Results 8,521-8,540 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Energy Resources: Motion. (3 May 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The first option we have is to do nothing and leave the resources where they are because to touch them means there would be some impact on the environment or whatever. Some people, admittedly a small minority — I am not sure if there are any on the opposite side of the House — advocate that course of action. Given that it is clear that the commercial production of oil and gas can make a...

Energy Resources: Motion. (3 May 2006)

Noel Dempsey: On that basis, the Government is fully committed to realising the full potential of oil and gas resources in offshore Ireland.

Energy Resources: Motion. (3 May 2006)

Noel Dempsey: Deputy Cowley crying about the fact that the Corrib developers will get more money because this project has been delayed is a bit rich when one considers the role he played in it over the past two or three years.

Energy Resources: Motion. (3 May 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The second choice that faces us is to prospect for, extract and process these resources ourselves, as advocated in the motion and as some people on the Opposition benches would have us do. That would be a huge, costly and very risky exercise. The risks for the State, financial and otherwise, of such a course of action would be immense.

Energy Resources: Motion. (3 May 2006)

Noel Dempsey: We have seen that Ireland has proven in the past to be a very difficult territory in which to prospect successfully. That is because of geology and geography, with less than one in 20 exploratory wells resulting in commercial finds. It must be remembered that these highly expensive wells are only drilled after extensive and expensive geotechnical surveys. Even if such a State company were to...

Energy Resources: Motion. (3 May 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I can think of many more productive uses for public money than speculating in this way. It is for this reason that option two is not an option as far as I or the Government is concerned. The third option I mentioned has been the foundation of Government policy in this State for decades and has been supported and embraced by all Governments for many years. We have encouraged competent private...

Energy Resources: Motion. (3 May 2006)

Noel Dempsey: In the scenario favoured by the Opposition, a find in one field would be negated by 19 inevitable failures.

Energy Resources: Motion. (3 May 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The Opposition would have us start from square one, with no experience, no equipment and no structures in place in one of the most challenging marine environments on the planet.

Energy Resources: Motion. (3 May 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I have a piece of advice to the Deputies opposite — stay out of the casinos and away from the ponies. I do not think they would make too much money on them. The private sector is recognised as having the resources, expertise and practical experience essential for such a task. These companies have decades of experience of this type of hazardous and financially risky operation, while this...

Energy Resources: Motion. (3 May 2006)

Noel Dempsey: This fact has been accepted by every Government that has taken power since 1992. The situation facing those prospecting for oil and gas off the Irish coast bears repetition. Out of a total of 121 exploration wells drilled in Irish waters since the 1960s, there have been only four commercial finds.

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (27 Apr 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I have had no discussions with Greencore plc., on the issue of utilising the Mallow plant to produce ethanol. The potential for using the existing facilities in Mallow for such purposes is ultimately a commercial decision for Greencore plc. The new biofuels excise relief programme, which is subject to State aid approval, will provide a framework in which potential developers can consider such...

Written Answers — Commemorative Stamp: Commemorative Stamp (26 Apr 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The design of the stamp, to commemorate the centenary of the death of Michael Cusack, received Government approval on 20 December 2005. The stamp, which features a specially commissioned portrait of Michael Cusack, is due to be issued in October of this year.

Written Answers — Broadcasting Policy: Broadcasting Policy (25 Apr 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The television without frontiers directive provides that member states of the European Union may designate certain sporting and cultural events as being of major importance to society and that events so designated should continue to be available on a free television service. It is a matter for each individual member state to decide whether or not to draw up a list. In March 2003 the then...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (25 Apr 2006)

Noel Dempsey: In accordance with the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 (Public Service Obligations) Orders, public service obligations have been placed on the ESB regarding the availability of electricity produced using indigenous peat, electricity produced using renewable, sustainable or alternative forms of energy and electricity produced using peaking generation units. The orders provide for the recovery,...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (25 Apr 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. The Department's regional broadband programme is addressing the infrastructure deficit by building high-speed, open access...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (25 Apr 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 336 and 337 together. The domestic grants scheme is being rolled out on behalf of my Department by Sustainable Energy Ireland, SEI. Verification of an installer's qualifications is the responsibility of each applicant but SEI requires that applicants must use installers who have registered with SEI. From quality assurance and safety perspectives, this...

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (25 Apr 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I represented the Government in Seattle, Washington, on 17 and 18 March. During the visit I took the opportunity to advance Ireland's economic interests, meet with influential political representatives and the broad Irish community and engage in cultural events. I met various business, political and Government representatives to exchange views on matters relating to energy and communications...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (25 Apr 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The Athenry-Craughwell group broadband scheme was launched in March 2006. The recent event relating to Monaghan, Carrickmacross, Dundalk, Drogheda and Cavan was the launch of the open access metropolitan area networks, MANs.

Written Answers — Gas Supply: Gas Supply (25 Apr 2006)

Noel Dempsey: As a peripheral market on the edge of Europe, Ireland supports the development of an open, transparent and competitive single energy market, which delivers secure supplies of electricity and gas at competitive prices, in the interests of consumers. The recent statement by the British Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Gordon Brown, was made in response to a parliamentary question in the House...

Written Answers — Television Licence Fee: Television Licence Fee (25 Apr 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 343 and 344 together. Section 1 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1972, as amended by section 2 of the Broadcasting and Wireless Telegraphy Act 1988, provides the current statutory definition of devices requiring a television licence. It states: "Television set means any apparatus for wireless telegraphy capable of receiving and exhibiting television programmes...