Results 801-820 of 9,393 for speaker:Alex White

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Service Provision (9 Jul 2015)

Alex White: Details relating to the commercial investments referred to in the Deputy's Question are publicly available on the Company's website at www.eircomWholesale.ie. The Government's National Broadband Plan aims to ensure that every citizen and business, regardless of location, has access to a high quality, high speed broadband service. This will be achieved through a combination of commercial...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Schemes (8 Jul 2015)

Alex White: There are a number of grant schemes administered either directly by my Department or on behalf of my Department by the agencies under its aegis, for which funding can be applied for by community groups and projects. I have set out in the following table details of the programmes and the web address where further information may be obtained. Amount of Funding Paid Name of Grant Scheme...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Alternative Energy Projects (8 Jul 2015)

Alex White: The Comptroller and Auditor General has made no reports to my Department in relation to renewable energy projects undertaken by Bord na Móna or the ESB. Coillte is under the aegis of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and I do not have any role in its governance. Where appropriate, specific investment plans are referred to NewERA for financial and/or commercial analysis....

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Postal Codes (8 Jul 2015)

Alex White: Capita Business Support Services Ireland Limited were awarded a 10 year contract in December 2013 to develop and implement the National Postcode System. My Department has been advised by Capita that they have no plans to launch an alternative code along the lines outlined in the Question. The carrying out of business by Capita, its former employees or its sub-contractors is a matter solely...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Service Provision (7 Jul 2015)

Alex White: The Home Computing Initiative (HCI) was an industry-led initiative endorsed by the then Government in 2007, to make it easier for people to acquire home computers. In the period since 2007, there has been a significant increase in the number of households with access to the internet at home. National data from CSO indicates that 82% of households in 2014 use the internet at home, compared...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Service Provision (7 Jul 2015)

Alex White: The National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to ensure that every citizen and business, regardless of location, has access to a high quality, high speed broadband service. This will be achieved through a combination of commercial investments and a State led intervention in areas where commercial services will not be provided. The commercial telecommunications sector is currently investing...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Service Expenditure (7 Jul 2015)

Alex White: The Government recognises that access to high quality, high speed broadband is important for businesses and households throughout Ireland including the South East Region. The National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to ensure that every citizen and business, regardless of location, has access to a high quality, high speed broadband service. This will be achieved through a combination of commercial...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Natural Gas Grid (7 Jul 2015)

Alex White: The development and expansion of the natural gas network is a commercial matter for Gaslink, which is mandated under Section 8 of the Gas Act 1976, as amended, to develop and maintain a national system for the supply of natural gas that is both economical and efficient. The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) is statutorily responsible for all aspects of the assessment and licensing of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Radio Spectrum Management (7 Jul 2015)

Alex White: The public consultation into the Lamy Report was conducted by the European Commission, and a summary of the responses is available at the following website: www.ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/en/news/results-lamy-report- public-consultation-700mhz-spectrum-band. Ireland has engaged in discussions at an international level, including within the EU, on the 700MHz issue and agrees with the general...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electric Vehicles (7 Jul 2015)

Alex White: The 2009 Renewable Energy Directive sets a binding target for all Member States that at least 10% of the energy used in the transport sector must come from renewable sources by 2020. Ireland aims to meet this target mainly through the use of sustainable biofuels, with electric vehicles also making a contribution. The Electric Vehicle Grant Scheme supports and incentivises the early...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Service Provision (7 Jul 2015)

Alex White: The National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to ensure that every citizen and business, regardless of location, has access to a high quality, high speed broadband service. This will be achieved through a combination of commercial investments and a State led intervention in areas where commercial services will not be provided. The commercial telecommunications sector is currently investing...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Ministerial Meetings (2 Jul 2015)

Alex White: As the Deputy will appreciate, in view of the range of my remit as Minister I receive representations, including requests for meetings from a broad range of sources, including members of the Oireachtas, local and voluntary groups and private individuals and companies. Since my appointment as Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources on 11 July 2014 I have attended some 870...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Service Provision (2 Jul 2015)

Alex White: The National Broadband Plan is delivering high speed broadband to every home and business in Ireland regardless of its location. This is being achieved through a partnership between Government and commercial telecommunications companies. The commercial telecommunications sector is currently investing approximately €2.5 billion in network upgrades. These very significant investments...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Ministerial Expenditure (2 Jul 2015)

Alex White: The information requested by the Deputy in respect of my predecessor and myself are outlined in tables. Expenses incurred in relation to all items listed with the exception of some travel have been paid on the basis of an invoice. The current policy including rules and guidelines in relation to travel expenses is set at central level and the introduction of any amendment to this regime is a...

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Postal Services) (Amendment) Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (1 Jul 2015)

Alex White: Section 66C(2) clarifies section 6A of the Data Protection Acts 1988 to 2003, which is the main legislation dealing with data protection. This legislation relates to the processing of personal data which is likely to cause damage or distress. This is a fundamental principle in the Acts. Section 2 provides that this provision in the Data Protection Acts does not apply where the processing...

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Postal Services) (Amendment) Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (1 Jul 2015)

Alex White: We are taking amendments Nos. 2 to 6, inclusive, and 8 to 10, inclusive, together. The complaints procedure set out in this Bill refers to the process that owners or occupiers of property can follow in regard to a postcode related complaint. The complaints procedure is set out in the postcode contractor's code of practice. I emphasise that the postcode contractor has consulted with the...

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Postal Services) (Amendment) Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (1 Jul 2015)

Alex White: I thank the Senator. Section 66D of the Communications Regulation (Postal Services)(Amendment) Bill sets out an obligation on the postcode contractor to draw up procedures for dealing with complaints by owners or occupiers of property relating to the use of postcodes by the contractor or by a value added reseller. As is the general rule on primary legislation, this section of the Bill...

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Postal Services) (Amendment) Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (1 Jul 2015)

Alex White: Although the regulation-making power in the proposed section is expressed as "may" and it is not framed as a mandatory obligation on the Minister, it remains the case that the regulations permitted under the section form part of the overall scheme of the Bill. The Data Protection Commissioner has been enormously helpful and supportive of this entire process, but the decision to bring forward...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Commission for Energy Regulation (1 Jul 2015)

Alex White: The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) is Ireland’s independent energy regulator. The CER was initially established as the Commission for Electricity Regulation under the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999. Under the Gas (Interim) (Regulation) Act, 2002, CER's remit was expanded to include the regulation of the natural gas sector and its name was changed to the Commission for Energy...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Service Provision (1 Jul 2015)

Alex White: The National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to ensure that every citizen and business, regardless of location, has access to a high quality, high speed broadband service. This will be achieved through a combination of commercial investments and a State led intervention in areas where commercial services will not be provided. The commercial telecommunications sector is currently investing...