Results 9,021-9,040 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

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

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 205, 223, 610 and 642 together. The Renewables Directive (2001/77/EC) obliges Ireland to develop and implement a programme capable of increasing the amount of electricity from renewable energy sources to 13.2% of total consumption by 2010. The target of 13.2% approximates to 1450 MW of installed generating capacity to be operational to the electricity network...

Written Answers — Energy Provision: Energy Provision (25 Jan 2006)

Noel Dempsey: Security of energy supply is a key policy objective. The relatively small size of our national electricity and gas markets underlines the need for greater interconnection as a means of enhancing security of supply, promoting competition and integrating the Irish electricity and gas markets into the wider European market. The Government is fully committed to the development of east-west...

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

Noel Dempsey: Security of supply in electricity is a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation in accordance with the provisions of article 28 of the European Communities (Internal Market in Electricity) Regulations 2005. Article 28 provides that it shall be the duty of the Commission to monitor the security of supply of electricity and that the Commission shall take such measures as it considers...

Written Answers — Television Services: Television Services (25 Jan 2006)

Noel Dempsey: A date for analogue switch-off has not been set. Possible dates for analogue switch-off will be proposed as plans for a national roll-out of digital terrestrial television, DTT, are developed. I am committed to the long-term provision of a free-to-air DTT platform in Ireland. DTT can provide much more to the free-to-air viewer in terms of additional channels, improved quality of service and...

Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (25 Jan 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I refer the Deputy to the following appendix which outlines the information requested on the number and locations of post offices converted or closed in the past three years. The closure of individual post offices is a matter for the board and management of the company.

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (25 Jan 2006)

Noel Dempsey: As part of a regulatory impact analysis of the proposals to be included in the draft electronic communications (miscellaneous provisions) Bill, a public consultation was initiated on 6 January, with three weeks allowed for submission of comments. In addition to making the draft proposals and draft regulatory impact statement available to the public on my Department's website at www.dcmnr.ie,...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (25 Jan 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 221 and 640 together. Ireland is a member of the International Energy Agency — IEA — which, inter alia, monitors developments on the international oil market. The IEA keeps the oil market under constant review. As a member of the IEA, Ireland is required to maintain emergency oil stocks equivalent to at least 90 days of net imports of crude oil equivalent...

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

Noel Dempsey: Matters arising from the outcome of ECAP appeals are primarily a matter for ComReg, which is independent in the exercise of its functions under the provisions of the Communications Regulation Act 2002. However, as part of my overall policy-making role for the telecommunications sector, I keep the operations of all the bodies under the aegis of my Department under review and where improvements...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (25 Jan 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 225 and 229 together. I refer the Deputy to my answer to Question No. 91 on 12 October 2005.

Written Answers — National Emergency Plan: National Emergency Plan (25 Jan 2006)

Noel Dempsey: Ireland at present has the scientific capability, through the seismic network managed by the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, to record seismic events which affect the country. However by its nature a seismic network cannot predict the timing and location of future earthquakes and there is no effective technology available at present to do this. Ireland has low levels of seismicity and...

Written Answers — Departmental Appointments: Departmental Appointments (25 Jan 2006)

Noel Dempsey: In December last the Government approved, on foot of my recommendation, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, the appointment of Mr. Barry McSweeney as research co-ordinator at my Department with effect from 16 February 2006 until 30 November 2009. My Department is in the process of finalising the process of appointment. It is intended that the research co-ordinator will support the...

Written Answers — Mobile Telephony: Mobile Telephony (25 Jan 2006)

Noel Dempsey: I have no function in the regulating of pricing for services or quality of service in the fixed or mobile telecommunications market. The regulation of telecommunications operators, including regulating of pricing and services is the responsibility of the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, in accordance with the requirements of the Communications Regulation Act 2002 and...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (25 Jan 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.

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

Noel Dempsey: It is my intention to hold a third phase of the group broadband scheme. My officials are finalising the application procedure and documentation. I expect to be in a position to formally launch the third phase shortly.

Written Answers — Broadcasting Legislation: Broadcasting Legislation (25 Jan 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The television without frontiers directive provides that member states of the European Communities 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 free-to-air television services. In March 2003 the Broadcasting (Major Events Television Coverage) Act 1999 (Designation of Major Events)...

Written Answers — Departmental Appointments: Departmental Appointments (25 Jan 2006)

Noel Dempsey: In the time available, it has not been possible to identify and assemble the information requested. My Department is compiling the data sought by the Deputy in this regard and I shall forward it to him as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Departmental Appointments: Departmental Appointments (25 Jan 2006)

Noel Dempsey: The information requested by the Deputy is provided in the following table. Vacancies currently outstanding on boards of State-sponsored bodies as at 20 January 2006 Number An Post 2 current vacancies Broadcasting Complaints Commission 1 current vacancy Digital Hub 3 current vacancies Bord Gáis 2 current vacancies ESB 2 current vacancies RTE 1 current...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (25 Jan 2006)

Noel Dempsey: In the time available, it has not been possible to identify and assemble the information requested. My Department is compiling the data sought by the Deputy in this regard and I shall forward it to him as soon as possible.

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

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 591 and 594 together. According to recent EU Internet statistics there are over two million Internet users in Ireland. This represents user growth of 163% in the last four years and a market penetration per population of 51.2%, which compares favourably with the EU average of 48.9%. However, the relatively low ranking of Ireland against other European...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (25 Jan 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 independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. Technological advances have brought broadband to the forefront of communications in just a few years but the service providers have not risen...