Results 801-820 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Digital Television Service Provision (1 Apr 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The Broadcasting Act 2009 requires RTÉ to provide digital coverage to the same extent as provided over the previous analogue network, i.e. 98% population coverage, and I am advised by RTÉ that this level of coverage is being provided by the SAORVIEW digital terrestrial television (DTT) network which was launched on 26 May, 2011. For the remaining 2% of the population, RTÉ...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadcasting Service Provision (1 Apr 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: Section 103(4) of the Broadcasting Act 2009 provides that where I propose to give my consent to a new broadcasting service or a variation in channels of the public service broadcasters, I am required to consult with the corporation concerned and such other persons as I consider appropriate.It is, therefore, at my discretion as to the extent of consultation in any given case. In the case to...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services Provision (1 Apr 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 331 and 332 together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Digital Television Service Availability (1 Apr 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: In accordance with the Broadcasting Act 2009, RTÉ, through its subsidiary company 2rn, 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...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Wind Energy Generation (1 Apr 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 334 and 338 together. Wind energy developments are undertaken by a number of commercial State companies including ESB (Electricity Supply Board), BGÉ (Bord Gáis Éireann), and Bord na Mona (BnM). I understand Coillte is also active in wind energy initiatives. The decision to undertake such developments are operational matters based on...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Exports (1 Apr 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: Ireland and the UK have made good progress on both States' joint, innovative and ambitious work in the area of renewable energy trading since my signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the UK Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Ed Davey M.P. in January 2013. However, it is recognised that the economic, policy and regulatory complexities involved, and the key decisions yet...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Petroleum and Gas Exploration (1 Apr 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: Following a public procurement process, my Department appointed Wood MacKenzie in March of this year to provide expert advice on the fitness for purpose of Ireland's fiscal terms for oil and gas exploration, development and production. It is expected that this work will take two to three months to finalise, will help inform decisions to be taken going forward.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Ministerial Responsibilities (1 Apr 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 339 and 340 together. The Interception of Postal Packets and Telecommunications Messages (Regulation) Act, 1993 provides for the primary legislative basis in Ireland for the interception of postal packets and telecommunications messages. By reason of the fact that the Minister for Defence and the Minister for Justice and Equality have a role under the 1993...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Post Office Network (27 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: In relation to the question of the future of the post office network, I refer to the reply to Priority Question No. 1 on 11 March 2014. The position is unchanged. The issue of post office closures is an operational matter for the board and management of An Post and one in which I have no statutory function. I have asked An Post to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Telecommunications Infrastructure (27 Mar 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: Broadband Services Provision (27 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: Aurora Telecom is a division of Bord Gáis Networks. It is a carrier-neutral operator specialising in Dark Fibre services for both telecommunications carriers and large corporate organisations. It operates a website at which contains details of its fibre network. Aurora Telecom is a division of a commercial semi-state body and I have no function in its investment or day to day business...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services Provision (27 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: Since market liberalisation in 1999, broadband services are delivered in the first instance through private sector operators. The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband services, is primarily a matter for the service providers concerned who operate in a fully liberalised market, regulated by the independent regulator, the Commission for Communications Regulation...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Better Energy Homes Scheme Data (27 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures to households that are vulnerable to energy poverty and who live in privately owned dwellings. The upgrades are delivered free of charge to the customer. The scheme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department. Delivery of the scheme is subject to an...

Topical Issue Debate: Broadband Services Speeds (26 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I do not disagree with Deputy Flanagan. He is right in saying that we have to encourage as much competition in this market as we can. I welcome the entry of a new player, which is important. The sector itself acknowledges that it is not commercially viable to provide a service in particular parts of the country and therefore State intervention is necessary. I sincerely hope that when the...

Topical Issue Debate: Broadband Services Charges (26 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The Deputy has raised these issues on a number of occasions. I accept that there are gaps in the system, but, as I have said before, in terms of the significant State investment in the national broadband scheme, for example, if that had not been done, there would not even be a basic service in many parts of the country. There are technical reasons which I entirely accept and issues that...

Topical Issue Debate: Broadband Services Speeds (26 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I welcome the Deputy ventilating this issue. I did not know from the Topical Issue raised, which refers to the northside of Dublin, that he was referring specifically to Bettyglen and a couple of black spots in Howth, where Gay Byrne goes for a walk. If the Deputy tables particular parliamentary questions to me, I will see what I can do. The northside of Dublin is, in many ways, a state...

Topical Issue Debate: Broadband Services Charges (26 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I am grateful to Deputy Moynihan for giving me the opportunity to address the House on this matter. As the Deputy is aware, Ireland's telecommunications market has been liberalised since 1999. This means that retail price fixing for deregulated services is not permitted. Governments can, however, establish an investment environment that promotes an active competitive market. Hopefully,...

Topical Issue Debate: Broadband Services Charges (26 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I beg the Deputy's pardon but I strayed there. He stated there was one issue above all others that is being relayed back to him.

Matters relating to An Garda Síochána: Statements (26 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The Deputy is misrepresenting the Attorney General's position. She attended every meeting of the Cabinet until the one this week, which she missed because of an illness in the family.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Radio Spectrum Management (26 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The management of the radio spectrum is a statutory function of the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) under the Communications Regulation Act, 2002 as amended. This encompasses the revision and publication of the national radio frequency plan in accordance with section 35 of that Act. The avoidance of radio frequency interference is a matter for ComReg in exercising its...