Results 9,821-9,840 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Broadcasting Legislation. (15 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 and 191 together. My core policy objectives for the development of the broadcasting sector are detailed in my Department's statement of strategy. These objectives are to create an environment that encourages the maintenance of high quality Irish radio and television services by both independent broadcasters and RTE, to secure a viable future for high quality...

Broadcasting Legislation. (15 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I hope I am interpreting the Deputy's question correctly. I do not regard increased provision of satellite platforms for broadcasting as a difficulty. On the contrary, it is an opportunity for all concerned. If I recall correctly, Ireland has the highest satellite-cable penetration of any country in Europe and greater provision will not cause a problem. The Deputy's question may allude to the...

Broadcasting Legislation. (15 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: Further consultations will take place on the broadcasting Act. I am currently engaged in talks with the Government Whip with a view to ensuring that a Bill such as the broadcasting Bill would be part of a pilot scheme he wishes to introduce on e-government to facilitate online consultation. I want the Joint Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources involved in this regard....

Broadcasting Legislation. (15 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The reason we are taking action to move to digital terrestrial television is to try to ensure a platform is available at all times for free-to-air services, including our national broadcaster and other broadcasters which reflect Irish content. I am not unduly concerned at this point. As regards the question of particular sports events, legislation is in place to address this matter and is...

Company Takeovers. (15 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I have no function in this matter, as the companies mentioned by the Deputy are private companies. In my capacity as Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources I have no role inapproving the ownership of companies that provide broadcasting services to the public on a subscription basis nor do I license such companies. I have made clear in the past that I am of the opinion that...

Company Takeovers. (15 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The Deputy has raised many questions and issues that are not of direct relevance to the question he tabled and not of direct relevance to my role as Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. As he has pointed out this issue may possibly be one for the Competition Authority. As the Deputy knows the Competition Authority is independent and has undertaken many investigations...

Company Takeovers. (15 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I do not want to repeat what I have said before. The Deputy has raised a number of concerns. I have indicated where the responsibility for those lies. I will undertake to bring the Deputy's concerns to the attention of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. I will refer him to the matters raised here.

Mobile Telephony. (15 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I have no function in the setting of pricing for phone services. The regulation of telecommunications operators, including pricing for mobile services, is the responsibility of the Commission for Communications Regulation, or ComReg, in accordance with the requirements of the Communications (Regulation) Act 2002 and regulations made under the EU regulatory framework for electronic...

Mobile Telephony. (15 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: It is being addressed as a matter of urgency. However, one can only go so far on issues like these. I have no powers to direct companies on how much they charge. We have been trying to involve the two regulators and they have been exerting as much pressure as they can. They have been encouraging the companies to introduce an all-island tariff. They have also provided better information for...

Mobile Telephony. (15 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I assure the Deputy that it is being done by me and the regulators. I will continue to back both regulators in their efforts to resolve this issue.

Order of Business. (15 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: If there is any change I will write to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (14 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The development of the Corrib gas field is progressing. While my Department has issued all consents for the project, the pipeline consent to construct was essentially permission in principle to proceed with the design process for the pipeline. That has now been done. At present my Department is considering an application for consent to install the on-shore pipeline, which was a condition...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (14 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 329 and 336 together. The latest 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. EUROSTAT also reports that 92% of all Irish...

Written Answers — Television Reception: Television Reception (14 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 89 of 5 February 2005.

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (14 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 396 on Tuesday, 12 April 2005. I can confirm that this is the definitive information.

Written Answers — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (14 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I gave a commitment in the Dáil in March 2005 to undertake a review of the developer's 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 — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (14 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I am advised by Bord Gáis Éireann which maintains such records that the number of such explosions in the last ten years is as follows. Year Number of explosions 1995 1 1996 2 1997 2 1998 1 1999 1 2000 3 2001 2 2002 2 2003 1 2004 0 Total 15

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (14 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The amount paid in respect of this consultancy in 2002 was €32,879.84.

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (14 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: Within the electricity market, a target has been established to increase the amount of electricity consumed from renewable energy sources to 13.2% by 2010. That is regarded as a challenging target to achieve. Currently we have 660 MW of renewable capacity connected to our system, and to reach the 2010 target we will have to more than double the present renewable capacity. The current industry...

Written Answers — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (14 Jun 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The Deputy is referring to the conditions of State participation under the 1975 licensing terms. I believe that the restoration of the 1975 terms would not make a positive contribution to petroleum exploration and development in offshore Ireland. In the context of a commercial find it would impose a substantial up-front capital contribution, while the State's share of income from such an...