Results 9,361-9,380 of 21,588 for speaker:Denis Naughten

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Staff Redeployment (29 Nov 2016)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 690 to 693, inclusive, together. My Department works with other Departments and public sector organisations to provide access to development opportunities for staff by way of secondment to/from the Department. Secondments from the private sector arise in respect of skills not readily available within my Department. The...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Commission for Energy Regulation (29 Nov 2016)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 694 and 695 together. I have no statutory function in relation to matters regarding tariffs for the gas industry. Since 2002, the regulation of the gas market has been the responsibility of the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), which is independent in the performance of its functions. Decisions on the regulatory treatment of the gas network and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Funding (29 Nov 2016)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 696 to 701, inclusive, together. In the time available it has not been possible to gather the information sought. My Department is compiling the information requested and I will write to the Deputy with the information sought as a matter of urgency.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Gas and Electricity Disconnections (29 Nov 2016)

Denis Naughten: I am acutely aware of the financial challenges faced by families, businesses, charitable and voluntary organisations in dealing with energy costs. However, it is important to note that the electricity and gas markets are commercial, liberalised, and competitive and that they operate within national and European regulatory regimes. Responsibility for electricity and gas market regulation is a...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electricity Generation (29 Nov 2016)

Denis Naughten: The information sought regarding the agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each Agency. I will request the relevant bodies to reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested in respect of their organisation.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Vacancies on State Boards (29 Nov 2016)

Denis Naughten: The three current vacancies and an anticipated upcoming vacancy on the Board of EirGrid will be filled in accordance with the provisions of the European Communities (Internal Market in Electricity) Regulations 2000 (S.I. No. 445 of 2000) and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards published in November 2014.  In line with the Guidelines,...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Reports (29 Nov 2016)

Denis Naughten: I would refer the Deputy to a previous PQ 22172/16 Dail Ref: 800 answered on 19 July 2016 relating to this matter which gives details of reports commissioned since 2011.  Due to the reconfiguration of the Department it is not possible to provide information prior to 2011. While in the time available it has not been possible to update information for the interim period to date, my...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Bodies Data (29 Nov 2016)

Denis Naughten: A total of €4.31 million has been provided to An Taisce between 2010 and 2016 in respect of a range of environmental activities and public awareness initiatives which it undertakes, including: the National Spring Clean initiative; contribution to the Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) National Litter League; and the Green Schools programme. Funding was also provided from the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity (29 Nov 2016)

Denis Naughten: The EU’s Third Energy Package stipulates “where roll-out of smart meters is assessed positively, at least 80% of consumers shall be equipped with intelligent metering systems by 2020.” The majority of energy customers in Europe are expected to have an electricity smart meter by 2020 and smart meters are also being rolled out in other parts of the world including the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Non-Disclosure Agreements (29 Nov 2016)

Denis Naughten: Following legal advice, it is considered that the provision of the information requested would undermine and possibly breach any agreement that may have been entered into by my Department. The information regarding the agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each Agency. I will request the relevant bodies to reply directly to the Deputy with the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Commission for Energy Regulation (29 Nov 2016)

Denis Naughten: The regulation of telecommunications operators is the statutory responsibility of ComReg in accordance with the requirements of the Communications Regulation Act 2002 and the Regulations transposing the EU Regulatory Framework for Electronic Communications Networks and Services. In October, I signed Regulations which will allow ComReg to auction spectrum in the 3.6GHz band (Wireless...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Alternative Energy Projects (29 Nov 2016)

Denis Naughten: The introduction of a Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) is a commitment in the Programme for Government and will be the primary support mechanism in the heating sector designed to meet Ireland’s renewable energy obligations. The aim of the RHI is to build on the progress already made in the renewable heating sector and to help reach Ireland’s 12% target by 2020. In 2015,...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Ministerial Advisers Appointments (29 Nov 2016)

Denis Naughten: Special Advisers are appointed by Government under the terms and conditions set out in the ‘’ which includes the Guidelines for Staffing of Ministerial Offices. I have appointed two special advisors to my Department in accordance with the Guidelines.  No advisors have been appointed by Minister of State Kyne to my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Broadband Plan Implementation (24 Nov 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: Departmental Agencies Staff Data (24 Nov 2016)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 241 and 245 together. There are currently 19 vacancies on the Boards of State bodies under the aegis of my Department and since 6 May 2016 there have been 26 appointments made.  All of the appointments were made in accordance with the Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards which were published by the Department of Public Expenditure and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Service Provision (24 Nov 2016)

Denis Naughten: The provision of electronic telecommunications services, including broadband services occurs within a fully liberalised market, offered by competing services providers.  The regulation of services providers to the extent permitted by law regarding the provision and quality of such services and the investigation of complaints is a statutory function of the Commission for Communications...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Brexit Issues (24 Nov 2016)

Denis Naughten: The Audiovisual Media Services Directive is based upon the country of origin principle which means that TV broadcasters who obtain regulatory clearance in one Member State can make their services available in all Member States, without having to obtain separate regulatory clearances. A large number of broadcasters who have established their businesses in the UK, have obtained regulatory...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Brexit Issues (24 Nov 2016)

Denis Naughten: The Government’s Brexit Contingency Framework sets out that all Departments should identify a senior official to oversee Brexit matters and to create a Top Management sub-committee to deal specifically with the implications of Brexit for their areas of work. My Department nominated an Assistant Secretary to take lead responsibility for Brexit matters. Under the chairmanship of...

Topical Issue Debate (Resumed): Flood Prevention Measures (23 Nov 2016)

Denis Naughten: I thank Deputy Fitzmaurice for raising this issue. I am surprised that he has done so because he stated on local radio last week that he would raise the issue of rural broadband with me. He did not do that last week or this week in the House. Last week, while I was being attacked locally, I was trying to put mechanisms in place to support our local beef farmers in the context of the...

Topical Issue Debate (Resumed): Flood Prevention Measures (23 Nov 2016)

Denis Naughten: IFI emphasised that any necessary work had to be completed in advance of 30 September.