Results 921-940 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Legal Costs (11 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: There was no expenditure on legal fees by my Department in 2013. The information the Deputy has 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: Postcode Implementation (11 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I will consider releasing the material in question directly to the Deputy, subject to consultation with the European Commission and any other third parties named in the correspondence.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electricity Transmission Network (11 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: On 28 January last, in response to EirGrid’s recent public consultation process, I announced that I had appointed an Independent Panel of Experts, chaired by Mrs Justice Catherine McGuinness, to decide the terms of reference for, and to oversee the integrity of a process to be undertaken by EirGrid to report on, comprehensive, route-specific studies of overhead and underground options...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electricity Transmission Network (11 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I refer to the reply to Priority Question No. 5 on today's order paper.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Post Office Network (11 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: Operational matters and the role of developing commercial strategies for the post office network are a matter for the Board and management of An Post and not one in which I have a statutory function. Information provided by the company indicates that the number of post offices closed on an annual basis over the last ten years is as follows: - 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Post Office Network (11 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I refer to the reply to Priority Question No.1 and to Questions Nos. 11, 17, 31 and 35 on today's Order Paper.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services Provision (11 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 321 and 322 together. Ireland’s telecommunications market has been fully liberalised since 1999. It has since developed into a well-regulated market, supporting a multiplicity of commercial operators, providing services over a diverse range of technology platforms. A report on the “State of Broadband” published by the International...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electricity Generation (11 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The overarching objective of the Government's energy policy is to ensure secure and sustainable supplies of competitively priced energy to all consumers. Ireland is currently heavily reliant on imported fossil fuels to meet our energy needs. While it is acknowledged that fossil fuels will remain part of the energy mix for some time to come, progress is being made towards increasing the share...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electricity Generation (11 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I propose to take Questions Nos. 324 and 327 together. Through its membership of the International Energy Agency, Ireland has regular contact with all of the leading countries who are actively promoting electric vehicles and we receive regular updates on technological progress and policies to promote electric vehicles (EVs). Technology advances will continue in the sector, with the biggest...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Corrib Gas Field (11 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I refer to the reply to Question Nos. 124 and 125 on 30 January 2014 in which I indicated that first gas from the Corrib gas field cannot be expected sooner than the first half of 2015.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Wind Energy Generation (11 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I refer to the reply to Question No. 18 on today's Order Paper. EirGrid has set out its vision for development of the national transmission system through the Grid25 Strategy which was published in October 2008. In accordance with its statutory and licence responsibilities as the Transmission System Operator (TSO) the company has prepared a Transmission Development Plan (TDP) for the period...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Resources (11 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: While the Government will continue to develop policies and actions aimed at increasing our security of supply, addressing our dependence on imported fossil fuels and achieving a more secure energy mix, while capitalising on indigenous renewable energy sources, it would not be realistic to expect that Ireland would become totally energy self-sufficient in the foreseeable future. A...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Appointments to State Boards (11 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: This Government adopted a significant innovation in 2011 to widen access for appointment to State Boards by providing that expressions of interest be sought publicly from all those that might be interested in serving on such Boards. Each year, I have invited expressions of Interest from people willing and interested in serving on the Boards of Bodies under the aegis of my Department and to...

Leaders' Questions (6 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: Good man, Seán. That is a good one.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Biofuel Availability (6 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The Biofuel Obligation Scheme was introduced in July 2010 as the primary means to meet the target of at least 10% renewable energy in transport by 2020, which was mandated by the 2009 Renewable Energy Directive. The scheme works by obligating road transport fuel suppliers to bring a certain amount of biofuel, currently 6% by volume of total transport fuel sales, to the market. This has seen...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Online Business Voucher Scheme (6 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The trading online voucher scheme which I announced in the context of the National Digital Strategy is currently in pilot phase, as planned. The scheme will provide individual qualifying businesses with a voucher of up to €2,500 to be used with the company’s own matching funding for the implementation of a trading online component to their business. The scheme is targeted at...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Better Energy Homes Scheme Administration (6 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: The Better Energy Programme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). As of February 27 2014, more than 155,000 homes have received a grant under the Better Energy Homes Scheme, with the total grants provided reaching €162 million. A further 105,000 homes have to date received a free energy efficiency upgrade under the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme,...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Post Office Network (6 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I refer to the reply to Question No. [9846/14] of 26th February 2014. The position is unchanged.

Government's Priorities for the Year Ahead: Statements (Resumed) (5 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: I wish to share time with the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Joe Costello. I welcome the opportunity to outline to the House some priorities for which I have responsibility, which are critical to the economic and social well-being of citizens and businesses across the State. The fundamental objectives of energy policy are the security,...

Leaders' Questions (5 Mar 2014)

Pat Rabbitte: For God's sake, cop on.