Results 6,621-6,640 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — Exploration Licences: Exploration Licences (27 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 122, 139 and 166 together. I am considering the report of the consultants who were engaged to assist with the review of the licensing regime. I will bring my proposals for the future of the licensing regime to Government in the near future and I will then take appropriate steps to give effect to the decisions taken. It is my intention that the consultants'...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Legislation: Broadcasting Legislation (27 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I regret to say that I have not as yet received the final report of the Joint Oireachtas Committee following the e-Consultation process, so in view of the fact that the committee requested that I give the report full consideration, it is impossible for me to say when the Bill will be published. However, when I receive the report I will endeavour to publish quickly thereafter. Section 4(7) of...

Written Answers — Energy Efficiency Plan: Energy Efficiency Plan (27 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: My Department is working with the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Sustainable Energy Ireland and others to finalise the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan. The Action Plan will be published for consultation next month and will be finalised and submitted to the EU Commission by end June 2007. The measures to be contained in the Plan will fully reflect EU targets...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (27 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The White Paper on Energy Policy states that a comprehensive cost benefit review of the potential for distributed generation will be completed next year. This will address the implications for the electricity networks as well as all issues inherent in developing distributed generation as a long term alternative or supplement to the existing centralised system.

Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (27 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I have no statutory function with regard to contractual issues relating to sub-postmasters, including salary and pension matters, which are a matter for the Board and management of An Post to decide on. In relation specifically to the grievances of sub-postmasters throughout the country, I appointed Mr. Eamonn Ryan as facilitator between the Irish Postmasters' Union and An Post. His remit was...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (27 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband is a matter in the first instance for the private sector companies operating in a fully liberalised market, regulated, where appropriate, by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. I have received a copy of the letter and petition, which over 150 residents of Kilmoganny, County Kilkenny who have been...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (27 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I have not received a copy of the report referred to by the Deputy. As regards the draft third postal directive, the proposal is currently being discussed at the European Council and European Parliament. It is proposed to maintain the universal service obligation at its current level, a position that Ireland endorses.

Written Answers — Energy Regulation: Energy Regulation (27 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: As stated in the Government's White Paper on Energy, Irish energy policy must be strongly focused on contributing to greater productivity, national competitiveness, a strong economy and the needs of all customers. The Government is also committed to delivery on the All-Island electricity market jointly with Northern Ireland as the logical first step towards creating regional electricity...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (27 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 134 and 412 together. I refer the Deputy to the CER-ESB Asset Strategy which was subject of a Memorandum of Understanding on 29 November 2006 and comprises a package of measures to reduce ESB's share of the power generation market in the Single Energy Market to around 40% by 2010. Details of the agreement are available on the CER's website. The package of...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (27 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Section 3(1)(b) of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006, as recently passed by Dáil Éireann, proposes to amend section 16 of the Broadcasting Act 1960 to require the RTÉ Authority to provide television and radio services to Irish communities outside of the island of Ireland. Paragraphs (a) and (b) of section 16(2) of the Broadcasting Authority Act 1960 empower the RTÉ Authority to...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (27 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I intend to publish the Deloitte and Touche report, on the preparation of an implementation plan for the establishment of TG4 as an independent statutory body, in whole or in part, in due course. The report itself contains some commercially sensitive information that may not be published. The Government agreed, in July 2006, to establish TG4 as an independent body from 1 April 2007, as...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (27 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The provision of broadband and other telecommunications services is, in the first instance, an operational issue for the service providers concerned. Responsibility for the regulation of electronic communication service providers rests with the independent regulator, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), in accordance with the requirements of the Communications Regulation Act...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (27 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I understand that two of the companies alluded to by the Deputy come under the aegis of my Department, namely ESB and An Post. In accordance with legislation, the body's articles of association and the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, ESB and An Post must seek Ministerial approval for all large projects. The specific tax structuring of each transaction is a commercial...

Written Answers — Multimedia Activities: Multimedia Activities (27 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I understand the Deputy is interested in the protection of young people from the inappropriate use of multimedia activities particularly internet and video games. I have no function in relation to malevolent internet activities or video games — these areas come under the remit of my colleague the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. Obviously the role of parents in these matters...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (27 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: My Department is engaged in general discussions around digital broadcasting issues with other bodies on an ongoing basis. The issues around transmission of RTÉ and BBC channels on both sides of the border continue to be explored between both UK and Irish regulators and Departments. The new framework for Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) set out in the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill will...

Written Answers — Energy Regulation: Energy Regulation (27 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The Irish oil industry is fully privatised, liberalised and deregulated. There is free entry into the market. The Competition Authority is a statutory independent body with a specific role in the enforcement of competition law. The National Consumer Agency has specific responsibilities for protecting the rights of consumers. Its function is to ensure that competition works optimally for the...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (27 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: While the Programme for Government clearly sets out this Government's commitment to the objective of securing the largest, most economically sustainable nationwide post office network possible, decisions made in regard to the retention of the optimum number of post offices are for the Board and management of An Post to make. I have no statutory function in regard to this matter.

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (27 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, is a matter in the first instance for the private sector companies operating in a fully liberalised market, regulated by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. Enormous progress has been made in the past 2 years in the roll out of broadband. The official number of subscribers in October 2004 stood at...

Written Answers — Exploration Licences: Exploration Licences (27 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: My Department is at present considering two applications for new exploration licences. I have also announced the fact that a licensing round will be held later this year in which applications will be invited for frontier exploration licences over the Porcupine Basin. In relation to the licensing regime, I am considering the report of the consultants who were engaged to assist with the review...

Written Answers — Mobile Telephony: Mobile Telephony (27 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 154, 160 and 175 together. I have no function in regulating the provision of services in the telecommunications market. The provision of telecommunications services, including the quality and standard of mobile services is a matter in the first instance for the private sector companies operating in a fully-liberalised market, regulated by the independent...