Results 9,961-9,980 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Telecommunications Services. (5 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: It is a little stretch of the imagination to link job losses at IBM with the roll-out of broadband in Ireland.

Telecommunications Services. (5 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I do not agree with the Deputy that Ireland is slipping down on every index in European terms. Ireland is at full employment and has one of the lowest personal taxation models in Europe.

Telecommunications Services. (5 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I do not share the Deputy's doom and gloom. He referred to the World Economic Forum index. Ireland was ranked 21st of 80 countries in 2002, 22nd of 102 in 2003 and 22nd of 104 in 2004. Ireland is seventh in the EU rankings behind the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Austria and France.

Telecommunications Services. (5 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I do not agree with the Deputy's gloomy outlook. However, I agree that we need to ensure the rate of increase in the availability and take-up of broadband is maintained and we will do so. Governments cannot direct private companies to do anything.

Telecommunications Services. (5 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I hope private companies will recognise the commercial advantage to be gained and that they will continue to roll out broadband at the current rate.

Telecommunications Services. (5 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I do not have the level of detail the Deputy requests on MANs but I will provide him with as much information as possible. Where the MANs are in operation they are used by almost all operators including Eircom for enhancing its network. It is used extensively by service providers in various parts of the country. My optimism for take up of broadband arises from the introduction of the...

Telecommunications Services. (5 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The number of service providers registered with ComReg, the body with which they must be licensed, has increased from 80 to 130 companies. At least 45 different broadband offerings exist across a range and variety of technologies, including DSL mainly, but also fibre, cable, lease lines and satellite technology. Business people, including people who work at home and from home, are regularly...

Telecommunications Services. (5 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: There seems to be a greater awareness in this House of the benefits and needs for it than in some of the business organisations.

Telecommunications Services. (5 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The Deputy has raised an issue on which we need more focus. It is convenient for me and Opposition Members to discuss quantity of broadband but the issue of its quality is even more important. Even if the country was entirely broadband enabled, not everybody would want it or use it. The quality of what is on offer is extremely important and perhaps we would be better employed focusing on that...

Telecommunications Services. (5 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: That is what we are doing in the MANs programme. That is based on fibre optic because that is what we believe is necessary. Eircom has indicated that by the end of next year it will have achieved 90% coverage with DSL. We must focus more on quality as 512 bytes DSL is basic broadband and we should have at least one or two megabytes. Local loop unbundling is a matter for ComReg which knows the...

Telecommunications Services. (5 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I can confirm to the Deputy that for counting purposes, it will be 4,200 schools rather than 500,000 students who will have access. That relates to the last question the Deputy raised. Part of the rationale behind the rolling out of the schools broadband programme, as was my rationale when I was Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in rolling out direct broadband access...

Telecommunications Services. (5 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: It will be via schools, libraries and public buildings generally. I encourage local authorities, through the libraries, their offices and so on, to make these points available. Government should be more active in making public places available for people to ensure they are not unduly affected by the digital divide.

Post Office Network. (5 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: There continues to be a key national role for An Post, both in delivery of mail and as a quality service provider through its nationwide network of post office outlets. The market for traditional postal and post office services is changing globally and meeting customer needs has become more important than ever. In order to remain competitive, An Post needs to make the best possible use of its...

Post Office Network. (5 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: It is not in order for me to issue directions to An Post that would interfere directly in matters that are before the Labour Court. Therefore, I have not issued any directions per se. I have met with the management of An Post four or five times since I became Minister. The Department officials also meet with An Post on a regular basis. An Post management is aware of my views on a range of...

Post Office Network. (5 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: It is Government policy to ensure that as much Government business as possible is done through the post office network. This year, the Garda fines collection system is the latest Government service that will operate through An Post. It is my policy to ensure the maximum amount of business goes through An Post.

Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (4 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The Government is committed to a viable and sustainable rural post office network providing a range of services to meet consumer needs as set out in the programme for Government. This commitment is illustrated by the Government injection of €12.7 million into the network in 2003 to facilitate modernisation measures. The Government has strongly supported An Post initiatives such as the...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (4 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The authority to implement pension increases was delegated to An Post, subject to certain conditions, as this activity was considered part of the day-to-day operations of the company. This allowed the company to implement pension increases following pay increases to employees. However, decisions outside the scope of the original delegated authority still require the consent of the Ministers...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (4 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: Sustainable Energy Ireland, established as a statutory agency in May 2002, implements initiatives on renewable energy and energy efficiency, including research, on behalf of my Department. Its renewable energy research, development and demonstration programme aims to stimulate the deployment of renewable energy technologies that are close to market and also to assess and develop potentially...

Written Answers — Natural Gas Grid: Natural Gas Grid (4 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: It is an operational matter for Bord Gáis Éireann, under the supervision of the Commission for Energy Regulation, to arrange the safety of its natural gas network and this includes works to upgrade the network or to replace cast iron pipes. I am aware, however, that gas safety is a high priority for Bord Gáis Éireann. Bord Gáis Éireann has a distribution network in the order of 9,000...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (4 May 2005)

Noel Dempsey: Since 2002 the Commission for Energy Regulation has been responsible for determination of the level of public service order granted for Bellacorrick peat station by virtue of the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 (Public Service Obligations) Order (Amended) 2002, (S.I. 217 of 2002). The Commission for Energy Regulation is obliged under that order, from its commencement date of 23 May 2002, to...