Results 8,641-8,660 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — Mobile Telephony: Mobile Telephony (1 Mar 2006)

Noel Dempsey: My Department maintains a watching scientific brief on health issues relating to electromagnetic energy, also known as "non-ionising radiation", including those related to mobile phone base stations. Ireland has adopted European Union Council recommendation of 12 July 1999 on the limitation of exposure of the general public to electromagnetic fields — 0 Hz to 300 GHz, 1999/519/EC — and...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Legislation: Broadcasting Legislation (1 Mar 2006)

Noel Dempsey: Last December I announced my intention to commence a review required under section 9 of the Broadcasting (Major Events Television Coverage) Act 2003. The purpose of the review is to consider if the list of events designated in 2003 should be amended. As part of the review I initiated a public consultation process and wrote to sports organisations and broadcasters. I have received submissions...

Written Answers — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (1 Mar 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 131 and 132 together. I confirm that no payment has been made to the mediator at this stage. Payment in respect of fees and expenses will be made to the mediator. The level of payment will reflect the time spent and expenses incurred by the mediator in this process.

Written Answers — Energy Consumption: Energy Consumption (28 Feb 2006)

Noel Dempsey: On foot of recent representations I received on this issue, my Department has referred the matter for investigation to the Commission for Energy Regulation, as the statutory body responsible for regulation of the electricity and gas market. I am advised that an investigation is under way and the commission will report back to me as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (28 Feb 2006)

Noel Dempsey: In the time available, it has not been possible to identify and assemble the information requested. I will revert to the Deputy when I am in a position to issue a final reply.

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (28 Feb 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, is a matter in the first instance for the fully liberalised private sector, regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. The upgrading of telephone exchanges for the provision of broadband is an operational matter for Eircom, and I do not have any function in the matter.

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (28 Feb 2006)

Noel Dempsey: There is no direct interconnection of electricity networks between Ireland and Scotland. Information supplied to my Department by the Commission for Energy Regulation indicates that in 2005, 75 gigawatt hours approximately of electricity produced from renewable energy sources in Ireland was exported to Northern Ireland via the interconnector. There is no additional breakdown of this figure...

Written Answers — Communications Masts: Communications Masts (28 Feb 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 270 and 272 together. My Department chairs an interdepartmental committee on the health effects of electromagnetic fields. This committee will provide advice to Government on the appropriate action to be taken on foot of the recommendations contained in the joint committee report on non-ionising radiation from mobile phone handsets and masts, published in June...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (28 Feb 2006)

Noel Dempsey: A total of 25 people on my Department's payroll are not working for the Department. Of these, 16 are former departmental staff who are seconded to the Marine Institute, two are seconded to the Aquaculture Licence Appeals Board, two are seconded to the Office of the Communications Regulator, one is seconded to the Central Fisheries Board, one is seconded to the Marine Casualty Investigations...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Legislation: Broadcasting Legislation (23 Feb 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 98 and 99 together. In December 2005 I announced my intention to commence a review of designated events under section 9 of the Broadcasting (Major Events Television Coverage) (Amendment) Act 2003. The purpose of the review is to consider whether the list of events designated in 2003 should be amended. As part of the review I initiated a public consultation...

Written Answers — State Agencies: State Agencies (23 Feb 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The issue of ESB meter inspections is a day-to-day operational matter for the ESB and not one in which I have a function. However, in order to be helpful to the Deputy, I wish to point out that the ESB customer complaints arbitrator, ELCOM, deals with unresolved complaints relating to metering. The arbitrator's recommendations are binding on ESB but are not binding on customers, who can take...

Written Answers — Electricity Charges: Electricity Charges (23 Feb 2006)

Noel Dempsey: On foot of recent representations made to me on this specific issue, my Department has already referred the matter for investigation to the Commission for Energy Regulation, which is the statutory body responsible for regulation of the electricity market. I am advised that an investigation is under way and the commission will report back to me as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Natural Gas Grid: Natural Gas Grid (23 Feb 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 102 and 103 together. The cost of this project is a commercial matter for the company. While any capital expenditure by Bord Gáis Éireann is subject to my approval, given with the consent of the Minister for Finance, the actual cost is commercially sensitive information in a liberalised market. BGE financed this project from its own resources and did not...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (22 Feb 2006)

Noel Dempsey: Grant aid has been awarded for the provision of broadband in the Ballydehob area under the group broadband scheme administered by my Department and this service is now operational. Ireland's relatively low ranking against other European countries in terms of broadband connections reflects the late launch of competitive, affordable broadband by private broadband service providers and a slow...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (22 Feb 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The multiannual financial package for renewables announced in budget 2006 includes a grant aid package for the domestic sector which will provide for individual grants to install renewable energy technologies, including solar panels, geothermal heat pumps and wood pellet boilers. My Department, in conjunction with Sustainable Energy Ireland, SEI, is developing the necessary detailed measures...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (22 Feb 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 228 to 230, inclusive, together. Grant aid has been awarded for the provision of broadband in the Borrisokane and Cloughjordan area of County Tipperary under the group broadband scheme administered by my Department. The project is being developed by the Internet service provider in conjunction with the community group.

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (22 Feb 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The Government's decentralisation programme provides for the relocation of 91 posts in my Department's seafood and coastal zone functions to Clonakilty. The 93 posts in An Bord Iascaigh Mhara, BIM, are also to be relocated to Clonakilty. The Public Appointments Service, PAS, has indicated that a total of 176 expressions of interest, from across the public service, have been received for these...

Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Bill 2005: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (22 Feb 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I move amendment No. 7: In page 11, to delete lines 36 to 38 and substitute the following: ""fishing gear" includes any net, pot, trap, line, pole, dredge or other apparatus of any kind and any attachment of any kind thereto used or capable of being used for catching fish;". This amendment is in response to concerns expressed by Deputies Ferris and Perry on Committee Stage. The point the...

Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Bill 2005: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (22 Feb 2006)

Noel Dempsey: We had a long discussion on this matter on Committee Stage. I pointed out then that the introduction of specific requirements, such as those proposed by the Deputy, cannot be done unilaterally. It is not possible to do this. I agree with Deputies Broughan and Eamon Ryan that it would be desirable that these kinds of controls and monitoring would be put in place, but we cannot act...

Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Bill 2005: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (22 Feb 2006)

Noel Dempsey: Yes.