Results 9,561-9,580 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (4 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: Historically, support for new renewable energy powered electricity generating plants in Ireland, operated by my Department, was based on a competitive tendering process. In April 2005 I announced a change from competitive tendering to a feed-in tariff under the existing legislative basis in section 39 of the Electricity Regulation Act 1999. I have no plans to propose changes to this...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (4 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I am favourably disposed towards the introduction of postcodes because of the case made that a national postcode system would offer significant potential benefits for the postal business, for public utilities, for business and for consumers and the general public including addressing the issue of non-unique addresses. To examine the matter further, I established a working group comprising...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (4 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: My Department employs three specialists in petroleum exploration plus technical support staff whose work includes the assessment of offshore prospects on a regional basis. This work is done in particular for every licensing round. These specialists have an accumulated 65 years experience of the Irish offshore within my Department, in addition to industry experience. Other expertise is...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Legislation: Broadcasting Legislation (4 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 331 and 332 together. Section 9 of the Broadcasting (Major Events Television Coverage) (Amendment) Act 2003 requires me to carry out a review of designated events not later than three years after the passing of the 2003 Act, that is to say, not later than April 2006. It is my intention to undertake this review later this year. It is also my intention to deal...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (4 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I refute the Deputy's statement that project splitting has worked to the disadvantage of the local community. Where aspects of the development covered by legislation administered by my Department required consultation with local people, this was carried out in accordance with the requisite statutory provisions. The overall Corrib project required separate statutory approvals, consent and...

Report of Comptroller and Auditor General: Motion. (4 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: For the Government, the report proves that the vast majority of projects that are transforming the nation have been undertaken professionally and cost-effectively. As my colleague said, it also directs us to areas that require more rigorous attention. The Government has presided over an era of unprecedented growth. The Opposition has obviously no experience of this kind of growth. It is more...

Report of Comptroller and Auditor General: Motion. (4 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: An inexperienced Opposition does this all the time. However, it is a little more difficult to move from data to analysis and this is where the problem lies——

Report of Comptroller and Auditor General: Motion. (4 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: It is more challenging to take that extra step from analysis to ensuring that the bad practice is eliminated. The Government faces up to the more challenging process every day which has radically improved many things——

Report of Comptroller and Auditor General: Motion. (4 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: If the Government adopted the "data to blame" route every time there was an air crash or a near miss, the pilot or the airline would be blamed by all.

Report of Comptroller and Auditor General: Motion. (4 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: As is always the case for the Opposition, we would have the fleeting pleasure of finger-wagging to get headlines but this would not lead to much improvement in air safety.

Report of Comptroller and Auditor General: Motion. (4 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: We analyse the data——

Report of Comptroller and Auditor General: Motion. (4 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: ——and develop the new guidelines for the future. We do this because we are a good Government.

Report of Comptroller and Auditor General: Motion. (4 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: We take the data provided by the Comptroller and Auditor General's office, analyse it and put methods in place to address the problems identified. We do this within a very particular framework. This is the difference between good government and micro-managing.

Report of Comptroller and Auditor General: Motion. (4 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: It is very difficult for the Opposition Members to listen to the truth. I ask them to afford me the courtesy because I did not interrupt any speaker tonight.

Report of Comptroller and Auditor General: Motion. (4 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The key difference between good government and micro-management is that a good Government does not and should not meddle in the operation of those bodies set up to execute policy on a day-to-day basis.

Report of Comptroller and Auditor General: Motion. (4 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: My Department has a wide-ranging and complex economic remit. It makes a key contribution to growth, competitiveness and balanced regional development. In the context of such a diverse remit, my objective has been to commit and deploy available resources to programmes which contribute to economic competitiveness, sustainability and social and regional balance. My Department's overall capital...

Report of Comptroller and Auditor General: Motion. (4 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: Given its large capital projects portfolio, my Department welcomes the planned reform of public sector contract procurement. My Department has for some time applied fixed price contracting to projects in the fishery harbour and broadband programmes. Despite the criticisms currently being levelled at this methodology, the projects have worked well from the point of view of the Department, the...

Report of Comptroller and Auditor General: Motion. (4 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: ——the Comptroller and Auditor General's report. On the other hand, the Government must use it positively.

Report of Comptroller and Auditor General: Motion. (4 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The Deputy sitting on those benches should not refer to high pedestals. I could talk about glasshouses and people in them if I wished. The Government uses the report positively. The overwhelming majority of State projects are being run to vigorous standards and are delivering value for money. The Comptroller and Auditor General's report demonstrates that unprecedented growth carries with it...

Report of Comptroller and Auditor General: Motion. (4 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The report has caused the Opposition to indulge in cheap point-scoring in a typical effort to——