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

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services Provision (13 May 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 435, 440 and 441 together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services Provision (13 May 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The provision of mobile telecommunications services networks within the wider competitive electronic communications market is subject to a requirement to secure a wireless telegraphy licence to access the required radio spectrum. The award of such licenses, the imposition of terms and conditions to access that spectrum including the imposition of coverage requirements and the associated...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Bodies Data (13 May 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The Government, on completion of a wide ranging review of State Bodies, published its decision on the rationalisation of such Bodies in November 2012. In relation to my Department, the Ordnance Survey of Ireland (OSI) will be merged with the Property Registration Authority and the Valuation Office which will, this year, see it transfer to the Department of Justice and Equality, who are...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Staff Data (13 May 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I understand that the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform will provide the information sought in respect of Civil Servants. The information sought regarding staff in the Agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each agency. I will request the relevant bodies to reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested in respect of their organisation.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Ministerial Travel (13 May 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I have set out the following tables details of all official foreign trips currently scheduled between now and the end of 2014, for both myself and Minister of State O'Dowd. Where the diary allows, our Offices liaise with the relevant Embassy/Consul General regarding our availability to undertake any trade or FDI promotion opportunities. Minister Rabbitte Date Location Duration Purpose 15...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Postcode Implementation (8 May 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The complaint in relation to the National Postcode procurement process was made under the EU pilot scheme which is managed in Ireland by the Department of the Taoiseach. Accordingly, my Department wrote to the Department of the Taoiseach on 19 March seeking the release of information from the European Commission in relation to the complaint. I understand that the request was forwarded to...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services Provision (8 May 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 124, 126 and 130 together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services Provision (8 May 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 131, 136 and 137 together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Schemes Data (8 May 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers the Better Energy Programme, which includes the following strands: Better Energy Homes scheme, the Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme, the Better Energy Warmer Homes Area-based programme, which has been merged with the Better Energy Communities programme this year. Better Energy Homes provides a financial incentive to private...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Resources (8 May 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: State owned Irish National Petroleum Corporation (INPC) sold the Whitegate refinery and Whiddy Island oil storage facilities to a private firm called Tosco Corporation in 2001. A key element in the transaction was Tosco Corporation’s undertaking to operate the two facilities (the Whitegate refinery and Bantry (Whiddy Island) storage terminal) for at least 15 years (until mid-2016) on...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Regulation (8 May 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: Responsibility for the regulation of the retail electricity market is a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), which is an independent statutory body. The overall aim of the CER’s economic role is to protect the interests of energy customers, maintain security of supply, and to promote competition in the generation and supply of electricity and supply of natural gas....

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Telecommunications Services Provision (7 May 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I entirely agree with Senator Burke that in the 21st century high-quality connectivity is as important a part of the infrastructure as are energy, roads or water. It is puzzling that a new community should be left bereft of the services Senator Burke has outlined. All I can say is that we have two very radical initiatives under way which I think will be revolutionary in their impact in the...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Telecommunications Services Provision (7 May 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: Having listened to Senator Burke I wonder if there is something particular about Courtbrack which I should consider. To be honest, the matter has not been brought to my attention before today but as a result of Senator Burke's remarks, I will examine it. The Senator is already aware that Ireland's telecommunication's market has been liberalised since 1999 and has developed into a...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services Provision (7 May 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 133 to 136, inclusive, together. 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...

Other Questions: Electricity Transmission Network (6 May 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I thank Deputy Colreavy but that is the purpose of public consultation. That was provided in the arrangements. We are talking about a plan that was settled on in 2006 so nobody can seriously suggest that they have been overtaken by its suddenness. The public consultation phase allowed for this element of participation by the public, and we are responding to that. The Deputy is correct....

Other Questions: Postcode Implementation (6 May 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I launched the Eircode brand for a national postcode system on 28 April. In spring 2015, every Irish address will get a unique code, which will bring many benefits to the daily lives of people, householders and businesses. Since a contract to deliver the project was signed with Capita, considerable progress has been made on design and engagement with public and private sector stakeholders...

Other Questions: Postcode Implementation (6 May 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The process, which was a competitive dialogue, was entirely open. Capita was selected on the basis that it was the preferred bidder. Many forecast that An Post would be selected. It was not in the event. Capita has a track record in this general area. It employs approximately 1,000 people in Ireland. At a public presentation last week or the previous week - I cannot recall which - it...

Other Questions: Electricity Transmission Network (6 May 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: To limit the lottery possibilities, I propose to take Questions Nos. 119 and 129 together. I propose to take Questions Nos. 119 and 129 together. During the course of engagement by EirGrid in its public consultation processes, and most recently in relation to the Grid Link project, on which 35,000 submissions were received, a number of key concerns emerged. This has necessitated considerable...

Other Questions: Postcode Implementation (6 May 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: If Deputy Pearse Doherty communicates with my Department, of course, he will receive a reply.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Broadband Services Provision (6 May 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: Recently, the Deputy and other colleagues supported a Bill in the House that facilitates the ESB entering into a joint venture with a leading telecommunications operator to use its supply infrastructure to roll out fibre to parts of rural Ireland that could never have hoped to access it. This arrangement is being concluded and the preferred company selected following the submission of...