Results 9,281-9,300 of 21,588 for speaker:Denis Naughten

Other Questions: Brexit Issues (6 Dec 2016)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Question Nos. 40 and 45 together. Substantial work has been and continues to be undertaken across Government to identify the key strategic, policy and operational risks following the outcome of the referendum on EU membership in the UK in June. A Cabinet committee chaired by An Taoiseach, of which I am a member, has been set up to consider all potential...

Priority Questions: National Broadband Plan (6 Dec 2016)

Denis Naughten: The fact is that there are services on the way for the vast majority of customers across the country in advance of the roll-out of the national broadband plan. That is why we are focusing immediately on implementation of the task force's report on mobile phone and broadband services. We will publish the results in the next couple of weeks. The contract based on EU state aid rules must be...

Priority Questions: Mobile Telephony Services (6 Dec 2016)

Denis Naughten: If people are experiencing difficulty with mobile phone coverage, they should, please, first, go to the company involved and, second, to ComReg to express their frustration. That is vitally important. From talking to many Deputies and colleagues in west Cork and throughout the country, it appears that in areas where there had been excellent reception people are now experiencing decreased or...

Priority Questions: Mobile Telephony Services (6 Dec 2016)

Denis Naughten: I have accepted the challenge the Deputy put to me. That is why, during the talks on the programme for Government, I proposed the establishment of a task force to deal with the problems with mobile phone coverage and wireless and mobile broadband services. The task force was established in July and will publish its recommendations in the coming weeks. However, I have not waited for it to...

Priority Questions: Mobile Telephony Services (6 Dec 2016)

Denis Naughten: Everybody has a right to the same service, no matter where he or she lives. That is why I ensured the task force would include representatives of rural communities across the country who were experiencing at first hand problems with mobile phone coverage. I have raised concerns about Three coverage in west Cork and my Department has spoken on numerous occasions with Three about the issue....

Priority Questions: Media Mergers (6 Dec 2016)

Denis Naughten: The Deputy is right, in that there is a great deal of talk about plurality. There is also a great deal of commentary as to my views on it. I have not made my views known and I am not going to. I have a decision to make and I will make it in line with the legislation. It must be emphasised that the media mergers process is a statutory, regulatory process that I, as Minister, am responsible...

Priority Questions: Media Mergers (6 Dec 2016)

Denis Naughten: I will make my decision as set out in the legislation and I am not going to take anyone else's opinion other than the advice that I am given based on the assessments, including legal and statutory, as set out in respect of this matter. That is the approach that I am going to-----

Priority Questions: Media Mergers (6 Dec 2016)

Denis Naughten: The approach that I will be taking is on my website in black and white for people to read. Based on the advice that is presented to me, I will consider the three options that are open to me. I will take the most appropriate option in that regard based on the evidence that is presented to me. I have had the opportunity to read Ms Boylan's report. It is a pity that I did not have a copy...

Priority Questions: National Broadband Plan (6 Dec 2016)

Denis Naughten: The national broadband plan aims to deliver high-speed services to every city, town, village and individual premises in Ireland. A Programme for a Partnership Government commits to the delivery of the national broadband plan as a matter of priority. This is being achieved through private investment by commercial telecommunications companies and through a State intervention in areas where...

Priority Questions: National Broadband Plan (6 Dec 2016)

Denis Naughten: The three consortia involved in the tender process have said that it is their intention to use the fibre-to-the-home solution predominantly. This will mean that homes and premises will receive up to 1,000 Mbps, well in advance of 30 Mbps. That is the challenge facing us with the national broadband plan and was one of the mistakes that was made, in that, at the time of the initial...

Priority Questions: Renewable Energy Generation Targets (6 Dec 2016)

Denis Naughten: I thank the Deputy for the question. The Energy White Paper, Ireland's Transition to a Low-Carbon Energy Future, published in December last, sets out a vision for transforming Ireland's fossil fuel-based energy sector into a clean, low-carbon system by 2050. The EU renewable energy directive set Ireland a legally binding target of meeting 16% of our energy demand from renewable sources by...

Priority Questions: Renewable Energy Generation Targets (6 Dec 2016)

Denis Naughten: I disagree that there has been paltry growth across the sector. In fairness, the Deputy has acknowledged that, on the electricity side, significant progress has been made. I accept that a lot more can be done with regard to both transport and heat. Transport falls within the competency of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Shane Ross, and heat falls within my remit. I...

Priority Questions: Renewable Energy Generation Targets (6 Dec 2016)

Denis Naughten: I confirm that the SEAI has estimated that the cost to Ireland may be in the range of €100 million to €150 million for every percentage point by which we fall short. This does not relate to fines but to having to buy off the shortfall. Whether there will be fines is a completely separate matter. On the burden on transport, policy responsibility lies with the Department of...

Priority Questions: Media Mergers (6 Dec 2016)

Denis Naughten: Following approval by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, notification of the proposed merger referenced in the question was received by me as Minister on 21 November 2016. I have 30 working days from the notification deadline of 24 November 2016 to conduct an initial, or phase 1, assessment of the case on media plurality grounds. This examination is guided by the relevant...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Campaign (6 Dec 2016)

Denis Naughten: I thank Senator Swanick for the opportunity to address this issue. Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas which is produced when fossil fuels such as coal, wood, petrol, oil or gas do not have enough oxygen to burn completely. Unlike radon gas, carbon monoxide is produced when fuels are burned and can be produced in homes with poor ventilation, blocked chimneys or damaged appliances. It was...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Campaign (6 Dec 2016)

Denis Naughten: The home renovation incentive scheme kicks in lower than €5,000. The maximum is €5,000 but there are grants below that figure. It is available for home owners. The big problem we have relates to raising awareness of radon.The Senator is right and we must put a remediation programme in place. There is not much point in telling people they have a problem unless we can assist...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Service Speeds (6 Dec 2016)

Denis Naughten: The National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to deliver high speed services to every city, town, village and individual premises in Ireland through a combination of commercial investment by the telecommunications sector and a State intervention in those areas where commercial investment has not been fully demonstrated. Of the 42,372 addresses in County Cavan, over 24,000  are  to be...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Sustainable Development Strategy (6 Dec 2016)

Denis Naughten: I welcome the interest reflected at the Sustainability Gathering 2016 and indeed note the participation of relevant officials from my own Department in the discussions that took place.  It will be important to continue this dialogue as I have responsibility for a number of key areas where policy is being progressed consistent with, and in support of, sustainable development. ...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Broadband Plan Implementation (6 Dec 2016)

Denis Naughten: In October, I signed Regulations which will allow ComReg to auction spectrum in the 3.6GHz band (Wireless telegraphy (3.6GHz Band Licences) Regulations, 2016 (S.I.  532 of 2016)).  The liberalisation of this band is an EU requirement and the release of spectrum in this band will provide an 86% increase in total spectrum available for mobile and/or fixed wireless...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadcasting Charge (6 Dec 2016)

Denis Naughten: The licence fee is distributed in accordance with Section 123 of the Broadcasting Act 2009, to both RTÉ and TG4 in order to facilitate the pursuit of their public service objectives.  In addition, 7% of the revenue goes towards the Broadcasting Fund, which is operated by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. The schemes established under this Fund provide funding in...