Results 5,761-5,780 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Energy Resources: Motion (19 Apr 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I move amendment No. 2: To delete all words after Dáil Éireann and substitute the following: "recognises that the true potential of Ireland's indigenous petroleum resources can only be established through effective exploration and calls on the Government to continue to take measures to attract an increased share of mobile international exploration investment to Ireland by: -- maintaining...

Energy Resources: Motion (19 Apr 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I welcome the opportunity for the House to hold an informed discussion on the question of the tax terms that apply to petroleum production in Ireland. The Private Members' motion proposed by Sinn Féin, which is along the same lines of some earlier commentary in the House and in the media, clearly demonstrates the need for a well informed debate on this subject. Too often, public discussion...

Energy Resources: Motion (19 Apr 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: Having regard to the high risk of unsuccessful exploration, it is difficult to make the case that the Irish taxpayer should invest billions of euro in an intensive exploration effort at this time. Instead, this should be left to the industry, which can include exploration in the Irish offshore as part of a balanced international exploration portfolio. The rationale underpinning Ireland's tax...

Order of Business (19 Apr 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: It is the pity the Deputy was not here before.

Order of Business (19 Apr 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: A person must crawl before being able to walk.

Order of Business (19 Apr 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: Six whole weeks.

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (14 Apr 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The general scheme of a Geothermal Energy Development Bill was published in July of last year. This is a new area of legislative intervention and a significant support to the sector. In line with the programme for Government, it will provide considerable security of tenure to potential investors. The Bill sets out an approach to licensing exploration for, and exploitation of, geothermal...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (14 Apr 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources was established in June 2007. At the end of December 2007, the total number of staff in the Department was 339. The following table sets out the staff numbers in each grade on 31 December 2010: Grade Number of Staff Secretary General 1 Deputy Secretary General 1 Assistant Secretary 3 Principal Officer 16 Assistant...

Written Answers — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (14 Apr 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: Ireland competes with countries in Europe and further afield to attract mobile international exploration investment. To that end, Ireland maintains a licensing regime that appropriately reflects both the risks and rewards of investing in petroleum exploration in the Irish offshore, while ensuring the State receives a fair share of profits where a commercial discovery is made. My Department...

Order of Business (14 Apr 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The Minister must obey the Chair.

Written Answers — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (13 Apr 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: Seven standard exploration licences and five licensing options are active off the east and south coasts of Ireland. Exploration activities under these authorisations are ongoing and subject to the performance of agreed work programmes including detailed reporting and the release of exploration data and evaluation reports to my Department. In relation to exploration drilling, my Department...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (13 Apr 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: In line with the programme for Government commitment to facilitate the development of renewable energy co-operatives for small scale renewable energy providers, I have asked my Department and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, in the context of assessing ways of encouraging microgeneration, to explore the scope for cooperative approaches. I can advise the Deputy that small-scale...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (13 Apr 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The provision of broadband services is in the first instance a matter for private sector service providers operating in Ireland's fully liberalised telecommunications market. Broadband services are provided by private service providers over various platforms including DSL (over telephone lines), fixed wireless, mobile, cable, fibre and satellite. Details of broadband services available in...

Written Answers — Semi-State Companies: Semi-State Companies (13 Apr 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: Under the Turf Development Acts 1946 to 1998, day to day operational decisions are a matter for the Board of Bord Na Móna, and are not a function of the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. I am advised that the planned outage until mid September 2011 of West Offaly Power will result in Bord na Móna's peat supply operations to that plant not being required during the...

Written Answers — Semi-State Companies: Semi-State Companies (13 Apr 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: Under the Turf Development Acts 1946 to 1998, day to day operational decisions are a matter for the Board of Bord Na Móna, and are not a function of the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. I am advised that, in line with its New Contract with Nature Strategy, Bord na Móna is continuing the process of diversifying its activities in order to secure a sustainable...

Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (13 Apr 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I thank the large number of Deputies who contributed to this debate, in particular those Deputies who chose to speak on this subject in making their maiden speeches in the House. It shows the extent of affection there is for An Post and the high regard for its workforce in terms of the service they deliver daily, often in adverse circumstances. I share that high regard for An Post and its...

Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (13 Apr 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: We are all in the same boat.

Order of Business (13 Apr 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: Just Will.

Order of Business (13 Apr 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: Deputy Ross is not here to defend himself.

Written Answers — Electric Vehicles: Electric Vehicles (12 Apr 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The electrification of transport is seen globally and by the EU as an increasingly realistic prospect in terms of reducing greenhouse gas emissions dependence on fossil fuels. There is very significant global investment under way in research, development and commercialisation, and it is clear that the technology is now maturing to a point where large scale commercial deployment appears...