Results 4,561-4,580 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011: Report Stage (18 Jan 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: Now.

Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011: Fifth Stage (18 Jan 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I thank the Deputies on the other side of the House for facilitating the enactment of legislation which is important but not controversial. The Bill is designed to revise, consolidate and expand existing energy legislation in order to reflect the current structure of the market. Its enactment will result in more robust energy legislation. The Government amendments introduced on Committee...

Leaders' Questions (17 Jan 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: Is the Deputy sure it was not a microphone?

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (12 Jan 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I am very much aware of the challenges digital switchover brings, in particular for households that are reliant on the existing "free to air" analogue TV network. I wish to make clear from the outset, however, that I have no plans to introduce waivers for persons to upgrade their television equipment. All households solely reliant on the existing "free to air" analogue TV network will need...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (12 Jan 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: Under Section 123 of the Broadcasting Act 2009, as amended by Part 4 of the Communications Regulations Act 2011, with the approval of the Minister for Finance, I may pay RTÉ and TG4 in respect of each financial year an amount equal to the total of receipts in that year in respect of broadcasting (TV) licence fees, less (i) any expenses incurred in relation to the collection of those fees and...

Written Answers — Household Energy Schemes: Household Energy Schemes (12 Jan 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 — Household Energy Schemes: Household Energy Schemes (12 Jan 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers the Better Energy Programme, on behalf of my Department. The Scheme has paid out €119,057 million for the installation of 274,184 measures in 110,254 homes. All applicants are required to undertake complete works in accordance with the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme. In accepting the grant offer the applicant accepts all...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (11 Jan 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: International comparisons of telecommunications costs generally, including broadband services, are increasingly complex to measure and compare. This difficulty arises from the increasing level of competition in telecommunications markets delivering a wide choice of options to customers with different terms and conditions applicable, including free or reduced rental and call charges,...

Written Answers — Voluntary Bodies: Voluntary Bodies (11 Jan 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The National Inland Fisheries Forum was established by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) in accordance with section 7(4)(a) of the Inland Fisheries Act 2010, (No 10, 2010). The Forum which consists of 60 members, who were appointed in accordance with the terms of reference agreed with IFI as provided for in section 7(4)(b) of the statute, following an open selection process conducted entirely by...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (11 Jan 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: As the Deputy will be aware the Public Service Reform announcement made on 17 November last by my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, envisaged inter alia that as part of the rationalisation of State agencies the Digital Hub Development Agency (DHDA) would be merged by the end of this year with either Enterprise Ireland (EI) or the IDA. As the Deputy is aware such a...

Written Answers — Sustainable Energy Grants: Sustainable Energy Grants (11 Jan 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 492 and 493 together. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers Better Energy on behalf of my Department. As announced in the context of the Budget, the Government has committed significant funding of €76 million to the Better Energy Programme next year. The Programme will continue support economic activity in 2012, supporting at least...

Written Answers — Electricity Transmission Network: Electricity Transmission Network (11 Jan 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: Electricity infrastructure, electricity charges or electricity regulations in Northern Ireland, are a matter for the Northern Ireland authorities.

Written Answers — Commercial State Bodies: Commercial State Bodies (11 Jan 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: Projections or estimates of future financial results or employment and apprenticeship levels in respect of Bord na Móna are operational matters for the Board and management of Bord na Móna plc and are not matters in which I have a direct statutory function. The annual report and accounts for Bord na Móna plc for the year ending 30 March 2011 has been laid before the Houses of the...

Written Answers — Commercial State Bodies: Commercial State Bodies (11 Jan 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The implementation of the "Towards 2016" Agreement by Bord na Móna is an operational matter for the Board and management of Bord na Móna plc and not one in which I have a statutory function.

Written Answers — Inland Fisheries: Inland Fisheries (11 Jan 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: I have consulted Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) which has advised that the detailed information sought cannot be provided without the undue commitment of resources and excessive cost. IFI publishes, on an annual basis, details of research work undertaken by staff and these reports are available on their website http://www.fisheriesireland.ie/Download-document/193-Researc h-Report-2010.html ...

Written Answers — Inland Fisheries: Inland Fisheries (11 Jan 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: Salmon management practices are carried out, by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), in various catchments throughout the country subject to appropriate scientific advice and the availability of funding. Where known populations of pearl mussels exist IFI liaises directly with the National Parks and Wildlife Service to ensure that any proposed works will not impact on pearl mussel populations. In...

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (11 Jan 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The Government has appointed two Special Advisers on my behalf. Information requested by the Deputy is outlined in the table. Name Date Appointed Salary at 1 December 2011 Mr Finbarr O'Malley 28 March 2011 €88,337 Mr Simon Nugent 11 April 2011 €97,200 My predecessors had three Special Advisers serving on the dates shown. Information requested by the Deputy is outlined in the table....

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (11 Jan 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: While my Department does not run a specific graduate internship programme, it participates in the JobBridge National Internship Scheme. In total 13 placements for graduates have been provided throughout the Department under this scheme and a FÁS Internship Scheme which preceded it.

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (11 Jan 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The regulation of premium rate services, including those provided via "apps" (applications) on smart phone and tablet devices, is a matter for the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). ComReg require charges for premium rate services to be transparent. Customers are required to be informed about how services operate, and clear consent is required before any subscription is...

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (11 Jan 2012)

Pat Rabbitte: The GPO complex, which is owned by the State, is vested in my Department which in turn has leased the complex to An Post. There are no other properties in office complexes owned by my Department. The running of the leased property is a matter for An Post and I have no function in this regard.