Results 541-560 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Exports (12 Jun 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: Following extensive engagement between my Department and the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change over a sixteen month period following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Energy Sector in January 2013, it is clear that given the economic, policy and regulatory complexities involved, and the key decisions yet to be taken by the UK, delivery of the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (12 Jun 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 33 and 37 together. Climate and energy policies span a number of complex and interlinked policy areas and the achievement of climate change objectives requires contributions from a range of sectors, including energy, agriculture, transport and the built environment. The 2009 EU Renewable Energy Directive set Ireland a legally binding target of meeting...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Exploration Licences (12 Jun 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: On 9 May 2012 the former Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Natural Resources and Agriculture published its Report on Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration. The Report contained a number of recommendations in respect of the fiscal and regulatory framework applying to oil and gas exploration in Ireland.At my request the Report was debated in Seanad Éireann and in Dáil...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Job Creation (12 Jun 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The Green Paper on Energy Policy in Ireland which I launched on 12 May highlights the potential of the energy sector to create jobs, attract investment, facilitate research and development, and enhance economic growth. Under the 2014 Action Plan for Jobs, provision is made for €57 million in Exchequer supports to further stimulate energy-saving activity in the residential sector. This...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services Provision (12 Jun 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: Ireland’s telecommunications market has been fully liberalised since 1999 in accordance with the requirements of binding EU Directives. The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband services, is, in the first instance, a matter for commercial services providers. These service providers operate in a competitive commercial market reporting to the independent market...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: State Bodies Mergers (12 Jun 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: In the context of the Programme for Government commitment to create a streamlined and refocused commercial state company in the bio-energy and forestry sectors, the Government decided in June 2013 that an evaluation would be carried out on how to give effect to a beneficial merger of Coillte and Bord na Móna. A Steering Group, comprising representatives from my Department, the Department...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadcasting Sector Regulation (12 Jun 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The regulation of premium rate services is a function of the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) which is independent in the exercise of its functions. I have forwarded the details of the case to ComReg, who have confirmed they will contact the person directly to provide an update. I have no statutory role in the Commission’s investigation of complaints of the type raised...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Staff Data (12 Jun 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: My Department continues to maintain its staffing levels within the Employee Control Framework ceiling laid down by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. While there are currently no vacancies at Principal Officer or equivalent grade in my Department the staffing cohort is reviewed on a regular basis with regard to prevailing business priorities. Information in respect of bodies...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Schemes Issues (11 Jun 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The Better Energy Workplaces Scheme, which funded new approaches for implementing sustainable energy upgrades to existing facilities in the public, commercial and industrial sectors closed in 2012. In the four years of its operation (including its precursor schemes), some 321 projects were funded with over €36m grant aid disbursed to eligible projects, which realized 822GWh of energy...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Broadband Plan Implementation (11 Jun 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The Government’s National Broadband Plan, which I published in August 2012, aims to radically change the broadband landscape in Ireland by ensuring that high speed broadband is available to all citizens and businesses. This will be achieved by providing: - policy and regulatory framework that assists in accelerating and incentivising commercial investment; and - a State-led...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Inland Fisheries (11 Jun 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 101 and 102 together. The response to Question No. 424 of 13th May 2014 sets out comprehensively the position as regards the issues raised by the Deputy. While the position has not changed since then, I would be happy to ask IFI to contact the Deputy directly if he requires further clarification.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Broadband Plan Implementation (10 Jun 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The Government’s National Broadband Plan, which I published in August 2012, aims to radically change the broadband landscape in Ireland by ensuring that high speed broadband is available to all citizens and businesses. This will be achieved by providing: - a policy and regulatory framework that assists in accelerating and incentivising commercial investment; and - a State-led...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Legislative Measures (10 Jun 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: Since March 2011 there have been five Bills initiated by me and brought through the legislative process to completion as follows: - The Access to Central Treasury Funds (Commission for Energy Regulation) Bill 2011, enacted on the 23rdof November 2011, for which all sections have commenced. - The Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011, enacted on the 25thof February 2012, for which all...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Broadband Plan Implementation (10 Jun 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: Further to my response to Parliamentary Question No. 488 of 27 May 2014, I can confirm that the area of Newtown referred to in the published county-by-county list of towns and villages which have been identified for a fibre build-out is in Nenagh, County Tipperary. As indicated previously, this is an indicative list and is subject to the completion of the comprehensive mapping exercise...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadcasting Sector Regulation (10 Jun 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: Programming obligations are imposed on broadcasters in the Broadcasting Act 2009, which also sets out the objects of the national public service broadcasters. In pursuit of these objects RTÉ and TG4 are charged, inter-alia, with ensuring that programmes reflect the varied elements which make up the culture of the people of Ireland and “have special regard for the elements which...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Ministerial Responsibilities (10 Jun 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: At my request, the Government delegated certain of my statutory functions in relation to energy and natural resources matters to the Minister of State at my Department, Fergus O'Dowd, who is also Minister of State at the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government. The powers (other than the power to prosecute an offence) and duties conferred on me by or under the enactments,...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Broadband Plan Implementation (10 Jun 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The broadband service contracted under National Broadband Scheme (NBS) is a basic, affordable product in keeping with EU State Aid clearance for the Scheme. Under the terms of the contract which my Department has in place with “3”, the NBS service provider, the NBS mobile wireless service is required to offer minimum download and upload speeds of 2.3Mbps and 1.4Mbps...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Green Paper on Energy Policy: Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (4 Jun 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: Yes, indeed it has met and it is working away assiduously. The expert panel is probably going into the matter in greater depth than I envisaged. It is an expert committee. As you said, it is chaired by the former Supreme Court judge Mrs. Justice Catherine McGuinness. We have presented to the group the essence of the response to the public consultation following the concerns people fed...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Green Paper on Energy Policy: Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (4 Jun 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: It will be as soon as the expert panel finishes its work. My understanding is that it is far advanced. The panel published its terms of reference and so on. These were broadly welcomed by the various groups involved, which, in itself is an achievement. I am not in a position to say this, but I would have thought the panel would have completed its work before the House rises for the summer.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Green Paper on Energy Policy: Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (4 Jun 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: To short-circuit the matter perhaps it might be better for my Department to advise the clerk to the committee and let the clerk communicate with the members of the committee. We intend to hold at least one such seminar between now and the House rising as well as a further two or three between then and the end of the year. In case I am interpreted as putting undue pressure on the...