Results 9,721-9,740 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (22 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: An Post is a commercial State body and the question of pension increases in the company is one in which I have no function. A recently published assessors' report, commissioned by the Labour Court, on foot of negotiations between An Post and its unions, recommended that a 5% pay increase, backdated to 1 January 2005, be implemented by the end of June 2005. I understand that An Post intends to...

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (22 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: In the time available, it has not been possible to identify and assemble all the information sought by the Deputy. My Department is compiling the relevant material and I will write to the Deputy in this regard as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Mine Sites: Mine Sites (21 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I expect to make a decision in the near future. The summer or Dáil recess is irrelevant to the process. The availability of topsoil in significant volumes may be of use in any future remediation plans for the area.

Written Answers — Harbour Authorities: Harbour Authorities (21 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The harbour master at Killybegs Fishery Harbour Centre is currently suspended pending the outcome of an internal disciplinary investigation. In the interim, arrangements have been made to have the harbour master duties carried out by the assistant harbour master at Killybegs in a temporary acting capacity. It would not be appropriate for me to anticipate the outcome of the disciplinary...

Written Answers — Natural Gas Grid: Natural Gas Grid (21 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I do not accept the position set out by the Deputy in his question. The consent by my predecessor for the construction of the Corrib gas field pipeline was given only after all aspects of the safety of the proposed pipeline had been considered and the then Minister was fully satisfied that the safety aspects would be carried out to the highest possible standard. It should be noted that the...

Written Answers — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (21 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I have no power to direct the developers of the Corrib gas field to process the gas offshore. The developers of the field were given the necessary approvals and consents from my Department for the development of the field after careful consideration was given to the applications. Those approvals and consents were given under various statutes, that is, the Petroleum and Other Minerals...

Written Answers — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (21 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The plan of development approval given for the Corrib gas field in April 2002 by the then Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources was for a sub-sea development with an onshore terminal. Moreover, the developers have planning permission for an onshore terminal. Offshore processing for the Corrib gas field was not the preferred development option, as it would mean that production would be...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (21 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: Although the provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, is a matter for the fully liberalised private sector, the delivery of broadband is dependent on access by the sector to suitable infrastructure. Unfortunately, investment by the sector in broadband infrastructure has failed to keep pace with the demand for broadband services. Since March 2002, the Government has been...

Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (21 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I understand an interim reply, as well as an acknowledgement, was sent to the Deputy. While the document predates the Freedom of Information Act, my Department considered that it should be dealt with in the context of the principles set out in the Act. This required consideration of issues concerning commercial sensitivity and also the views of the main parties to the report. That...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (21 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The regulation of telecommunications operators, including pricing for mobile services, is the responsibility of the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, in accordance with the requirements of the Communications (Regulation) Act 2002 and regulations made under the EU regulatory framework for electronic communications.

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (16 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: Table 1 shows the budgets and outturns for expenditure and receipts together with the amounts surrendered to the Exchequer in the period 1997 to 2004. As the surrender to the Exchequer in any one year is a function of both expenditure and receipts in that year, it is not possible to identify the projects in respect of which the surrenders in the years 1997 to 2004, inclusive, were earmarked....

Written Answers — Company Takeovers: Company Takeovers (15 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I have no statutory function in the matter raised by the Deputy. Decisions taken by the company to which he refers, or any other operator in a fully liberalised market, to acquire another company are a commercial matter for that company and the Competition Authority and not one in which I have a function.

Written Answers — Alternative Fuels: Alternative Fuels (15 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 9, 19, 28, 41, 43, 47, 76, 198, 208 to 211, inclusive, and 242 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 market in Ireland's transport fuel sector, and to the development of alternative fuels which can contribute to emissions...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (15 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 10, 15, 48, 51, 70, 75, 172, 213 and 218 together. The latest available broadband figures from Eurostat relate to 2004, and are now almost six months old. They show, however, that Ireland is placed 20th of 26 countries in respect of broadband connections for all enterprises. The figure in respect of large enterprises is 79%, placing Ireland in 16th place....

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (15 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 and 190 together. A migration to digital television is under way in most EU countries. Different technologies apply to the broadcasting of television services and new technologies are emerging all the time. I expect that all television broadcasting will eventually be on a digital basis. This will provide benefits to viewers, including more channels and...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (15 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 12, 16, 66, 100, 171, 174, 199, 212, 222, 223 and 240 together. The 13.2% target relates to all renewable energy and is not based on wind energy alone. Taking account of the mix of technologies, this would require about 1,400 MW connected. Statistics for 2003, the most recently available at this time, quantify the outputs by renewable energy technologies in...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (15 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 14, 94, 206, 207 and 231 together. My colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, has lead responsibility for Government policy on meeting Ireland's target under the Kyoto Protocol. The energy sector will make its contribution to meeting our obligations under the Kyoto Protocol through participation in the EU emissions trading...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (15 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 17, 18, 68, 71, 81, 113, 192, 194, 195, 196 and 197 together. There will continue to be a key national role for An Post, both in delivery of mail and as a quality service provider through its nationwide network of post office outlets. The market for traditional postal and post office services is changing globally and meeting customer needs has become more...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (15 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 21, 22, 27, 65, 72, 82, 89, 109, 173, 176, 181 to 184, inclusive, and 220 together. I have no function in regulating pricing for phone services, market access or market share. The regulation of telecommunications operators, including pricing for mobile services and market access, is the responsibility of the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, in...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (15 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I am aware of the report on an electricity supply strategy for the UK published last month and referred to by the Deputy in his question. The report emphasises the importance of investment in energy research and development, suggests that large-scale non-carbon electricity generation will be needed to meet the UK's ambitious CO2 targets and urges a review of the existing regulatory...