Results 7,281-7,300 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (5 Dec 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The goal of Sustainable Energy Ireland's Renewable Energy Research, Development and Demonstration (RERDD) Programme is to accelerate the deployment rate of renewable energy technology in the Irish market. This is achieved by providing support for product R&D, market demonstration activity and studies to investigate market barriers. This programme provides support for technologies to harness...

Written Answers — Natural Gas Grid: Natural Gas Grid (5 Dec 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The position is that, since 2002, the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), which is a statutory independent body, has been charged with all aspects of the assessment and licensing of prospective operators who wish to develop and/or operate a gas distribution system within the State under the Gas (Interim) (Regulation) Act 2002. Earlier this year the CER directed Bord Gáis (BGÉ) to...

Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (5 Dec 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The closure of individual post offices is a matter for the board and management of the company. According to An Post the table contains the information requested in respect of post offices on 1 July 1997 and 1 November 2006. Date Company-staffed Branch Offices Contractor-operated offices Postal Agents 1st July 1997 97 1,818 NIL 1st Nov 2006 84 1,294 169

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (5 Dec 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The provision of telecommunications services, including wired 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. There are a number of platforms for delivery of broadband, my Department operates a dedicated website, www.broadband.gov.ie where...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (5 Dec 2006)

Noel Dempsey: My Department is particularly mindful of the value for money imperative and the need to develop and deploy in-house skills as far as possible to minimise the requirement for consultancies. The Department seeks to avail of skills and experiences of other Departments or other parts of the public sector where appropriate. It is my Department's policy to engage consultants only in the following...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (5 Dec 2006)

Noel Dempsey: In the time available, it has not been possible to identify the information requested for the 27 State Boards under the aegis of my Department. In the interests of providing the Deputy with a fully accurate response, my Department is investigating the matter and I will revert to the Deputy when I am in a position to issue a final reply.

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (30 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The Greener Homes Scheme, which I launched in March of this year, provides support to homeowners to invest in a range of renewable energy heating technologies including wood biomass boilers and stoves, heat pumps and solar technology. Biomass in this context refers to wood pellets only. The scheme is being administered on behalf of my Department by Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI). I have...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (30 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The Greener Homes Scheme is being administered on behalf of my Department by Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI). Applications under the scheme are evaluated by the scheme's implementation team, against the published set of defined eligibility criteria which can be found on SEI's website at (www.sei.ie/greenerhomes). There is a Steering Committee in place (which includes members of the...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (30 Nov 2006)

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. I am aware of the importance of the roll out of broadband in rural areas and smaller communities. The most recent phase of the group...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (30 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The information that the Deputy requested is provided in the following table: Category Company Volume Awarded for period 2006-2010 Bioethanol Cooley-Clearpower 162 Clontarf Road, Dublin 3 54.38m litres Bioethanol Maxol Ltd 3 Custom House Plaza, IFSC, Dublin 1 42.15m litres Bioethanol One Fifty One Ltd 151 Thomas Street, Dublin 8 176.07m litres Bioethnol Topaz Energy Ltd Topaz House,...

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (30 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: Leasing of property and accommodation occupied by my Department is in the main managed by the Office of Public Works (OPW) and my Department has no direct role in these matters. My Department has a direct involvement in leasing / renting only two small properties and details of these arrangements are set out in the attached table. The issue of state bodies leasing property is an operational...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (30 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 98 and 99 together. I meet with industry and interested parties on a regular basis in pursuit of my objective to facilitate the widespread availability of competitively priced broadband in Ireland. The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, is a matter in the first instance for private sector companies operating in a fully liberalised...

Written Answers — Energy Prices: Energy Prices (30 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I have no function in relation to the imposition of VAT on fuels or gas and electricity tariffs. This is a matter for the Minister for Finance. The Irish oil market is fully privatised and deregulated. Oil prices in Ireland are not controlled outside of the level of taxation levied by the Minister for Finance. In these circumstances neither I, nor indeed any regulatory body, has any function...

Written Answers — Mobile Telephony: Mobile Telephony (30 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I have no function in these matters. In accordance with the requirements of the Communications Regulation Act 2002 and the Regulations, transposing the EU Regulatory Framework for Electronic Communications Networks and Services , the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), is responsible for the regulation of telecommunications operators, including regulatory issues surrounding...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (30 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 102 and 103 together. Irish Aid has had a positive relationship with Self Help Development International (SHDI) for over 20 years. From 2003 to 2006, SHDI received almost €10 million from Irish Aid under our Multi Annual Programme Scheme (MAPS). MAPS is an Irish Aid funding scheme which aims to strengthen the strategic and programmatic planning of the...

Written Answers — Aggregate Supplies: Aggregate Supplies (28 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: Ireland is fortunate that it possesses considerable quantities not only of sand and gravel, but also of rock material that is suitable for the manufacture of aggregates. As a result it is at present self sufficient in aggregates reserves. However, the enormous increase in demand for aggregates in recent years for the construction sector has placed considerable pressure on existing sources of...

Written Answers — Corporate Hospitality: Corporate Hospitality (28 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The rules governing receipt of corporate hospitality for Departmental staff are set out in the Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour issued by the Standards in Public Office Commission. Staff have been made aware of these provisions and are expected to adhere to them in the event of being offered hospitality and/or gifts.

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (28 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The economy and society overall require that energy supply meets the demands of Irish consumers and industry at all times. The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) has broad statutory functions in relation to security of electricity supply in line with EU Directives. It is the duty of the CER to monitor the security of supply of electricity and to take such measures as it considers...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (28 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: Any decision to grant shareholder approval for ESB investment in a new power generation plant at Aghada would be conditional on agreement on a strategy to address the company's dominance and market power, particularly with regard to mid-merit price-setting plant. Any such approval would also be strictly contingent on compliance with all terms and conditions which would accompany the...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (28 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The Government has created a hardship fund for those affected by the compulsory cessation of indiscriminate mixed stock salmon fishing at sea realising that these proposals will entail hardship for commercial fishermen and vulnerable coastal communities. This fund will be available to all those subject to a compulsory closure of their current commercial fishery, namely the holders of drift...