Results 8,861-8,880 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — Coastal Protection: Coastal Protection (16 Feb 2006)

Noel Dempsey: Responsibility for coast protection rests with the property owner, whether it be a local authority or a private individual. In November 2004, Sligo County Council submitted a proposal for funding for three coastal protection projects in the county. Its number one priority was for major repairs and reconstruction to Ardnaglass river outfall structure at Dunmoran Strand, at an estimated cost of...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (15 Feb 2006)

Noel Dempsey: Section 39 of the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 provides the statutory framework for the imposition of public service obligations on electricity undertakings by means of ministerial order. This section provides for the recovery, by way of levy on final customers, of the additional costs incurred by the undertaking on which the obligation is imposed in complying with an order made under this...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (15 Feb 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The provision of telecommunications, including broadband, is a matter in the first instance for the private sector companies operating in a fully liberalised market regulated by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg.

Written Answers — Communications Masts: Communications Masts (15 Feb 2006)

Noel Dempsey: Issues relating to the locations of telecommunications masts are not matters for me but for the relevant local authorities under the aegis of my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources maintains a watching scientific brief on health issues relating to non-ionising radiation, including mobile...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (14 Feb 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 371 and 372 together. The multiannual financial package announced in budget 2006 provides funding for renewable energy schemes totalling €65 million for the period between 2006 and 2010. The renewables package includes a grant aid package for the domestic sector, which will provide for individual grants to install renewable energy technologies including wood...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (14 Feb 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 373 and 382 together. In March 2005, the Government approved the issue of a commemorative stamp in honour of Michael Davitt as part of the 2006 special and commemorative stamp programme. The design of the stamp was approved by the Government in December 2005 and the stamp is due to be issued in September.

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (14 Feb 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 374 and 375 together. The Secretary General of the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources has consulted all the assistant secretaries and the deputy secretary general about decentralisation. The issue will be kept under review as the programme for decentralisation proceeds. All new posts at assistant secretary level have a specific...

Written Answers — Broadband Infrastructure: Broadband Infrastructure (14 Feb 2006)

Noel Dempsey: Grants amounting to €117,581,623 have been approved by the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources for the provision of broadband infrastructure over the last ten years. Some €34,800,952 has been given to private sector projects and €82,780,671.62 has been given to public sector projects. Following a poor response to a call for proposals from the private sector, the...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (14 Feb 2006)

Noel Dempsey: As a commercial State company established under the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983, An Post is legally obliged to be operated to generate revenues to meet all current charges, to generate a reasonable proportion of its capital requirements and to remunerate capital. The Government and the board of An Post are committed to the objective of securing a viable and economically...

Written Answers — Minimum Wage: Minimum Wage (14 Feb 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I am satisfied that my staff in the Department are being paid at least the minimum wage for the hours worked. The rates of pay for employees of State and semi-State bodies under the auspices of the Department are day-to-day operational matters for the bodies concerned and are not matters in which I have a function. The Deputy's questions about such matters should be directed at the bodies...

Written Answers — Departmental Surveys: Departmental Surveys (14 Feb 2006)

Noel Dempsey: This is an operational issue for the service provider concerned. Responsibility for the regulation of electronic communication service providers rests with the independent regulator, the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, in accordance with the requirements of the Communications Regulation Act 2002 and the regulations which transpose the EU regulatory framework for electronic...

Written Answers — Television Licence Fee: Television Licence Fee (14 Feb 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The requirement to have a television licence applies to properties for which a permanent address exists. Accordingly, if each self-catering chalet is identifiable by its own address then a separate licence would be required for each property.

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (14 Feb 2006)

Noel Dempsey: Under the European Communities (Electronic Communications Networks and Services)(Universal Service and Users Rights) Regulations of 2003, SI 308 of 2003, the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, may specify requirements to be complied with by a designated undertaking for the provision of certain basic telecommunications services, with my consent as Minister for Communications,...

Written Answers — Electronic Communications Appeals: Electronic Communications Appeals (9 Feb 2006)

Noel Dempsey: In total 11 appeals have been referred to appeal panels. One appeal by Hutchison 3G Ireland Limited was determined by an appeal panel finding in favour of the appellant. Six appeals concluded following the annulment of ComReg's decisions by an appeals panel. These six appeals related to findings of joint dominance by ComReg against Vodafone and O2. Three appeals were settled between the...

Written Answers — Civil Service Travel Scheme: Civil Service Travel Scheme (9 Feb 2006)

Noel Dempsey: A personnel notice issued to all staff in my Department on 18 October 2005 for the 2006 travel pass scheme inviting applications from all staff with a closing date of 11 November 2005. This date was set for operational reasons to facilitate the processing and issuing of annual passes by the relevant travel operators before 1 January 2006. My Department and the travel operators facilitate...

Order of Business. (9 Feb 2006)

Noel Dempsey: ——will be in this House in two, three or four years' time criticising the Government for the levels of fines, if the EU pursues us for not having proper sea fisheries control. France has already been fined €20 million by the EU for lack of enforcement and control of sea fisheries —€20 million straight off and €57 million for ongoing offences every six months. I will not expose the...

Order of Business. (9 Feb 2006)

Noel Dempsey: In the national interest, I ask Opposition Members to support this legislation and get it through the House as quickly as possible.

Order of Business. (9 Feb 2006)

Noel Dempsey: If we are to have a debate I would prefer to have it in committee.

Order of Business. (9 Feb 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I understand that the committee will hold the debate this morning and for three days next week. I will facilitate that debate, 24 hours a day, seven days a week until I get the Bill through.

Order of Business. (9 Feb 2006)

Noel Dempsey: Deputy Perry mentioned that there are 120 Government amendments to the Bill. They come from listening to people who are genuinely concerned about the sea fisheries industry, and listening to our backbenchers.