Results 9,181-9,200 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Bill 2005: Order for Second Stage. (17 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: At least we were in the House, unlike the Deputy. Deputy Boyle could not bring himself to sit down beside some of his Green Party colleagues.

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (16 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: This Government and the board of An Post are committed to the objective of securing a viable and sustainable post office network and a postal network for mail and parcel delivery. In so far as the post office network is concerned, notwithstanding the commercial remit of An Post, there is clear Government recognition of the social benefits of maintaining the nationwide post office network....

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (16 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The model whereby EirGrid as transmission system operator is to be separated from ESB is laid down in statutory regulations made in 2000 and 2005, in furtherance of obligations under the second electricity market directive, 2003/54/EC. ESB as the current employer and EirGrid as the prospective new employer have between them the duty to bring about the transfer of staff. Other aspects of the...

Written Answers — Radio Broadcasting: Radio Broadcasting (16 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: Across the world broadcasting services are moving from analogue to digital platforms. The pace of change in the case of television is faster than radio. In some instances, radio services are now often packaged with digital television services. Indeed, the pace of roll out and take up of digital television services has raised the profile of the analogue switch-off debate in Europe generally....

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (16 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The Broadcasting (Major Events Television Coverage) Act 1999 (Designation of Major Events) Order 2003, designates a number of sporting events as being events of major importance to society which should, in the public interest, continue to be made available on a free-to-air television service in Ireland. The purpose of designation is to prevent certain events that have traditionally been...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (16 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The legislative measures required to meet the obligations addressed to Ireland in EU Directive 2001/77/EC had previously been implemented in the Electricity Regulation Act, which liberalised the entire green electricity market prior to the directive. This legislative base is supplemented by decisions from time to time by the Commission for Energy Regulation regulating the electricity market...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (16 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 101, 138 and 164 together. 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. The principal reason for the slow roll out of broadband services generally has...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (16 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 103, 135 and 175 together. Local loop unbundling, LLU, is mandated by a European Council regulation and responsibility for its implementation is a matter for the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, under the Communications Regulation Act 2002 and the transposed EU regulatory framework for electronic communications networks and services, working...

Written Answers — Natural Gas Grid: Natural Gas Grid (16 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: Following representations made during the consultation period, my technical advisory group proposed, and I agreed, that Advantica, the consultants who are undertaking the review on my behalf, should undertake additional work related to the geo-technical behaviour of peat in the context of the planned pipeline route. The consultants are currently undertaking this additional work and, as of...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (16 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: A consultation process on an all-island vision for sustainable energy to 2020 is currently underway. Responses to a consultation paper were requested by 30 September and, following consideration by both Departments, a paper setting out options for future co-operation on the development of a long-term all-island sustainable energy strategy will be published in early 2006. The replication of...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (16 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 107, 257, 294 and 312 together. This Government is actively pursuing policies and programmes to increase the penetration of renewable energy technologies within our energy mix. In December 2003, a bioenergy strategy group, BSG, was established to consider the policy options and support mechanisms available to Government to stimulate increased use of biomass...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (16 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 108 and 172 together. Deputies will be aware that a briefing note was circulated in respect of the proposed industrial action by CWU workers in An Post. This document was circulated as I felt it important that Deputies be informed of the background and the facts relating to the industrial relations climate in An Post. The briefing note included information on...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (16 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: Draft legislative proposals for an Electronic Communications (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill are currently under preparation in my Department to enhance the enforcement powers of the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, in a number of areas. This Bill is a priority for me in the communications area and the enforcement powers are key. The Bill will mainly provide that...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (16 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I have no function in this matter. Any proposals by a commercial operator, in a fully liberalised market, to acquire or merge with another company is a commercial decision for the company.

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (16 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I have no function in regulating of pricing for telecommunications services. The regulation of telecommunications operators, including regulating of pricing for telecommunications services, is the responsibility of the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, in accordance with the requirements of the Communications Regulation Act 2002 and regulations which transpose the EU...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (16 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: An Post has been through one of the most intensive industrial relations processes imaginable. At this stage, the dispute at An Post has been before every industrial relations body that the State has to offer. Following the 14 day notice of industrial action served on the company by the CWU, which expired on Friday, 4 November, the national implementation body, NIB, at my request, has engaged...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (16 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 113, 134, 160, 179, 276, 284 and 285 together. My Department regularly reviews all aspects of the broadband market and holds discussions with broadband interest groups, both public and private, to listen to their concerns. These discussions are ongoing, occasionally involving the State bodies referred to by the Deputies, and typically cover a range of issues...

Written Answers — Prospecting Licences: Prospecting Licences (16 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 114, 183 and 310 together. The terms governing petroleum exploration and development are kept under constant review by my Department. These terms are designed to encourage interest, exploration and development. Unfortunately, prospectivity in the Irish offshore is low, as four successful exploration wells out of 121 wells over 34 years demonstrates, and...

Written Answers — Television Reception: Television Reception (16 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: RTE's mandate to provide radio and television services is defined in section 28(1) of the Broadcasting Act 2001. This Act states that the national television and sound broadcasting services required to be maintained by RTE shall have the character of a public service, continue to be a free-to-air service and to be made available, in so far as is reasonably practicable, to the whole community...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (16 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 116 and 151 together. In late 2004, the Government set a target of 400,000 broadband subscribers to be achieved by the end of 2006. Subsequently, broadband subscriber numbers have grown by 75%. The current rate of new take up for broadband is in the region of 10,000 per month and continues to grow across a range of technologies. The Government's broadband...