Results 6,761-6,780 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Electricity Generation. (27 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: When I spoke to the unions yesterday, they suggested that between 700 and 800 people were working on the transmission system. When I challenged and queried that figure, it was changed. There is no way that between 700 and 800 employees are working full-time on the transmission asset.

Electricity Generation. (27 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Some 3,500 people are working on the transmission and distribution systems in the ESB. There are 6,500 km of transmission lines, the big lines supported by pylons. They do not break down as often as the 156,000 km of distribution lines. The Deputy can do his own mathematics. If 700 or 800 people were working solely on the transmission lines, ten or 15 times more workers would be required...

Electricity Generation. (27 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I said quite explicitly that I would not proceed in such a manner. I said the Government believed the ESB should remain as a strong company and continue to be a national champion in this area. I said we were not in favour of atomisation.

Electricity Generation. (27 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I said we would not support it.

Electricity Generation. (27 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The Deputy also asked about the reduced rate of return in respect of the distribution lines, or the lines which extend into our houses and businesses, etc. The Government has taken the view that this sector is a natural monopoly — there is no competition in this area — therefore, there is no need to treat it in the normal commercial way. We have decided that the charges we impose on the...

Electricity Generation. (27 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Some people would like it to be privatised and some would benefit greatly from it but it is not and will not be on the agenda.

Electricity Generation. (27 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The timetable for the legislation is until the end of 2008. The transfer will take place by then and the legislation will fit within that timetable. The tripartite agreement was made in 2000 for a five year framework. It was designed to protect the ESB from competition as we opened and liberalised the markets. The Government was committed to a strong ESB, as it is now. Regarding the...

Electricity Generation. (27 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Regarding the future of the ESB, the Government believes the company should be strong, robust and viable operating in the home market. It should also be strong enough to operate in a competitive foreign market.

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (22 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Given the very detailed nature of the Deputy's query it has not been possible to identify the information requested in the time available. My Department is looking into the matter and I will revert to him as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (21 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: As the Deputy is aware the Corrib Development has received the necessary consents to proceed and there has been a very considerable consultation with the local community in relation to those consents. For example, in the case of the pipeline consent and the approval issued by my Department, the public were invited to input to the safety review conducted by Advantica. The Deputy will also be...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (21 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. The facilitation of broadband coverage across the entire country continues to be a key priority. I am aware that, despite Government and...

Written Answers — Ministerial Responsibilities: Ministerial Responsibilities (21 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Under the Electricity Regulation Act 1999, I have no function in the regulation of electricity or gas meter readings or billing procedures. Responsibility for these matters lies with the energy regulator, the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), which is an independent statutory body. I have requested that the CER respond directly to the Deputy to set out the policies, procedures and...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (21 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 228 and 229 together. 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. However, in response to the slow roll out of broadband by the private sector to areas...

Written Answers — Public Service Contracts: Public Service Contracts (21 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: In the time available, it has not been possible to identify and assemble the information requested. My Department is compiling the data sought by the Deputy in this regard and I shall forward it to him as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (20 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The Government is firmly committed to the development of an Irish biofuels market and to the increased development of bio-energy generally in Ireland. A range of initiatives is in place to support the development of a biofuels sector in Ireland. The Minister for Finance has made it clear that any extension in the amount of relief which formed part of the Budget 2006 announcement is not...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (20 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, is a matter in the first instance for the private sector companies, including Eircom, operating in a fully liberalised market, regulated by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. Accordingly, I have no function in making Eircom provide broadband services to a specific area. My Department does,...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Masts: Telecommunications Masts (20 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Issues relating to the siting of masts are a matter for the relevant local authority in the first instance, under the aegis of my colleague, the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Mr Dick Roche T.D.

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (20 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The Department is working with all relevant agencies and the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) to ensure that the appropriate administrative, technical and safety standards and practices are in place to underpin programmes for the widespread deployment of micro generation technologies. The White Paper on Energy Policy confirms the Government's intention to realise the potential for...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (20 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I can confirm to the Deputy that my approval to ESB, on 28 December 2006, to proceed with this project, had as a condition, that output from the station be sold to suppliers other than ESB Power Electricity Supply as a means of facilitating further the development of competition in electricity supply. Electricity pricing is the statutory responsibility of the Commission for Energy Regulation...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (20 Mar 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Staff who transferred to An Post on the vesting day of 1 January 1984 from the former Department of Posts & Telegraph ceased to be civil servants from that date. Such staff have no right to return to the civil service other than through open recruitment.