Results 5,661-5,680 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Written Answers — Electricity Grid: Electricity Grid (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) has statutory responsibility for grid connection offers and for oversight of EirGrid's grid connection process, including the Gate Three process for renewable energy projects which are primarily medium to large scale wind projects. I welcome the fact that the CER took the decision two years ago, to adopt a more pragmatic and responsive approach to...

Written Answers — EU Council Meetings: EU Council Meetings (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The informal Energy Council held on the 3rd May in Budapest discussed progress to date on the Energy 2050 Roadmap which is being developed by the Commission. There was general agreement to the overall strategic direction proposed by the Commission to decarbonise Europe's energy system as part of the overall EU commitment to decarbonise the Economy by 2050. It was agreed that the set of...

Written Answers — Sale of State Assets: Sale of State Assets (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 29 together. I have responsibility for a range of commercial semi-State bodies that play critical roles in the Irish economy, not only by providing essential infrastructure and services but as significant employers. Most of them also contribute substantial dividends to the Exchequer on foot of their successful investment programmes and resultant...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: As the Deputy will be aware, the Minister for Finance announced the Government's jobs initiative in the House earlier this week which detailed the Government's proposals in this regard. Energy and communications are key elements underpinning the Government's commitment to our international competitiveness, and supporting the protection and creation of jobs. This week I launched "Better...

Written Answers — Ministerial Meetings: Ministerial Meetings (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...

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: Section 124 of the Broadcasting Act requires the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI), within 3 years of enactment of the Broadcasting Act, to review the adequacy or otherwise of public funding to enable public service broadcasters to meet their public service objects. I am currently considering the first such report completed and submitted by the Authority in this matter. This...

Written Answers — Fisheries Conservation: Fisheries Conservation (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: As the Deputy may be aware the Standing Scientific Committee advised that stocks of salmon in the River Laune are above its conservation level in 2011 and the Total Allowable Catch specified in the Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme (No. 2) Regulations, 2010 (SI No.665, 2010) for the River is 5,962. In common with many rivers in the South West fishing on the River Laune is weather...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: RTÉ and TG4 are independent national public service broadcasters whose remit and obligations are set out in the Broadcasting Act 2009. The principal objects and associated powers of RTÉ and TG4 are set out in Sections 114(1) and 118(1), respectively, of the Broadcasting Act 2009. Section 98 provides that both public service broadcasters shall be independent in the pursuance of these...

Written Answers — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I assume the recent reports to which the Deputy is referring relate to Licensing Option 08/2 which was granted to Providence Resources plc and Star Energy Oil and Gas Ltd in 2008. Star Energy is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Petronas International Corporation Ltd. The Licensing Option was awarded to the companies for a three year period to 17th August 2011 and covers an area of...

Written Answers — Semi-State Bodies: Semi-State Bodies (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: In the context of the NewERA Plan the Government commits to an ambitious strategy of accelerating the development of Ireland's forestry and bioenergy resources. I will be working with Minister Rabbitte as well as the Minister for Agriculture, Marine and Food, and all relevant Ministers to develop a national Bioenergy Strategy in addition to developing the comprehensive business case to...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The matter to which the Deputy refers is one area that was considered by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) in the context of its report on a review of the adequacy of Public Service Broadcasters' Funding, conducted in accordance with Section 124(2) of the Broadcasting Act 2009. I am currently considering this report in the context of the provisions of section 124(6) of the 2009...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: No application under the name supplied has been made to any of the renewable energy or energy efficiency schemes run by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, or to the REFIT scheme operated by my Department. I would, however, invite the Deputy to contact my Department directly if he has any further queries on any application that any individual may wish to make.

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 89 and 90 together. The provision of electronic communications services, including broadband, is, in the first instance, a matter for private sector service providers. Significant improvements have been made in recent years in terms of broadband availability and broadband quality. For example, broadband products with speeds ranging from 25 megabits per...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The number of Mineral Prospecting Licences and Petroleum Exploration Licences granted in each year between 2001 and 2011 are set out in the table. Licences Granted during period 2001 – 2011 Year Prospecting Licences (Minerals) Petroleum Exploration Licences 2001 44 0 2002 37 0 2003 22 0 2004 26 3 2005 51 7 2006 84 4 2007 143 5 2008 91 5 2009 66 1 2010 93 0 2011 to date 20 0...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The Renewable Energy Feed-in Tariff scheme (REFIT), which is administered by my Department is the key support scheme for the renewable energy sector, supporting renewable energy generators with a guaranteed price in the wholesale electricity market. State Aid Clearance for the REFIT scheme was obtained from the European Commission in September 2007 and a renewal and expansion of the Scheme...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The Government's core policy goal for the postal sector is to ensure that Irish customers, both business and residential, enjoy competitively priced, high quality postal services. The Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill, which is due to be debated at Committee Stage in the Dáil shortly, sets out a robust regulatory framework for the postal services market which is open to...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers the Better Energy programme on behalf of my Department. My officials have requested SEAI to contact the individual in question as soon as possible.

Order of Business (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: Deputy Ó Cuív should have run against Deputy Martin for the leadership.

Order of Business (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The Deputy hopes things will get worse.

Order of Business (12 May 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: She has not arrived yet.