Results 10,021-10,040 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (13 Apr 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 190 and 193 together. A consultation on the development of a new digital research entity in the Digital Hub was recently undertaken on behalf of my Department. The consultation focussed on a number of topics, including research type; research area; preferred management approach; partnership requirement; preferred tender process; level of institutional interest...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (13 Apr 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 191 and 192 together. The provision of telecommunications, including broadband, is a matter in the first instance for the private sector companies operating in a fully liberalised market, as regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. The number of broadband customers is increasing rapidly and now stands at more than 140,000. For...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (12 Apr 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The only capital grant support is that provided by Sustainable Energy Ireland through its renewable energy research, development and demonstration programme. It is open to a wide range of research, development, and demonstration projects under the support mechanism categories proposed in the Green Paper on sustainable energy, including shared cost demonstration — projects demonstrating...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (12 Apr 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 393 and 394 together. Compliance with the Prompt Payment of Accounts Act, 1997, as amended by the European Communities (Late Payment in Commercial Transactions) Regulations 2002, is a specific requirement in all of the grant agreements drawn up between my Department and the local and regional authorities, and, in turn, of all agreements entered into by local...

Written Answers — Departmental Meetings: Departmental Meetings (12 Apr 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 395 and 400 together. I have been informed that no such meeting took place.

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (12 Apr 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I wish to advise the Deputy that I did not travel abroad for the purpose of attending St. Patrick's Day celebrations. However, I did travel to Israel from 14 to 16 March to represent the Taoiseach at a ceremony to inaugurate the new Holocaust History Museum in Jerusalem.

Written Answers — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (12 Apr 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I am unaware of any requirement in a NSAI standard to have a minimum distance of 70 metres from gas pipelines to any road. The Corrib gas pipeline was designed to standard BS 8010-2.8.

Written Answers — Offshore Exploration: Offshore Exploration (12 Apr 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The consent to construct the Corrib gas pipeline given by my predecessor was based on my Department's assessment, inter alia, of the design codes proposed by the developers for the construction of the pipeline. In this context, my Department commissioned an independent pipeline expert to evaluate the onshore pipeline design code. The study addressed design methodology, operating conditions,...

Written Answers — Mineral Development: Mineral Development (12 Apr 2005)

Noel Dempsey: Minerals are usually developed by private enterprise through a lease or licence issued under the Minerals Development Acts 1940-1999. The rate of royalty is settled by negotiation between the Department and individual developers, and, in agreeing a rate of royalty, attention is paid to such factors as the economics of the project, international practice and the need to ensure equitable...

Written Answers — Gas Terminal Safety: Gas Terminal Safety (12 Apr 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The non-technical summary of the quantified risk assessment, QRA, is being prepared by Shell to provide the general public with a self-explanatory layman's understanding and interpretation of the QRA. It will not be subject to any assessment by me. The QRA non-technical summary does not come within the scope of the Environmental Impact Assessment, EIA, Directives 83/337/EEC and 97/11/EC.

Written Answers — Natural Gas Grid: Natural Gas Grid (12 Apr 2005)

Noel Dempsey: Section 32(1)(a) of the Gas Act 1976 as amended provides that "any person may apply to the Minister for an order under this section to acquire compulsorily any land or right over land which is required by that person for or in connection with the performance of any function of that person." In accordance with this section, compulsory acquisition orders were issued to the developers.

Written Answers — Dumping at Sea: Dumping at Sea (12 Apr 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The dredging and associated works at Dingle were carried out in accordance with the relevant legislation in respect of disposal of dredge materials. Planning permission was granted by Kerry County Council for the development in December 1998. A foreshore licence, in accordance with the Foreshore Acts 1933 to 1998, was granted for the pier development and dredging works in 1999. Dumping at sea...

Written Answers — Natural Gas Grid: Natural Gas Grid (12 Apr 2005)

Noel Dempsey: Any intending supplier of gas to the north west is free to apply to the Commission for Energy Regulation, CER, for the necessary consent. A preliminary evaluation in 2001 by Bord Gáis Éireann, BGE, which considered network extensions to the north west, found that none was commercially viable and even the least expensive option would cost more than what might be recovered over the lifetime...

Written Answers — Gas Terminal Safety: Gas Terminal Safety (12 Apr 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The safety of the gas terminal is in the first instance a matter for Shell E & P Ireland Limited. The plan of development approval, including the consent to construct a pipeline, took account of safety matters. It also incorporates the permits and licences to be issued by other regulatory authorities. The plan of development approval was given subject to a number of conditions, one of which...

Written Answers — Offshore Gas Processing: Offshore Gas Processing (12 Apr 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The Corrib gas field is a sub-sea development with gas processing at a terminal onshore. Offshore processing for the Corrib gas field is not the preferred development option as it would mean that production would be weather-sensitive, a serious drawback in the hostile environment at Corrib, and there would be greater capital and operational expenditure compared to a sub-sea development. The...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (12 Apr 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The Government's decentralisation programme involves the relocation of the Department headquarters and functions to Cavan, the seafood and coastal zone functions to Clonakilty and the maritime safety directorate and the Irish Coast Guard to Drogheda. All these functions and the posts involved in the decentralisation programme are currently based in Dublin. The Department already has a...

Written Answers — Ministerial Responsibilities: Ministerial Responsibilities (12 Apr 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The Minister of State was invited to launch this report in his official capacity. It is normal for the Department to issue press releases for all such events. This practice has been in place through previous administrations.

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

Noel Dempsey: I do not have responsibility within the Government for trade issues, including Fairtrade products and the fair trade campaign, and my Department as a corporate entity is not involved generally in purchases of products of the type promoted under the Fairtrade campaign.

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (12 Apr 2005)

Noel Dempsey: Ireland is a member of the International Energy Agency, IEA, an OECD body which, inter alia, monitors developments in the international oil market. The IEA keeps the oil market situation under constant review. While international oil prices are currently high, the IEA considers that the supply-demand fundamentals should not lead to a supply crisis. As a member of the IEA, Ireland is required...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (12 Apr 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 415 and 416 together. My Department has made no grants or other financial assistance available in the past three years to any groups or organisations of the types referred to by the Deputy.