Results 9,601-9,620 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Corrib Gas Field: Statements. (4 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I welcome the opportunity to address the House on this matter, which has seen significant developments in recent days. I am delighted with these developments and they offer an opportunity for both sides to move forward. Over the past three months, I have been endeavouring to create the conditions that would allow this matter to be resolved. During that time, following contact through an...

Corrib Gas Field: Statements. (4 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: This would leave us 80% dependent on imports. Do people think the State should gamble as much as €20 million of taxpayer's money per well at odds of over 30:1? The remaining option left to the State is to license the private sector to undertake this risk and accrue the associated reward after a 25% tax take. The rationale behind the current terms is to encourage exploration in Irish waters....

Corrib Gas Field: Statements. (4 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: That would ensure that Deputy Broughan's choice would be the first option, to leave them in the ground.

Corrib Gas Field: Statements. (4 Oct 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I have stated previously, and will continue to state, that if the situation changes and Ireland emerges as a potentially productive area like Norway or the North Sea where there are some 7,000 wells, the Government will not hesitate to introduce terms which secure a higher take for the Irish people. Deputies will have an opportunity to make statements on the Corrib issue. I look forward to a...

Written Answers — Communications Masts: Communications Masts (29 Sep 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The limits for non-ionising radiation are global limits established internationally by the International Commission for Non Ionising Radiation Protection, ICNIRP. The maximum frequency emissions permissible in any one location are governed by these guidelines which are set at levels which are many times less than the experimental levels at which no adverse effects have been established....

Written Answers — Television Services: Television Services (29 Sep 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The recommendations of the Task Force on Emigration will be amongst the factors I will take into account when considering RTE's public service remit in the context of the forthcoming broadcasting legislation. Notwithstanding RTE's statutory mandate, as defined in section 28(1) of the Broadcasting Act 2001, to provide that its radio and television services shall be made available, in so far as...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Legislation: Broadcasting Legislation (29 Sep 2005)

Noel Dempsey: A sum of €6.5 million is contained in subhead I.3 of the 2005 Estimates for the current and capital funding of the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland, BCI. Section 19(1)(c) of the Broadcasting Act 2001 required the BCI to prepare a children's advertising code, which was introduced by the BCI on 1 January 2005. The implementation, monitoring and managing of the code is a matter for the BCI...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (28 Sep 2005)

Noel Dempsey: In December 2003, my Department established a bio-energy strategy group to make recommendations on policy options for the development of bio-energy in Ireland. The group comprised representatives of my Department, Sustainable Energy Ireland, the Department of Agriculture and Food, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, COFORD, Teagasc and industry representatives....

Written Answers — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (28 Sep 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The Government does not consider that there is a case for a State exploration company and I would offer the following facts to the Deputy to support that view. Between the late 1960s and 1987 Ireland had made one commercial discovery — the Kinsale Head gas field, KHGF — with recoverable reserves of 1.7 trillion cubic feet, TCF, equivalent to 48.113 standard cubic metres. In the same...

Written Answers — Communications Masts: Communications Masts (28 Sep 2005)

Noel Dempsey: There is no ionising radiation associated with communications masts. In June of 2003 my Department instigated an extensive communications site survey programme to measure non-ionising radiation from telecommunications mast sites, which was carried out by the Commission for Communication Regulation, ComReg, during 2003 and 2004. The total number of sites surveyed was 401. Not one of these...

Written Answers — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (28 Sep 2005)

Noel Dempsey: There was no deal done between the Government and Shell in relation to the development of the Corrib gas field. Approvals and consents were given in accordance with the various legislative provisions governing petroleum development both onshore and offshore Ireland. The details of the approvals and consents issued are available on my Department's website, www.dcmnr.ie. All statutory approvals...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (28 Sep 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, is a matter in the first instance for the private sector companies operating in a fully-liberalised market, regulated by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. My Department's website www.broadband.gov.ie gives full details of broadband availability in all areas, including digital subscriber lines,...

Written Answers — Departmental Contracts: Departmental Contracts (28 Sep 2005)

Noel Dempsey: In the time available, it has not been possible to identify and assemble the information requested. My Department is compiling the data sought by the Deputy in this regard and I shall forward it to him as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (28 Sep 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The initial alternative energy requirement, AER, VI competition public service obligations, PSO, order, entitled the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 (Public Service Obligations) (Amendment) Order 2004, was signed on 21 April 2004. I signed the second PSO, entitled the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 (Public Service Obligations) (Amendment) Order 2005, on 20 July last.

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (28 Sep 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The information requested by the Deputy is outlined in the following table:

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (28 Sep 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, is a matter in the first instance for the private sector companies operating in a fully-liberalised market, regulated by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. Market forces, and the availability of suitable infrastructure and backhaul, will determine whether a company offers broadband in any area. A...

Written Answers — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (28 Sep 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The central and regional fisheries boards devote considerable effort and resources, in collaboration with Tourism Ireland, to the promotion of angling abroad. I understand, however, that the overall decline in angling tourism is not unique to Ireland but reflects a trend widespread in Europe. The report of the tourism policy review group to the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism in...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (28 Sep 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I am committed to the development and promotion of a biofuels market in Ireland's transport fuel sector, and to the development of alternative fuels which can contribute to emissions reductions and security of supply. In 2004, my Department secured an amendment to the Finance Act 1999, which provides for the introduction of a pilot scheme for mineral oil tax relief for biofuels which is...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Legislation: Broadcasting Legislation (28 Sep 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I have no plans to introduce further legislation to cater for the needs of persons with hearing difficulties. The Deputy will be aware that section 53 of the Disability Act 2005, amends section 19(11) of the Broadcasting Act 2001. Section 19(11) provided that the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland, BCI, shall make rules requiring each broadcaster to take specified steps to promote the...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (28 Sep 2005)

Noel Dempsey: An Post is a commercial State body and the question of pension increases in the company is a matter for the board of that company.