Results 861-880 of 5,760 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte in 'Written Answers'

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Wind Energy Generation (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: A full cost benefit analysis is under way to determine if it is mutually beneficial for Ireland and the United Kingdom to enter an Inter-Governmental Agreement in early 2014 to facilitate trade in renewable energy. A key part of this analysis is the potential for job creation in Ireland. A preliminary cost-benefit analysis completed by NewERA ahead of the signing of a Memorandum of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Oil and Gas Exploration (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: On 9 May 2012 the former Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Natural Resources and Agriculture published its Report on Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration. The Report contained a number of recommendations in respect of the fiscal and regulatory framework applying to oil and gas exploration in Ireland. At my request the Report was debated in Seanad Éireann on 27 June 2012 and in...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Sale of State Assets (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Bord Gáis Éireann is in the process of selling its energy business, Bord Gáis Energy. BGÉ and its advisors, working with NewERA, who are advising the Government in relation to the sale, are currently assessing the latest bids received for Bord Gáis Energy. The Deputy will understand that, as the process is ongoing, it would be inappropriate for me to make any further...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Seirbhísí Leathanbhanda (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Tá margadh teileachumarsáide na hÉireann saortha go hiomlán ó 1999 de réir riachtanais Threoracha cheangailteacha ón AE. Is cúram don earnáil phríobháideach, a oibríonn sa mhargadh lánsaortha, faoi rialáil rialtóra neamhspleách, An Coimisiún um Rialáil Cumarsáíde (ComReg), é na...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Corrib Gas Field Issues (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: A representative for Environ, the independent consultants appointed by my Department to assist in the oversight and monitoring of the conditions of consent to construct the Corrib Gas pipeline, conducted a site visit during the 2nd and 3rd of July this year. The purpose of this brief visit to the Corrib Project, which did not require access to the tunnel, was to: a) Review the points raised...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Generation Targets (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 27, 45 and 46 together. The overarching objective of the Government's energy policy is to ensure secure and sustainable supplies of competitively priced energy to all consumers. Ireland is currently heavily reliant on imported fossil fuels to meet our energy needs. While it is acknowledged that fossil fuels will remain part of the energy mix for some time...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Wind Energy Generation (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 29, 34, and 36 together. I am aware of the concerns expressed by certain communities regarding wind energy development for export and I have spoken publicly on this matter on a number of occasions. Some of these concerns have been needlessly exacerbated by poor communications and misinformation and I have emphasised the need for developers to engage with...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Postcode Implementation (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: On 8 October I announced that the Government has approved, subject to contract, the launch of a national postcode system in 2015. A postcode operator will design and run the postcode under license for an initial ten year period extendable at the discretion of the Minister for Communications by a further five years. The new postcode system will provide a unique code to every postal address in...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electricity Generation (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The Government Policy Statement on the Strategic Importance of Transmission and Other Energy Infrastructure (July 2012) emphasised the importance of early transparent engagement and consultation with local communities and stakeholders by developers of large infrastructure projects. I am aware that EirGrid is committed to public consultation and that they have been engaging in a...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services Speeds (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Ireland's telecommunications market has been fully liberalised since 1999 in accordance with the requirements of binding EU Directives. The market has since developed into a well-regulated market, supporting a multiplicity of commercial operators, providing services over a diverse range of technology platforms. Details of broadband services available in each County, including County...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electricity Transmission Network (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The Government, in July 2011, considered the ownership of the Irish electricity transmission system and the appropriateness of transfer of transmission assets from ESB to EirGrid. This consideration was undertaken in the context of how best to implement the unbundling provisions of the "Third Energy Package" and the various options set out therein. The Government's July 2011 decision, on...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Wind Energy Generation (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: In January of this year the UK Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Mr. Ed Davey MP and I signed a Memorandum of Understanding on energy cooperation. That Memorandum sent a strong signal of our shared interest in developing the opportunity to export green electricity from Ireland to Britain and will result in completion of consideration of how Irish renewable energy resources,...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Wind Energy Generation (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 37 and 43 together. I refer to the reply to Question No. 333 [44826/13] of 22 October.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Garda Investigations (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Any criminal investigation in this jurisdiction such as the one referred to in this case by the Deputy is a matter for An Garda Síochána to consider and not one in which my Department or I, as Minister, have a role.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Mine Sites Remediation (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: A study commissioned by my Department and undertaken by CDM set out a plan for full remediation of the Avoca mines site, with costs identified in excess of €50 million. Given current pressures on the public finances, resources are not available to fund the full series of measures recommended in the report. My Department has, however, provided funding of €3m for a programme of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Post Office Network (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Operational matters and the role of developing commercial strategies for the post office network are a matter for the management and Board of An Post and one in which I have no statutory function. As shareholder, however, I have a strong concern in relation to the ongoing commercial position of the Company and I regularly liaise with the Company in this regard. An Post has many strengths...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Broadband Plan Implementation (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The Government's National Broadband Plan, which I published in August 2012, aims to radically change the broadband landscape in Ireland by ensuring that high speed broadband is available to all citizens and businesses. This will be achieved by providing a policy and regulatory framework that assists in accelerating and incentivising commercial investment, and a State-led investment for areas...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electricity Generation (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: Development of the high voltage electricity grid as planned in the Grid25 strategy is critical to Ireland's economic and social development. The businesses that sell goods and services and provide employment need a reliable energy supply that enables them to compete in an increasingly globalised economy. Ensuring secure reliable and safe supplies of electricity is critical to Ireland's...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Better Energy Homes Scheme Expenditure (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: The Government will spend €13 million in Exchequer funding by the end of 2013 on over 80 community based energy efficiency projects under the Better Energy Communities and the Better Energy Areas schemes across the country. Both schemes are administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) under the Better Energy Programme. The funding will deliver energy efficiency...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Schemes Issues (24 Oct 2013)

Pat Rabbitte: This is a matter for EirGrid and one in which I, as Minister, have no function.