Results 9,221-9,240 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — Digital Hub: Digital Hub (16 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 148, 161, 176, 289, 290, 291 and 292 together. The digital hub project, managed by the independent Digital Hub Development Agency, has been and will continue to be successful in developing a digital industry cluster, as well as in regenerating an historic community area in the heart of Dublin by operating a number of significant community and educational...

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

Noel Dempsey: Ireland's modest domestic energy resources and the geographic distance from other countries make security of supply an especially important issue. Assuring security of electricity supply requires a multifaceted approach with an optimal supply mix. Responsibility for security of supply in the electricity sector rests by law since February 2005 with the energy regulator, the Commission for...

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

Noel Dempsey: The programme for Government, agreed in June 2002, states that the Government will approach the issue of the appropriate form of ownership or structure for state companies on a case-by-case basis and will support the maximum commercial freedom of semi-State companies, subject to the fulfilment of national strategic and balanced regional policy objectives. Bord na Móna's future strategy...

Written Answers — Mobile Telephony: Mobile Telephony (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 another company is a commercial decision for it.

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

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 159 and 293 together. My Department has conducted a public consultation process on future development of renewable energy to gauge market views on the most appropriate policy initiatives. This process was succeeded by the establishment of a renewable energy development group. The group is chaired by my Department and comprises relevant experts from the...

Written Answers — Port Development: Port Development (16 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The Government has endorsed my proposal, jointly agreed with my colleague, the Minister for Transport, to transfer responsibility for maritime transport and maritime safety from my Department to the Department of Transport from 1 January 2006. The decision to transfer responsibility for the major commercial seaports is being complemented by the simultaneous transfer of the following...

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

Noel Dempsey: Within the electricity market, a target is established to increase the amount of electricity consumed from renewable energy sources to 13.2% by 2010. This is regarded as a challenging target to achieve. Currently we have 675 MW of renewable capacity connected to our system and to reach the 2010 target we will have to more than double the present renewable capacity. Current industry build rate...

Written Answers — Television Licence Fee: Television Licence Fee (16 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The Broadcasting (Funding) Act 2003 provides that the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland prepare a scheme or schemes for the funding of grants to support certain television and radio programmes. The EU Commission recently notified Ireland of its decision that it considers the scheme to be compatible with the relevant provisions of the EU Treaty. I subsequently wrote to the Broadcasting...

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

Noel Dempsey: The development and continued viability of An Post and the post office network, is in the first instance, a matter for the board and management of An Post. An Post plays, and will continue to play, a key role, both in delivery of mails and as a quality service provider through its nationwide network of post office outlets. However, there is universal agreement that change is required if the...

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

Noel Dempsey: I have no function in regard to national grid access, which is primarily a matter for ESB National Grid, which is in turn regulated by the Commission for Energy Regulation. The relevant legislation is the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 and I have no power to issue directions of the type referred to.

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

Noel Dempsey: My Department is currently running procurement processes to develop a digital terrestrial television, DTT, pilot study. There are two key procurement processes. As regards the multiplex and network service provider procurement, pre-qualified tenderers have been asked to submit final tenders for early January 2006. As to transmission equipment, an open procurement process has been announced...

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

Noel Dempsey: The external advisers appointed to assist in the preparation of a detailed implementation plan for the separation of TG4, have submitted a draft report to the project management group which is chaired by my Department and includes officials from the Department of Finance and the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, along with RTE and TG4. The draft report is being examined at...

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

Noel Dempsey: My Department operates a number of fiscal incentive programmes, aimed at promoting the integration of renewable technologies. Under the AER programme, administered by my Department, 675 MW of renewable capacity has been connected with a further 175 MW under active construction. Further development will also take place from the last two rounds of competitive tendering, the AER V and AER VI...

Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (16 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The development and continued viability of An Post and the post office network is, in the first instance, a matter for the board and management of An Post. As clearly set out in An Agreed Programme for Government, this Administration and the board of An Post are committed to the objective of securing a viable and sustainable nationwide post office network. Notwithstanding the commercial remit...

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

Noel Dempsey: Neither my Department nor the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment can trace any record of the matter referred to in the question. I can advise the Deputy that I have no function in the matter of grid investment. ESB Networks and ESB National Grid manage major investment in Ireland's distribution and transmission infrastructure. The Commission for Energy Regulation has recently...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (16 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: Ireland was represented at the recent heads of state informal Council at Hampton Court London by the Taoiseach. I understand that the issue of energy formed part of a wide ranging discussion on the challenges and opportunities posed by globalisation and changing demographics in the EU. While the British Prime Minister raised the desirability of formulating a common energy policy within the...

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

Noel Dempsey: The priority issues to be addressed by the legislative proposals that will form the basis of a new Broadcasting Bill are as follows: the establishment of a single content regulator for commercial, community and public service broadcasters; the establishment of RTE as a company under the Companies Acts 1963 to 2003; the provision of a statutory mechanism for future adjustments to the level of...

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

Noel Dempsey: I have no function in relation to national grid access, which is primarily a matter for ESB National Grid, which is in turn regulated by the Commission for Energy Regulation. The relevant legislation is the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 and I have no power to issue directions of the type referred to.

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (16 Nov 2005)

Noel Dempsey: It is currently estimated that the final net return to the Exchequer arising from the sale of the business and commercial assets of the Irish National Petroleum Corporation, INPC, will be of the order of some €30 million. The INPC has already paid €20 million to the Exchequer. In November 2003, the board of the INPC, cognisant of its obligations under the Companies Acts to retain...

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

Noel Dempsey: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 94 of 16 November 2005.