Results 7,601-7,620 of 21,588 for speaker:Denis Naughten

Other Questions: Television Licence Fee (21 Nov 2017)

Denis Naughten: I have reiterated several times my commitment to public service broadcasting and news content. While I have accepted that this comes at a significant cost, we are very lucky in terms of the way in which news content is disseminated in this country and the balance it provides. This balance is not provided in other countries, including the United States, the example the Deputy cited. One...

Other Questions: National Broadband Plan Implementation (21 Nov 2017)

Denis Naughten: The national broadband plan will ensure high-speed broadband access of a minimum of 30 Mbps to all premises, regardless of location.  The plan continues to act as a catalyst to commercial investment, with more than €2.75 billion invested by industry in the past five years. Current investment is running at €1.8 million per day. As a result, approximately 1.5 million or 65%...

Priority Questions: Mobile Telephony Services (21 Nov 2017)

Denis Naughten: I specifically included in the programme for Government a commitment to a mobile phone and broadband task force. In July 2016, I established the task force to identify immediate solutions to broadband and mobile telephone coverage deficits and to investigate how better services could be provided to consumers prior to the full build and roll-out of the network planned under the national...

Priority Questions: Mobile Telephony Services (21 Nov 2017)

Denis Naughten: Deputy Sherlock has given me a day's work with those questions. As Deputy Sherlock knows, I cannot bring in ComReg. The only body that can bring in ComReg is Deputy Sherlock and his colleagues who are members of the relevant Oireachtas joint committee. ComReg is answerable to the committee, not to me.

Priority Questions: Mobile Telephony Services (21 Nov 2017)

Denis Naughten: While I am on the issue of ComReg, I wish to point out that since January, ComReg has received a little more than 5,000 complaints, a total of 163 of which relate to mobile telephone coverage. People are not complaining. I do not disagree with Deputy Sherlock. This is a problem. Far too many times I have had to turn off the data on my mobile telephone to try to get telephone coverage....

Priority Questions: Mobile Telephony Services (21 Nov 2017)

Denis Naughten: Sadly, the problem dates from before I came in-to this job. I am unsure who was the Minister at the time. We will not go into it, but I understand one of Deputy Sherlock's colleagues was in the Department when the last auction took place for the 4G spectrum. That auction sought 85% population coverage throughout the country. I do not think that is good enough. That is why I am committed,...

Priority Questions: Mobile Telephony Services (21 Nov 2017)

Denis Naughten: The problem is that under the licensing in place, those companies are compliant. I have spoken to the companies and I will be speaking to company representatives again tomorrow. I will continue to do that. What I am dealing with is unacceptable; I am not disputing that. That is why we have released the 3.6 GHz spectrum. The committee has a role as well. The communications regulator...

Priority Questions: National Broadband Plan Implementation (21 Nov 2017)

Denis Naughten: The national broadband plan, NBP, is about connecting people in rural areas, towns and villages across Ireland to high-speed broadband through a combination of commercial investment and State-led intervention. The NBP continues to act as a catalyst to commercial investment, with more than €2.75 billion invested by industry over the past five years. That is €1.8 million...

Priority Questions: National Broadband Plan Implementation (21 Nov 2017)

Denis Naughten: When I was appointed as Minister last May 12 months, no one envisaged that at this stage we would be talking about fibre being on the ground in rural areas.

Priority Questions: National Broadband Plan Implementation (21 Nov 2017)

Denis Naughten: It is happening. I have said before that my focus is on delivery not indicative dates. People in this country are sick and tired of being promised they would have broadband by a certain date but it has not happened. My priority is the people who have not got high-speed broadband at the moment. I am leaving no stone unturned to ensure that is delivered as quickly as possible. We have a...

Priority Questions: National Broadband Plan Implementation (21 Nov 2017)

Denis Naughten: Many of my constituents do not have mobile phone coverage never mind broadband services. As Minister, I am determined to make sure that every single person, home and premises in this country gets access to high-speed broadband. I am determined not to stop until that happens. It is important to point out that 27% of our population live in villages of fewer than 50 people. We have one of the...

Priority Questions: Waste Disposal Charges (21 Nov 2017)

Denis Naughten: I thank the Deputy. The necessary regulatory steps have already been put in place to phase out flat-rate fees for household waste collection. The permits of household waste collectors have been amended in order that existing customers who are seeking to renew their contracts or new customers are not offered flat-rate fees. It is worth noting that this measure is not "new" for about half of...

Priority Questions: Waste Disposal Charges (21 Nov 2017)

Denis Naughten: On the matter of having mechanisms other than side-by-side competition, mechanisms been considered and reports have been published on them. The results of the analysis of the household waste collection price monitoring group, in conjunction with the results of the study being completed by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, will provide an evidence base regarding future...

Priority Questions: Waste Disposal Charges (21 Nov 2017)

Denis Naughten: On the Deputy's final comment, there is a review taking place. That is what the commission is doing. I am quite happy to consider the recommendations that emerge from that review. My objective is twofold. First, it is to try to reduce the amount of waste generated in the first place. As the Deputy knows, we have set up a group involving the retailers and major supermarkets across the...

Priority Questions: Post Office Network (21 Nov 2017)

Denis Naughten: Yes.

Priority Questions: Post Office Network (21 Nov 2017)

Denis Naughten: This is about expanding the number of people who will utilise and depend on the post office in rural areas. Since David McRedmond became chief executive, we have already seen the expansion of the parcel service. We now have a service in Ahascragh and Elphin that is equivalent to what is available in Amsterdam or Edinburgh. A van travels six days a week to homes throughout this country...

Priority Questions: Post Office Network (21 Nov 2017)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 37 and 40 together. I wish to advise the House that the Government has today been briefed by me on the comprehensive strategic plan that An Post has prepared, the objective of which is to secure the long-term viability of both the post office and mails businesses and return the company to a sound financial footing. The Government is fully supportive of...

Priority Questions: Post Office Network (21 Nov 2017)

Denis Naughten: The €30 million which has been put into the company has been ring-fenced for the five day a week universal postal service in order that it continues to every address in the country and to support and develop services in the post office network. The nationwide reach of the post office network makes it uniquely positioned to act as a gateway to Government. In addition to the existing...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Infrastructure (21 Nov 2017)

Denis Naughten: I can confirm that neither myself nor officials from my Department have had discussions with executives from Apple regarding the proposed data centre, or its energy supply source, in Athenry.  However my officials occasionally meet with IDA representatives and their client companies as part of routine engagement on wider energy policy developments. The level of interest from energy...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Waste Disposal Charges (21 Nov 2017)

Denis Naughten: The Government gave a commitment to consumers to carefully monitor the transition in the sector when introducing the measure to phase out flat fees for household waste collection. Accordingly, I established a Household Waste Collection Price Monitoring Group. Its role is to track the rates charged by waste collectors across the country as flat rate fees are being phased out. The...