Results 5,621-5,640 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (17 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: Following the formal launch of the Rural Broadband Scheme earlier this month, my Department is currently taking applications from members of the public who wish to be included in this scheme. This application and verification phase will last at least 3 months. In the second half of this year my Department intends tendering to procure a service provider who will supply the actual broadband...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (17 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: There are currently two cardholders on my Department's Credit Card Account, the Private Secretaries to the Minister and the Minister of State. It is my Department's policy that credit cards are issued only to the Minister and Minister of State through their respective Private Secretaries. My Department's commercial bank accounts, including its credit card account, are held with Bank of...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (17 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The issue referred to in the Deputy's Question relates to the monthly data cap allowance for National Broadband Scheme (NBS) customers and forms part of the terms and conditions of the contract between the service provider and subscriber. The NBS contract sets out the minimum specification retail service that "3" must provide which includes the retail tariffs applicable (€19.99 per month)...

Written Answers — Public Procurement Contracts: Public Procurement Contracts (17 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: In the time available, it has not been possible to conclude an examination of the relevant records. Officials within my Department are continuing the examination of the position and I will revert to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Energy Prices: Energy Prices (17 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I have no statutory function in the setting of energy prices, whether in the regulated or non-regulated sector. 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. I welcome the recent ESB announcement of price cuts of up to 17% for electricity and gas customers on foot of...

Written Answers — Energy Prices: Energy Prices (17 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The Household Benefits Package, of which the "free electricity allowance" is part, is a matter for the Minister for Social Protection and the administration of that package is for the Department for Social Protection. Some 340,000 households are recipients of the free electricity allowance as part of this package from the Department for Social Protection. Recipients of the free electricity...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (17 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: It is the responsibility of my Department, in conjunction with RTÉ, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI), ComReg and other stakeholders to progress the digital switch-over process so that it meets the 2012 timeline for analogue switch off. Accordingly, I imposed, by order, a requirement on RTÉ to make its public service DTT multiplex available to 90% of the population from 31st...

Broadcasting Services (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: Part 7 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 provides for public service broadcasting in Ireland and the provisions relating to the public service broadcasting corporations, RTE and TG4, including their principal objects. These objects provide the companies' statutory mandates and encapsulate national policy in terms of public service broadcasting. They include the specific objective of providing...

Broadcasting Services (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I thank Deputy Ó Cuív for his remarks. I doubt if there is much difference between his philosophy and mine on this issue. There are specific statutory obligations in respect of the public service broadcasters, including TG4. They must fund the service without fear of intrusion into their independence. Public service broadcasting is about more than funding. It is about content and...

Broadcasting Services (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: Are we getting value for money or could it be reapportioned to specific programming types within the broadcaster? To some extent, that is in the eye of the beholder. Deputy Ó Cuív may take the view that RTE does an immense job in public affairs, especially were it to recognise his inherent outstanding qualities, but were it to decide to apply the same to this side of the House he may...

Broadcasting Services (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: It is not as generous as when the former Minister Deputy Ó Cuív was over here.

Electricity Transmission Network (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: EirGrid, the State-owned independent electricity transmission system company, is building the east west interconnector between Ireland and Britain. The construction of this vital strategic infrastructure by EirGrid is on budget and on schedule for completion next year. I have no role in the planning and construction of transmission infrastructure, which are operational matters for EirGrid....

Electricity Transmission Network (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I have been unable to find any colleagues who gave any such undertakings before or since the election. After all that has happened in the past 30 years, the idea of the Minister interfering in the planning process is an extraordinary proposition for Deputy Daly to advance. If I interfered in a project like this, why should I not interfere in one of Deputy Wallace's construction projects?...

Electricity Transmission Network (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I am sure there is a measure of agreement between Deputy Daly and myself that this is vital strategic national infrastructure. It is imperative this is concluded. I am glad it is coming in on budget and on time. The ducting is already in place and I am confident it will meet the targets.

Electricity Transmission Network (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I assure the Deputy that I have gone to considerable lengths to establish if there is a safety risk and I am absolutely, and I stress that, assured that no risk exists. I agree that just because this is a State body making a planning application, it does not make it right. The proposition, however, that I should interfere is wrong; it is a matter for the planning authorities to decide if it...

Community Forum (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The North West Mayo Forum was established in 2008 with the dual objectives of providing an opportunity for dialogue between parties with an interest in the Corrib gas project and offering an opportunity for furthering the socio-economic development of the north-west Mayo region. While it was intended that membership of the forum would include a broad representation from local community...

Community Forum (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I do not dispute it was a good idea. Unfortunately, it has not been the success all of us might have hoped. There has not been a meeting for more than a year and Deputy Ó Cuív is aware that on the last couple of occasions, when great efforts were made to convene a meeting, it broke up in some disarray because of the activities of a small number of people who are not representative of the...

Community Forum (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: It is beyond my powers to answer the Deputy's first question about who represents the area. It is, unfortunately, very divided. I acknowledge the patient work done by the members of the forum under the chairmanship of Mr. Joe Brosnan but I would have to draw attention to the fact that three of the groups opposed to the project for one reason or another did not attend and this is a great...

Energy Prices (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: Responsibility for the regulation of gas prices is a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation which is an independent statutory body. Bord Gáis Energy's gas tariffs for domestic customers and small businesses are still regulated by the Commission for Energy Regulation and reviewed each year. I have no function in the matter. Decisions on gas prices by the commission involves...

Energy Prices (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The Deputy is correct in that I responded to the huge increases in 2008. Since then, the cumulative decline in prices has been 27% which does not mean that for the consumer the prospect of Bord Gáis raising its consumer price in the coming winter will be welcome. I have expressed this view to the company and to the regulator. I have been working with my colleague, the Minister for Social...