Results 9,781-9,800 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

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

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 106, 116, 187 and 188 together. It is important to differentiate between television broadcasting services and the platforms on which they are made available. RTE and TV3 are, for example, available on analogue and digital cable systems, digital MMD systems, the analogue terrestrial network and BSkyB's digital satellite system. Ireland has, therefore, a number...

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

Noel Dempsey: A copy of the report, An Post, A New Vision, was received in my Department and my officials are currently conducting a detailed examination of its findings and recommendations regarding the future strategic direction of An Post. I will comment on the report when I have had the opportunity to fully review its findings and recommendations.

Written Answers — Electricity Supply Board: Electricity Supply Board (15 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: Subject to the statutory ceiling and required sanctions of capital programmes, the management of the finances and borrowings of the ESB are matters for the board. However, I can confirm that the company is engaged in a major network renewal programme involving expenditure of approximately €3.5 billion in the period 2000 to 2004 and it is my understanding that further expenditure of an...

Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (15 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 114 and 193 together. The Government and the board of An Post are committed to the objective of securing a viable and sustainable nationwide post office network as set out in the programme for Government. The post office network has been the subject of a number of studies and reviews in recent years. Many of the recommendations arising from these reviews have...

Written Answers — Gas Storage Facilities: Gas Storage Facilities (15 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The question of liquefied natural gas, LNG, facilities and major gas storage facilities are matters for the market players in the first instance. I would very much welcome private sector investment in these areas. My Department has not undertaken any research in respect of the development of such facilities. I am of course aware that LNG facilities would give us access to gas from geographic...

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

Noel Dempsey: I understand this is a dispute between an individual and his telecommunications service provider. I understand it relates to a compensatory claim. As such I have no function in this matter. I further understand that the issue also involves a complaint in regard to how the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, has operated in carrying out its functions. As ComReg is independent in...

Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (15 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The Government and the board of An Post are committed to the objective of securing a viable and sustainable nationwide post office network through a strategy of maximising the volume of both public and private sector business handled by the network. This is set out in the programme for Government. The challenge for the company is to develop a strategy that satisfies the needs of existing...

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

Noel Dempsey: The telecommunications sector is fully liberalised and the provision of services, including broadband, is a matter for private sector companies operating under the regulation of the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. Prices charged for broadband services vary, depending on bandwidth and other factors. My Department's website, www.broadband.gov.ie, lists the monthly...

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

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 148 to 150, inclusive, and 152 together as they refer to the EU Commission's investigation into the funding of RTE. Following a period of investigation, the EU Commission forwarded an Article 17 letter to the Irish authorities on 3 March 2005 setting out its preliminary views in regard to the compatibility of the funding arrangements for RTE with the...

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

Noel Dempsey: Section 7 of the Broadcasting Authority Act 1990 provides that RTE's accounts shall be audited annually by qualified auditors appointed by the authority. I have no proposal to amend this provision. Section 8(1)(b) of the Comptroller and Auditor General (Amendment) Act 1993 provides the Comptroller and Auditor General with a power to inspect the accounts of a body where that body receives more...

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

Noel Dempsey: I have no function in the regulation of the telecommunications market, which 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. As Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, I have...

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

Noel Dempsey: The Broadcasting (Major Events Television Coverage) Act 1999 (Designation of Major Events) Order 2003, designates a range of sporting events as events of major importance to society which should, in the public interest, continue to be made available on Irish free-to-air television services. The purpose of designation is to prevent certain events that have traditionally been available on...

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

Noel Dempsey: I gave a commitment in the Dáil in March 2005 to undertake a review of the developers quantified risk assessment, QRA, for the Corrib gas field upstream onshore pipeline. Tenders for the QRA were invited from four companies with requisite competencies. The company, which was successful following this tendering process, was British Pipeline Agency Limited, BPA. Following media queries on 25...

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

Noel Dempsey: My Department is responsible for the promotion and development of renewable energy including biofuels, biomass and solar energy and I am committed to the development of alternative fuels, which can contribute to emissions reductions, security of supply and contribute to meeting Ireland's commitments under the Kyoto Protocol. Sustainable Energy Ireland, SEI, was established under the...

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

Noel Dempsey: Part VII of the Companies Act 1990 provides for the restriction and disqualification of directors and others of private companies under certain circumstances. The Registrar of Companies is obliged to maintain a register of disqualified persons, having being notified by the court registrar when the court grants a restriction or disqualification order against an individual. Based on the...

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

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 214, 229 and 239 together. The telecommunications sector is fully liberalised, and regulated by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. With the repeal of section 111 of the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983 on 25 July 2003, the former licensing regime has been replaced by a general entitlement to provide...

Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (15 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The Government and the board of An Post are committed to the objective of securing a viable and sustainable nationwide post office network through a strategy of maximising the volume of both public and private sector business handled. The policy is set out in the programme for Government. The challenge for the company is to develop a strategy which satisfies the needs of existing customers...

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

Noel Dempsey: It is becoming increasingly obvious that energy efficiency and conservation bear on the activities of every Minister. My ambition is to bring about an increase in the priority given to it. Government policy on the conservation and sustainable use of energy is directed through Sustainable Energy Ireland, SEI, which was established under the Sustainable Energy Act in 2002 as an independent...

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

Noel Dempsey: Our electricity system is currently linked to the system in Northern Ireland by three interconnectors, one between Tandragee and Louth, one between Strabane and Letterkenny and one between Enniskillen and Corraclassy. The main interconnector, which is between Tandragee and Louth, has a physical capacity of 600 MW of power with 100% standby capacity. The interconnectors enable trade of...

Written Answers — Prospecting Licences: Prospecting Licences (15 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: There are currently nine petroleum exploration licences awarded to petroleum exploration companies; one reserved area licence, 21 licensing options and 11 petroleum prospecting licences. The licences are additional to the Kinsale, Seven Heads and Corrib petroleum leases. A licensing round in the north-east Rockall Basin closed on 31 May 2005. The results of the round will be available...