i.e. over telephone lines), fixed wireless, mobile,...

Written Answers — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (13 Mar 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 2 of 7 March 2012. 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...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (13 Mar 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The person to whom the Deputy refers is in receipt of a broadband service through the National Broadband Scheme (NBS). By way of background, my Department entered into a contract with 3, a Hutchison Whampoa company, for the delivery of the NBS in late December 2008, following the conclusion of a competitive dialogue procurement process. The objective of the NBS is to deliver broadband to...

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (13 Mar 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: Seven commercial semi-State bodies and nine non-commercial semi-State bodies with boards are under the aegis of my Department. Information in respect of the members of each board from 2007 to 2010 is available in the bodies' annual reports, which are available in the Library of the Houses of the Oireachtas. Information can also be found on the eGovernance website, www.egovernance.ie, or by...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (13 Mar 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 324 and 325 together. All post-primary schools will have a 100 Mbps broadband connection installed by the end of 2014 in a project jointly funded by the Departments of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and Education and Skills. The selection of schools for connection during 2012 was guided by the view that a geographical rollout will provide the...

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (13 Mar 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The Better Energy programme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), on behalf of my Department. The scheme is a demand-led programme open to all homeowners of dwellings built before 2006. The Better Energy Homes scheme provides support to homeowners towards the installation of attic and wall insulation, and heating system upgrades including solar thermal with...

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (13 Mar 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The Better Energy programme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), on behalf of my Department. The Better Energy Homes solar grant is €800 for every eligible home where the installation of the system meets the installation requirements as set out in the Better Energy Homes Code of Practice. The requirements under Better Energy Homes are in line with the...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (13 Mar 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband services, is a matter in the first instance for private sector service providers operating in a liberalised market regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). Broadband services are provided by private service providers over various platforms including DSL (i.e. over telephone lines), fixed wireless,...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (13 Mar 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The Ocean Energy Development Unit (OEDU) in the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) is working to take forward Ireland's ocean energy programme, in line with the Government's commitment to realise the long term economic potential of Ireland's wave and tidal energy resources. In that context SEAI is working closely with the Marine Institute and my Department as well as the...