Results 9,201-9,220 of 21,588 for speaker:Denis Naughten

Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (14 Dec 2016)

Denis Naughten: I withdraw that comment, and I apologise for it. There were meetings with the then Minister, Alex White, on this in the past and the issue consistently has been to try to come up with a satisfactory and workable definition. The Deputy is proposing the introduction of a 40% quota for Irish music to be played by Irish radio stations. The definition in the Bill is extremely vague and I do...

Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (14 Dec 2016)

Denis Naughten: A quota system was also introduced in South Africa in July of this year. Difficulties have arisen with the implementation of this quota. The Johannesburg based station Metro FM, for example, has lost over 3 million listeners since the introduction of a quota as its play lists have changed significantly. This is a serious loss of revenue and not a situation I would like to see in Ireland...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Funding (14 Dec 2016)

Denis Naughten: The Protecting Uplands and Rural Environments (PURE) initiative was established in 2006 to combat illegal dumping and fly-tipping in the Wicklow/Dublin Uplands. PURE is a partnership project and incorporates statutory and non-statutory organisations, including Wicklow, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown and South Dublin County Councils, Coillte, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, and the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Tax Code (14 Dec 2016)

Denis Naughten: Consumers already pay a fee for the disposal of their old tyres whenever they buy new ones. However, this fee exists as an informal charge applied by tyre retailers. There is no accountability associated with this fee and no certainty for the consumer that it is being used for its intended purpose. The level of illegal stockpiles would suggest that it is often not properly applied....

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Schemes (14 Dec 2016)

Denis Naughten: The Warmth and Well-being scheme is a pilot initiative being delivered under the Government’s Strategy to Combat Energy Poverty and the Healthy Ireland Framework. The scheme intends to demonstrate the positive effects that making their homes warmer and more energy efficient can have on the health and well-being of people in energy poverty who are living with a chronic respiratory...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Waste Disposal (14 Dec 2016)

Denis Naughten: Waste Management planning, including infrastructure provision, is the responsibility of local authorities under Part II of the Waste Management Act, 1996. I am precluded under section 60(3) of the Waste Management Act, 1996 from the exercise of any power or control in relation to the performance by a local authority, in particular circumstances, of a statutory function vested in it under the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Waste Disposal Charges (13 Dec 2016)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 569 to 571, inclusive, together. My Department is currently reviewing, together with the regulatory authorities and industry representatives, the introduction of an incentivised pricing system, such as pay by weight, for household waste collection. The review is due to be completed by July 2017.Incentivised pricing aims to encourage...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Waste Management Regulations (13 Dec 2016)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 572 and 573 together. The treatment and management of waste material is subject to a registration and permitting system by local authorities or licensing by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as appropriate, and governed by the Waste Management (Facility Permit & Registration) Regulations 2007 or the Waste Management (Licensing) Regulations...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Expenditure (13 Dec 2016)

Denis Naughten: I can confirm to the Deputy that the engagement of photography service providers by my Department operates within the parameters of value for money. Where possible, every effort is made to minimise costs. The policy of selection and contracting of photography services for the Department is carried out as part of competitive procurement processes in line with Office of Government Procurement...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Consultancy Contracts Data (13 Dec 2016)

Denis Naughten: I refer to the reply to Question No. 800 of 19 July 2016 relating to this matter which gives details of reports commissioned between March 2011 and July 2016. The additional information required in relation to reports commissioned since then is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible. 

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Public Relations Contracts Data (13 Dec 2016)

Denis Naughten: My Departmental remit includes complex policy areas, oversight of State regulation and service provision across key strategic services such as energy, public broadcasting and the environment, and regulation of sectors such as mining and hydrocarbon exploration. Given the technical complexity, economic significance and community interest in these areas, there is a requirement to...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Mobile Telephony Services (13 Dec 2016)

Denis Naughten: The management of radio spectrum is a statutory function of the independent regulator of the telecommunications sector, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). Licences issued by ComReg impose terms and conditions on mobile network operators – including minimum population coverage obligations. ComReg monitors compliance in this regard by means of biannual drive...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Television Reception (13 Dec 2016)

Denis Naughten: RTÉ is responsible for the roll-out, coverage and operation of the SAORVIEW digital terrestrial television (DTT) network and I, as Minister, have no function in this matter. The Broadcasting Act 2009 requires RTÉ to provide digital coverage to the same extent as provided over the previous analogue network, i.e. 98% population coverage, and I am advised by RTÉ...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Service Provision (13 Dec 2016)

Denis Naughten: The National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to deliver high speed broadband services to every city, town, village and individual premises in Ireland. The Programme for Government commits to the delivery of the NBP as a matter of priority.  This is being achieved through a combination of commercial investment by the telecommunications sector and a State intervention in those...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Ministerial Correspondence (13 Dec 2016)

Denis Naughten: I wish to inform the Deputy that I use both my Department and Oireachtas email accounts for work purposes. I do not use an unsecured account to receive or send official business emails.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Broadband Plan Implementation (13 Dec 2016)

Denis Naughten: The National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to deliver high speed broadband services to every city, town, village and individual premises in Ireland. The Programme for Government commits to the delivery of the NBP as a matter of priority.  This is being achieved through a combination of commercial investment by the telecommunications sector and a State intervention in those...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadcasting Sector (13 Dec 2016)

Denis Naughten: RTÉ is an independent national public service broadcaster whose remit and obligations are set out in the Broadcasting Act 2009. Section 114 (1) of the Broadcasting Act 2009 states the principal objects and associated powers of RTÉ and Section 98 provides that it shall be independent in the pursuance of these objects, subject to the requirements of the Act. While it remains...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Waste Disposal Charges (13 Dec 2016)

Denis Naughten: My Department is currently reviewing, together with the regulatory authorities and industry representatives, the introduction of an incentivised pricing system, such as pay by weight, for household waste collection. The review is due to be completed by July 2017. Incentivised pricing aims to encourage householders to prevent, reduce and segregate their waste and also...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Bord na Móna (13 Dec 2016)

Denis Naughten: Bord na Móna is a commercial State company operating under the Turf Development Acts 1946 to 1998. The matters raised by the Deputy are operational in nature and not ones in which I, as Minister, have any function.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Bord na Móna (13 Dec 2016)

Denis Naughten: Bord na Móna is a commercial State Company operating under the Turf Development Acts 1946 to 1998. The matters raised by the Deputy are operational in nature and not ones in which I as Minister, have any function.