Results 6,941-6,960 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

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

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 118, 136, 155 and 165 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). The facilitation of broadband coverage across the entire country continues...

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

Noel Dempsey: Since coming into office I have highlighted the issue of roaming charges. Following pressure from myself, my Northern Ireland counterpart and the regulators, all the Irish mobile phone operators introduced special tariffs to address the cost of roaming on this island. I have strongly supported the European Commission in bringing forward proposals for a regulation on roaming. High charges...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (14 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Detailed consideration of a case for converting the Geological Survey of Ireland into a stand-alone agency is at a relatively early stage and is not expected to be completed for several months, at least.

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

Noel Dempsey: The size and scale of the post office network is a matter for the management and board of the company. The closure of individual post offices is, in the first instance, a matter for the board and management of the company and one in which I have no function. I have, though, asked the company to ensure that any strategy for the development of the company should ensure the long-term viability...

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

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 126 and 140 together. The Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) is the statutory body responsible for spectrum management. Should the Deputy require information on the operation of the Wireless Public Address System scheme which was launched by ComReg last year, I would advise that he contact ComReg directly on 01 804 9600/Lo call 1890 229668 or...

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

Noel Dempsey: There have been four commercial finds of natural gas, namely the Kinsale, Ballycotton and Seven Heads fields in the Celtic Sea off the south coast and the Corrib field in the Slyne Basin off the west coast. There have has also been some finds that have proved to be non-commercial. With regard to non-petroleum, no new economic deposits have been discovered in recent years. There have been some...

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

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 129 and 248 together. Having clarified the Question raised with the Deputy I can confirm that neither my EU colleagues nor I have any function in regard to the regulation of international oil and gas prices. The price of oil and gas is set by the international commodity markets. Prices reflect a complex interaction of unanticipated strong demand, tight...

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

Noel Dempsey: The telecoms market is fully liberalised and regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, which is independent in the exercise of its functions. In an open market, decisions about investment, the provision of telecommunications services and the development and roll-out of telecommunications technology are primarily a matter for the industry itself. As Minister with...

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

Noel Dempsey: The support programmes put in place by the Government have more than doubled the combined generation capacity of clean renewable energy powered electricity generating plants connected to the electricity network in the last three years. The related EU target is set out in "Directive 2001/77/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 September 2001 on the promotion of electricity...

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

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 133 and 171 together. The take up of broadcasting services in Ireland is as follows: an estimated 29% of Irish TV households receive free to air analogue services only; 31% of Irish TV households subscribe to satellite services; 22% of Irish TV households subscribe to analogue cable/MMDS services; and 18% of Irish TV households subscribe to digital cable/MMDS...

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

Noel Dempsey: The economy and society overall, require that energy supply meets the demands of Irish consumers, and industry at all times. In this regard, the Government recognises the views being expressed by industry and representative bodies generally, and not just recently by the IDA and ESB, concerning the adequacy of electricity generation and a number of proposed measures, including greater...

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

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 137 and 182 together. Under the NDP 2000-2006 the Government addressed the broadband infrastructure deficit in the regions by part funding private sector infrastructure, by constructing State-owned, open access Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) in cities and towns nationwide in association with the local and regional authorities and by supporting the County...

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

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 139 and 167 together. The generally accepted definition of a postcode is a unique, universal identifier that unambiguously identifies the addressee's locality and assists in the transmission and sorting of mail items. The introduction of a postcode system in Ireland would assist with improving efficiencies in the sorting and delivery processes for postal...

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

Noel Dempsey: Following the consultation period on the Energy Policy Green Paper "Towards a Sustainable Energy Future", the preparation of the Energy Policy White Paper is being intensively progressed and I intend to bring it to Government shortly prior to publication. The White Paper will set out the policy framework for the energy sector to 2020. Additional legislative measures over the period to...

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

Noel Dempsey: The provision of telecommunications services 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. The role of Government is to implement regulatory and infrastructure policies to facilitate the provision of affordable, high quality...

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

Noel Dempsey: I have no function in this matter. Matters relating to post office closures are for the board and management of An Post. However, I have asked the company to ensure that any strategy for the development of the company should ensure the long-term viability of the post office network. It was to this end that the Government recently gave its approval for An Post to enter into a joint venture...

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

Noel Dempsey: As set out clearly in the Programme for Government, this Government and the Board of An Post continue to be committed to the objective of ensuring a viable and sustainable nationwide post office network into the future. Matters relating to the number of post offices and postal services are however, in the first instance, matters for the Board and management of An Post. An Post has been asked...

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

Noel Dempsey: The position in law is that sole responsibility for the regulation of electricity and gas tariffs lies with the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), which is an independent statutory body. As Minister, I have no function in setting or regulating these tariffs. The question of measures to assist low income families and senior citizens is a matter for the Minister for Social and Family...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (14 Feb 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, at its meeting in July 2006, to establish TG4 as an independent body from 1 April...

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

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Question Nos. 151 and 179 together. On 6 February 2007, the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) issued an authorisation to the ESB to construct a new generating unit at Aghada, setting out the conditions applying to ESB's establishment and operation of the unit. This was preceded by a Memorandum of Understanding on 29th November 2006, between the CER and the Company....