Results 9,881-9,900 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (17 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: Sustainable Energy Ireland, which was established as a statutory agency in May 2002, implements renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives on behalf of the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. Its officials attend regular meetings and seminars at EU and international level to keep Ireland benchmarked on best international practice in a range of renewable and...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (17 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The latest information from the Public Appointments Service indicates that 176 expressions of interest had been received for posts decentralising to Clonakilty. Some 140 of the expressions of interest relate to the 91 departmental posts and 36 for the 93 Bord Iascaigh Mhara posts which are included in the Government's programme. The Office of Public Works is responsible for providing...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (17 May 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 — Departmental Charges: Departmental Charges (17 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: My Department, in consultation as necessary with the Office of the Attorney General, is carrying out a review of the legal basis for charges and fees levied by the Department and will also review the legal basis for charges and fees levied by agencies under its remit. The outcome of this review will be submitted to me as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (17 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 178 and 181 together. I have provided the information requested in respect of land and buildings disposed of under the headings of foreshore and the fishery harbour centres. My Department is assessing the possible scope for a further more detailed reply in relation to disposals, if any, of other assets over the period, subject to the availability of the...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (17 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The provision of broadband facilities is a matter in the first instance for the private sector telecommunications companies operating in a fully liberalised market. A number of factors determine where and when broadband services are offered in any area, including the potential number of customers, the level of investment required and so on. My Department's regional broadband programme is...

Written Answers — Fairtrade Products: Fairtrade Products (12 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: My Department, as a corporate entity, is not involved generally in purchases of products of the type promoted under the Fairtrade movement.

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (12 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The information sought by the Deputy is set out in the following table. Vacancies on Boards of State-sponsored Bodies State Body Vacancies outstanding as at 9 May 2005 An Post 1 vacancy BIM 1 vacancy Bord Gáis 1 vacancy Bord na Móna 1 vacancy Digital Hub 3 vacancies ESB 2 vacancies Electronic Communications Appeals Panel 1 vacancy Central...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (10 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: Sustainable Energy Ireland, which was established as a statutory agency in May 2002, implements renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives, including research, on behalf of the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. Under Sustainable Energy Ireland's research, development and demonstration programme, House of Tomorrow, heat pumps and solar panels are just two of a...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (10 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 197 and 198 together. The provision of broadband facilities is a matter for private telecommunications companies, which operate in a fully liberalised market. A number of factors, including the potential number of customers and the required level of investment, determine where and when broadband services are offered. The Department of Communications, Marine...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (10 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: In October 2004, the board of An Post submitted a proposal to amend the existing An Post pension scheme to allow payment of Sustaining Progress increases to pensioners. By way of background, the existing terms of the An Post superannuation scheme provide for pay parity, that is, that pensions are increased in line with the pay of serving staff. This is in accordance with public service...

Written Answers — Digital Hub: Digital Hub (5 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 9, 48, 154, and 155 together. The digital hub project managed by the independent Digital Hub Development Agency has been and continues to be successful in attracting digital industry tenants and operates a number of significant community, educational and promotional initiatives as part of its role. The agency has been successful in growing the cluster with...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (5 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: In November 2004, Minister Barry Gardiner MP and myself, as Ministers with responsibility for energy policy in Northern Ireland and Ireland, respectively, launched a development framework for an all island energy market. We agreed that the challenges faced on the island in relation to the safety, security and sustainability of energy supplies can best be achieved through co-operation on an...

Written Answers — Energy Conservation: Energy Conservation (5 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 and 165 together. While there is no room for complacency in relation to the vital matter of energy saving and energy efficiency, the situation in Ireland is fairly good, compared with many other European countries. However, we are always open to new ideas and I intend to engage proactively with this agenda. Sustainable Energy Ireland, SEI, is an agency...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (5 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 12, 21, 25, 58, 66, 72, 89, 143, 144, 145 and 157 together. The promotion of renewable energy technologies in electricity production is a key priority of this Government. This priority is shared by EU Community institutions which have addressed a directive, the renewables directive — Directive 2001/77/EC, to all member states to increase the consumption of...

Written Answers — Mobile Telephony: Mobile Telephony (5 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 and 160 together. 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, ComReg, in accordance with the requirements of the Communications Regulation Act 2002 and regulations made under the...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (5 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 15, 33, 47, 96, 146, 162 and 167 together. In March 2004, my Department secured an amendment to the Finance Act 1999 which provides for the introduction of a pilot scheme for excise tax relief for biofuels. The European Commission has now given State aid clearance for the scheme that was launched by my Department on 20 April. Interested parties have been...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (5 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: As regards domestic electricity prices, the Deputy will be aware I have no function in relation to the pricing of electricity as this falls within the remit of the Commission for Energy Regulation, CER, the independent regulator for electricity and gas. Turning to the kernel of the question, the Deputy will also be aware that liberalisation of the electricity market has proceeded on a phased...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (5 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The development of the Corrib gas field, which is situated some 70 km off the coast of County Mayo, is progressing steadily. The development has received the necessary statutory approvals, consents and licences for the development of the field and work on the project has commenced. The developers expect that first gas will flow in early 2007. A considerable amount of work will be undertaken...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Legislation: Broadcasting Legislation (5 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: TG4 is primarily an Irish language television station. It first broadcast on 31 October 1996 and operates as part of the RTÉ family of services. The Government is committed to supporting the development of Irish language broadcasting, and to the establishment of TG4 as a separate statutory body, as provided for in the Broadcasting Act 2001. The Government has agreed that I would indicate my...