Results 7,061-7,080 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Digital Terrestrial Television. (14 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The Deputy's concern about the length of time it is taking to roll out DTT is certainly not echoed by the people involved in the industry. They are happy with the DTT pilot project we have put in place, the first phase of which, the soft trial phase, is coming to an end. The next phase involves a closed public trial and is due to start in the coming month. The results of the trial so far...

Digital Terrestrial Television. (14 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: No. There will be room on the system for between six and eight multiplexes. As we switch off analogue there will be room for even more. The primary reason the EU has asked member states to switch off analogue by 2012 is to free up spectrum in Europe. We do not have as much clutter as in the rest of Europe but we will have much more room once DTT is operational.

Digital Terrestrial Television. (14 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: We have not decided on the actual date as it would be wise to complete the pilot project first. ComReg has a role in licensing the spectrum. The pilot will cost approximately €10 million over the four years to 2008. RTE estimates the gross cost at between €150 million and €160 million. If people have a Noel Dempsey moment it might be less snowy than a Tommy Broughan moment.

Digital Terrestrial Television. (14 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I forgive the Deputy for not being fully familiar with the technology. The fact we receive BBC transmissions is an accident, due to overspill. We are not entitled to it but have benefited from it for a considerable time. When the BBC switches off analogue, as it intends to do on a rolling basis, we will not receive it unless it is part of the multiplex, except in very limited areas. In...

Digital Terrestrial Television. (14 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: On the last point, discussion has already taken place on the proposed Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006. This will address new methods of broadcasting through the Internet, mobile phones, etc. There was quite a reaction in the e-consultation process carried out by the Oireachtas committee regarding the possibility that mobile phones might have to be licensed in the future if they were...

Digital Terrestrial Television. (14 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Given the ComReg licence, the pilot which starts in March will be confined to approximately 1,000 people. The north east generally is the area that will be covered and 1,000 people will be using the system there. Regarding the question of the analogue switch off by the BBC, once the Bill is passed, and I am sure I will get the co-operation of all parties in the House——

Digital Terrestrial Television. (14 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: ——to get it passed as quickly as possible — that has been indicated to me — BCI can then advertise for multiplexes for companies to put forward. RTE has indicated to me that it will move very quickly. It is making arrangements for the first multiplex and I hope we would have an overlap between the period the DTT would be available here and the analogue switch off in the BBC....

Digital Terrestrial Television. (14 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: RTE will have to provide the Irish stations on a free-to-air basis but it is conceivable that it will have to pay for anything it gets subsequently. It will then have to decide how it, in turn, will get paid for it. Without going into too much detail, I am aware that RTE is considering a variety of possibilities, one of which might be that some mutual arrangement will be made by the BBC,...

Digital Terrestrial Television. (14 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: That will be a subject for debate during the course of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill. The licence fee was put in place and has been maintained because of the commitment successive Governments of all shades had to the concept of public service broadcasting here and a national broadcaster. While technologies may converge and change, and circumstances may change as well, I presume there...

Personal Statement by Member. (14 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: On my own behalf and on behalf of the Minister of State and senior civil servants in the Department, I thank the Deputy for his statement. It was a source of grave concern to them and I want to acknowledge it and thank him for doing it.

Telecommunications Services. (14 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, is a matter in the first instance for private sector companies operating in a fully liberalised market, regulated 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...

Telecommunications Services. (14 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I am aware of the matters the Deputy raises. Parts of the country have poor broadband facilities. The Government initiated the MAN programme in 2002 and the group broadband scheme. It is now considering a new scheme to target 10%-15% of the country. Under its new management, Eircom has examined the matter and is willing to address some of the deficiencies. There has been a massive...

Telecommunications Services. (14 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The reasons for the delay are obvious. Initially, the private sector did not invest. The dotcom collapse at the turn of the decade meant that there was little investment from the private sector. The Government decided in 2002 that it needed to stimulate the market. The private sector would respond that it is in the business of making money and should not be expected to provide broadband...

Energy Resources. (14 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: My primary ministerial responsibility regarding bio-fuels is in the energy context and consequently in the production of bio-fuels 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 and...

Energy Resources. (14 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The Deputy should ask the question and we will see if I can answer it. That is the best thing to do.

Energy Resources. (14 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I would be happy to see the Minister for Agriculture and Food answering this question but responsibility for bio-fuels falls within the remit of the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. In keeping with the Government's approach to joined-up thinking, the production of bio-fuels has a value for agriculture. The Minister for Agriculture and Food made announcements...

Energy Resources. (14 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: There is no question but that the cost of energy can pose dangers to Irish agriculture and industry. We have seen examples in this regard. I agree with the Deputy on that point. In general terms, however, there are advantages and disadvantages in all such activities. The move away from fossil fuels, which we must follow, allows us the opportunity to produce bio-fuels, which in turn allows...

Order of Business (14 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: None.

Order of Business (14 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: There will be longer sittings.

Order of Business (14 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: One cannot be independent and a member of a party.