Results 7,741-7,760 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (19 Oct 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 48 and 82 together. The future of the post office network, post office closures and the availability of post office facilities in rural Ireland are a matter, in the first instance, for the board and management of An Post. This Government and the Board of An Post are committed to the objective of ensuring the continuation of a viable and sustainable nationwide...

Written Answers — Exploration Licences: Exploration Licences (19 Oct 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The Deputy will be aware that there are two mechanisms for the issue of licences in the Irish offshore. The 'open door' system applies to areas which are more accessible and which include the Celtic Sea and the Irish Sea. Under this system applications may be made at any time. A number of applications for authorisations are on hand and are being processed by my Department. The 'Licensing...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (19 Oct 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The functions under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1926-1988 for the investigating of interference were transferred from the Minister to the Communications Regulator (now ComReg) on its establishment in 1997. Accordingly I have no function regarding this matter.

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (19 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). Information regarding the availability of wireless broadband is, in the first instance, a matter for ComReg who have established a number...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (19 Oct 2006)

Noel Dempsey: In July this year I established a new Ministerial Task Force on bio-energy, as part of the ongoing policy to increase the share of indigenous renewable energy in the Irish heat, electricity and transport markets. Its members include An Tánaiste, and the Ministers for Finance, Agriculture and Food, Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Transport and Enterprise Trade and Employment. The...

Written Answers — Exploration Licences: Exploration Licences (19 Oct 2006)

Noel Dempsey: There are currently thirteen offshore Petroleum Exploration Licences, two onshore Petroleum Exploration Licences and one offshore Reserved Area Licence. There are also twelve Licensing Options, all in offshore areas, which give the holder first right to an Exploration Licence over all or part of the area covered by the Option. I require the holders of these authorisations to undertake...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (19 Oct 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The licensing of local and Community radio is currently a matter for the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI). The BCI carries out its functions under the Radio and Television Act 1988. In this regard, the BCI is charged with the orderly development of sound broadcasting services and with ensuring the appropriate development of the sector. The legislative proposals contained in the draft...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (19 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 exchanges are entirely a matter for Eircom. I am not aware of any formal...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (19 Oct 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) is the statutory body responsible for spectrum management. Earlier this year ComReg established a licensing scheme to permit wireless public address systems (WPAS), and allow what is seen as a valuable community service to continue in a way that is regulated and will not cause problems for the broadcasting content regulator and other...

Written Answers — Ministerial Transport: Ministerial Transport (19 Oct 2006)

Noel Dempsey: Responsibility for the procurement of the Ministerial car fleet is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (19 Oct 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I have no function in regulating telephony charges. The regulation of telecommunications operators, including regulatory issues surrounding telephony charges is the responsibility of the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) in accordance with the requirements of the Communications Regulation Act 2002 and the Regulations which transpose the EU Regulatory Framework for Electronic...

Written Answers — Natural Gas Grid: Natural Gas Grid (19 Oct 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 64 and 103 together. Gas and oil are internationally traded commodities and Ireland is essentially a price taker. Any price volatility in these circumstances has a resultant impact on our energy costs. Nonetheless, the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) is required under the Electricity Regulation Act 1999, the Gas (Interim) (Regulation) Act 2002 and the...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (19 Oct 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The size and scale of the post office network is a matter for the management and board of the company. However, I have asked the company to ensure that any strategy for the development of the company should ensure the long term viability of the post office network and in this light, An Post is currently working on a financial services initiative which could see the development and expansion...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (19 Oct 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The rate of post office closures is an operational matter for the board and management of An Post and one in which I have no function. Section 12 (3) of the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983 states that 'the company shall have power to do anything which appears to it to be requisite, advantageous or incidental to, or which appears to it to facilitate, either directly or...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Legislation: Broadcasting Legislation (19 Oct 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 67 and 95 together. A digital terrestrial television (DTT) pilot programme is currently being implemented by my Department. The purpose of the pilot is to bring further momentum to the transition to digital terrestrial broadcasting and to test and trial various aspects of the service. The DTT pilot is now in the "soft trial" phase during which the network and...

Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (19 Oct 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The retention of a strategic number of post offices throughout the country with the objective of providing a modern and efficient service is a matter for the board and management of An Post and one in which I have no statutory function. Section 12 (3) of the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983 states that 'the company shall have power to do anything which appears to it to be...

Written Answers — Radio Broadcasting: Radio Broadcasting (19 Oct 2006)

Noel Dempsey: Under the Radio and Television Act, 1988 and the Broadcasting Act, 2001, the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI) has statutory responsibility for the licensing of independent radio services. It is an independent statutory body and I have no function in relation to the compilation of statistics on the number of licences issued. The information requested should be available from the BCI...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (19 Oct 2006)

Noel Dempsey: It was to this end that the Government recently gave its approval for An Post to enter into a joint venture agreement with Belgian Bank, Fortis to set up a retail banking business. This will entail the provision of a range of financial services operated through the post office branch network, using the An Post brand and other An Post assets. Key to the Government approval of this joint...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (19 Oct 2006)

Noel Dempsey: According to figures supplied by the Energy Policy Statistical Support unit in Sustainable Energy Ireland, the electricity generated from different fuel types in 2005 was as follows: Fuel Type Percentage Coal 25.6 Peat 9.8 Oil/Liquid fuels 13.3 Natural Gas 44.6 Renewables (total) 6.7 Hydro 1.8 Wind 4.5 Landfill Gas 0.4 Total 100 Support programmes put in place by the Government...

Written Answers — Geological Survey: Geological Survey (19 Oct 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The report to which the question refers, concluded that landslides constitute a potential hazard in many parts of the country and, on average, one has occurred every year over the past 30 years. The report recommends a programme of work estimated at a total cost of 1 million euro in order to; characterise the nature and occurrence of landslides in Ireland, research which areas are most at...