Results 5,821-5,840 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Written Answers — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (5 Apr 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: As I outlined in my reply to Priority Questions number 24 and 25 today, Ireland's petroleum potential is largely unproven and this is likely to remain the case until there is a significant increase in the level of exploration activity, particularly exploration drilling. Ireland competes with other countries to attract mobile international exploration investment. It is important that Ireland...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (5 Apr 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 — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (5 Apr 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The Government intends to create a new State company to be called BioEnergy Ireland which will involve the merger of Bord na Móna and Coillte. The new company will be charged with becoming a global leader in the commercialisation of next generation bio-energy technologies and delivering on an annual 14,700 hectare afforestation programme. It is the case that Coillte and Bord na Móna own 7%...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (5 Apr 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband services, is a matter in the first instance for private sector service providers operating in a liberalised market regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). In cases of market failure the Government will intervene, where it is appropriate and possible to do so. The National Broadband Scheme (NBS)...

Written Answers — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (5 Apr 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: As I outlined in my reply to Priority Questions number 24 and 25 today, while Ireland has recognised potential as a petroleum producing area, the Irish offshore is relatively underexplored. As a result Ireland's petroleum potential is largely unproven. This is likely to continue to be the case, until there is an increase in the level of exploration activity offshore Ireland and there is an...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (5 Apr 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: International Energy Agency statistics show that Ireland obtained 23.3% of its crude oil supply from Libya in 2010, which represents 8.78% of Ireland's total crude and refined oil imports in that particular year. The crude oil was sourced on the commercial market. There is no strategic dependence on oil from Libya. The Whitegate refinery is currently sourcing adequate crude oil supplies on...

Written Answers — Aquaculture Licences: Aquaculture Licences (5 Apr 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 218 and 219 together. The Deputy may be aware that oyster fishing licences are issued by Inland Fisheries Ireland in accordance with Section 278 of the Fisheries (Consolidation) Act 1959 (as amended). I understand that the Oyster fishery in Clarinbridge is located in a Special Area of Conservation (SAC No. 000268). Under the Habitats Directive (as transposed...

Written Answers — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (5 Apr 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: There is no royalty regime in Ireland applying to petroleum production. In 1987, Ireland followed the lead of other countries such as the UK and Norway in moving away from a royalty based payments system to a tax based system. Under a tax based system the return to the State is linked directly to the profitability of the individual oil or gas field, as compared to a royalty system where...

Written Answers — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (5 Apr 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 221 to 238, inclusive, together. Exploration for oil and gas in Ireland, in common with most other jurisdictions, is carried out under licence from the State. Petroleum exploration authorisations are issued under the Petroleum and Other Minerals Development Act 1960 and the operational framework is set out in the Licensing Terms for Offshore Oil and Gas...

Written Answers — Inland Fisheries: Inland Fisheries (5 Apr 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I am informed that in the case of bays and estuaries into which two or more rivers flow, the expert advice requires that all impacted rivers are meeting their conservation limits before harvest of salmon stocks is permitted. At present, the published assessment in respect of the common estuary in Lough Swilly indicates that the rivers Mill, Swilly and Lennan are not meeting their conservation...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (5 Apr 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: Prior to launching the National Broadband Scheme, my Department carried out a detailed mapping exercise to determine which areas would be included and which, by virtue of already being served by a commercial operator, were to be excluded. That exercise found that Scartaglin was already covered and hence was excluded from the Scheme. My Department does not hold information on the level of...

Written Answers — Oil Reserves: Oil Reserves (5 Apr 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I have no function in relation to this matter. My functions in respect of oil supply are set out in sections 34 and 35 of the National Oil Reserves Agency Act 2007, as amended, and the Fuels (Control of Supplies) Acts 1971 and 1982. Sections 34 and 35 of the National Oil Reserves Agency Act 2007, as amended, requires the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to determine...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (5 Apr 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The Commission for Energy Regulation is responsible for the grant of authorisations to construct or reconstruct a generating station and licences to generate under sections 16 and 14, respectively, of the Electricity Regulation Act 1999. Different authorisation and licensing procedures apply according to the size of the proposed generating station. Generating stations, including domestic wind...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (5 Apr 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: Matters relating to post office closures are an operational matter for the management and Board of An Post and one in which I have no statutory function.

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (5 Apr 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The Programme for Government commits to providing a cost-effective REFIT for micro-generators wishing to produce electricity for their own homes, farms and businesses and facilitate them to sell surplus electricity to the grid. My Department is working with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland to develop proposals for my consideration which strike the necessary balance between...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (5 Apr 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I can inform the Deputy that the number of Bodies under the aegis of my Department is 18 and are as follows: An Post Bord Gáis Éireann Bord na Móna Broadcasting Authority of Ireland Inland Fisheries Ireland Commission for Communications Regulation Commission for Energy Regulation Digital Hub Development Agency EirGrid Electricity Supply Board (ESB) Foyle, Carlingford and Irish...

Written Answers — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (5 Apr 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: The Corrib Gas field was discovered in 1996 under Frontier Exploration Licence 3/94 which was granted to Enterprise Oil plc and Santa Fe Minerals (Ireland) Limited on 15th March 1994. Profits from petroleum production arising from exploration licences granted prior to 2007 are taxed at a rate of 25% and this is the rate that applies in the case of profits from the Corrib Gas Field. The...

Written Answers — Electricity Connections: Electricity Connections (5 Apr 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: Electricity connections are a day-to-day operational matter for ESB in which I have no function.

Order of Business (31 Mar 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: They are pioneers.

Finance Act 2004 (Section 91) (Deferred Surrender to the Central Fund): Motion (31 Mar 2011)

Pat Rabbitte: I move: That Dáil Éireann approves the following Order in draft: Finance Act 2004 (Section 91) (Deferred Surrender to the Central Fund) Order 2011, copies of which have been laid in draft form before Dáil Éireann on 28 March 2011.