Results 9,921-9,940 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — Natural Gas Grid: Natural Gas Grid (5 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 54 and 168 together. In recent times, Ireland has developed a high standard of security of gas supply, through robust interconnection with the UK, to ensure sufficient importation capacity from external sources. We now have two gas interconnectors, with the second ensuring security of gas supply to 2025 and beyond. Ireland's security of supply status is on par...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (5 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: Bula Limited was formed in 1971 to acquire and develop certain minerals at Nevinstown, near Navan, County Meath. On foot of an agreement in July 1974 between Bula and the then Minister, former Deputy Justin Keating, the State acquired a 49% shareholding in the company but, because of the conditions of this agreement, the State's voting rights only amounted to 28%. For a variety of reasons, by...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (5 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 57, 81, 92, 158, 169 and 175 together. As Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, I have responsibility for overall telecoms policy, and my main goal in this policy is to create conditions for sustainable growth and competition that will benefit the economic and social development of Ireland and facilitate competitive services. It is my...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (5 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 61 and 64 together. My Department, in association with Sustainable Energy Ireland, SEI, set up a bioenergy strategy group, BSG, in December 2003. The primary objective of the group is to consider the policy options and support mechanisms available to Government to stimulate increased use of biomass for energy conversion, and to make specific recommendations...

Written Answers — Public Sector Broadcasting: Public Sector Broadcasting (5 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 62, 63 and 173 together. I assume that the Deputies are referring to the EU Commission's investigation into the funding of RTE. As the Deputies may be aware this investigation arose in the context of a formal complaint by TV3, made originally in 1999, alleging infringements of Articles 92-94 of the EC Treaty relating to, among other things, the payment of...

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

Noel Dempsey: The draft broadcasting funding scheme was prepared by the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland in accordance with the provisions of the Broadcasting (Funding) Act 2003. In regard to television programmes, the Act provides that it is open to all broadcasters and independent producers to apply for funding provided that the programmes will be made available to at least 90% of the population of the...

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

Noel Dempsey: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 111 of 3 February 2005 from Deputy Durkan in which I stated that the EU Commission's review of the television without frontiers directive is ongoing. The Commission has indicated that it might bring forward proposals in regard to a possible revision of the directive towards the end of this year.

Written Answers — Semi-State Bodies: Semi-State Bodies (5 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: Bord na Móna plc recently presented its group strategy document and five-year corporate plan for 2004-05 to 2008-09. These documents outline the company's proposals to deal with increasing commercial and environmental pressures, and its diversification beyond peat-based products into new sectors including alternative energy, environmental projects and waste management. I subsequently...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (5 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: Responsibility for EU directives lies with the relevant divisions of my Department with the support of a central EU unit. Details of outstanding complaints from the EU Commission regarding non-compliance with current directives are set out in the following table. Name of directive Details Stage in proceedings Council Directive 85/337/EEC of 27 June 1985 on the assessment of the effects...

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

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 73 and 161 together. I refer the Deputies to my reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 141 and 305 on 8 February 2005.

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (5 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The Postal (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill that was published in 2001 provided for the issue, sale and disposal of shares in An Post in the context of an employee share ownership plan, ESOP, and possible strategic alliance. The Bill also contained ancillary provisions arising out of a possible change of ownership. The financial and industrial relations environment in An Post has changed...

Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (5 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 78 and 147 together. The primary responsibility for the development of the post office network rests with An Post. The automation of the network was completed in 1997 and it had only been in very exceptional circumstances — such as an existing automated office closing and its equipment being transferred to a suitable neighbouring location which transacts...

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

Noel Dempsey: The study, referred to by the Deputy concludes that offshore wind energy could supply 10% of Europe's electricity requirement by 2010. I am not in a position to comment specifically on this assertion. A similar type study of the offshore wind potential of the island of Ireland, Assessment of Offshore Wind Energy Resources, was commissioned jointly by my Department and the Department of...

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

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 80, 101, 151 and 156 together. The most recent figures available to me regarding energy production, that is, electricity generation, relate to 2003 and were contained in my reply to Question No. 127 of Tuesday 8 February 2005 and is set out as follows: % Coal 26.51 Peat 10.36 Oil 11.88 Gas 47.08 Hydro 1.02 Wind 0.78 Landfill Gas 0.33 ...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (5 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 82 and 141 together. My Department's regional broadband programme is building high-speed open access broadband networks in almost 120 cities and towns that will be used by the private sector companies to offer services at competitive prices to consumers, including decentralised Government offices. The programme was expanded to include three additional towns,...

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

Noel Dempsey: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 93 on 30 November, 2004.

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (5 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The annual report and accounts of An Post for 2004 were received in the Department and were presented to Government on 19 April 2005 prior to their being laid before each House of the Oireachtas. The financial outturn for the year resulted in operating profits of €1.8 million, which is testament to the policy of controlled financial management, in line with the recovery strategy that the...

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

Noel Dempsey: The three Commissioners for Energy Regulation have equal rank while Commissioner, Tom Reeves, has been appointed as chairman. As required by the Electricity Regulation Act 1999, the commissioners' terms and conditions of appointment are fixed with the consent of the Minister for Finance. The contractual arrangements entered into with each of the three commissioners received such consent....

Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (5 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 86 and 139 together. The Government and An Post are committed to the maintenance of a nationwide post office network. To ensure that this commitment continues to be honoured, there is a fundamental requirement for An Post to address certain strategic issues relating to the network. A challenge for the company is to develop a comprehensive strategy that...

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

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 87 and 163 together. Sustainable Energy Ireland, SEI, is an agency established by Government in 2002, under the aegis of the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. Its remit is to promote and assist environmentally and economically sustainable production, supply and use of energy across all sectors of the economy. SEI is responsible for...