Results 4,401-4,420 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Alternative Energy Projects (14 Feb 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I apologise for being late. Deputy Mulherin has given a lucid explanation of the problems that may arise from an unexpected decision of the Single Electricity Market Committee, SEM Committee. The Government places considerable emphasis in the importance of wind energy as a contributor to both energy security and environmental sustainability. We have international obligations because, under...

Leaders' Questions (14 Feb 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: Come on now.

Leaders' Questions (14 Feb 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: Ar aghaidh leat, Deputy.

Leaders' Questions (14 Feb 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: Deputy Finian McGrath should try to get his head around that.

Leaders' Questions (14 Feb 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I can see clearly now.

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (9 Feb 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: Ireland's telecommunications market has been liberalised since 1999 and thus the delivery of broadband services is a matter, in the first instance, for private sector commercial operators. In cases of market failure the Government will intervene, where it is appropriate and possible to do so. The National Broadband Scheme (NBS) represents such an intervention. EU State Aid and competition...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (9 Feb 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I wish to advise the Deputy that two Task Forces and one Advisory Group have been established by my Department since February 2011. I convened the Next Generation Broadband Task Force in Summer 2011 to provide a forum for detailed discussions with certain industry stakeholders on their views regarding the optimal policy required to facilitate investment in next generation broadband...

Telecommunications Services (9 Feb 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I thank Deputy Michael McCarthy for giving me the opportunity to respond on this important matter. Deputy McCarthy will be aware that the electronic communications market here is a fully liberalised market and regulated by the independent regulator, the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. The provision and quality of electronic communications services, including broadband, is a...

Telecommunications Services (9 Feb 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I am familiar with Deputy McCarthy's opinions on this critical connectivity issue because he has canvassed my position on it several times. He is right, not only in terms of the importance of job creation, but in terms of the better provision of services locally. Regarding the Deputy's particular point about Skibbereen, there is a difference between the multi-fibre optic cable around the...

Written Answers — Energy Conservation: Energy Conservation (8 Feb 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: Better Energy: Warmer Homes delivers a range of energy efficiency measures to households that are vulnerable to energy poverty with a total of 20,388 being addressed in 2011. The scheme is managed on behalf of my Department by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and delivered through a range of Community Based Organisations (CBOs), augmented by a panel of private contractors...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (8 Feb 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The Next Generation Broadband Taskforce, which I convened last summer, is finalising its deliberations. The initiative has proven to be a very useful forum for detailed discussions with certain industry stakeholders on their views regarding the optimal policy required to facilitate investment in next generation broadband infrastructure. The Taskforce will conclude its deliberations shortly....

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (8 Feb 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The Application Phase of the Rural Broadband Scheme (RBS) closed on 29 July 2011. The Department received 5,000 applications and of these, approximately 3,700 qualified under the terms of the scheme. The Verification Phase of the Scheme has now commenced. In this phase of the Scheme, the details of applicants have been passed to Internet service providers to assess whether a service can be...

Seanad: Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011: Second Stage (8 Feb 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I thank the Members who have contributed. Senator Keane said it was time we had a full debate on energy and it seems to me that she did not make a bad stab at it on this occasion. As Senator Bradford said, the debate ranged far and wide and some important issues have been raised. If there is an issue that causes me to wake up in the middle of the night, it is the issue raised by Senator...

Seanad: Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011: Second Stage (8 Feb 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I can assure the House that interfering with such a work of art is the last thing I would want to do.

Seanad: Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011: Second Stage (8 Feb 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: There are many other interesting issues raised by Senators that I would like to have responded to. I assure Senator Ned O'Sullivan that I concur entirely with him about the importance of the LNG plant in terms of diversity of supply and offering us another string to our bow. To partially answer Senator Crown's question, I met with the promoters again two weeks ago. Unfortunately this...

Seanad: Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011: Second Stage (8 Feb 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: There were many other questions I would like to have addressed so perhaps we shall meet again.

Seanad: Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011: Second Stage (8 Feb 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The Senator has completely taken me by surprise. Where is the development to which she refers?

Seanad: Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011: Second Stage (8 Feb 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I thought she was referring to the position that already obtained for existing directors.

Seanad: Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011: Second Stage (8 Feb 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I hope I have not detained the legislative side of the Upper House. I commend the Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011 to the House and I am pleased to commence the debate on the Bill in this House. As I have previously stated, while this is an important Bill, it is not controversial. It is the result of a review by my Department of various Acts. Before addressing its main...

Leaders' Questions (8 Feb 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: Finian is keeping his powder dry. He does not know which way to go. Which way will you go, Finian?