Results 4,941-4,960 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Telecommunications Services (19 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: Of course I agree with Deputy Tom Fleming that every part of the country should have adequate connectivity. I am not sure the facts and figures bear out the notion that those in Kerry are especially disadvantaged. I know all Kerry men are very good at communicating that view, especially on the third Sunday in September, but I do not think it is necessarily true. The point he is raising...

Strategic Energy Infrastructure (19 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: Investment in the development and maintenance of Ireland's gas and electricity network infrastructure is of fundamental strategic importance for the economy. Secure and reliable energy supply is a prerequisite for inward investment, for indigenous enterprise and for all consumers. Energy is the lifeblood of all economic production, whether in the high-tech ICT and bio-pharmaceutical...

Strategic Energy Infrastructure (19 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I have no difficulty reconciling what we have said. There is no doubt that these are strategic assets and it is for that reason that the Government has decided to sell only a minority stake in the ESB to ensure the State maintains a controlling interest. It would have been my wish that we were not forced into this position at all, but the memorandum of understanding with the IMF and EU...

Leaders' Questions (19 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: We are talking about the November memorandum.

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (18 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) has statutory responsibility for this matter. Under Section 43 (1)(c)(i) of the Broadcasting Act 2009, the Authority must prepare and, from time to time, revise rules with respect to the specific steps each broadcaster is required to take to promote the understanding and enjoyment by those who are deaf or have a hearing impairment of programmes...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (18 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The rules to which the Deputy refers are the European Communities (Electronic Communications Networks and Services) Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2011, which I signed into law on 1 July 2011. These Regulations transpose the requirements of EU Directive 2002/58/EC concerning the processing of personal data and the protection of privacy in the electronic communications...

Written Answers — Energy Prices: Energy Prices (18 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: There are two separate State Aid clearance processes under way with the European Commission in respect of the extension of the REFIT Scheme for the renewable energy technologies of onshore wind, landfill gas and hydro technologies and a new REFIT Scheme covering biomass technology categories. I am advised that Commission decisions should be forthcoming in the coming weeks. On receipt of the...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (18 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The legislation which takes effect in relation to the requirement to hold a television licence is provided for in Section 140 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 which defines a television set as "any electronic apparatus capable of receiving and exhibiting television broadcasting services broadcast for general reception (whether or not its use for that purpose is dependent on the use of anything...

Written Answers — Croke Park Agreement: Croke Park Agreement (18 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: Under the Public Service Agreement 2010-2014, detailed action plans have been developed by each State agency under the remit of my Department to underpin the change and reform process envisaged by the Agreement. The Action Plans were first developed in October 2010 and subsequently revised in January 2011. Each agency was required to prepare their first detailed report on the progress being...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (18 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I wish to advise the Deputy that the day to day running of the State agencies under my aegis is a matter for them and you should contact them directly with regard to the information sought.

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (18 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: An Post acts on behalf of my Department as agent for the collection of the Television Licence fee under Section 145 of the Broadcasting Act 2009. In accordance with An Post's procedures, if a member of the public wishes to make a complaint in relation to an An Post TV Licence Inspector, the member of the public is advised, in the first instance, to contact their local An Post TV Licence...

Written Answers — Energy Prices: Energy Prices (18 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: There are separate State Aid clearance processes under way with the European Commission in respect of the extension of the REFIT Scheme for the renewable energy technologies of onshore wind, landfill gas and hydro technologies and a new REFIT Scheme covering biomass technology categories. The Commission is currently completing assessments of the applications and I am advised that decisions...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (18 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I can inform the Deputy that there are 18 State bodies under the aegis of my Department. Of these, 15 bodies have Boards that are currently being paid fees determined by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, one Board receives no fees and two bodies do not have a Board. The following table details the position regarding the payment of board fees to Chairpersons and Directors of...

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (13 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I can inform the Deputy that there are 18 State bodies under the aegis of my Department. Of these there are 15 whose boards are appointed in whole in or in part by the Minister and/or the Government. The table details the information requested on the board positions, including Chairpersons, which have been filled since I took office, taking into consideration requirements and qualifications...

Written Answers — Hydraulic Fracturing: Hydraulic Fracturing (13 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I am aware that concerns have been expressed about the potential impact of hydraulic fracturing on the environment and I take these concerns seriously. To that end, I have requested the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to conduct research and advise on the environmental implications of hydraulic fracturing as a means of extracting natural gas from underground reserves. However, I would...

Written Answers — Hydraulic Fracturing: Hydraulic Fracturing (13 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I can confirm that my Department has had informal contact with the Northern Ireland Authorities in relation to onshore petroleum authorisations in the North West Carboniferous Basin. The petroleum authorisations granted in both jurisdictions are at a very early stage and engagement will continue should these authorisations proceed to the drilling stage.

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (13 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: Issues relating to television coverage in specific areas of the country are an operational matter for RTÉ. The Broadcasting Act 2009 provides for RTÉ to roll-out a digital TV network to the same extent as the analogue TV network. RTÉ has informed my Department that the current analogue TV network covers 98% of the population and that its new digital TV network called Saorview will also...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (12 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: Wave and tidal energy, commonly known as ocean energy, is still at the RD&D stage globally. In 2008, the Ocean Energy Development Unit (OEDU) was established in the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to take forward Ireland's ocean energy programme. Already by 2008, a number of Irish universities and the Marine Institute were pursuing research and initiatives in the ocean energy...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (12 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: There are five Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) in County Mayo: Ballina; Ballinrobe; Claremorris; Kiltimagh and Knock. The MANS are managed, maintained and operated by e|net on behalf of the State and are available on a wholesale carrier neutral and open access basis. Backhaul is available in each of the five MAN towns and three of these have been connected: Ballina, Claremorris and...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (12 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The licensing of radio microphones is a matter for the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). I understand that channel 69 (854 – 862 MHz) is one of the channels available for radio microphone use in Ireland. At the International Telecommunication Union World Radio-communication Conference in 2007 it was agreed that channels 61 to 69 would be made available for mobile...