Results 6,961-6,980 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey
- Written Answers — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (14 Feb 2007)
Noel Dempsey: I can confirm for the Deputy that the environmental aspects of any proposals from the developers of the Corrib Project for an alternative pipeline route will be assessed in the context of all national and EU legislation, including the Habitats Directive.
- Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (14 Feb 2007)
Noel Dempsey: My decision to supersede the Group Broadband Scheme (GBS) with the new National Broadband Scheme (NBS) was based on the following factors. Firstly, rollout of a GBS project depended on the local community taking the initiative. Without local initiative, a project could not proceed. Under the NBS, the selected Service Provider(s) will be required to meet all reasonable requests for broadband...
- Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (14 Feb 2007)
Noel Dempsey: The Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (Single Electricity Market) Bill was published on 20 November 2006. The Bill passed Second Stage in Dail Eireann on 30 November 2006 and Committee Stage on 31 January 2007. Report Stage is scheduled for 14 February 2007. There are no outstanding issues, in relation to the Bill, to be resolved with the Northern Ireland Department of Enterprise, Trade and...
- Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (14 Feb 2007)
Noel Dempsey: I have no function with regard the delivery of counter and postal services. These are the function of the board and management of the company. In order to broaden discussion and facilitate progress on the future of the post office network, I appointed Eamonn Ryan as a facilitator between the Irish Postmaster's union (IPU) and An Post. His remit was to assist in advancing issues of mutual...
- Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (14 Feb 2007)
Noel Dempsey: A National Consultation on the EU Maritime Green Paper was launched on 31 January by my colleague, Deputy John Browne. In addition to the usual press release and newspaper advertisements in national and local and press, Minister of State Browne has written to over 250 individuals and organisations inviting them to participate in the consultation process. A dedicated website has also been set...
- Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (14 Feb 2007)
Noel Dempsey: The various uses of technology in broadcasting services are, in the first instance, a matter for broadcasters. I am encouraging Ireland's progression towards digital broadcasting, in particular through the Digital Terrestrial Television Pilot and through the provisions proposed in the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill. I have not had direct discussion with the group mentioned on these issues, but...
- Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (14 Feb 2007)
Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 159 and 166 together. The regulation of the electronic communications industry is the responsibility of Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) in accordance with the Communications Regulation Act, 2002 and the Regulations transposing the EU regulatory framework for electronic communications. ComReg's objectives include the promotion of competition...
- Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (14 Feb 2007)
Noel Dempsey: My primary Ministerial responsibility in relation to biofuels is in the energy context and consequently in the production of biofuels to increase penetration in the transport sector. While I have no specific responsibility for the production of petrochemicals for industrial processes, I am aware that second-generation biomass conversion technologies could, over time, provide a suitable fuel...
- Written Answers — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (14 Feb 2007)
Noel Dempsey: Ireland currently imports 100% of its oil requirements and around 85% of its natural gas requirements. The development of the Corrib gas field will reduce, but not eliminate, our requirement for imported gas. In order to reduce our dependence on imports, Ireland needs to encourage an increased level of exploration for hydrocarbons. The question of meeting our future energy needs will be...
- Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (14 Feb 2007)
Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 163 and 189 together. The provision of telecommunications infrastructure, including backhaul connectivity is primarily a matter for the industry itself. However, my Department is currently reviewing the availability of competitively priced backhaul to existing and future Metropolitan Area Networks (MANS). All construction on the 27 towns under Phase I of the...
- Written Answers — Digital Hub: Digital Hub (14 Feb 2007)
Noel Dempsey: Since 2000, the State has invested close to â¬93.75 million in developing the Digital Hub. That sum comprises of an initial investment in property purchase of â¬73.64 million for circa 9 acres in the Thomas Street/Liberties area of Dublin. State of the art telecommunications infrastructure investment came to â¬2.29 million. The remainder of the amount is made up of operational...
- Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (14 Feb 2007)
Noel Dempsey: The Commission's communication, An Energy Policy for Europe, published in January 2007, will be formally presented to the Council of Energy Ministers in Brussels tomorrow (Thursday 15th February). I have welcomed the Commission's review and supporting Action Plan as well as reaffirming the Government's support for the setting of ambitious targets for renewable energy, biofuels and energy...
- Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (14 Feb 2007)
Noel Dempsey: The study to which the Deputy's question refers will be completed shortly. The consultants engaged by my Department have submitted a draft of the study, which is currently being examined by the steering committee appointed to monitor its progress. The steering committee, which includes officials from my Department with relevant technical and economic expertise, has met with the consultants...
- Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (14 Feb 2007)
Noel Dempsey: The Energy Efficiency Action Plan for Europe presented by the Commission last October sets out a comprehensive range of proposed policies and measures aimed at realising at least 20% savings in EU energy consumption by 2020. The overall thrust of the Plan was endorsed by EU Energy Ministers in November last. The objective is to deliver for Europe energy efficient infrastructure, buildings,...
- Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (14 Feb 2007)
Noel Dempsey: I am not aware that Ireland is subject to any targets for energy self-sufficiency. According to figures published by Sustainable Energy Ireland, in 2005 Ireland was dependent on imports for 90% of its energy needs. This reflects the fact that while it is estimated that there are significant hydrocarbon reserves offshore Ireland that there have only been four commercial discoveries to date....
- Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (14 Feb 2007)
Noel Dempsey: The delivery of postal services is a matter for An Post and the private postal operators. An Post operates within a regulatory framework as enshrined in EU and Irish law and therefore, the universal service obligation, which sets out the minimum levels of postal service that postal consumers may expect, is a statutory requirement for An Post, as the designated universal service provider....
- Written Answers — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (14 Feb 2007)
Noel Dempsey: I can inform the Deputy that legislation is currently in preparation in my Department to confer statutory responsibility on the Commission for Energy Regulation for the safety of petroleum exploration and production. The Commission's proposed new function will relate purely to safety. In relation to the Corrib Project, the roles of the Corrib Project Monitoring Committee and Environmental...
- Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (14 Feb 2007)
Noel Dempsey: Matters relating to quality and levels of postal service are a matter in the first instance for the management and board of An Post. An Post operates within a regulatory framework as enshrined in EU and Irish law and therefore the universal service obligation is a statutory requirement for An Post, as the designated universal service provider. This is set out in Statutory Instrument 616 of...
- Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (14 Feb 2007)
Noel Dempsey: The draft general scheme of the Broadcasting Bill was submitted to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources on 6 September 2006 for the purpose of public consultation under the eConsultation initiative. The draft general scheme of the Broadcasting Bill includes provision to amend the existing public service remits of RTE and TeilifÃs na Gaeilge to allow...
- Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (14 Feb 2007)
Noel Dempsey: The operation of An Post is a matter for the board and management of the company. The precise number of post offices is a matter in the first instance for the board and management of the company and one in which I have no function. As clearly set out in the Programme for Government, it is the Government's objective to maintain the largest economically sustainable post office network...