Results 7,321-7,340 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (22 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 438 of 24 October 2006. My position in relation to this matter has not changed. Challenges with regard to the enabling of Eircom exchanges are entirely a matter for Eircom.

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (21 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The telecoms market in Ireland is fully liberalised and open. Statutory responsibility for the regulation of the electronic communication sector rests with the independent regulator, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), under the Communications Regulation Act 2002 and the Regulations transposing the EU Regulatory Framework for Electronic Communications Networks and...

Written Answers — Energy Conservation: Energy Conservation (21 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The Energy Efficiency Action Plan for Europe presented by the Commission sets out a very comprehensive range of proposed policies and measures aimed at realising at least 20% savings in EU energy consumption by 2020. Its related objective is to provide EU citizens with the most energy efficient infrastructure, buildings, appliances, processes, transport and energy systems. Energy efficiency...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (21 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The Government is committed to supporting the development of Irish language broadcasting, and to the establishment of TG4 as an independent public service broadcaster. In mid 2005 I appointed consultants to assist in the preparation of a detailed implementation plan for the establishment of TG4 as an independent entity. The consultants submitted their final report to my Department by end...

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (21 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: There is great need to make full use of communications technologies in the monitoring and control of fishing activity. Over the past two years, the Department and the Naval Service have developed new information management systems in the fisheries area which are proving effective in the monitoring, recording, analysis and reporting of fishing activities. An example is the installation of a...

Written Answers — Aquaculture Development: Aquaculture Development (21 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: Given that there are a number of important issues facing the Irish aquaculture sector, €2.2m was recently identified within the BIM budget to support a number of technical initiatives. The package will target six projects: Technical Environmental Support Programme, TESP, Resource Development Grant, RDG, Pilot Projects Carrying Capacity Project Technical Aqua Equipment Technology Transfer...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (21 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: 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 market, regulated by the independent Commission for...

Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (21 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The future of the post office network and the upgrading of post offices are a matter in the first instance for the board and management of An Post. As set out clearly in the Programme for Government, this Government and the board of An Post, are committed to the objective of ensuring the continuation of a viable and sustainable nationwide post office network. The precise number of post...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (21 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 82, 86, 121 and 161 together. The development of an Irish biofuels market and the increased development and deployment of bio-energy resources in Ireland is a key priority. Biofuels and biomass strategies are critical components of the Government's energy policy objective to significantly enhance the contribution of renewable energy sources to the electricity,...

Written Answers — Aquaculture Development: Aquaculture Development (21 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: It has not been possible to provide a comprehensive answer to the Deputy within the time available. This matter goes back a number of years and to fully respond to the Deputy's question will require further examination of the detailed records held in my Department and possible consultation with third parties. I am, however, arranging to have the matter comprehensively examined and I will...

Written Answers — Geological Survey: Geological Survey (21 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: Earlier this year, the Geological Survey of Ireland, in cooperation with the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland, published a new 1:500,000 bedrock geology map of the island of Ireland. This map takes into account new information acquired by both surveys over recent years arising, for example, from ongoing surveying of the island, major infrastructural developments and drilling. The map is...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (21 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, telephone and mobile phone services is a matter in the first instance, for the private sector companies operating in a fully liberalised market, regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), the independent regulator. As regards the deployment of broadband infrastructure, it has been clear for some time...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (21 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The Television Without Frontiers Directive, which was first adopted in 1999 and updated in 1997, aims to create the conditions necessary for the free movement of television broadcasts within the European Community. The development and application of digital technologies, combined with other developments in the broadcasting markets, are changing the reality of European broadcasting. To...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (21 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I have issued no policy directions to An Post, either directly, or through the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) in recent times in relation to the development of the postal services. An Post operates within a regulatory framework as enshrined in EU and Irish law and therefore, the universal service obligation, which includes nationwide postal delivery requirements, is a...

Written Answers — Energy Supply: Energy Supply (21 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: Security of supply in relation to electricity in Ireland is the statutory responsibility of the independent Regulator, the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER). The independent Transmission System Operator (TSO), EirGrid, monitors the adequacy of generation capacity over time and reports to the CER accordingly. I am advised by the CER that the Council of European Energy Regulators (CEER),...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (21 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: In April 2005 a team of advisers was engaged to examine the potential for enhancing and augmenting existing State owned infrastructure. This team submitted a Feasibility Report in December 2005. The report found that, while technically feasible, there would be considerable financial, legal, regulatory, operational and organisational challenges in harnessing and enhancing the existing State...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (21 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. It is accurate to say that the Irish broadband market is currently ranked lower than more developed markets in terms of broadband take-up....

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (21 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: 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 broadband scheme, which provides grant aid for the installation of broadband in rural areas, has closed. However, the nature of the scheme is currently being reviewed in the context of options being considered for the achievement of nationwide broadband....

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (21 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I have no function in this matter. 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. Private sector companies' investment proposals are matters for those companies.

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (21 Nov 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 94, 99, 125 and 164 together. The telecoms market in Ireland is fully liberalised and open. Statutory responsibility for the regulation of the electronic communication sector rests with the independent regulator, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), under the Communications Regulation Act 2002 and the Regulations transposing the EU...