Results 9,761-9,780 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (15 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 61, 202 and 228 together. The total cost of consultancies in the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources in 2002 was €2.862 million, in 2003, €2.669 million and 2004, €2.381 million. The total cost of consultancies in the former Department of the Marine and Natural Resources in the year 2000 was €734,000 and in 2001, €2.02 million....

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

Noel Dempsey: The Deputy's question refers to mineral rights. In fact, the submission to the UN also covers petroleum rights. Once the submission is agreed by the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, UNCLCS, Ireland will designate by law the area claimed, or any part of it, for the purposes of the exploration and production of natural resources. Development and production...

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

Noel Dempsey: I am aware of the survey in question and I very much welcome the new mobility in the electricity market. Liberalisation of the electricity market has proceeded on a phased basis since February 2000 under the regulatory oversight of the Commission for Energy Regulation, the independent regulator for gas and electricity, in accordance with the Electricity Regulation Act 1999. On 19 February...

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

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 69 and 232 together. 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 businesses in general and for consumers, and facilitate the provision of a wider range of services to them. On the issue of...

Written Answers — Digital Hub: Digital Hub (15 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 73 and 203 together. The digital hub was established as an independent agency under the Digital Hub Development Act 2003. The matter of consultancy facilities engaged at or by or through it, is a matter for the agency and its board. I have no function in this regard.

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

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 74 and 185 together. It is not clear from the question what the Deputy has in mind. I would be happy to assist the Deputy with any query he has in relation to the Broadcasting Complaints Commission, providing it relates to a matter for which I have responsibility.

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

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 77 and 175 together. The markets in electricity generation and supply are now fully liberalised markets. Notwithstanding full liberalisation of these markets this Government is committed to increase the contribution from renewable energy technologies to electricity generation and consumption. The current minimum target is to increase the contribution from...

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

Noel Dempsey: I am aware of the contents of the report written by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment. A joint industry and Government fund of €18 million has been established for the broadband for schools programme, which will provide every school in the country with broadband by the beginning of 2006. This is a crucial strand in the strategy of integrating ICT into teaching and learning...

Written Answers — Digital Hub: Digital Hub (15 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 83, 95 and 205 together. The Higher Education Authority, on my behalf, recently launched a competitive tendering process for the establishment and management of a national digital media research and innovation centre, the National Digital Research Centre, or NDRC, to be located in the digital hub. The centre will complement existing Government initiatives...

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

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 85, 108 and 216 together. Prices charged for broadband services vary, depending on bandwidth and other factors. My Department's website, www.broadband.gov.ie, lists the monthly subscription fees for 190 broadband service offerings, ranging from 0.128 Mbps to upwards of 56 Mbps. Twenty-five of those service offerings are priced at €35 per month or less, which...

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

Noel Dempsey: An Post is a commercial State body and the question of pay increases in the company is one in which I have no function. An Post has a remit to be financially viable and following significant losses, which amounted to €43 million in 2003 alone, An Post management invoked the "inability to pay" clause provided for in Sustaining Progress. The key challenge for the company is to return to...

Written Answers — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (15 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I would like to inform the Deputy that a consultant has been appointed to review the quantified risk assessment, QRA, of the Corrib gas onshore pipeline. The consultant's report is expected to be received shortly. My officials are at present completing their assessment of the developers' application to install and commission the onshore pipeline. The decision in relation to this application...

Written Answers — Semi-State Bodies: Semi-State Bodies (15 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: It is positive that the financial position of RTE has improved to the extent that it has achieved modest surpluses in two successive years having incurred significant deficits of €46 million and €22 million in 2001 and 2002 respectively. Under the Broadcasting Acts 1960 to 2001, it is a matter for RTE to decide how to use the financial resources available to it to best deliver on its...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (15 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: My Department has not received any correspondence in relation to the case mentioned by the Deputy. Regulation 127, paragraph 5.1(b) of the rules governing the RTE superannuation scheme provides that: a widow's pension shall not be granted or paid under the scheme — (a) if the widow was at the time of death of the member cohabitating with a man other than the deceased as man and wife; or (b)...

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

Noel Dempsey: The scheduling of works on any project successful in AER 6 is a commercial decision for the developer concerned, providing the schedule complies with the published rules of the competition. The applicable rules, as published, provided that all onshore projects, other than "biomass fed CHP", should be built and selling electricity by 31 December 2004. The corresponding deadline for the...

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

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 97 and 189 together. Ireland's primary television stations are available throughout the country on a range of platforms including terrestrial, cable and MMDS and satellite platforms. A migration to digital television is under way in most EU countries. I expect that all television broadcasting will eventually be on a digital basis. This will provide benefits to...

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

Noel Dempsey: Work is continuing on the development of legislative proposals that will form the basis of a new broadcasting Bill. The priority issues to be addressed by the legislative proposals are the establishment of a single content regulator for both private and public service broadcasters as recommended by the forum on broadcasting; the establishment of RTE as a company under the Companies Acts 1963...

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

Noel Dempsey: As I explained to the Deputy in Question No. 229 of 31 May 2005, I am awaiting the approval of the EU Commission in relation to the compatibility of the draft scheme with the relevant provisions of the EU treaty before I formally approve the draft in accordance with section 2(1) of the Broadcasting (Funding) Act 2003. Under EU Regulations 659/1999 and 794/2004 the commission has until the end...

Written Answers — Electronic Funds Transfers: Electronic Funds Transfers (15 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: During my recent address to the Irish Postmaster's Union annual conference, I outlined that in an age where we as a Government are committed to delivering quality customer services, people must be allowed to choose their preferred method of payment. I pointed out that over 65% of new social welfare recipients opted for alternatives to the post office because of the convenience of electronic...

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

Noel Dempsey: Sustainable Energy Ireland, SEI, which was established as a statutory agency in May 2002, implements a wide variety of programmes on energy efficiency and renewable energy on behalf of my Department. Under SEI's House of Tomorrow Research, Development and Demonstration Programme, HOT, financial support is directed at encouraging developers of housing, both new-build and refurbishment, to...