Results 64,661-64,680 of 74,100 for speaker:Bernard Durkan

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (14 Feb 2007)

Bernard Durkan: Question 282: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he is satisfied that investment in the telecommunications industry is in keeping with the requirements of a modern expanding economy; if Government policy is being adhered to in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5514/07]

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (14 Feb 2007)

Bernard Durkan: Question 283: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will take initiatives, issue policy direction or otherwise intervene, directly with the service providers or through the regulator with a view to accelerating the availability of state of the art telecommunications facilities here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5515/07]

Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (14 Feb 2007)

Bernard Durkan: Question 284: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the extent to which Government policy in regard to the operation of An Post has been conveyed to An Post with particular reference to the need to retain the maximum number of post offices in the network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5516/07]

Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (14 Feb 2007)

Bernard Durkan: Question 285: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number of post offices in existence on a county basis as compared to five years ago; if the trend is in accord with Government policy in regard to future postal services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5517/07]

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (14 Feb 2007)

Bernard Durkan: Question 286: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has received a study due for completion by January 2007 on foot of the reply to Parliamentary Question No. 424 of 21 November 2006; his plans to progress this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5518/07]

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (14 Feb 2007)

Bernard Durkan: Question 287: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has finalised proposals following gaps in broadband coverage which were being considered by a steering group on foot of the reply to Parliamentary Question No. 354 of 21 November 2006; his plans to progress this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5519/07]

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (14 Feb 2007)

Bernard Durkan: Question 297: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his preferred options for the future development of TG4 with particular reference to its independence and programme choice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5725/07]

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (14 Feb 2007)

Bernard Durkan: Question 298: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he is satisfied regarding the adequacy of the funding available to TG4 due to development proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5726/07]

Written Answers — National Development Plan: National Development Plan (14 Feb 2007)

Bernard Durkan: Question 299: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his objectives as set out in the national development plan in respect of oil, gas or other mineral activity; the full extent of the inclusion of this programme in the previous NDP; the extent to which targets were met within time and cost restrictions during the life of the plan; the extent to which such...

Written Answers — National Development Plan: National Development Plan (14 Feb 2007)

Bernard Durkan: Question 300: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the full extent of his proposals under the national development plan in respect of broadcasting, mobile and fixed line telephony, broadband and the communications sector in general; his projections in respect of the achievement of the various targets; the targets set for these areas in the previous NDP; the...

Written Answers — National Development Plan: National Development Plan (14 Feb 2007)

Bernard Durkan: Question 301: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his vision in the context of the national development plan or otherwise, for the provision of the full range of postal, counter and delivery services in the future; if this entails the electronic upgrading of the maximum number of post offices, the retention of an effective and viable network and the provision...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (14 Feb 2007)

Bernard Durkan: Question 302: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the extent to which he intends or expects to accelerate the programme for the provision of broadband and ancillary facilities to all parts of the country; the timescale envisaged for 100% availability and uptake; if his attention has been drawn to the necessity for action in this area in view of the urgent and...

Biofuels (Blended Motor Fuels) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed). (14 Feb 2007)

Bernard Durkan: I propose to take ten minutes of my time and share the remainder with Deputy Naughten.

Biofuels (Blended Motor Fuels) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed). (14 Feb 2007)

Bernard Durkan: I am amazed by the response of the Government, the Minister and the Minister of State. They now cite European Union legislation as a means for not responding to what could become a national crisis. Instead of doing something about it with the power in their own hands, they decide to embark on a campaign of carbon trading, which will cost the Exchequer billions of euro before we are finished...

Biofuels (Blended Motor Fuels) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed). (14 Feb 2007)

Bernard Durkan: When the Minister of State, the senior Minister and the Minister for Agriculture and Food were negotiating the demise of our sugar beet industry, I am amazed someone did not tell them that this is a golden opportunity to provide alternative energy here and meet two requirements, first, crop rotation——

Biofuels (Blended Motor Fuels) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed). (14 Feb 2007)

Bernard Durkan: ——and, second, provide an alternative fuel but you did not think of that.

Biofuels (Blended Motor Fuels) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed). (14 Feb 2007)

Bernard Durkan: It is much easier to address the Chair because the Members opposite are a distraction, and the Chair knows that, although he is not a man who is easily distracted.

Biofuels (Blended Motor Fuels) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed). (14 Feb 2007)

Bernard Durkan: I cannot understand the reason nobody came up with that idea. They would not have been allowed do that in any other country without somebody shouting "Halt". The notion that they are EU statute-barred is rubbish. They are Ministers representing this country on the Ministerial Council. What have they been doing there? I presume the Minister travelled to Brussels today to negotiate.

Biofuels (Blended Motor Fuels) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed). (14 Feb 2007)

Bernard Durkan: I do not know what he is doing there because if we do not stand up and be counted, nobody else will concede to us. My colleague, Deputy Eamon Ryan, made a very good point earlier. I am aware the proposals are to import cheap bio-fuels from other countries by flying them 8,000 or 9,000 miles, just as the Government is doing currently with the food industry. Soon we will be importing all of...

Biofuels (Blended Motor Fuels) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed). (14 Feb 2007)

Bernard Durkan: Instead of developing the concept of bio-fuels and encouraging replacement industry for the agricultural sector which was displaced in terms of the sugar beet industry, the Government made a grand sweep — another €250 million for carbon trading. That is not a contribution. That does nothing for the environment or the economy. It merely postpones the day of reckoning, and that is what...