Results 7,081-7,100 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (13 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. I have no function in regard to oil prices.

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (13 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The future provision of postal services delivery and the post office network will be, in the first instance, a matter for An Post and other service providers. 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. With this in...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (13 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I was not contacted by Dublin City Council regarding their reported proposal to introduce a Wi-Fi zone in Dublin City. I have no plans to provide financial support to the proposal.

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (13 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I have no function in relation to international gas prices, which are set by global commodity markets. With regard to the prices charged by Bord Gáis Éireann, under the Gas (Interim) (Regulation) Act 2002, sole responsibility for the regulation of these prices lies with the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), which is an independent statutory body. The prices charged by independent...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (13 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). My priority remains that there will be broadband coverage across the entire country. I am aware, despite Government and private investment...

Written Answers — EU Funding: EU Funding (13 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: In the 2000-2006 period EU funding was allocated to my Department through the Southern & Eastern Operational Programme, the Border, Midland & Western Operational Programme, the Economic Infrastructure Operational Programme, and the Productive Sector Operational Programme. The tables set out the annual total allocations under the Community Support Framework (CSF), the annual allocations by...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (13 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 facilitation of broadband coverage across the entire county continues to be a key priority. I am aware that, despite Government and...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (13 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).

Written Answers — National Development Plan: National Development Plan (13 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 422 and 423 together. The new National Development Plan (NDP) is a strategic document setting out a wide-ranging investment framework and investment priorities, in addition to indicative financial allocations, over the period 2007-2013. The plan does not include details at a project level of initiatives to be undertaken in 2007 and/or over the period of the...

Biofuels (Blended Motor Fuels) Bill 2007: Second Stage (13 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Greener.

Biofuels (Blended Motor Fuels) Bill 2007: Second Stage (13 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I wish to share time with the Minister of State, Deputy Parlon, and Deputy O'Flynn.

Biofuels (Blended Motor Fuels) Bill 2007: Second Stage (13 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The heavies have to come from some side because I have not heard any of them yet. I am delighted to have the opportunity to inform Deputies once again of the extensive and effective range of policies the Government has introduced to support renewable and sustainable energy in Ireland and in particular to outline current and future initiatives in bio-fuels. I am disappointed that Fine Gael...

Biofuels (Blended Motor Fuels) Bill 2007: Second Stage (13 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Despite the long hours of research allegedly undertaken——

Biofuels (Blended Motor Fuels) Bill 2007: Second Stage (13 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: ——by Opposition Deputies, this fundamental information seems to have escaped them. Last May, the Fine Gael Party introduced a private Members' motion on renewable energy and, in particular, bio-fuels. Despite a lengthy debate in the House, I am disturbed to see Fine Gael's thinking on bio-fuels has not progressed in any meaningful way since then.

Biofuels (Blended Motor Fuels) Bill 2007: Second Stage (13 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: If anything it has become even less clear and demonstrates——

Biofuels (Blended Motor Fuels) Bill 2007: Second Stage (13 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: ——an astonishing lack of understanding of the legal and policy framework in which the bio-fuels market is developing. In October 2006, I published the Green Paper, Towards a Sustainable Energy Future for Ireland, outlining options for the development of the bio-fuels market. If Fine Gael had taken time to read the Green Paper, it would have noted the clear and unambiguous position on...

Biofuels (Blended Motor Fuels) Bill 2007: Second Stage (13 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Perhaps in the hours of research Deputy Durkan undertook, he should have read the Green Paper.

Biofuels (Blended Motor Fuels) Bill 2007: Second Stage (13 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The Green Paper states "It should be noted that mandates — where fuel suppliers are required to produce a percentage of bio-fuel in each litre of fuel sold — are not currently permitted under EU law". Should the Opposition be in any doubt, the public consultation document on the bio-fuels directive, published by the EU Commission in April 2006 notes that bio-fuels obligations and excise...

Biofuels (Blended Motor Fuels) Bill 2007: Second Stage (13 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Notwithstanding the rhetoric and empty promises in Fine Gael's press release on bio-fuels and this Bill, the party simply ignores the legal reality around the question of mandates.

Biofuels (Blended Motor Fuels) Bill 2007: Second Stage (13 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: As I pointed out last May, Fine Gael's proposals are less ambitious than those proposals outlined by the Government. I am surprised by the Opposition's lack of foresight and simple research on this issue.