Results 7,701-7,720 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey
- Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (24 Oct 2006)
Noel Dempsey: The Government commitment indicated in 2001 that we would examine the feasibility of bringing natural gas from Corrib to Sligo via Ballina. It was clear from a BGE study carried out in 2001 that any of the options then considered would require either an increase in gas transmission tariffs or an extremely high level of grant aid. As part of the evaluation process at that time officials of my...
- Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (24 Oct 2006)
Noel Dempsey: I am satisfied that the legislative measures currently in place are sufficient to enable the Commission for Energy Regulation and the Transmission System Operator to fulfil their complementary independent and statutory roles in ensuring the continuity and security of supply in the electricity generation sector. My Department will keep the current legislative provisions under review in order...
- Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (24 Oct 2006)
Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 436 and 437 together. 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. However, it has been clear for some time that the private sector has failed to invest...
- Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (24 Oct 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 Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), the independent regulator. Challenges with regard to the enabling of Eircom exchanges are entirely a matter for Eircom.
- Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (24 Oct 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. However, it has been clear for some time that the private sector has failed to invest at the level necessary to keep pace with the demand for...
- Written Answers — Tribunals of Inquiry: Tribunals of Inquiry (24 Oct 2006)
Noel Dempsey: No tribunals have been conducted under the aegis of my department during the period referred to by the Deputy.
- Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (24 Oct 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. However, it has been clear for some time that the private sector has failed to invest at the level necessary to keep pace with the demand for...
- Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (24 Oct 2006)
Noel Dempsey: I have no function in this matter. Issues such as web hosting are a matter of private contract between the relevant parties.
- Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (19 Oct 2006)
Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 12 together. The Government is firmly committed to the development of an Irish biofuels market and to the increased development of bio-energy generally in Ireland. A range of initiatives are in place to support the development of a biofuels sector in Ireland. The 2005 pilot mineral oil tax relief scheme for biofuels has resulted in eight projects being...
- Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (19 Oct 2006)
Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 80 together. In June 2004 further to a competitive, public tender process, E-Net was awarded the contract to manage, maintain, market and operate the Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) for a period of 15 years. E-Net is an independent company based in Limerick established solely for this purpose. Under Phase 1 of the MANs programme, twenty-seven networks...
- Written Answers — Health and Safety Regulations: Health and Safety Regulations (19 Oct 2006)
Noel Dempsey: There is a range of requirements that apply to infrastructure projects like the Corrib Gas Project. As a consequence of both the independent Safety Review process, carried out for my Department by Advantica, and of the Cassells Report into the difficulties surrounding the project, a series of additional requirements have been made of the developer. The Advantica report found that proper...
- Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (19 Oct 2006)
Noel Dempsey: Post office closures and conversions are, in the first instance, an operational matter for the Board and management of An Post and one in which I have no function. I would refer the Deputy to the following appendix, which details the number and location of post offices closed and converted to date, in 2006. As clearly set out in the Programme for Government, this Government and the Board of...
- Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (19 Oct 2006)
Noel Dempsey: Issues in relation to postmasters employed by An Post are, in the first instance, a matter for the board and management of An Post and one in which I have no statutory function. Despite this I have met with the IPU on a number of occasions and addressed their Annual Conference. The Government has been and continues to be committed to the objective of securing and maintaining the largest...
- Written Answers — Electricity Infrastructure: Electricity Infrastructure (19 Oct 2006)
Noel Dempsey: Decisions in relation to the location and construction of electricity infrastructure are day-to-day operational matters for ESB and Eirgrid, subject to planning requirements and not a matter in which I have a function.
- Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (19 Oct 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 — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (19 Oct 2006)
Noel Dempsey: Earlier this year, I launched a new ocean energy strategy, which aims to put Ireland at the forefront of ocean energy development and position us to capitalise on this resource. The strategy was developed by Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) and the Marine Institute. As the first stage in implementing this strategy, we have recently upgraded the Hydraulics and Maritime Research Centre in UCC...
- Written Answers — Energy Prices: Energy Prices (19 Oct 2006)
Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 18, 51, 88 and 102 together. Gas and electricity tariffs are the statutory responsibility of the Commission for Energy Regulation, under the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999 and the Gas (Interim) (Regulation) Act, 2002 and it would be inappropriate for me to comment.
- Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (19 Oct 2006)
Noel Dempsey: I have no plans, at this stage, to introduce a Post and Postal Services Bill before the general election. With respect to strategies for the development of An Post, that is a matter, in the first instance for the board and management of the company. My officials and I have met with the new chief executive of An Post since his appointment earlier this year. The company has made a commitment...
- Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (19 Oct 2006)
Noel Dempsey: The key objectives contained in the draft general scheme of the Broadcasting Bill are as follows: To establish a single content regulator for commercial, community and public service broadcasters to be known as the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) and encompassing the existing regulatory functions of the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland, the Broadcasting Complaints Commission and...
- Written Answers — Digital Hub: Digital Hub (19 Oct 2006)
Noel Dempsey: Exchequer expenditure at the Digital Hub since 2000 is approximately â¬128 million to date. This includes approximately â¬76 million investment in property and infrastructure as well as approximately â¬52 million in operational costs. The Digital Hub has been and will continue to be successfully developed as a digital industry cluster, as well as a regeneration of an historic community...