Results 5,241-5,260 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

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

Pat Rabbitte: Are we discussing amendments Nos. 1 and 6?

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

Pat Rabbitte: The Bill requires that access to a universal service provider's network should be agreed in the first instance on a commercial basis. I do not believe that legislation that restricts any legitimate commercial activity would best serve the needs of postal users, the economy or An Post. Therefore, especially in the context of the contracting market size and the need for flexibility in meeting...

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

Pat Rabbitte: I regret that at this late stage it is not possible for me to accept the amendment. I explained why I considered that any restriction on the commercial role of An Post is undesirable. Listening to some of the contributions - I identify with many of the sentiments - it is clear that speakers do not accept that what I am doing is transposing an EU directive. There are central matters in...

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

Pat Rabbitte: It is untrue that there was a derogation in the Netherlands. This canard was flown in the Dáil and I double checked the matter; it is not the case. On the matter of postal codes, we will come to that at the appropriate stage. I will deal with the comments of Senators White and Ó Clochartaigh as well.

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

Pat Rabbitte: We are retaining the universal service obligation. That is at the heart of the Bill. Every piece of post will be delivered to every house in Ireland five days a week. That is the commitment. A further commitment is that An Post will not be privatised. It is not this Bill that poses any threat to the future of An Post - it is the prevailing economic conditions and, more pertinently, the...

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

Pat Rabbitte: I got a good belt of it from Deputy Ó Cuív in the other House as well. As long as Fianna Fáil remains opposed to privatisation, I cannot see what the threat to An Post will be. It appears that both sides of the House are ad idem on this matter.

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

Pat Rabbitte: The Senator is right to say An Post has played an important social role in Irish life. I accept and acknowledge that the role of the postman, in particular, is much valued in rural Ireland. Some of the decisions I have taken in amending the Bill are designed to protect that role as best I can. An Post is a commercial State company. I had hoped Senator Quinn might be present as he was...

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

Pat Rabbitte: Not resurrecting. Supporting.

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

Pat Rabbitte: As Senator Cullinane's grandfather lived to 99 years of age, we know he comes from a healthy gene pool. One could not know what changes will have been made by the time he reaches 99 years old. I would not rule out Fianna Fáil entirely, given the family's longevity.

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

Pat Rabbitte: The Senator was laying it on with the trowel when he referred to three-teacher schools in rural Ireland closing. I do not know too many three-teacher schools that are closing. Indeed, the demographics are healthy, in that the numbers are going the other way. I should also take this opportunity to inform Senator Ó Clochartaigh that I will determine whether I can publish the Cahill report...

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (21 Jul 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 415 and 418 together. Capital funding of €60 million was allocated for energy efficiency initiatives in Budget 2011. As part of the Jobs Initiative, a further €30 million has been provided for this year which underpinned the launch of the Better Energy Programme in May. Better Energy replaces three energy efficiency and renewable energy programmes:...

Written Answers — Fuel Poverty: Fuel Poverty (21 Jul 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 214 from him of 20 July 2011.

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (21 Jul 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: Under the NewERA proposals in the Programme for Government, there is a commitment to co-invest with the private sector and commercial Semi State sector to provide Next Generation Broadband to every home and business in the State. The Next Generation Broadband Taskforce, which I chair, has an important role in policy, in this regard. I recently convened a meeting of the Taskforce, which...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (21 Jul 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The Rural Broadband Scheme (RBS) aims to identify the remaining individual premises in rural Ireland, outside of the National Broadband Scheme (NBS) areas that are unable to obtain a broadband service and to provide a basic broadband service to those premises, where requested. As the area referred to in the Deputy's Question is outside the NBS area, premises which cannot avail of a service...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (21 Jul 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 420 to 422, inclusive, together. RTÉ is an independent national public service broadcaster whose remit and obligations are set out in the Broadcasting Act 2009. RTÉ has built, owns and controls the new national digital TV network which they call Saorview. RTÉ is also responsible for the coverage and operation of its Saorview TV network. Part 8 of the...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (21 Jul 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources has worked closely with the Department of Education and Skills on the successful delivery to 78 second level schools of the 100 mbps pilot project. My Department made a provision of some €10 million in its 2011 capital estimate to fund the capital element of a possible national roll-out. The ongoing annual costs associated with...

Written Answers — National Lottery Funding: National Lottery Funding (21 Jul 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has not received National Lottery Funding in any year since its formation in June 2007.

Written Answers — Onshore Exploration: Onshore Exploration (21 Jul 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 425 and 426 together. I can inform the Deputy that I have not received applications for, nor licensed the use of hydraulic fracturing in the North West Carboniferous Basin or the Clare Basin and accordingly the issue of a moratorium on this drilling technology does not arise. Earlier this year, my Department awarded two year onshore Petroleum Licensing Options...

Written Answers — Energy Efficiency: Energy Efficiency (21 Jul 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 427 and 428 together. I announced the launch of Better Energy: The National Upgrade Programme on Wednesday, 11 May 2011 on foot of the Jobs Initiative. Better Energy replaces three energy efficiency and renewable energy programmes: the Home Energy Savings Scheme (HES), the Warmer Homes Scheme (WHS) and the Greener Homes Scheme (GHS). Contractors can...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (21 Jul 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: Completion of the development works by the developer is the principal factor that will determine the date for first gas. Pending such completion, it is not possible to state a date for when gas from the Corrib gas field will become available. In terms of giving a direction to the Commission for Energy for Regulation (CER) in relation to the wholesale and retail pricing of this gas the Deputy...