Results 9,141-9,160 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (1 Dec 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I have no function as regards this matter as the Commission for Communications Regulation is responsible for the appointment of the economic and technical consultants with regard to the postcode project. Following on from the recommendations of the working group report, consideration of the feasibility, design and implementation of a practical postcode project proposal is being advanced. In...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (1 Dec 2005)

Noel Dempsey: Phase 1 of this programme has delivered fibre optic networks to 19 towns and cities throughout the country, which were built on time and under budget. The remaining seven in Sligo and the north east are due to be handed over by the end of the year. This programme has been extended to over 90 towns in various locations nationwide. Design and procurement has already commenced in several regions...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (1 Dec 2005)

Noel Dempsey: In order to examine the introduction of a postcode system in Ireland, I established a working group of people with experience of the postal sector, together with a representative from the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, which is the lead Department for the Irish spatial data infrastructure initiative, to examine the issue of the introduction of a postcode system in...

Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (30 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 146 and 147, and 152 to 159, inclusive, together. Overall responsibility for the national climate change strategy rests with the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. With regard to targets, the strategy made a range of proposals and gave indicative quantities of reductions in the emission of greenhouse gases. For the energy sector the...

Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (30 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The Government and An Post share the objective of maintaining a viable nationwide post office network through a strategy of maximising the volume of both public and private sector business handled by the network. Notwithstanding the commercial remit of An Post, the Government recognises the social benefits of maintaining the nationwide post office network. Accordingly, An Post development...

Written Answers — Semi-State Bodies: Semi-State Bodies (30 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I have no proposal from Bord na Móna plc to increase the statutory borrowing limit. Any such proposal would be considered on its merits. I am not aware of any immediate pressure on the existing limit.

Written Answers — Broadcasting Legislation: Broadcasting Legislation (30 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: Section 19(1)(c) of the Broadcasting Act 2001, provides that the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland shall prepare a code specifying standards to be complied with and rules and practices to be observed in respect of advertising on both television and radio which relate to matters likely to be of direct or indirect interest to children. The commission published a children's advertising code,...

Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (30 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: Details of the key energy drivers in terms of meeting the sector's obligations under the national climate change strategy are set out in chapter 4 of that document. The primary economic instrument for dealing with the NCCS targets is the EU's emissions trading scheme. Since the NCCS was published, the emissions trading scheme has been agreed and commenced operation on a pilot basis. It covers...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (30 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 161 and 162 together. The reference to the closure and cessation of coal firing at Moneypoint under the national climate change strategy does not amount to a requirement. Commercial decisions regarding the future of the plant are a matter in the first instance for ESB. On 29 July 2004, my predecessor and current Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (29 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I have announced publicly a new support programme to increase the consumption of electricity from renewable energy sources from approximately 5% currently to 13.2% by 2010. This target to more than double output in a five-year period will require developers to more than double the 675 MW currently available to 1,450 MW by the 2010 deadline. The new support mechanism moves from competitive...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (29 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, is a matter in the first instance for the fully liberalised private sector, regulated by ComReg, the independent Commission for Communications Regulation. The question of enabling telephone exchanges for broadband is an operational matter for Eircom, and I have no function in the matter. My Department's website...

Written Answers — Gas Network: Gas Network (29 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to answer Questions Nos. 234 and 238 together. As Deputies will be aware, I have commissioned an independent safety review of the onshore, upstream section of the Corrib gas pipeline. The consultants, Advantica, have critically examined all relevant documentation on the design, construction and operation of the pipeline and the associated facilities. This review included a public...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (29 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: On 29 July 2004, my predecessor, Deputy Dermot Ahern, gave shareholder approval to ESB for a €368 million environmental retrofit project at the 900MW coal fired Moneypoint power station in County Clare. It is intended that the project would be completed by January 2008 in line with EU directive requirements. In effect, the approval of the project secures the future of the coal-firing plant...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (29 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The total installed capacity of CHP to date is 145 MWe, of which 27 MWe was installed since 2000. Aughinish Alumina is scheduled to commission an additional 150 MWe shortly. The main current market in Ireland is for gas-fired CHP in industry, commerce and the services sector for which there are mature CHP technologies and a developed supply chain. Last year, my Department established a CHP...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (29 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: Ten staff members from within the units of my Department decentralising to Clonakilty have formally accepted transfer offers to that location. Five members of staff in areas of the Department relocating to Drogheda have formally accepted offers to transfer there. A total of 18 staff members currently within areas in the Department due to decentralise to Cavan have formally committed to move...

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (29 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The appraisal and evaluation of capital expenditure projects within the aegis of my Department is undertaken in accordance with the Guidelines for the Appraisal and Management of Capital Expenditure Proposals in the Public Sector, as issued by the Department of Finance in January 2005. In accordance with those guidelines, cost benefit analyses are generally undertaken on projects over €50...

Written Answers — Mobile Telephony: Mobile Telephony (24 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I have no function in the setting of pricing for phone services. Pricing is a matter, in the first instance, for the mobile phone operators. The regulation of telecommunications operators, including regulatory issues surrounding pricing by mobile operators, is the responsibility of the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, in accordance with the requirements of the Communications...

Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (24 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The matter of post office robberies is an operational matter for the board and management of An Post and one in which I have no statutory function.

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (24 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: My Department has four unestablished geologists on contracts which are, under the Fixed Term Working Act 2004, of indefinite duration, who are engaged on in-house work in the geological survey and exploration and mining division. My Department also employs a temporary radio officer in the Irish Coast Guard, covering for an employee on long-term sick leave. Under public service policy on staff...

Written Answers — Electronic Communications Infrastructure: Electronic Communications Infrastructure (23 Nov 2005)

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. The Government is addressing the infrastructure deficit by building high-speed open access metropolitan area networks in 120 towns and cities...