Results 9,421-9,440 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (12 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 96 and 285 together. Since 1996 there have been offshore petroleum discoveries or "shows" at four locations: the Corrib discovery in 1996 in the Slyne-Erris Basin west of Ireland; the Seven Heads Field, originally discovered in 1984 but declared commercial in May 2002; the Connemara discovery in 1997 in the North Porcupine Basin west of Ireland; and the Dooish...

Written Answers — Energy Market: Energy Market (12 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: As the Deputy is aware, in November 2004 the all-island energy market development framework was published jointly by Mr. Barry Gardiner, MP, the then Northern Ireland Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment and myself. The framework document, which was produced in collaboration with the two energy regulators and involved widespread consultation with industry and other energy...

Written Answers — Television Reception: Television Reception (12 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 99, 132 and 173 together. Digital television is already available in Ireland. Both cable-MMDS operators and satellite operators provide subscription digital television services to an estimated 40% of Irish television households. It is estimated that 28% of households receive analogue cable-MMDS services, and 32% of households avail of analogue terrestrial...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (12 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: With globalisation, liberalisation and developments in technology which are changing the way people communicate, all national postal operators, including An Post, have to change very rapidly to stay competitive and commercial in the European postal market. This reflects the change in the market from one dominated by letters to one dominated by parcels and direct mail. Both of these areas are...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (12 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I have been apprised of the comments made by the UK Minister for Energy in respect of the outlook for UK gas supplies this winter. Bilateral contact between my Department and the Department of Industry in the UK has clarified that the Minister recently sounded a note of caution for UK businesses that do not book firm gas supplies and capacities in advance. Such businesses may face...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (12 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: VoIP is the technical term for the transmission of voice over telecommunications networks using the Internet protocol standard. The increased use of Internet protocol technology is changing the way telecommunications networks are designed and operated. It is expected that the early adoption of this technology will lead to the more cost effective delivery of telecommunications in the future. A...

Written Answers — Digital Hub: Digital Hub (12 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 103, 139, 247 and 248 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 initiatives as part...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (12 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: My Department operates a number of fiscal incentive programmes aimed at promoting the integration of renewable technologies. To date in Ireland, 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 competitions. Last month, I announced a...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (12 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 108 and 260 together. Local loop unbundling, LLU, is mandated by a European Council Regulation and responsibility for its implementation is a matter for the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, under the Communications Regulation Act 2002 and the transposed EU Regulatory Framework for Electronic Communications Networks and Services. ComReg is...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (12 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 109, 110, 147, 163, 179, 185, 244, 252, 253, 277, 278 and 286 together. My Department is responsible for the promotion and development of renewable energy including biofuels and I am committed to the development and promotion of a biofuels sector in Ireland's transport fuel market, which will contribute to emissions reductions and overall security of supply....

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (12 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: Prior to 1995 the oil companies in Ireland were obliged to meet a substantial portion of Ireland's oil stockholding obligations. This system proved unsatisfactory however, and under the European Communities (Minimum Stocks of Petroleum Oils) Regulations 1995, responsibility for the maintenance of strategic oil stockholding was removed from the industry and vested in a new State body, the...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (12 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: SI No. 307 of 2003, the European Communities (Electronic Communications Networks and Services) (Framework) Regulations 2003, provides for the establishment and operation of independent appeal panels to hear and determine appeals of decisions made by the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. As ComReg is therefore a party to the appeals process and the appeals panel is independent...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (12 Oct 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. I believe that there will continue to be a key national role for An Post, both in delivery of mails and as a quality service provider through its nationwide network of post office outlets. The market for traditional postal and post office...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (12 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The management of the .ie domain name is carried out by IE Domain Name Registry Limited. It is responsible for the setting of the fees and for the day-to-day management of all aspects of the administration of the registry. The registry recently announced that it has over 50,000 customers. In relation to the regulation of the .ie domain name, I propose to bring proposals to the Houses of the...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (12 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 117 and 240 together. The Commission for Energy Regulation is an independent body under paragraph 9 in the Schedule to the Electricity Regulation Act 1999. I have no statutory function in this matter.

Written Answers — Mobile Telephony: Mobile Telephony (12 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I have no function in the matter raised by the Deputy. Rollout of 3G mobile telephony is an operational matter for the 3G licence holders. Responsibility for the regulation of electronic communication service providers rests with the independent regulator, the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, under section 10 (1)(d) of the Communications Regulation Act 2002 and the transposed...

Written Answers — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (12 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The Deputy will be aware that I received a positive response to my indication that the Government would appoint a mediator provided both sides indicated their willingness to participate in the mediation process. I am in the process of identifying a mediator to undertake this work. On 25 August last I appointed Advantica consultants to conduct a safety review of the Corrib onshore upstream gas...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (12 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: When this matter was brought to my attention, I arranged to have the matter formally referred to the Garda Síochána with a request for an investigation. I understand that the gardaí are conducting an investigation into the matter. That investigation is solely a matter for the Garda Síochána and I have no role in that investigation. As the timeframe and conduct of the investigation are...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Fund: Broadcasting Fund (12 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The EU Commission recently notified Ireland of its decision not to object to the proposed broadcasting funding scheme on the basis that it considers that the scheme is compatible with the relevant provisions of the EC treaty. I will now write to the chairman of the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland formally approving the scheme. This will allow the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland to...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (12 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: E-net has taken charge of all 19 metropolitan area networks under phase 1 of the MANs programme. This handover phase has been ongoing over the course of the last year with different networks coming on stream at different stages. It is E-net's responsibility to manage, maintain and operate the networks. Activity has now begun on the networks with several customer contracts being signed by...