Results 721-740 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2014: Second Stage [Private Members] (11 Apr 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The Deputy appears to have some kind of obsession with the queen. If he had made contact with me in time, I might well have intervened in order to obtain an invitation for him. Much of the debate centred around the Rory O'Neill affair. The House has had the opportunity to debate that matter on a number of occasions. I have put my views on the record on those occasions and I have also...

Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2014: Second Stage [Private Members] (11 Apr 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I would rather have convictions and be accused of being arrogant than being like Cathy Barry's dog and trying to bring both sides of the road with me, as the Deputy and his party, Fianna Fáil, seem intent on doing. I have been in this House for many years and it certainly comes as news to me that Fianna Fáil has wanted to excise the term "offence" from the broadcasting legislation...

Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2014: Second Stage [Private Members] (11 Apr 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The key issue here relates to the question of freedom of expression and to whether there is, as Deputy Clare Daly stated, an absolute right to that freedom and to freedom of speech. I agree with her that there is not an absolute right to either. She is correct and Deputy Finian McGrath is wrong. If we were to completely remove any objective and reasonable test of what comprises an offence,...

Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2014: Second Stage [Private Members] (11 Apr 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I did not say anything of the kind.

Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2014: Second Stage [Private Members] (11 Apr 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: This is a ludicrous argument.

Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2014: Second Stage [Private Members] (11 Apr 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: What content?

Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2014: Second Stage [Private Members] (11 Apr 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: Is it not fantastic that Deputy Troy thinks he can say that kind of thing? If I express my honest conviction about a Bill I am deemed arrogant. I do not accept that for a minute.

Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2014: Second Stage [Private Members] (11 Apr 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: Why did Deputy Troy not excise the word during the past 14 years?

Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2014: Second Stage [Private Members] (11 Apr 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I am unsure whether the House was any the weaker for it.

Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2014: Second Stage [Private Members] (11 Apr 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The Deputy is not going to correct that by excising the word "offence" in the broadcasting legislation. That would be a mistake.

Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2014: Second Stage [Private Members] (11 Apr 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I am conscious in dealing with this issue that this Friday legislative slot was set aside to allow Deputies, particularly Opposition Deputies, to advance Bills that could otherwise only be taken during Private Member's business or not at all. This reform was intended to facilitate Deputies who have a particular interest or reform in mind and who require a fair wind to translate it into law....

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadcasting Service Provision (10 Apr 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: In accordance with the Broadcasting Act 2009, RTÉ is responsible for the roll-out, coverage and operation of the SAORVIEW digital terrestrial television (DTT) network and I, as Minister, have no function in this matter. Specifically, the Act requires RTÉ to provide digital coverage to the same extent as provided over the previous analogue network, i.e. 98% population coverage, and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Alternative Energy Projects (10 Apr 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The National Renewable Energy Action Plan projects that heat from renewable sources will amount to 12% in the context of achieving our 2020 renewable energy targets. The uptake of the Combined Heat and Power (CHP) capacity under REFIT 3, launched in early 2012, will make a contribution to achieving this, along with migration to renewable heat in response to market forces. The requirements of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services Provision (9 Apr 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: Since market liberalisation in 1999, the provision of telecommunications services, including broadband services are delivered in the first instance through private sector operators who operate in a fully liberalised market, regulated by the independent regulator, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). The market has developed into a well-regulated market, supporting a...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Communications and Energy Infrastructure (9 Apr 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: Communications and electricity distribution networks worldwide, like many buildings and other structures, are occasionally damaged during storms, e.g. when trees fall across the lines. Occasional storm damage does not suggest that the infrastructure provided by our State companies is inadequate. The network investment programmes pursued by EirGrid, ESB Networks and Bord Gáis Éireann...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadcasting Service Provision (9 Apr 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: In accordance with the Broadcasting Act 2009, RTÉ is responsible for the roll-out, coverage and operation of the SAORVIEW digital terrestrial television (DTT) network and I, as Minister, have no function in this matter. Specifically, the Act requires RTÉ to provide digital coverage to the same extent as provided over the previous analogue network, i.e. 98% population coverage, and I...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services Provision (9 Apr 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The National Broadband Plan aims to radically change the broadband landscape in Ireland by ensuring that high speed broadband is available to all citizens and businesses. This will be achieved by providing:- a policy and regulatory framework that assists in accelerating and incentivising commercial investment, and - a State-led investment for areas where it is not commercial for the market...

Leaders' Questions (8 Apr 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The Deputy will cause mass unemployment among his former colleagues.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services Provision (8 Apr 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: Since market liberalisation in 1999, the provision of telecommunications services, including broadband services are delivered in the first instance through private sector operators who operate in a fully liberalised market, regulated by the independent regulator, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). The market has developed into a well-regulated market, supporting a...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Motor Tax Exemptions (8 Apr 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Question Nos. 339 and 340 together. The Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI) is the only part of my Department which has a pool of motor vehicles. The vehicles are required to be taxed and are currently taxed for the year 2014. The GSI currently has 9 vehicles which do not hold a commercial insurance policy. All insurance claims in relation to these vehicles are handled...