Results 10,261-10,280 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Written Answers — Broadcasting Legislation: Broadcasting Legislation (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 80 and 310 together. Work is continuing on the development of legislative proposals that will form the basis of a new broadcasting Bill. I expect to bring these proposals to Government in the third quarter of this year, with publication of the Bill by end 2005. The principal objectives of the legislative proposals are as follows: the establishment of a single...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 81, 104 and 274 together. The review I am proposing is focused mainly on the electricity sector. Internal reviews on renewable energy, CHP and biomass are nearing completion. While the review is being planned for some time, precise terms of reference are still being finalised. What is proposed is a comprehensive and strategic review of the institutional...

Written Answers — Television Licence Fee: Television Licence Fee (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 82 and 280 together. The purpose of the Broadcasting (Funding) Act 2003 was to establish a special fund to encourage both private and public broadcasters to include additional programming of a particular character in their programme schedules. The Act provided that 5% of the net proceeds of the television licence fee should be paid into the fund from 2003...

Written Answers — Energy Regulation: Energy Regulation (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Dempsey: Currently, I have certain limited statutory powers to give directions to the Commission for Energy Regulation, CER, about electricity trading arrangements solely. In the interests of the proper and effective regulation of the electricity and gas markets, I am proposing, in line with other regulated sectors and with Government approval, to take powers to issue policy directions of a general...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 85 and 287 together. As a member of the International Energy Agency, IEA, Ireland is required to maintain emergency oil stocks equivalent to at least 90 days of net imports in the previous year. The EU imposes a similar requirement based on consumption. On 1 December 2004, the latest date for which comprehensive figures are available, Ireland's emergency oil...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 86 and 293 together. The purpose of the national implementation body is to oversee the delivery of the industrial peace and stability provisions of national level social partnership agreements. The national implementation body does not seek in any way to duplicate or substitute for already well established industrial relations machinery but rather to provide a...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 87 and 308 together. I refer the Deputy to my response to the earlier questions today in regard to my proposal to undertake a comprehensive review of the electricity sector. In addition, the promotion of renewable energy technologies in electricity production, the harnessing of energy from biomass products and the increased use of combined heat and power...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Dempsey: RTE's statutory mandate, as defined in section 28 (1) of the Broadcasting Act 2001, provides that RTE's radio and television services shall be made available, in so far as is reasonably practicable, to the whole community on the island of Ireland. It is a matter for RTE to determine how best to fulfil its statutory mandate and I have no function in the matter. RTE is not mandated to make its...

Written Answers — Radio Broadcasting: Radio Broadcasting (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 91 and 281 together. The licensing of local radio stations in Ireland is a matter for the independent Broadcasting Commission of Ireland, BCI, and one in which I have no direct role. Under its statutory obligations, the BCI determines issues such as the type and number of licences in any region. However, I wish to maintain a suitable legislative framework for...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 92 and 294 together. First, the provisions applicable to staff transferred to An Post are set out in section 45 of the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983. Implementing wage increases to An Post employees is an operational matter for the company and one in which I have no function. An Post is a commercial State body with a remit to be financially...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Dempsey: Liberalisation of the electricity market is well under way and has proceeded on a phased basis since February 2000 under the regulatory oversight of the Commission for Energy Regulation, CER, the independent regulator for gas and electricity. In accordance with the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 (Eligible Customer) (Consumption of Electricity) Order 2003, on February 19 next the market will...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 96, 120, 137, 150, 162, 164, 289, 290 and 301 together. The provision of broadband facilities is a matter in the first instance for the private sector companies operating in a fully liberalised market. A number of factors determine whether broadband is offered in any area, including the level of investment required by the service provider, the likely number of...

Written Answers — Digital Industries: Digital Industries (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 97 and 126 together. On 22 May 2001, the Government made an order transferring responsibility for the digital hub to the Minister for Public Enterprise whose functions regarding the hub were subsequently transferred to me. The hub provides state-of-the-art infrastructure to start up facilities for early stage, fast growth and established companies to undertake...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Legislation: Broadcasting Legislation (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 101 and 285 together. The work involved in identifying and examining the various issues that need to be addressed in the context of a new radio communications Bill is at an early stage within my Department. I await the outcome of this work before making any decision on preferred options for inclusion within the proposed Bill.

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I intend to have a comprehensive and strategic review of the electricity sector undertaken as soon as possible. One of the main issues covered in this study will be an examination of the vertically integrated structure of the ESB, including its dominance in the power generation sector. I am aware that the management of the ESB, in its recent discussions with the ESB group of unions, raised...

Written Answers — Mobile Telephony: Mobile Telephony (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to takes Questions Nos. 108 and 315 together. The provision of telecommunications services and the development and roll out of mobile phone technology is primarily a matter for the mobile industry itself. The telecoms market is fully liberalised and regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, which is independent in the exercise of its functions. As Minister...

Written Answers — Television Licence Fee: Television Licence Fee (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 109 and 283 together. The Broadcasting (Funding) Act 2003 provides for the preparation and administration of a scheme or schemes by the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland, BCI, to support the production of certain categories of new programmes on radio and television services. The BCI has drawn up a scheme and in accordance with section 2(1) of the Act has...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Dempsey: I am aware of the report and statistics referred to by the Deputy. I have no function in electricity network costs. This is a matter which falls within the statutory responsibility of the Commission for Energy Regulation.

Written Answers — Post Office Network: Post Office Network (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Dempsey: This Government and the board of An Post are committed to the objective of securing a viable and sustainable nationwide post office network as set out in the programme for Government. I have met the Irish Postmasters Union and listened with interest to its views on the future development of the network. My officials continue to be in regular contact with the management of An Post to assist...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (8 Feb 2005)

Noel Dempsey: The matters to which the Deputy refers to are the subject of investigations by the Garda Síochána. The timeframe for this investigation is a matter for the Garda Síochána. I have received no report about these investigations. It would be inappropriate for me to comment further or make a statement at this time.