Results 4,961-4,980 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

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

Pat Rabbitte: The provision of broadband services is, in the first instance, a matter for commercial service providers. In cases of market failure the Government will intervene, where it is appropriate and possible to do so. The Group Broadband Scheme, National Broadband Scheme (NBS) and Rural Broadband Scheme are all examples of where Government has intervened to ensure broadband availability in areas,...

Order of Business (12 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: That will be before the budget.

Order of Business (12 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: Deputy McDonald cannot wait to get her hands on it.

Order of Business (12 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: As much time as Deputy McDonald wants.

Leaders' Questions (12 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The sky might fall on Grafton Street.

Written Answers — Inland Fisheries: Inland Fisheries (11 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: As the Deputy will be aware, the performance of salmon rivers is assessed on an annual basis by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) with a view to providing advice on the management of the fishery in the coming year. I am at present awaiting the scientific and management advice from IFI, which will inform how the salmon fishery, including in the River Barrow, is to be managed in the 2012 season....

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (11 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The area of Ballypatrick, Bouladuff, is covered by the National Broadband Scheme (NBS). The NBS contract guarantees service levels and imposes a service credit regime on "3" with financial consequences in the event that minimum specification service levels are not met. My Department and its external consultants actively monitor coverage within the NBS areas. Currently, the minimum download...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (11 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The licensing of radio microphones is a matter for the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). I understand that there are currently 49 channels (channels 21 to 69) available for radio microphone use in Ireland in the 470 – 862 MHz band with the majority of assignments made in channel 69. These channels are made available on a non-exclusive basis and are subject to sharing with...

Written Answers — Energy Conservation: Energy Conservation (11 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The Dwelling Energy Assessment Procedure (DEAP) is the Irish official method for calculating the Building Energy Rating (BER) of dwellings. The BER is based on the characteristics of major components of the dwelling (wall, roof and floor dimensions, window and door sizes, quality and orientation) as well as the construction type and levels of insulation, ventilation and air tightness...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (11 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The organisations under the aegis of my Department effectively oversee the spending of public funds. In addition, my Department works in close cooperation with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and these organisations to ensure the timely filling of all key positions consistent with the achievement of staff reductions targets and the principles underpinning the moratorium on the...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (11 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The table below sets out the organisations under my Department for which an Employment Control Framework operates, and the numbers they have in place at the end of Quarter 3 2011. Organisation Numbers (end Quarter 3 2011) Digital Hub Development Agency 13 Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland 61 Inland Fisheries Ireland 346 Broadcasting Authority of Ireland 33 Commission for Energy...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (11 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) analysis of the wind energy resources for County Mayo shows that County Mayo has the highest average annual wind speeds of any county. Details are set out in the table. County Dec-Feb Mar-May June-Aug Sept-Nov Annual Annual metres per second (m/s) km per hour Mayo 9.23 7.79 6.57 8.35 7.99 28.7 Donegal 9 7.73 6.37 8.19 7.82 28.2 Galway...

Written Answers — Public Petitions: Public Petitions (11 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The details of public petitions that have been submitted to my Department in the past four years are shown in the table below. The nature of the petition campaign The date on which the petition was submitted; The number of signatories on each petition; The action undertaken by him following consideration of the submission; Provision of broadband to a small development in the village of...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (11 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: Connections to the electricity grid are a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) and EirGrid and ESB Networks in the first instance. It is estimated that 4630MW of renewable generation is required, based on current economic growth assumptions and energy demand projections, to ensure 40% of electricity consumption from renewable sources by 2020 and to meet Ireland's legally...

Written Answers — Electricity Transmission Network: Electricity Transmission Network (11 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 313 and 319 together. The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) has statutory responsibility for grid connection offers and for oversight of EirGrid grid connection process including the Gate process for renewable energy. The Connection Offer Policy and Process (COPP) is outlined in detail in CER decision paper CER/11/093 and in annexes to that decision...

Written Answers — Energy Conservation: Energy Conservation (11 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 314 and 317 together. Better Energy: Homes Scheme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and provides grant assistance to homeowners for energy efficiency retrofitting measures, including attic and wall insulation, high-efficiency boilers, heating controls and Building Energy Rating (BER) assessments. Queries in relation to...

Written Answers — Data Protection: Data Protection (11 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: Issues concerning unsolicited communications for direct marketing purposes are a matter for the Data Protection Commissioner. I understand there is an opt-in and opt-out system in place to permit or prohibit direct marketing telephone calls. In the case of ex-directory landlines and all mobile phones, direct marketing calls are not permissible unless individual customers opt to receive such...

Written Answers — Energy Prices: Energy Prices (11 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I have no statutory function in the setting of energy prices, whether in the regulated or non-regulated market. Responsibility for the regulation of the electricity and gas markets is a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), which is an independent statutory body. The electricity retail market is now fully deregulated and CER has announced that the small to medium business...

Written Answers — Electricity Transmission Network: Electricity Transmission Network (11 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The planning and development of the transmission grid is the responsibility of EirGrid as the State owned transmission company. I have no function in the matter. EirGrid advises that it is progressing plans for transmission network development in Mayo in line with regional development and renewable energy needs. Grid West, as a key project under GRID 25, will significantly increase the...

Written Answers — Electricity Transmission Network: Electricity Transmission Network (11 Oct 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The planning, development and routing of transmission line infrastructure is a matter for EirGrid, the State owned body responsible for the electricity transmission system. I have no statutory function regarding the planning and construction of energy networks.