Results 6,901-6,920 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (20 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Estimation of the cost of completing automation of the post office network is an operational matter for the board and management of An Post and one in which I have no function.

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (20 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: This is no longer a matter for my Department. The function is now a matter for the newly established Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority.

Written Answers — Television Licence Fee: Television Licence Fee (20 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: A total of €205.6 million was collected in television licence fees in 2006. An Post were paid an agency fee of €12.7 million for licence fee collection in that year. In 2006 a total of 1,340,036 Television Licences we re issued. 1,004,805 of those licences were issued directly by An Post. The remaining 335,231 licences were issued by the Department of Social and Family Affairs who are...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (20 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The Government's decentralisation programme provides for the relocation of the Marine functions of my Department to Clonakilty and the headquarters of my Department to Cavan. Thirty-one staff have decentralised to Clonakilty and twenty-six to Cavan to date. Decentralised staff members originally based in non-Dublin offices were not required to transfer to Dublin in advance of relocation....

Order of Business (20 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: They are usually Fine Gael-Labour ones.

Order of Business (20 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: If the Deputy listened out on the streets, she would know that.

Leaders' Questions (20 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Hear, hear.

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (15 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The Digital Hub Development Agency is a Government initiative which aims to develop a world class digital industry cluster, as well as regenerating an historic community area in the heart of Dublin by operating a number of significant community and educational initiatives. The State made an initial investment in quality telecommunications infrastructure within the Hub at the project's outset,...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (15 Feb 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 enabling of exchanges to provide DSL broadband is a matter for the service providers. The facilitation of broadband coverage across the...

Written Answers — Natural Gas Grid: Natural Gas Grid (15 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Since 2002, the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), which is a statutory independent body, has been charged with all aspects of the assessment and licensing of prospective operators who wish to develop and/or operate a gas distribution system within the State under the Gas (Interim) (Regulation) Act 2002. In 2006, the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) directed BGÉ to implement a new...

Written Answers — Mobile Telephony: Mobile Telephony (14 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The provision of telecommunications services and the development and roll-out of telecommunications technology is primarily a matter for the industry itself. The telecoms market is fully liberalised and regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, which is independent in the exercise of its functions. As Minister with responsibility for policy in this sector, of course...

Written Answers — Exploration Licences: Exploration Licences (14 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The licensing terms for petroleum exploration and development need to achieve a balance between ensuring a fair return to the State while encouraging exploration. The licensing terms were last adjusted in 1992 and I am currently reviewing the terms. In reviewing the licensing terms, I am conscious that in the period since the terms were last adjusted fifteen years ago, that the level of...

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

Noel Dempsey: Issues in relation to both postmasters and post office closures are, in the first instance, matters for the board and management of An Post and ones in which I have no statutory function. Despite this I have met with the IPU on a number of occasions as have some of my cabinet colleagues in recent times. I also addressed the IPU Annual Conference in 2005 and 2006. The Government has been,...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (14 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I understand that the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) received the report of the Council of European Energy Regulators (CEER) on 6th February 2007 concerning the electricity blackout which occurred across central Europe on Saturday 4 November 2006. I am advised by the CER that the reasons for the blackout have been identified in the report as being the failure for some of the...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (14 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The Postal (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill that was published in 2001 provided for the issue, sale and disposal of shares in An Post in the context of an Employee Share Ownership Plan (ESOP) and possible strategic alliance. The Bill also contained ancillary provisions arising out of a possible change of ownership. The financial and industrial relations environment in An Post has changed...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (14 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 84, 96, 104, 121, 164 and 176 together. The development of an Irish biofuels market and the increased development and deployment of bio-energy resources in Ireland is a key priority for the Government. A range of initiatives are in place to support the development of a biofuels sector in Ireland. On Monday 12th February I signalled my intention to introduce a...

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

Noel Dempsey: The €8.5 billion Energy Programme NDP investment consists of three Sub-Programmes: Strategic Energy Infrastructure (€1.2 billion) Sustainable Energy (€276m) State Energy Companies Investment (€7.0 billion) A number of large-scale public good energy infrastructure projects are required and/or planned to address security of supply, bring infrastructure up-to-date and foster continued...

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

Noel Dempsey: The key objectives of the draft general scheme of the Broadcasting Bill are as follows: To establish a single content regulator for commercial, community and public service broadcasters to be known as the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) and encompassing the existing regulatory functions of the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland, the Broadcasting Complaints Commission and the RTÉ...

Written Answers — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (14 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: My function in relation to the Corrib is a regulatory one. I have, however, done everything possible within that role to create the conditions that would allow the difficulties associated with this project to be resolved. Arising from concerns about the safety of the onshore pipeline I had a comprehensive safety review of the pipeline carried out by Advantica consultants. I also appointed Mr....

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

Noel Dempsey: The electronic communications market is of key importance to the national economy and is a significant factor in determining national economic competitiveness. The regulation of this industry is the responsibility of the independent regulator, the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, in accordance with the Communications Regulation Act, 2002 and the Regulations transposing the EU...