Results 5,441-5,460 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Written Answers — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (21 Jun 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The 2011 Atlantic Margin Licensing Round closed on the 31st of May and fifteen applications for Licensing Options were received. This is the largest number of applications ever received in a single licensing round in Ireland. My Department has commenced its assessment of the applications received and has invited all fifteen applicants for interview. It is anticipated that the evaluation...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (21 Jun 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The EU Renewable Energy Directive of 2009 sets a binding 2020 target of 10% renewable energy in Transport for each Member State. In common with other Member States, Ireland is committed to ensuring that approximately 10% of road transport fuel in Ireland is biofuel by 2020. To date the majority of biofuels brought to market have been first generation. These biofuels are produced from...

Written Answers — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (21 Jun 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: Ireland competes with other countries, both in Europe and much further afield, to attract mobile international exploration investment to Ireland. To that end, it is important that Ireland maintains a licensing regime that appropriately reflects both the risks and rewards of investing in petroleum exploration in the Irish offshore, relative to investing in exploration in other jurisdictions....

Written Answers — Energy Conservation: Energy Conservation (21 Jun 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I announced the launch of Better Energy: The National Upgrade Programme in early May in the context of the Government's Jobs Initiative. Better Energy is replacing the three existing energy efficiency and renewable energy programmes: the Home Energy Savings Scheme, the Warmer Homes Scheme and the Greener Homes Scheme. The Better Energy grant levels have been set to ensure that the level...

Written Answers — Teilifís na Gaeilge: Teilifís na Gaeilge (21 Jun 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: Níl athrú ar intinn agam ar staid an lae faoina fhaigheann TG4 formhór a cuid maoine i bhfoirm deontais i gcabhair ón Státchiste ionas chun ligint don eagras a sainordú seirbhíse poiblí a chomhlíonadh agus a cuid spriocanna a bhaint amach de réir mar a léirítear in Alt 118 den Acht Craolacháin 2009.

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

Pat Rabbitte: The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) decision on the 'Gate 3' round provides for connection offers for 4,000 MWs of renewable electricity capacity. Approximately 90% of these offers are wind powered capacity including around 800 MW of offshore wind. The Gate 3 decisions, combined with the existing renewable capacity and projects currently being built and connected, point to the 40%...

Written Answers — Energy Prices: Energy Prices (21 Jun 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. CER has announced that the small to medium business...

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

Pat Rabbitte: Ireland's national digital switchover strategy provides for the closure of the RTÉNL analogue TV network at the end of 2012 and, through the resulting 'digital dividend', paves the way for the delivery of new jobs, new mobile and broadband services and new national economic growth. I am keenly aware of the challenges this initiative brings, in particular for Irish households which are...

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

Pat Rabbitte: The provision of electronic communications services, including broadband, is, in the first instance, a matter for private sector service providers, regulated by the independent regulator, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). Government may intervene in the fully liberalised telecommunications market only in areas where the competitive market fails to provide service....

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

Pat Rabbitte: The provision of mobile phone networks and services is undertaken by telecommunications service providers who operate in a fully liberalised market. The regulation of telecommunications service providers, including regulatory issues surrounding mobile phone network coverage and quality is the responsibility of the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), in accordance with its...

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

Pat Rabbitte: The provision of electronic communications services, including broadband, is, in the first instance, a matter for private sector service providers, regulated by the independent regulator, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). The NewERA proposals in the Programme for Government aim to deliver higher broadband speeds. There is a commitment to co-invest with the private sector...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (21 Jun 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: It is Government policy that An Post remains a strong and viable company, in a position to provide a high quality, nationwide postal service and maintain a nationwide, customer focussed network of post offices. I have no function with respect to the provision of counter services by An Post. Section 12 of the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act, 1983 requires the company to provide...

Written Answers — Energy Prices: Energy Prices (21 Jun 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 219 and 220 together. 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...

Written Answers — North-South Interconnector: North-South Interconnector (21 Jun 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The enhancement of regional co-operation, including improved interconnectivity between Member States, is a key objective of both the EU Energy Third Package and the EU Regulation on Security of Gas Supply. The vast bulk of Ireland's gas demand is supplied from Great Britain through two interconnector pipelines between Ireland and Scotland. The Scotland Northern Ireland Gas Pipeline (SNIP)...

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

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 222 and 223 together. There have been a number of discoveries of oil and gas in the Irish Offshore in recent years, however none of these has been declared commercial to date. The only petroleum discovery that has been declared commercial but has yet to be developed is the Corrib Gas Field. With regard to non-Petroleum minerals, while no new commercially...

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

Pat Rabbitte: It is estimated that the Corrib gas field will be capable of supplying up to 60% of Ireland's gas requirements for a period of at least five years at full production, declining thereafter. 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...

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

Pat Rabbitte: The table below outlines the Exchequer funded programmes for renewable energy and energy efficiency in place at 31st December 2010 and those in place in 2011. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) manages these programmes on behalf of my Department. Details of the individual grants available to householders and organisations under the various programmes are available on the...

Written Answers — Public Service Obligation: Public Service Obligation (21 Jun 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The Public Obligation Service (PSO) levy has been in place since 2001 and is the support mechanism for peat generation and the development of renewable electricity. The PSO also supports the output of two gas fuelled power plants built in 2005 to secure much needed generation capacity at the time. The levy is designed to compensate electricity suppliers for the additional costs they incur...

Written Answers — Radio Broadcasting: Radio Broadcasting (21 Jun 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The management of the radio spectrum is a statutory function of ComReg under the Communications Regulations Act 2002. In accordance with this function and with its obligations under EU law, ComReg designs and manages the spectrum assignment process bearing in mind its objectives of ensuring the effective and efficient use of radio frequencies, promoting the harmonisation of use of...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (21 Jun 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 228 and 229 together. The national targets for penetration of renewable energy in the electricity, heat and transport sector by 2020 are 40% renewable electricity, 12% renewable heat and 10% renewable energy in transport. These targets are commensurate with the overall mandatory target set for Ireland under Renewable Energy Directive of 16% penetration of...