Results 5,361-5,380 of 5,902 for speaker:James Lawless

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Commission for Communications Regulation Performance Review: Discussion (23 May 2017)

James Lawless: For clarification, I understood from what was said a moment ago that ComReg submits a report to the Department and delays may arise at that point. What Mr. Fahy is saying is ComReg has already provided a report to the Department.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Commission for Communications Regulation Performance Review: Discussion (23 May 2017)

James Lawless: Okay. I might take this matter up with the Minister and the Comptroller and Auditor General separately. I understand quarterly data is produced as are relevant strategy statements. Is it possible for these to be correlated and comparisons made between them? The data is published separately. Could the quarterly data be included with the relevant strategy statements to make more comparisons?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Commission for Communications Regulation Performance Review: Discussion (23 May 2017)

James Lawless: That is fair enough. The last general policy direction was in 2004, which is quite some time ago. I understand there are multiple ways in which a policy direction may be given. Has ComReg been issued with a policy direction recently? What form does that take? I understand that the Minister makes statements on a regular basis on various matters of importance. Are they interpreted under...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Commission for Communications Regulation Performance Review: Discussion (23 May 2017)

James Lawless: Okay, so when the Minister makes various statements this is not taken on board as a policy direction informally or in any other-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Commission for Communications Regulation Performance Review: Discussion (23 May 2017)

James Lawless: Okay. I thank Mr. Fahy for that. There was a question around the 700 MHz band. I know we have heard about the more recent auction but it had previously been stated that the 700 MHz spectrum may enable more 5G broadband roll-out and that high-speed mobile broadband would arise from that, to some extent. What is Mr. Fahy's opinion on the suitability of that plan for 5G services that could...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Commission for Communications Regulation Performance Review: Discussion (23 May 2017)

James Lawless: I wish to move on to the mobile and broadband task force and the report issued last year from the Department. A number of actions were assigned against ComReg in that task force report. Action 40 relates to the review to identify black spots for mobile phone and broadband coverage and to include recommendations and initiatives as to the options available. Where are we in that regard? Does...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Commission for Communications Regulation Performance Review: Discussion (23 May 2017)

James Lawless: Does Mr. Fahy have views on its necessity or urgency?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Commission for Communications Regulation Performance Review: Discussion (23 May 2017)

James Lawless: Very good. That brings me on to the shared infrastructure directive, Directive No. 2014/61/EU, which came into force on 26 July last year. Does ComReg have views on the implementation of the regulations in Ireland? Did ComReg have any input into those regulations? I am interested to know whether any dispute resolution processes have been invoked yet and how has that fared? Without getting...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Commission for Communications Regulation Performance Review: Discussion (23 May 2017)

James Lawless: So the facilities are in place, the mechanism is in place but it has not been invoked yet, either for a dispute or a request?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Commission for Communications Regulation Performance Review: Discussion (23 May 2017)

James Lawless: Has the single information point database been populated with the different infrastructure or what is going in there?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Commission for Communications Regulation Performance Review: Discussion (23 May 2017)

James Lawless: I will have a look at that separately. Does this database include details of the different stakeholders or is it actual infrastructure locations?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Commission for Communications Regulation Performance Review: Discussion (23 May 2017)

James Lawless: Okay, very good. My last question centres on the national broadband plan. It is the silver bullet we are all waiting for in terms of rolling out complete coverage around the country. I believe the regulatory part started in 2015. To date, has ComReg completed all its requested inputs and analyses on that plan? What input or role will ComReg have with the plan and how will it interact...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Commission for Communications Regulation Performance Review: Discussion (23 May 2017)

James Lawless: Okay. I have one last question beyond that. How will the 5G spectrum help to bridge the gap between the rural and urban divide?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Commission for Communications Regulation Performance Review: Discussion (23 May 2017)

James Lawless: I thank the Senator for his final question. On behalf of the joint committee, I thank the witnesses for coming before us today and for their worthwhile engagement. There was a good and robust discussion between members and witnesses. I thank everyone for making an input and participating. I propose that the committee will publish the submissions it has received in respect of today's...

Order of Business (23 May 2017)

James Lawless: The programme for Government refers to a digital strategy for schools and commits to introducing new technology into classrooms. Last year, the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Bruton, announced a €200 million spend over five years within schools. While this money is very welcome, without guidance, follow-through and professional implementation, I fear the money may not be...

Leaders' Questions (23 May 2017)

James Lawless: Staff shortages.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Proposed Legislation (23 May 2017)

James Lawless: 78. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide an overview of the general scheme of the Data Protection Bill. [24354/17]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations (23 May 2017)

James Lawless: 274. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will address a mater with regard to a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24770/17]

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Payments Waiting Times (23 May 2017)

James Lawless: 316. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the delay in moving social welfare payments for a person (details supplied); if he will expedite the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24079/17]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Elder Abuse (23 May 2017)

James Lawless: 425. To ask the Minister for Health the actions he is taking regarding raising the awareness of elder abuse; the steps he is taking to tackle this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23999/17]