Results 7,181-7,200 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — Regulatory Accounts: Regulatory Accounts (31 Jan 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The Regulatory Accounts for 2005 were prepared by ESB and submitted to the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) by 31 March 2006, as required by Regulation 27 of Statutory Instrument 445 of 2000. The summary accounts were published on ESB's website, but have been unavailable recently due to technical difficulties. These difficulties have been resolved and the summary accounts are currently...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (31 Jan 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) Pilot in Ireland was launched on 16 August 2006. It is planned that this pilot will continue over a two-year timeframe, during which time DTT broadcasts will transmit from the Three Rock site in Dublin and the Clermont Carn site in County Louth. Phase 1 of the pilot comprises a "soft trial" and is expected to run until March 2007. This phase is being...

Written Answers — Oil Refining Operations: Oil Refining Operations (31 Jan 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The Irish oil market is fully privatised and deregulated. In these circumstances and as the matter referred to by the Deputy is a private contractual one between the parties concerned I have no function in regard to it.

Written Answers — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (31 Jan 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Two onshore Petroleum Exploration Licences were granted to the company in November 2005. Each licence is for a period of six years. The licences relate to areas in parts of Counties Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan, Roscommon and Mayo, in the Northwest Carboniferous Basin. The licences give the licensee the right only to explore for oil and gas. If the licensee makes a discovery and wishes to...

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (31 Jan 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The number of civil servants and other staff currently employed in my constituency office, and information in relation to the grade and remuneration of these staff, is set out in the following table. Title Number Grade/ Grade Equivalent Remuneration Personal Assistant 1 Higher Executive Officer HEO salary scale (Modified PRSI) €43,445 (min) to €55,147 (2nd long service increment)...

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (31 Jan 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The number of civil servants and other staff currently employed in the press office (which covers the Minister, Minister of State and Department generally), and information in relation to the grade and remuneration of these staff, is set out in the following table. Title Number Grade/ Grade Equivalent Remuneration Press Advisor 1 Principal Officer PO salary scale (Modified PRSI ) €80,408...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (31 Jan 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The Renewables Directive (2001/77/EC) obliges Ireland to develop and implement a programme capable of increasing the amount of electricity from renewable energy sources to 13.2% of total consumption by 2010. The target of 13.2% approximates to 1450 megawatts (MW). The reserve lists in the onshore categories of the AER VI are closed. Last year I launched a new support mechanism, the...

Written Answers — Natural Gas Issues: Natural Gas Issues (31 Jan 2007)

Noel Dempsey: As the Deputy's question relates to the internal business workings of Bord Gáis Éireann (BGÉ), this is a matter over which I have no statutory function. I understand that a response to the Deputy's query with regard to Ballinrobe was issued by BGÉ on 25 January.

Written Answers — Television Licences: Television Licences (31 Jan 2007)

Noel Dempsey: There are no immediate plans to change the TV licensing regime as it currently relates to holiday or mobile homes. However, I have recently submitted proposals for new broadcasting legislation to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources for the purposes of holding a public consultation on the proposals under the eConsultation initiative. I propose to...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (31 Jan 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The Biofuels MOT Relief Scheme II was publicly advertised as a competitive call for proposals open to anyone who could fulfil the criteria laid out in the Guidance Note relating to the scheme which was provided to all prospective applicants. There were 102 applications received overall under the scheme. The range and quality of applications was exceptionally high. The assessment panel...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (31 Jan 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I can confirm that my Department licensed no petroleum production activities under the Gas Act 1976 as amended since the introductions of SI No 378 of 2005. I would advise the Deputy that I have no statutory function with regard to the licensing of downstream gas pipelines (i.e. pipelines used for the transmission of processed gas). Responsibility for such licences was transferred to the...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (31 Jan 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The Minerals Development Act 1999 makes no provision for licensing of any activities to which the European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations would apply, and there is no reference to that Act in SI No. 378 of 2005. No State Mining Facilities (Leases or Licences) have been issued over areas which include sites specified in the European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations (i.e....

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (31 Jan 2007)

Noel Dempsey: S.I. 378 of 2005 is concerned with the conservation status of natural habitats and species referred to in Article 2 of the Habitats Directive with particular regard to areas of priority habitat types and priority species — also known as European sites. The following table provides details of the activities that have been carried out since 2005 under authorisations issued by my Department...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (31 Jan 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Section 48 of the Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006 (No. 8 of 2006) provides for the appointment of the Sea-Fisheries Protection Consultative Committee to represent the interests of the sea-fisheries and seafood sectors as well as marine environment and marine research interests. The legislation provides that the Consultative Committee shall consist of not more than 14 members...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (31 Jan 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1009, 1010 and 1014 together. The EC Biofuels Directive establishes indicative targets of 2% market penetration of biofuels for Member States by end 2005 and 5.75% by end 2010. The targets are not mandatory. Member States combined set targets of 1.4% for 2005 but the overall market penetration in Europe reached in 2005 was actually 1%. Figures are not yet...

Written Answers — Petroleum Plants: Petroleum Plants (31 Jan 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The Irish National Petroleum Corporation Limited (INPC) business and commercial assets were sold on 16 th July 2001. An undertaking by the purchaser, and its successors, to operate the facilities on a fully commercial basis for at least 15 years was a key element of the transaction. This undertaking is underpinned by a Deed of Guarantee. While the headline figure was $100 million (€117...

Written Answers — Communications Masts: Communications Masts (31 Jan 2007)

Noel Dempsey: My Department has no function in this matter. Matters pertaining to decisions of An Bord Pleanála are a matter for the Board. Matters relating to planning policy, including requirements regarding location of mobile phone masts, are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (31 Jan 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). It continues to be a priority of the Government that there will be broadband coverage across the entire country. However, despite Government...

Written Answers — Comhfhreagras Ranna: Comhfhreagras Ranna (31 Jan 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Geallann an Roinn seo an caighdeán is airde de sheirbhís do chustaiméirí a sholáthar trí Bhéarla nó trí Ghaeilge. Sa Chairt Chustaiméirí geallaimid admháil go bhfuaraimid gach uile fhreagairt taobh istigh de thrí lá agus déanaimid ár ndícheall freagra iomlán a thabhairt taobh istigh d'fhiche lá. Nuair nach féidir é seo a dhéanamh, eisimid freagra eatramhach a léiríonn...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (31 Jan 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The Inter-departmental Committee on Health Effects of Electromagnetic Fields is concluding its considerations, based on the report of the Expert Group on Health Effects of Electromagnetic Fields, completed at the end of 2006. I intend to present the report to my Government colleagues shortly and then publish the report. The report will provide a review of the most up to date scientific...