Results 5,221-5,240 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Offshore Exploration (14 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: Yes, I know the point of the Deputy's question and I understand the question and the importance of it. However, the problem is I do not know how he can say what we are giving away. The point is we are not giving anything away because until we find something, we have nothing to give away. That is the issue. If the Deputy is of the view that the fiscal regime is not tough enough, it was...

Offshore Exploration (14 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I apologise but I am bursting with information on this question.

Offshore Exploration (14 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The Deputies and I are like ships in the night. I do not think we are relating to each other. I would love to be free of the shackles of the moneys that have gone into the banks but Deputies Boyd Barrett and Ferris do not accept that it was necessary in the first place. We could have a long discussion about why it was necessary and how it might have been done differently. That will be an...

Offshore Exploration (14 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: Nobody denies that the previous Government made a hames of the situation. Everyone acknowledges that, but it does not help given where we are now. Therefore, I am reluctant to agree with the Deputy that it would be a better use of moneys that we do not have to spend €70 million or €80 million drilling holes that have largely been dry. Of 156 holes that were drilled there were three...

Offshore Exploration (14 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I am very sceptical. Under the present licensing round the companies will be given a permit for two years to do the necessary exploration activity. After that, they have three years to drill and if they do not drill it is a case of use or lose it. They have to drill. We will see. I hope Deputy Boyd Barrett and I will still be in the House at that time and I hope bountiful resources will...

Topical Issue Debate (14 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: Did you include, Deputy Finian McGrath, a Cheann Comhairle? He is looking for a candidate.

Offshore Exploration (14 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The 2011 Atlantic margin licensing round was formally launched in October 2010 and the closing date for applications was the end of May this year. The 2011 licensing round was different from previous licensing rounds in that the authorisations on offer are for two-year licensing options and not for the traditional 15 or 16 year frontier exploration licences. Fifteen applications were...

Offshore Exploration (14 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: As I told the Oireachtas committee concerned last evening, I am more than willing to engage with it for as long as is necessary to review this issue but I am not prepared to delay the current licensing round that has its origins in the changes made in the Finance Act 2008 which Deputy Ó Cuív had the opportunity, when in Cabinet, to approve. I do not wish to delay that as it would introduce...

Offshore Exploration (14 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I did not make any comment good, bad or indifferent approving or disapproving of the Finance Act 2008. Deputy Ó Cuív was bruiting this about throughout the summer and it is about time he produced some quote from me to that effect.

Offshore Exploration (14 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I did not do it. That is the first point.

Offshore Exploration (14 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The second point is that there is nothing preventing - the former Minister, Deputy Ó Cuív, understands this well - the Minister for Finance of the day addressing the fiscal regime in any area of the economy which he or she believes appropriate at any time. That applies to this regime as well. That is the competence of the Minister for Finance and it is untrammelled. It is important, now...

Sale of State Assets (14 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The EU-IMF programme of December 2010 involves a commitment that the Government will outline methods to raise funds through asset disposals. The 2011 budget included a similar commitment. The programme for Government includes an intention to finance investment in the State from the proceeds of the sale of certain State assets. The Government has also considered the report of the McCarthy...

Sale of State Assets (14 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I hear the Deputy's reiteration of his opposition to the disposal of any State assets. I also hear his conviction that there is no necessity for the Government to respond to the demands of the IMF-EU memorandum of understanding.

Sale of State Assets (14 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I am pleased, as should all my colleagues in this House, with the growing recognition in Europe of the responsible manner in which this Government is dealing with the crisis we inherited.

Sale of State Assets (14 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: That is becoming clearer with every day that passes. I cannot understand how Deputy Ferris can assert that the Government is handing over control of State companies to outsiders. A minority stake is not control and there is no question of this Government handing over control. The ESB has strategic significance for the Irish economy and we recognise its importance in the context of energy...

Alternative Energy Projects (14 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The 2007 Energy White Paper set overarching targets for penetration of renewable energy in the electricity, heat and transport sector. These targets are 40% renewable electricity, 12% renewable heat and 10% renewable energy in transport. These three sectoral targets are in line with meeting our renewable energy directive target which sets a binding 16% penetration of all energy from...

Alternative Energy Projects (14 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I meant no disrespect to the Deputy. It is conventional to provide this type of background information; not everybody is as knowledgeable about REFIT and the subsidy to the industry as is Deputy Pringle. I did no more than elucidate that point. I do not disagree with what the Deputy said, but his expectation for an indigenous industry is somewhat exaggerated. I agree with the general...

Alternative Energy Projects (14 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: We are agreed on the desirability of building a renewable sector that can make a contribution to the targets that we must meet in a European context. I accept that biomass is an aspect of that. I reiterate, however, that I would not be as optimistic as Deputy Pringle in terms of the quantum that will be contributed. That does not mean that it is not important. I accept that it is...

Alternative Energy Projects (14 Sep 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The renewable energy feed in tariff scheme known as REFIT was introduced in 2006 for certain categories of renewable energy, including onshore wind. Since then, the tariffs have been increased, where applicable, by the annual consumer price index. Adjustments to the rate are by way of indexation annually and by the annual increase, if any, in the consumer price index in Ireland. REFIT is...

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (26 Jul 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I thank the Acting Chairman for his welcome to the Seanad. I find myself in a slightly unusual position in that I am bringing back to this House a Bill initiated by the previous Government in the last Seanad. I am, therefore, conscious that this is the first time many Senators will have seen or had an opportunity to consider the Bill. Before addressing the amendments I brought forward in...